SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Curriculum for the Associate Degree 
In Plastics Engineering Technology

Development of workforce skills is the primary focus of the major, which was developed in direct response to the needs of industry in Northwest Pennsylvania.

The curriculum covers all the major processing methods but emphasizes injection molding. It offers training in applied mathematics, physics, chemistry, mechanics, strength of materials, fundamentals of the chemical and physical properties of plastics materials and their processing characteristics, quality control, and technical communications. Classroom and lab emphasis is on teamwork, project planning, and oral and written communications skills.

  • Your first semester, you will take the courses Computer Applications for Plastics Engineering Technology; Introduction to Graphics and Solids Modeling; Rhetoric and Composition; Manufacturing Materials and Processes; and Technical Mathematics.

  • Your second semester courses will include Applied Solids Modeling; Technical Mathematics and Calculus; Technical Mechanics: Statics; Technical Physics; and a science, humanities, or arts course that will help you fulfill your General Education requirement.

  • In your third semester, you will take Chemical Principles; Experimental Chemistry; Strength and Properties of Materials; and the plastics courses Introduction to Plastics, Plastics Processing I, and Principles of Plastic Processing Equipment.

  • Your final semester's coursework will include Plastics Processing II; Plastic Materials and  Properties; Quality Control for Plastics Processing; Effective Speech; and two science, humanities, or arts courses to complete your general education requirement.

A minimum of 68 credits is required to earn an Associate Degree in Plastics Engineering Technology.

View Representative Schedule and Checksheet.


Web site contact: engineering@psu.edu
Updated August 1, 2007
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