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.
Polymer Technology
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
About this program
Plastics and polymers have the power to transform tomorrow. And you do too. Pursue an associate’s at Penn College and build the technical talent to ignite change in a field with endless possibilities.
Thanks to plastic parts, rockets can lift off with lower energy consumption. Because of plastic biodegradable food containers, landfill waste can be dramatically reduced. And with more plastic integrated into vehicle designs, we can save fuel and carbon emissions.
At Penn College, you’ll get extensive hands-on experience with all the major processes in industry-driven labs. Soak up real-world lessons from faculty who’ve worked in the field. And build the technical talent to help imagine smarter, more sustainable solutions across all industries.
Next steps...
You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.
Careers
- Process technologist
- Design technologist
- Research & development technologist
Courses
At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.
Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.
- Polymer Industries (PPT116)
- Polymer Processing Survey - Lecture (PPT118)
- Polymer Processing Survey - Lab (PPT119)
- Introduction to Polymer Science (PPT127)
- Polymer Testing Lab (PPT129)
- Sustainable Materials (PPT140)
- Composites & Nanocomposites (PPT160)
- Extrusion (PPT248)
- Blow Molding (PPT251)
- Tooling Maintenance (PPT220)
- Injection Molding (PPT235)
- Rotational Molding (PPT260)
- Thermoforming (PPT270)
- Quality Principles (QAL231)
Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.
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.
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.
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.
Mar 1
Undergraduate Open House
Saturday, March 19 AM - 3 PM
Apr 6
Undergraduate Open House
Sunday, April 69 AM - 3 PM
Maker Profiles
Alumni
Alexa Korinchak
Polymer Engineering
It wasn’t until after a few years of community college and a VIP plastics tour from a family friend that Alexa found something that genuinely sparked her interest.
Alumni
Dalton Smith
Polymer Engineering
His interest in plastics and polymers began in high school while working with his father at Shop-Vac where he first explored injection molding.
Alumni
Hannah Maize
Polymer Engineering
She loves her career and the thrill of solving challenges. “I'm never bored and always learning something new,” she says.
Faculty
Jose Perez
Polymer Engineering
Sharing his passion for plastics with the next generation of industry leaders.
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.
ABET-Accredited Program
Accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.abet.org), under the commission’s General Criteria with no applicable Program Criteria.
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.
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.
Student Organizations at Penn College
Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 60+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.
Penn College News
10.31.2024
Penn College polymer training attracts diverse professionals
The Plastics Innovation & Resource Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology conducted a flurry of workshops in October, delivering training to 25 professionals, representing 14 companies, four states and Canada. The three workshops – Color Science & Weathering, Plastic Materials & Processing Fundamentals, and Rotational Molding & Advanced Materials – featured lectures and extensive hands-on experience in Penn College’s industry-standard labs.
10.28.2024
Two 'pop-up' employer info tables set this week
For Penn College students seeking job or internship opportunities, Career Services has scheduled two Pop-Up Employer Information Tables on campus this week: On Monday, Oct. 28, Letterkenny Army Depot is hosting a table in the Hager Lifelong Education Center lobby (outside of KDR) from 10 am to 2 pm. On Wednesday, Oct. 30, Friends in Action is hosting a table in the Carl Building Technologies Center hallway from 10 am to 2 pm.
10.24.2024
Alum lauded as plastics industry 'star'
Plastics News has recognized a Pennsylvania College of Technology alumnus. Luke S. Orzechowski was named one of the industry’s 35 biggest stars age 35 and under by the publication devoted to the global plastics trade. Orzechowski is a senior process engineer at Cordis Inc., a developer and manufacturer of minimally invasive cardiovascular products, located in Miami Lakes, Florida.
More Information
Accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria with no applicable Program Criteria.
This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see http://www.pct.edu/catalog/TransferringCredits). Exceptions must be approved by the school dean.
Necessary equipment will be addressed in courses as needed.
Uniforms and tools are available for purchase through The College Store.
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.
- Mr. Matthew Leatherman, '95, '97, Process Manager, Carlisle Construction Materials Inc.
- Mr. Steven D Morgan, '93, '95, Plastics Engineer, Bausch & Lomb
- Mr. Sean M Stabler, '04, '06, Research & Innovation Manager, SEKISUI KYDEX
- Ms. Adriana Velasquez, TS Engineer, Shell Polymers
- Mr. Ralph Wolstenholme, Vice President, Med Plast Westfield
- Mr. Adam R Wrench, PMP, '06, Process Excellence Manager, West Pharmaceutical Services
