Polymer Materials Engineering
At a Glance
Degree Type
Bachelor of Science
Total Credits
150
Degree Requirements
Accreditation
Contacts
Lisa Ochs
Pre-major Advisor
John Misasi
Program Director
Program Overview
Students enrolled in Western's Polymer Materials Engineering (PME) program study the relationship between molecular structure, processing, and properties of polymers and composites. The PME curriculum prepares graduates who understand and apply established scientific and engineering knowledge to support engineering activities in manufacturing environments. The technical curriculum is built upon a firm base of materials science, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Practical experience in design, materials, processing, economics, testing, characterization, and analysis are crucial part of the hands-on curriculum that is provided in the program's extensive and well-equipped laboratory facilities.
A polymer materials engineer can be involved in the development, design, analysis, planning, supervision, or construction of the materials, methods, processes, and equipment for the production of industrial or consumer goods in the plastics, or composites, or other materials-related industry. The PME graduate will help to solve the complex problems associated with plastics, composites, or materials manufacturing operations. PME graduates work in teams with engineers, scientists, and technicians to solve materials and manufacturing-related problems.
The Polymer Materials Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org. Accreditation and enrollment numbers are available on our Assessment and Accreditation page. WWU's Polymer Materials Engineering program was recently ranked as one of the best programs across the nation.
What is PME?
Watch the video to learn more about the Polymer Materials Engineering program at WWU!
Explore Classes
Learn about senior projects and what students are working on the labs. Explore classes
SAMPE 2023
Congratulations to four junior PME research students who recently won 1st place in the poster competition at the 2023 SAMPE conference in Seattle.
Research topic: Impacts of Mechanical Recycling on the Processing & Properties of ULTEM 1000 (overhead bins in airplanes)
L to R: Tyrone Woodard, Ingrid Shipstead, Luke Grant, and Nicholas Gajkowski
Ocean Plastics Recycling Project
Associate Professor, John Misasi, and his undergraduate students are proving that ocean plastics aren't just landfill material.
To learn more about this ongoing important work and research happening on our campus, read the latest Windows magazine article.
Open House
June 7, 2024 | 1-4pm
The Polymer Materials Engineering faculty, staff and students will be hosting an open house from 1-4pm.
- Senior Project Presentations
- Research Poster Presentations
- Student Club Demos
- Lab and Makerspace tours
Ross Engineering Building room 113
Congratulations to the Polymer Materials Engineering Class of 2023!
Good luck in your career and/or educational journey! We can't wait to see what you do next.
Dan Struble, Class of 2023
PhD Candidate, University of Southern Mississippi, Polymer Science & Engineering
Juliana Covarrubias, Class of 2022
Research and Development Project Engineer, Janicki Industries