Polymer Materials Engineering

At a Glance

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science

Total Credits

150

Degree Requirements

2023-2024 Catalog

Accreditation

https://www.abet.org

Contacts

Lisa Ochs
Pre-major Advisor

John Misasi
Program Director

WWU Engineering; Polymer Materials Engineering Students

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.

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What do we do?

What is PME?

Watch the video to learn more about the Polymer Materials Engineering program at WWU!

Explore Classes

lab class

Learn about senior projects and what students are working on the labs.  Explore classes

Opportunities

junior students in front of poster

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

students on a beach

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

Learn more about PME research projects!

Dan postere

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

Click here to learn more.

Alumni

Class of 2023

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

Dan Struble, Class of 2023

PhD Candidate, University of Southern Mississippi, Polymer Science & Engineering

Juliana

Juliana Covarrubias, Class of 2022

Research and Development Project Engineer, Janicki Industries