Polymer Engineering Technology

Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)

When it comes to studying polymers, Penn College is the place to be. Here, you’ll join a community of tomorrow-minded leaders determined to make the world better than they found it.

Thanks to extensive training in hands-on labs and support from experienced, passionate faculty, you’ll learn how to make your mark in a field that has the potential to spark positive change.

Whether that’s designing life altering medical devices or re-imagining smarter aerospace solutions, you’ll be empowered to raise the bar in a field with endless possibilities. And when you train in our ABET accredited program, you can rest assured knowing that your technical skills will take you where you want to go.

Courses

Your coursework will cover classes specific to your area of specialization along with foundational concepts and lessons that invite fresh perspectives.

Spring 2029

  1. 3
  2. 3
  3. 3
  4. 3
  5. 3

5 courses 15 credits

40% program-specific courses

Please Note: The outlined curriculum assumes a fall semester start for students completing a full credit load schedule without additional developmental math requirements. Students beginning in the spring and summer, taking less than a full load, and/or requiring developmental coursework follow an altered curriculum sequence. Speak to your academic advisor or school office with questions. 

Careers

  • Process engineer
  • Design engineer
  • Research & development engineer

1 of 7

Plastics Programs in the World with ABET Accreditation

100%

Overall Job Placement

$65K

Average Graduate Salary

Featured Videos

Lab Tour

Join instructor Vii Rice on a tour of the labs and the five major plastics processes in the Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology programs.

Launch Virtual Lab Tour

Your Class In 60 Seconds: Sustainable Materials

Explore this future-minded course created to inform the next generation of engineers and consumers. In the class, Sustainable Materials, students examine how the choices they make have the power to shape the world for years to come. Through research, analysis, and large-group discussions, students address common misconceptions related to sustainability and dive into thought-provoking topics impacting the exciting field of plastics and polymer engineering technology.

Plastics with Sydney

Meet Sidney Trunzo, a Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology student. Get a glimpse of her training in hands-on labs. Find out why she loves her major. And learn how this ABET-accredited program prepares students, like Sidney, to take the lead in a thriving industry.

Your Future in Plastics

Dive into the wide world of plastics. Explore unique and in-demand career possibilities ranging from operations and manufacturing to research and development. And meet a trio of Penn College graduates who are making names for themselves at Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials—one of the world’s leading providers of high-performance manufacturing materials.

Guaranteed Momentum at SEKISUI

From scholarships and curriculum influence to internships and employment opportunities, industry partners like SEKISUI Kydex fully enhance the Penn College experience. In this video, you'll meet five alumni who are making names for themselves with this global thermoplastics leader. Learn how they are applying their polymer engineering expertise to innovate and create sustainable thermoplastic material solutions for the next generation of product design.

Real World Ready: The Five Processes

In this video, you’ll discover the difference between extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, and rotational molding. See the tools and technology that go into each process. And the picture the vast array of products made with polymers.

Tour Schedule: Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 26 9 AM - 3 PM

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Admissions Office

Scholarships

As a Polymer Engineering student at Penn College, you may be elgible for 137 scholarships.

31 Program-related scholarships

106 Additional scholarships

Explore scholarships

Penn College News: Real World Ready

International publication features retired polymer professor

February 23, 2026

Professor Emeritus Kirk M. Cantor is the cover story in the latest issue of Plastics Review, a weekly trade e-magazine published by TechnoBiz, a Thailand-based…

Penn College participates in manufacturing career day

December 16, 2025

The Penn College Workforce Development polymers team recently attended the Da Vinci Science Center’s Manufacturing Career Connection Day in Allentown. More than…

Company renews commitment to Penn College polymer program

October 23, 2025

An industry leader has extended its long-standing commitment to the polymer engineering program at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Novatec Inc. – the…

Two retired Penn College faculty granted emeritus status

October 14, 2025

The Pennsylvania College of Technology Board of Directors approved two retired faculty for emeritus status during its Oct. 9 board meeting. Kirk M. Cantor,…

Penn College offers certificate pathway for high school students

September 11, 2025

With the support of a National Science Foundation grant, Pennsylvania College of Technology is offering a pathway for high school students to earn 32 college…

Plastics pros attend extrusion seminar at Penn College

June 24, 2025

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Plastics Innovation & Resource Center recently hosted 21 industry professionals – representing 12 companies and seven…

