The Plastics Engineering Technology Certificate provides professional training in plastics industry theory and technology. Students are given practical instruction applicable to materials, processing, and design engineering. Courses are taught by the Department of Plastics Engineering’s staff of international experts. This program is designed to serve adult students already working in positions in plastics or packaging who need formal education in their work areas. 

Required Courses: (6)
27.201 Plastics Material Science I (Commodity Thermoplastics)
27.202 Plastics Material Science II (Engineering Thermoplastics)
27.217 Plastics Processing Engineering Laboratory
27.373 Plastics Mold Design I
27.401 Processing Technology I
27.402 Processing Technology II

Elective Courses: (choose 3)

Course Descriptions

23.416 Statistical Quality Control
This course studies traditional and current statistical techniques applied to the solution of quality problems and quality improvement activities. Topics include an examination of the development of SQC as a discipline, statistical evaluation, process stability, process capability, design and use of control charts, and sampling plans.
Prerequisite: 23.262 or equivalent.
Credits: 3

27.201 Plastics Material Science I (Commodity Thermoplastics)
Serves as an introductory course reviewing the history, classification, definitions and terminology, raw materials, methods of manufacturing, testing-characterization of typical physical properties, and end-uses of polymeric materials systems. Emphasis will be on the commodity thermoplastics, polyolefins, vinyls and styrenics.
Prerequisite: None.
Credits: 3

27.202 Plastics Material Science II (Engineering Resins)
Presents a continuation of 27.201, emphasizing engineering thermoplastics, nylons and acetals, acrylics and cellulosics, polycarbonates, polysulfones, modified PPE, polyesters, fluoropolymers, polyamides, PPS, PEI and LCPs, copolymers, alloys and blends. Discussions will review the chemistry, properties, process ability and design limitations of these high-performance engineering and specialty polymers.
Prerequisite: None.
Credits: 3

27.203 Plastics Material Science III (Thermosetting Resins)
Provides an in-depth review of the major families of thermosetting resins: phenolics, aminos, polyesters, epoxies, silicones, and various polyurethane systems. Emphasis is on basic chemistry, inherent physical properties and process ability, and the effect of incorporating fillers, reinforcements, colorants, lubricants, and other chemical additives in order to engineer-in necessary processing ease, and to meet functional performance end-use demands.
Prerequisite:
Credits: 3

27.217 Plastics Processing Engineering Laboratory
Focuses on polymer processing methods. Experiments are designed so that the student will understand the theory of polymer conversion techniques by the interaction between process variables and materials. Some of the conversion methods studied are extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, compounding, and mixing.
Prerequisite: 27.201
Credits: 1

27.301 Additives for Polymeric Materials
Presents an analysis of additives including stabilizers, plasticizers, fillers and reinforcements, biocides, flame retardants, anti-static agents, and release agents. Special emphasis will be placed on the characteristics of each type of additive, compatibility interactions and effects on processing. A review of the most current methods of testing efficiency of each additive system will also be covered.
Prerequisite: None.
Credits: 3

27.303 Reinforced Plastics and Composites
Reviews composites as a class of materials and the mechanical physical characteristics. Topics include fundamental concepts underlying these properties, with particular emphasis on fibrous reinforced plastics. A survey of matrices, reinforcements and methods of fabrication will also be conducted.
Prerequisite: 27.203
Credits: 3

27.331 Injection Molding
This course is an overview of the injection molding industry - its productivity, utilization, and yield - as well as an introductory discussion of applicable materials for injection molding, the theories of plastication and morphology, and the industrial standards used to specify the types of injection molding machinery, safety considerations, and recent innovations in injection molding processing technologies.
Prerequisite: None.
Credits: 3

27.373 Plastics Mold Design I
Explores material in both the class and laboratory format. Topics include an introduction to the principles of basic mold and die design and construction and laboratory design of molds and/or dies to be constructed in continuing portions of this course. Lecture, laboratory and demonstrations will be offered at the discretion of the instructor.
Prerequisite: None.
Credits: 3

27.376 Plastics Mold Engineering II
Serves as a continuation of 27.373.
Prerequisite: 27.373
Credits: 3

27.401 Processing Technology I
Presents material in class format. Theory and methods of processing plastics materials including compounding, extruding, and thermoforming will be covered. Evaluation and development of typical problems will also be discussed.
Prerequisite: 27.201
Credits: 3

27.402 Processing Technology II
Presents material in class format, serving as a continuation of 27.401. Discusses molding, casting, laminating, fabricating and finishing, processing, and fabricating with product design and applications.
Prerequisite: 27.401
Credits: 3

27.403 Physical Properties of Polymers I
Introduces basic mechanical properties of polymers as linear viscoelastic materials. The concepts of creep, stress relaxation, and superposition principles are emphasized. Dynamic mechanical behavior, interrelations between various properties, electrical behavior, miscellaneous mechanical properties, and optical properties will also be covered.
Prerequisite: None.
Credits: 3

27.404 Physical Properties of Polymers II
Serves as a continuation of 27.403.
Prerequisite: 27.403
Credits: 3

27.405 Polymer Characterization
Discusses instrumental methods of characterizing plastics materials. The theory and interpretation of infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography, gel permeation chromatography, differential thermal analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, etc. are covered. The determinations will include elucidation structure, identification, molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and glass transition temperatures.
Prerequisite: None.
Credits: 3

27.406 Polymer Structures/Properties
Presents the fundamental relationship between molecular structure, properties, and end-use application of plastics materials. Molecular structural features include chemical composition, molecular size and flexibility, intermolecular order and bonding, and super molecular structure. Properties to be covered include process ability, mechanical, acoustic, thermal, electrical, optical and chemical properties, price, and balance of properties. Applications to be discussed include rigid solids, flexible solids, foams, film, and non-plastic applications.
Prerequisite: None.
Credits: 3

27.407 Plastics Industry Organization
Discusses the economics of producing plastics raw materials and converting them into end products, from research and development to plant construction, operation and marketing. Market analysis of plastics production, processing, and consumer patterns: commercial development, sales, and technical service will be addressed. Organization of the plastics industry for research and development, specialty and commodity production, profit and growth will also be presented.
Prerequisite: None.
Credits: 3

27.418 Plastics Product Design
Discusses the theoretical principles and sound engineering practices involved in the design of new end products made from polymers, applying the total systems approach to the balance between product design, choice of materials, tool design, and process techniques, as they affect competitive choices for commercial success. A semester project is required.
Prerequisite: None.
Credits: 3

27.425 Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Plastics I
Focuses on the principles, experimental techniques, and investigative strategies for characterizing the viscoelastic behavior of polymers using dynamic mechanical techniques. Lectures and demonstrations will review the methodology for identifying the important theological characteristics of polymeric solutions, melts, and solids. Comparisons with other, more traditional practices will be established for quality of data, sensitivity of macromolecular architecture, and components of materials engineering.
Prerequisite: None.
Credits: 3

27.426 Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Plastics II
Serves as a continuation of the 27.425 introductory course.
Prerequisite: 27.425
Credits: 3

27.440 Commercial Development of Plastics
The concepts of industrial marketing will be reviewed for research, pricing strategies, and product planning for market segmentation, place (distribution), and promotional activities. Topics will include creating a demand, selling, and servicing base resins and additives.
Prerequisite: None.
Credits: 3

For More Information
For additional information on this certificate program, call Joanne Talty at (978) 934-2144 or email Joanne_Talty@uml.edu.

For information on Financial Aid, call the University's Financial Aid Office at (978) 934-4220.