Packaging Engineering

Biological Engineering (BE) applies engineering principles to protect natural resources and to produce food, biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and other biobased products. BE incorporates foundations of biology with engineering theory and practice to develop sustainable solutions to problems facing a broad range of industries.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering is founded on developing, teaching, and applying engineering principles to improve and sustain agricultural and biological systems for current and future generations.
More Info 

CONTACT

352.392.1864 (tel) | 352.392.4092 (fax)

P.O. Box 110570
Frazier Rogers Hall
1741 Museum Road, Bldg. 474
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-0570
Map

Curriculum

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.

Packaging Engineering

Required Courses
EMA 3010Materials3
EMA 3066Introduction to Organic Materials3
PKG 3001Principles of Packaging3
PKG 3103Food Packaging3
PKG 4008Distribution and Transport Packaging3
PKG 4101CComputer Tools for Packaging3
PKG 4011Packaging Production and Processing3
Engineering Electives (minimum)3
Technical Electives (minimum)3
Total Credits27

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

Semester 2

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

Semester 6

Semester 7

Semester 8

Semester 9

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.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 (Writing Requirement, if needed) 3
Select one: 4
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences)
Chemistry for Engineers 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences)
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
State Core Gen Ed Humanities with Diversity or International; Writing Requirement, if needed 3
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences with Diversity or International; Writing Requirement, if needed 3
 Credits17
Semester Two
Quest 2 (Writing Requirement, if needed) 3
ABE 2062
Biology for Engineers
or Integrated Principles of Biology 1
3
Select one: 4
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences)
Chemistry for Engineers 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences)
MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences (with Diversity or International and Writing as needed) 3
 Credits17
Semester Three
ABE 2012C Introduction to Biological Engineering 3
State Core Gen Ed Composition, Writing Requirement: 6,000 words. Select one: 3
Expository and Argumentative Writing
Argument and Persuasion
ENC 3246 Professional Communication for Engineers (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Composition) 3
MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
PHY 2048
2048L
Physics with Calculus 1
and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences)
4
 Credits17
Semester Four
EGM 2511 Engineering Mechanics: Statics 3
EGN 2020C Engineering Design & Society 2
EML 3007 Elements of Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 3
MAP 2302 Elementary Differential Equations (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 3
PHY 2049
2049L
Physics with Calculus 2
and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences)
4
 Credits15
Semester Five
ABE 3612C Heat and Mass Transfer in Biological Systems 4
EGM 3400 Elements of Dynamics 2
EGM 3520 Mechanics of Materials 3
Select one: 3-4
Computer Methods in Civil Engineering
Computer Programming for Engineers
and Computer Programming for Engineers Laboratory
Computational Methods in Environmental Engineering
PKG 3001 Principles of Packaging 3
 Credits15-16
Semester Six
ABE 3000C Applications in Biological Engineering (Critical Tracking) 3
CGN 3710
Experimentation and Instrumentation in Civil Engineering
or Elements of Electrical Engineering
3
EMA 3010 Materials 3
PKG 4101C Computer Tools for Packaging 3
PKG 4011
Packaging Production and Processing
or Food and Bioprocess Engineering Unit Operations
3-4
 Credits15-16
Semester Seven
ABE 4042C Biological Engineering Design 1 (Critical Tracking) 2
ABE 4171 Power and Machines for Biological Systems 3
EGN 3353C
Fluid Mechanics
or Hydrodynamics
3-4
Select one: 1
Professional Development of Chemical Engineers
Engineering Ethics and Professionalism
Department and Professional Orientation
EMA 3066 Introduction to Organic Materials 3
PKG 3103 Food Packaging 3
 Credits15-16
Semester Eight
ABE 4033
Fundamentals and Applications of Biosensors
or Post-Harvest Operations Engineering
3
ABE 4043C Biological Engineering Design 2 (Critical Tracking) 2
CHM 2200
Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
or Elementary Organic and Biological Chemistry
3
PKG 4008 Distribution and Transport Packaging 3
Engineering elective 3
Technical elective 3
 Credits17
 Total Credits128

Technical Electives

AEB 3300Agricultural and Food Marketing3
AEB 3133Principles of Agribusiness Management3
AEC 3414Leadership Development3
AEC 3070CDigital Media Production in Agricultural and Life Sciences3
AEC 4036Advanced Agricultural Communication Production3
AOM 4062Principles of Food Engineering4
FOS 3042Introductory Food Science3
FOS 4427CPrinciples of Food Processing4
FOS 4731Government Regulations and the Food Industry2
PKG 4941Work Experience in Packaging Engineering3

 

Engineering Electives

EGN 4641Engineering Entrepreneurship3
EGN 4643Engineering Innovation3
EGN 4912Engineering Directed Independent Research0-3
EMA 3011Fundamental Principles of Materials3
EMA 3513CAnalysis of the Structure of Materials4
EMA 3800Error Analyses and Optimization Methodologies in Materials Research3
EMA 4062Biopolymers: Manufacture, Stability and Biocompatibility3
EMA 4223Mechanical Behavior of Materials3
EMA 4666Polymer Processing3
PKG 4941Work Experience in Packaging Engineering3

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

  1. 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

  1. 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

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4
ABE 2012C I, A I, A
ABE 3612C R, A
ABE 4042C R, A I, A I
ABE 4043C R, A R, A R, A

Assessment Types

  • Assignments
  • Exams
  • Design projects and reports