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 Plastics & Composites 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, students learn to apply theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom to solve practical, application-based problems in industry. Our 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.

The PME program was recently ranked as one of the best programs across the nation.