2009-10 Undergraduate Catalog
Majors
Packaging science involves application of science and engineering principles to develop solutions to ever changing, real-world packaging problems.
The packaging industry is actually a collection of related industries. Raw material production companies provide paper, glass, plastics and metals. Converters refine raw materials into forms useful for packaging such as film laminates, rigid bottles, corrugated boxes, etc. End-user companies design new packaging for foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemicals. Distribution and logistics companies use specialized material handling and tracking technologies that are tightly integrated with packaging. Finally, end-of-life-cycle processing companies handle packaging waste through recycling, composting, reuse, waste-to-energy and landfilling.
The packaging science curriculum combines a solid foundation in math, science and engineering with specific packaging courses designed to train students to critically analyze packaging problems and to develop innovative and practical solutions.
Students work with state-of-the-art equipment, including computerized 3-D package design to improve conceptualization and speed to market. In addition, students explore current trends such as application of bio-based and biodegradable plastics, nano-technology enhanced gas barriers to increase product shelf life and modern package-tracking technologies, such as 2D barcodes and radio frequency identification.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
| Packaging Science |
| College: Agricultural and Life Sciences |
| Degree: Bachelor of Science |
| Hours for the Degree: 120 |
| Minor: Yes |
| Combined-Degree Program: No |
| Website: www.pkg.ufl.edu |
Packaging science involves application of science and engineering principles to develop solutions to ever changing, real-world packaging problems.
The packaging industry is actually a collection of related industries. Raw material production companies provide paper, glass, plastics and metals. Converters refine raw materials into forms useful for packaging such as film laminates, rigid bottles, corrugated boxes, etc. End-user companies design new packaging for foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemicals. Distribution and logistics companies use specialized material handling and tracking technologies that are tightly integrated with packaging. Finally, end-of-life-cycle processing companies handle packaging waste through recycling, composting, reuse, waste-to-energy and landfilling.
The packaging science curriculum combines a solid foundation in math, science and engineering with specific packaging courses designed to train students to critically analyze packaging problems and to develop innovative and practical solutions.
Students work with state-of-the-art equipment, including computerized 3-D package design to improve conceptualization and speed to market. In addition, students explore current trends such as application of bio-based and biodegradable plastics, nano-technology enhanced gas barriers to increase product shelf life and modern package-tracking technologies, such as 2D barcodes and radio frequency identification.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Semester 1:
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
- 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking coursework for semesters 1-5
-
Complete 2 of 6 critical-tracking courses, excluding labs: BSC 2007/2009L,
CHM 2045/2045L, CHM 2046/2046L, MAC 2311, PHY 2004/2004L,
PHY 2005/2005L
Semester 2:
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
Semester 3:
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
Semester 4:
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
Semester 5:
- Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
Recommended semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 4 |
| MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M) | 4 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H, N) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| CHM 2046 and 2046L Analytic General Chemistry 2 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 4 |
| ENC 2210 Technical Writing (GE-C) | 3 |
| MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 | 4 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| AEB 3122 Financial Planning for Agribusiness (3) or ACG 2021C Introduction to Financial Accounting (4) | 3-4 |
| AEB 2014 Economic Issues, Food and You (3) or ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (4) (GE-S) | 3-4 |
| AEE 3030C Effective Oral Communication or SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| PHY 2004 and 2004L Applied Physics 1 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 4 |
| Total | 13-15 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| BSC 2007 and 2009L Biological Sciences: Cells, Organisms and Genetics (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-B) | 4 |
| PHY 2005 and 2005L Applied Physics 2 (3) and Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 4 |
| PKG 3001 Principles of Packaging (take first semester in department) | 3 |
| PSY 2012 General Psychology (GE-S) | 3 |
| Elective | 2 |
| Total | 16 |
| Summer | Credits |
| CHM 2200 and 2200L Basic Organic Chemistry (3) and Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| Total | 4 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| CGS 2531 Problem Solving Using Computer Software or EML 2023 Computer Aided Graphics and Design | 3 |
| PKG 3002 Packaging Materials or EMA 3010 Materials | 3 |
| PKG 3103 Food Packaging | 3 |
| PKG 4011 Packaging Production and Processing | 3 |
| STA 2023 Statistics | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (GE-S) (needed if ECO 2013 was taken) (4) or Elective | 3-4 |
| PKG 3009 Consumer Products Packaging | 3 |
| PKG 4008 Distribution and Transport Packaging | 3 |
| PKG 4101C Computer Tools for Packaging | 3 |
| PKG 4252C Analytical Methods in Packaging | 3 |
| Total | 15-16 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| ADV 3008 Principles of Advertising | 3 |
| AEB 3133 Principles of Agribusiness Management (3) or MAN 3025 Principles of Management (4) | 3-4 |
| FOS 3042 Introductory Food Science | 3 |
| MAP 2302 Differential Equations or Technical elective | 3 |
| Technical elective | 3 |
| Total | 15-16 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| AOM 4933 Professional Practices in Agricultural Structures | 1 |
| AEB 3300 Agricultural and Food Marketing (3) or MAR 3023 Principles of Marketing (4) | 3-4 |
| PKG 4905 Senior Design Packaging | 2 |
| Technical electives | 7 |
| Total | 13-14 |