Biological engineers pioneer new designs and techniques in such areas as agricultural robotics, remote sensing, bioprocessing, biofuels, precision agriculture, plant space biology, sustainability of natural resources, and packaging product design and development.

Graduates are educated in the biological and environmental sciences as well as in engineering. They will address critical problems involving land and water resources, biological systems, production agriculture and innovations in packaging. Students can choose a focus area based on their courses of specialization and individual selection of electives. Areas of specialization are biosystems engineering, land and water resources engineering, packaging engineering, and agricultural production engineering.

In addition to abundant job opportunities in Florida's agricultural industry, graduates have career opportunities in biotechnology and in fields related to Florida's water quality and water resources, including water management districts, environmental companies, consulting firms, equipment manufacturers, bio-energy, food engineering and the packaging industry.

The BE curriculum can also fulfill requirements for admission to professional programs as well as to graduate programs including biomedical engineering, civil engineering and mechanical engineering.

Educational Objectives

Graduates from the University of Florida's undergraduate degree program in biological engineering will be prepared for at least one of the following:

• Successful careers in the profession of biological engineering or other related fields.
• Gaining admission to a graduate and/or professional degree program.

Goals

To develop biological engineering professionals with technical proficiency and societal responsibility.

Mission

The department will develop professionals, create and disseminate knowledge, and promote the application of engineering and management principles to meet societal needs with respect to agriculture, packaging, land and water resources, and biological systems.

Land and Water Resources Engineering

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• Complete 1 of 8 tracking courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts: CHM 2045 or CHM 2095, CHM 2046 or CHM 2096, MAC 2311, MAC 2312, MAC 2313, MAP 2302, PHY 2048, PHY 2049
• 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

• Complete 1 additional tracking course with a minimum grade of C within two attempts
• 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

• Complete 2 additional tracking courses with minimum grades of C within two attempts
• 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

• Complete 2 additional tracking courses with minimum grades of C within two attempts
• 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

• Complete all 8 critical-tracking courses with minimum grades of C in each course within two attempts
• Complete EGM 3520
• 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

• Complete ENC 3246

Semester 7

• Complete ABE 3000C

Semester 8

• Complete ABE 4042C

Semester 9

• Complete ABE 4043C

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

The curriculum emphasizes engineering solutions to problems associated with biological and agricultural systems that often are related to renewable natural resources. Students gain knowledge through formal courses, laboratory experimentation and individual experience. Students will learn to utilize math, science and engineering principles to analyze and interpret data, to design and conduct experiments, systems and components and to effectively communicate results within an appropriate presentation style.

The Biological Engineering BS Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Biological and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Pass assessment by two or more faculty and/or industry practitioners of student performance on a major design experience.
• Pass assessment in two courses of individual assignments targeted to each learning outcome.
• Complete an exit interview in your final semester.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

1. Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering principles to biological engineering problems. Students will be able to apply fundamental concepts, skills, and processes in biological engineering.
2. Design and conduct biological and/or agricultural engineering experiments, analyzing and interpreting the data in biological engineering.

Critical Thinking

3. Design a biological and/or agricultural system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability constraints in biological engineering.

Communication

4. Communicate technical data and design information effectively in writing and in speech to other engineers in biological engineering.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• Assignments
• Exams
• Design projects and reports