What courses will you take?

A student and professor work in a UMass plastics engineering lab

The UMass Lowell Plastics Engineering Department is an internationally recognized leader in plastics engineering education.

You will begin your first year with Introduction to Plastics Engineering (design) and Introduction to Polymer Sustainability (materials). Sophomore year brings courses and hands-on laboratories in basic plastics materials, processing (manufacturing), and the design and automation of processing machinery.  

In your junior year, you will take intermediate level courses and hands-on laboratories in polymer materials, processing and design — including the design and manufacturing of an injection mold. During your senior year, you will choose among advanced courses and a student-selected capstone project. 

All students also take the Professional Development Seminar. Most students then participate one or more cooperative work experiences. 

Besides the plastics engineering curriculum, relevant humanities and social science courses are included to create well-rounded graduates with strong communications skills.

Visit the Academic Catalog for a complete course listing.

Why study plastics engineering at UMass Lowell?

Student next to machinery used during a plastics engineering co-op experience at UMass Lowell

Experiential Learning

Companies from across the U.S. routinely recruit plastics engineering students for both co-op experiences and permanent positions.

Our students can participate in:

  • Three- or six-month formal co-op programs
  • Full-time summer opportunities
  • Part-time positions during the academic year
Plastics engineering professor works with equipment in a UMass Lowell lab

Research Opportunities

Work closely with faculty in our extensive lab facilities on research in areas such as:

  • Advanced manufacturing, including additive manufacturing, polymer manufacturing, fiber extrusion, compounding, machine instrumentation and control systems and tooling design
  • Sustainable polymer materials, design and processing
  • Biomedical materials and devices
  • Improved material systems, including nanocomposites, functional coatings
  • Formulation and processing of elastomers and thermoset rubber
Two students wearing hard hats in a plastics recycling center at UMass Lowell

Extend your learning with a minor that is specifically designed to pair with plastics engineering, including:

Two UMass Lowell plastics engineering students seen through window of a Blow Molding machine

Bachelor’s-to-Master's Program

Get on the fast track to an advanced degree with our combined Bachelor's-to-Master's program.

  • Available to juniors and seniors with a grade point average of 3.000 or better
  • Offers a continuous, coordinated sequence of courses
  • Reduced credit-hour requirements can save you time and money

What can you do with a degree in plastics engineering?

Founded in 1954, UMass Lowell offers the first and largest ABET-accredited Plastics Engineering program in the U.S. More than 3,000 graduates working in plastics industry leadership positions worldwide provide support and career opportunities for students.

A plastics engineering student works with machinery in a plastics recycling lab at UMass Lowell

Major plastics producers and end users recruit annually on campus. Job openings can include:

  • Manufacturing engineer
  • Mold or tooling engineer
  • Product and process development engineer
  • Project engineer
  • Quality engineer
  • Sales engineer
  • Technical service and marketing
Top Companies Where Our Graduates Work
  • Apple
  • Aviant Corporation
  • Corning Incorporated
  • Foster Corporation
  • Intralox
  • Medtronic
  • Raytheon Technologies
  • SMC Ltd.
  • Stihl