2004-05 Undergraduate Catalog
Packaging science offers a variety of employment opportunities. Packaging professionals strive to improve people’s lives, industrial efficiency and environmental stewardship.
The packaging industry is actually a collection of industries involving raw material production (paper, plastics, metals), conversion of raw materials into forms ready to be used for package applications (coating, laminating, printing), product/package design and use (foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemicals), distribution and logistics (warehousing, distribution, transportation) and end-of-life-cycle processing (recycling, reusing, water-to-energy). A successful packaging scientist needs to be able to draw upon a broad base of science and problem solving skills. The curriculum provides a solid foundation in science and mathematics, followed by specific packaging courses that train students to critically analyze packaging problems and to develop practical solutions. The curriculum also incorporates valuable tools for business and commerce such as accounting, advertising and economics. Students work with state-of-the-art technology, including computerized 3-D package design to improve conceptualization and speed to market, and will explore current trends such as the development of novel biodegradable plastics to minimize waste in landfills. Packaging is a growing field with active professional organizations (Institute of Packaging Professionals, Packaging Machinery Manufacturing Institute, Institute of Food Technology – Food Packaging Division). Recent surveys suggest that demand for new packaging professionals will remain strong in the future.Packaging Science
To remain ‘on track’ for this major, a student must meet the following critical-tracking criteria. Critical-tracking courses appear in bold.
Semester 1:
- 2.0 UF GPA required semesters 1-5
- Complete one of seven critical courses – excluding labs – CHM 2045, CHM 2045L, CHM 2046, CHM 2046L, MAC 2233 or 2311, BSC 2007, BSC 2009L, PHY 2004, PHY 2004L, PHY 2005 and STA 2023
Semester 2:
- Complete 2 additional critical courses – excluding labs
Semester 3:
- Complete 2 additional critical courses – excluding labs
Semester 4:
- Complete all critical-tracking courses – including labs
Semester 1 |
Credits |
CHM 2045 & 2045L Chemistry 1 & Lab (GE-P) |
4 |
PHY 2004 and 2004L Physics 1 (3) and Lab (1) (GE-P) |
4 |
Composition (GE-C) |
3 |
Humanities (GE-H, I) |
3 |
Total | 14 |
Semester 2 |
Credits |
CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2 (3) and Lab (1) (GE-P) |
4 |
PHY 2005 and 2005L Physics 2 (3) and Lab (1) (GE-P) |
4 |
MAC 2233 Survey of Calculus (3) OR MAC 2311 Geometry and Calculus 1 (4) |
3-4 |
Humanities (GE-H)* |
3 |
Total | 14-15 |
Semester 3 |
Credits |
BSC 2007 and 2009L Cells, Organisms, Genetics (3) and Lab (1) (GE-B) |
4 |
ACG 2021C Intro to Financial Accounting |
4 |
ECO 2013 Macroeconomics (GE-S) |
3 |
Elective |
5 |
Total | 16 |
Semester 4 |
Credits |
PKG 2001 Principles of Packaging* |
3 |
SPC 2600 Intro to Public Speaking OR AEE 3030C Effective Oral Communication |
3 |
AEE 3033C Writing for Ag and Natural Resources |
3 |
PSY 2012 General Psychology (GE-S) |
3 |
ECO 2023 Microeconomics |
3 |
Total | 15 |
Summer |
Credits |
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 |
3 |
Total | 3 |
* PKG 2001 should be taken before entering upper division. Transfer and community college students can enter UF in the summer semester to satisfy this requirement. | |
Semester 5 |
Credits |
CHM 2200 and 2200L Organic Chemistry (3) and Lab (1) |
4 |
CGS 2531 Problem Solving Using Computer Software OR EML 3023 CAD & Graphics |
3 |
PKG 3006 Packaging Materials OR EMA 3010 Materials |
3 |
PKG 3103 Food Packaging |
3 |
Technical electives |
2 |
Total | 15 |
Semester 6 |
Credits |
PKG 4008 Distrib/Transportation of Packaging |
3 |
PKG 4007C Computer Tools for Packaging |
3 |
FOS 3042 Introduction to Food Science |
3 |
ADV 3000 Elements of Advertising |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
Total | 15 |
Semester 7 |
Credits |
PKG4204C Package Decoration |
3 |
PKG 4011 Packaging Production & Process |
3 |
MAN 3025 Principles of Management (4) OR AEB 3133 Prin of Agribusiness Mgmt |
3-4 |
AOM 4933 Professional Practice |
1 |
Technical electives |
4 |
Total | 14-15 |
Semester 8 |
Credits |
PKG 4905 Senior Design Packaging |
2 |
PKG 4252C Analytical Methods in Packaging |
3 |
PKG 3009 Consumer Products Packaging |
3 |
MAR 3023 Principles of Marketing (4) OR AEB 3300 Agricultural Marketing |
3-4 |
Technical elective |
3 |
Total | 14-15 |
Total Required for Degree |
120 |
Packaging Science Minor
This minor provides a basic understanding of packaging and incorporates useful tools for commerce with courses in real-world issues facing the packaging industry. This minor will help students gain employment in the packaging industry. The minor is open to all students. The program consists of a minimum of 15 credits with grades of C or better. A minimum of nine credits must be completed at UF. Students must complete three PKG courses of three or more credits and no courses can be taken for S-U credit. Students applying for the minor must obtain written approval from their academic adviser and the undergraduate coordinator in packaging science at least two semesters before graduation. A packaging adviser is available in Rogers Hall.Take one
EML 3023 Computer-aided Graphics & Design
PKG 4252C Analytical Methods in Packaging**
PKG 4007C Computer Tools for Packaging**
**Courses cannot double count as PKG courses.
Business course – take one
ACG 2021C Intro to Financial Accounting
MAN 3025 Principles of Management
Take
PKG 2001 Principles of Packaging
Packaging courses – take six hours
PKG 4204C Package Decoration
PKG 3103 Food Packaging
PKG 3009 Consumer Products Packaging
PKG 4011 Packaging Production and Processing
PKG 4008 Distribution & Transport Packaging