Polymer Materials Engineering
At a Glance
Degree Type
Bachelor of Science
Total Credits
150
Links
Contacts
Pre-major Advisor
Program Director
Program Overview
Western's Engineering and Design department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Polymer Materials Engineering (previously Plastics & Composites Engineering). This program prepares students for productive, professional careers in the plastics and composites industries. The technical curriculum is built upon a firm base of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and materials science, and provides extensive coverage of polymeric and composite materials and processing methods. Practical experience in design, materials, processing, economics, testing, and analysis is a crucial part of the hands-on curriculum that is provided in the program's extensive and well-equipped laboratory facilities. 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.
Through these experiences, WWU engineering students learn to apply theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom to solve practical, application-based problems in industry. Our PME curriculum is designed through close collaboration with a committee of industry experts, preparing our graduates to be professionally competitive upon graduation. Additionally, students have the opportunity to work on industry projects with faculty during their coursework, and most students choose to partner with a company for their year-long senior project.
WWU's Polymer Materials Engineering program was recently ranked as one of the best programs across the nation.
Important Documents
Learn more about the Polymer Materials Engineering program at WWU!
Kelsey Allis
Society of Plastics Engineers Scholarship Recipient
Kelsey received the PPA Neward Scholarship and the WPP Mike Friend Scholarship, and was one of SPE's first Recycling Division Scholars. Kelsey was the Student Outreach Officer for her school's SPE Chapter last year and organized a beach clean-up with Surfrider. Over 300 pounds of trash were taken from a local beach and turned into plastic pellets to be used by students in WWU's Polymer Materials Engineering program.
Polymer Materials EngineeringClass of 2023
Claire Drury
Jarvis Memorial Summer Research Award
This research focuses on chemically recycling an epoxy carbon fiber composite. Thus far we have been able to recycle up to 60% of the carbon fibers. This summer I will continue working on this research with the goal of increasing this percentage and determining if the resin matrix can be reused as well.
Research Project: Chemical Recycling Carbon Fiber Composites Project
Research Sponsor: Toray
Anna Novack
The PME program has classes tailored towards aerospace companies like Boeing. Many classes like Intro to CAD, Advanced Composites, and Quality Assurance utilize software that companies use. The program also structures it’s courses heavily around teamwork, which prepares you for the large amount of team-based projects in industry.
Plastics & Composites Engineering, Class of 2021
Manufacturing EngineerBoeing
Material Science Minor
Learn about WWU's Advanced Materials Science & Engineering Center, an interdisciplinary center that promotes collaborative research for students, industry, and faculty. AMSEC offers a minor in material science that can be a benefit for PME students.