Penn College offers injection molding workshop

June 17, 2025

Nine industry professionals recently spent three days immersed in the Injection Molding Processing Fundamentals Workshop at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s…

Penn College hosts rotational molding workshop

May 30, 2025

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Plastics Innovation & Resource Center trained 14 industry professionals representing 10 companies during a recent…

Grant boosts Penn College’s partnership efforts in Lehigh Valley

May 29, 2025

Pennsylvania College of Technology has been awarded a $50,000 state grant to enhance economic and educational development in the Lehigh Valley. Supported,…

College lab named in honor of West Pharmaceutical Services

April 11, 2025

Pennsylvania College of Technology has recognized the support of longtime partner West Pharmaceutical Services Inc., a global leader in innovative solutions for…

In the Media

People: Meet the Makers

Industry Partners: Work with experts to become an expert

Penn College's strong corporate partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.

Internship: Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your know-how in the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand. 

Learn More

Athletics: Wildcat Spotlight

Challenges are a mere blip on Coryn’s radar. While a student, she survived a lifechanging motorcycle and returned to Penn College stronger than ever before. Today she’s thriving thanks to the friendships and support she’s found on the Wildcat volleyball team. “Penn College will teach you how to love your neighbor and how to talk with your teammates. It’s very different from a lot of universities. I think it was built for me.” Meet Coryn and follow her remarkable student-athlete journey.

Student Life: Lead and put your skills to the test

Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE)

SPE works to form and maintain a professional connection for students and leaders in the plastics industry. Other benefits include scholarships and career links. Regular activities include weekly meetings, plant tours, guest speakers, national events, and conferences.  

Learn more

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Get Involved

Study Abroad: Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

Learn More

ABET-Accredited Program

Accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria with no applicable Program Criteria. This program is accredited under the Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology name.

More Information

Students must acquire their own tools and laptop computer as noted below.

Required Laptop Computer

  • Windows 11 or higher (recommended).
  • 64-bit, 3.0 GHz or greater, 4 or more cores (Intel or AMD) (required).
  • 250+ GB Solid State Disk (SSD) drive (recommended). 
  • 16+ GB RAM (required); 32+ GB RAM (recommended) 
  • 1 GB GPU minimum Graphics Card (required); 4 GB GPU (recommended).
  • Laptop must include a webcam and microphone (required).
  • Laptop must include a wireless network card (required).
  • Broadband Internet connection when working off campus (required). 
  • Additional plug-ins may be required (Information Technology Services Service Desk available for assistance). 
  • MacBooks, Chromebooks, and other devices running macOS or ChromeOS are prohibited. 

Students must receive a “C” (2.0) or higher in all PPT, MSC, and QAL courses; if a lower grade is earned in any of these courses, the course must be repeated.

The B.S. in Polymer Engineering Technology is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria with no applicable Program Criteria.

ABET Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission logo

This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see http://www.pct.edu/admissions/transfer/Transferring-Credits). Exceptions must be approved the school dean.

The SPE organization awards hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to students pursuing careers in plastics and polymers. Multiple Penn College students have won scholarships in recent years. Learn more

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

Polymer Technology Advisory Committee Members

MF

Ms. Heather Fennell

Technical Service Engineer

Shell Chemical LP

ML

Mr. Matthew Leatherman

Process Manager

Carlisle Construction Materials Inc.

MM

Mr. Steven D Morgan

Plastics Engineer

Bausch & Lomb

MS

Mr. Sean M Stabler

Research & Innovation Manager

SEKISUI KYDEX

MV

Ms. Adriana Velasquez

TS Engineer

Shell Polymers

MW

Mr. Ralph Wolstenholme

Vice President

Med Plast Westfield

MP

Mr. Adam R Wrench, PMP

Process Excellence Manager

West Pharmaceutical Services

Vii Rice

Vii Rice

Assistant Professor, Plastics & Polymer Technology, Co-Department Head

Adam Barilla

Adam Barilla

Assistant Professor, Plastics & Polymer Technology, Co-Department Head

Jose Perez

Jose Perez

Instructor, Plastics & Polymer Technology

Mark Sneidman

Mark Sneidman

Instructor, Plastics & Polymer Technology

Contact Information

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