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Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Biological Engineering

Biological engineers help ensure that we have the basic necessities of life: safe and plentiful food supplies, pure water to drink and a safe, healthy environment. As the world population continues to increase, alternative fuels, food production and protection of our natural resources become increasingly important. Biological engineering applies engineering principles to biological sciences to produce biofuels, food, feed, fiber, and other agricultural products from renewable bio-resources. It also aims to protect the environment and conserve and replenish our natural resources and engineer environmentally sustainable packaging solutions for the consumer and food industries.

Food and agribusiness is the largest single industry in the United States and Florida. It is the most highly sophisticated and technologically advanced industry in the world. Its status is due in part to the successes of agricultural and biological engineers.

For information on ABET accreditation of the B.S. degree program in Biological Engineering please see https://www.eng.ufl.edu/academics/abet/.

 

Concentrations

Students in biological engineering take a core set of courses then select a more focused area of the major. Four areas of concentration are available:

  • Agricultural Production Engineering

    Agricultural production engineering is concerned primarily with the design and implementation of agricultural power and machinery, structures and their environments, greenhouses and instrumentation, robotics for agriculture and computer modeling and control.

    Download Sample Degree Audit (.docx)

  • Biosystems Engineering

    Biosystems engineering provides a framework for integrating fundamental engineering sciences and practice with biological sciences. The curriculum prepares students for advanced studies in biomedical engineering, bioprocess engineering, and agricultural engineering and fulfills many of the requirements for admission to medical, dental and veterinary professional programs at the University of Florida.

    Download Sample Degree Audit (.docx)

  • Land and Water Resources Engineering

    Land and water resources engineering is concerned with all aspects of water and rural environmental management, including irrigation, water conservation, drainage, water control and structures, soil erosion, waste and wastewater recycling, water quality, ecosystems preservation, and environmental quality.

    Download Sample Degree Audit (.docx)

  • Packaging Engineering

    Packaging engineering is concerned with the life cycle of the package, including design, development, distribution, transport, and recycling of materials with a focus on packaging technologies and sustainable packaging solutions for a variety of food and consumer products.

    Download Sample Degree Audit (.docx)

Resources

Undergraduate Coordinators:
Dr. Ana Martin-Ryals
115 Frazier Rogers Hall
352-294-6708
admartin@ufl.edu

Dr. William Pelletier
101 Frazier Rogers Hall
352-294-6701
wpelletier@ufl.edu

Academic Advisor:
Daphne Flournoy
111 Frazier Rogers Hall
352-294-6709
dflournoy@ufl.edu

Curriculum

The Biological Engineering curriculum provides a foundation to address the engineering problems of agricultural and related biological systems. Courses in BE unify learned concepts into a practical ability to solve a broad range of engineering problems encountered in biotechnology, agriculture and food processing. Students must meet the requirements in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering.

Electives

Each pathway in Biological Engineering includes a number of departmental, engineering, and technical electives. Elective choices in each area can be found by downloading the PDF below.

Transfer Requirements

Students must complete an Associate of Arts degree, meet the required grade point average (GPA), complete the required prerequisite courses, and meet the foreign language and immunization policies of the University of Florida before transferring.

  • Critical Tracking Courses

    Biological Engineering – all areas of concentration

    Required GPA = 2.0 overall and 2.5 in the following courses (does not include labs)
    Students MUST complete a minimum of six out of the following eight courses before transferring:

    Course NumberCourse TitleCredit Hours
    CHM 2045 & 2045L  General Chemistry 1 and Lab  4 
    CHM 2046 & 2046L   General Chemistry 2 and Lab  4 
    MAC 2311  Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1  4 
    MAC 2312  Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2  4 
    MAC 2313  Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3  4 
    MAP 2302  Elementary Differential Equations  3 
    PHY 2048 & 2048L*  Physics with Calculus 1 and Lab  4 
    PHY 2049 & 2049L  Physics with Calculus 2 and Lab  4 

    Please note: a grade of “C” or better is required within two attempts in the above listed courses, and PHY 2048 & 2048L (*) must be completed as part of the minimum six courses before transferring.

Careers

Biological engineers explore the development of new biofuels, biosensors, and biotechnology. They work with conservation organizations, agri-businesses, and farmers to develop solutions to problems relating to the use and conservation of soil, water, and forest resources. They also work to develop technologies to improve crop and livestock production, improve food-processing techniques, develop safe and environmentally friendly packaging and extend the storage life of perishable products like produce or flowers. They further work to preserve and protect wetlands, improve the quality of our water supply, and find new uses for biological resources.

  • Potential Careers
    • Manufacturing Engineer
    • Packaging Engineer
    • Process Design Engineer
    • Process Safety Engineer
    • Project Engineer
    • Quality Control Engineer
    • Research and Development Engineer
    • Technical Services Engineer
    • Technical Manager