All courses, arranged by program, are listed in the catalog. If you cannot locate a specific course, try the Advanced Search. Current class schedules, with posted days and times, can be found on the NOW/Student Dashboard or by logging in to SiS.
All Plastics Engineering students enrolled in a plastics laboratory course are required to attend a one hour per week safety lecture for safety training.
Co-req: PLAS.2150, or PLAS.3150, or PLAS.4150, or PLAS.4160, or PLAS.4170.
All Plastics Engineering students enrolled in a plastics laboratory course are required to attend a one hour per week safety lecture for safety training. Continuation of PLAS.0010.
Co-req: PLAS.2160, or PLAS.3160, or PLAS.4150, or PLAS.4160, or PLAS.4170.
This course is designed to teach basic principles of technical drawing, fundamentals of design, fundamentals of computer aided design (CAD), dimensioning and tolerances. Basic concepts of manufacturing, rapid prototyping and 3D printing are covered. The lecture component covers theoretical information, and the lab component covers hands-on learning, where students learn to use a commercial CAD software.
This course provides a foundation in the principles of environmental sustainability and the relationship of polymers and plastics to the environment. The course introduces principles of lifecycle and material flow analysis, waste management, circular design, green chemistry and engineering and renewable materials. The basic concepts underpinning recyclability and toxicity are covered. We discuss current challenges of waste management systems and future options for increasing use of secondary feedstocks. Students learn about properties of biobased and biodegradable plastics. The course also covers fate of plastics in the environment and strategies for reducing leakage. The overarching objective is to provide an understanding of environmental challenges and solutions in the plastics industry.
Pre-Req: CHEM 1210 Chemistry I, or equivalent.
This introductory course in plastics materials first evaluates how commercial plastics were developed, characterized and compared throughout the relevant industry. Various ASTM testing protocols are reviewed followed by an initial study of commodity plastic materials, including polyethylene, poly (vinyl chloride), polystyrene, diene rubbers and other selected and relatively high-volume resins. Applicable commercial polymerization methods are introduced along with comparative structure/property relationships. Initial comparisons are drawn as between commodity thermoplastic resins and thermoset compositions. Comparative end-use applications are continuously discussed along with a consideration of selected environmental issues (recyclability).
Pre-Reqs: CHEM 1210 Chemistry I.
A critical review of the commercial family of materials known as engineering thermoplastics including an examination of relatively important thermoset polymer systems. Major commercial polymerization reactions are reviewed (e.g. applicable chain growth or step-growth polymerizations) including comparative market performance based upon mechanical, thermal, chemical properties and environmental considerations. Also considered are selective high performance plastic materials suitable for use at elevated temperatures and in other relatively extreme working environments. Recommended Pre-Req: 26.201 Polymer Materials I.
Pre-Req: CHEM 1210Chemistry I.
The Professional Development Seminar is designed to provide students with the necessary structure, resources, and support to successfully secure and engage in their first Plastics Cooperative Education experience. Through a variety of interactive teaching methodologies and assignments, students will participate in a sequence of learning activities including self-assessment, industry research, and the development of co-op learning objectives. Students will prepare to engage in the job search process through resume-writing, strategic interviewing, professional networking and learn professional behavior and presentation skills. The goal of the course is to assist each student in developing a sound plan of action to successfully participate in the cooperative education experience.
Equilibrium of structures subjected to forces and moments. Area and mass moments of inertia,. Internal forces, shear and bending moments acting on loaded structures, including cantilevers, beams, trusses, bridges and machine frames. Friction.
Pre-req: 92.121 Calculus I and PHYS 1410 Physics I.
This course covers the fundamentals of Newtonian mechanics, including kinematics, motion relative to accelerated reference frames, work and energy, impulse and momentum, 2D and 3D rigid body dynamics. The course pays special attention to applications in plastics engineering including introductory topics in material and energy balance.
This lab course focuses on physical property testing of plastics. The tests covered include tensile properties, flexural properties, pendulum impact resistance, drop impact resistance, surface properties, and melt flow rate. The effect of environment on many of these properties is also evaluated.
Pre-Req or Co-Req: PLAS 2010 Polymer Materials I, Co-Req: PLAS 0010 Plastics Safety Lecture.
This laboratory introduces students to the plastics manufacturing processes of single screw extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, sheet thermoforming and rotational molding. Experiments are designed so that the student will understand the theory of polymer conversion techniques by the interaction between process variables and materials characteristics.
Co-Req: PLAS.0020 Plastics Safety Lecture.
This course is designed to teach basic principles of technical drawing, fundamentals of design, dimensioning and tolerances. Basic concepts of manufacturing and rapid prototyping are covered. The lecture component covers theoretical information, and the lab component covers hands-on learning, where students learn to use a commercial CAD software. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Applied & Integrative Learning (AIL).
This course provides a theoretical understanding of the design of plastics processing equipment and automation. Each system will be studied and analyzed discreetly, including the safety interlock system, hydraulic power system, pneumatic system, high voltage AC electrical power system, low voltage DC electrical control system, user interface with programmable logic controller (PLC), optical sensors, and associated mechanical aspects of the design. For each system, functions of components will be introduced, the theory underlying their operation will be discussed and analyzed, and components will be incorporated into a complete machine system detailed on associated machine prints. Lab will provide practical examples of the theory discussed in class.
Pre- or Co-req: PLAS.1070 Introduction to Plastics Engineering.
This course introduces the concepts of system definition, pure substance properties, phase behavior and engine cycles. The laws of Thermodynamics are introduced and used to determine equilibrium states of systems, conservation of energy and directionality of energy transformation. Mathematical analysis of closed and flowing systems and engineering devices used in polymer processing is reviewed. It concludes with a discussion of introductory level polymer thermodynamics. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcomes for Quantitative Literacy (QL).
Pre-Req: MATH 1320 Calculus II and PHYS 1410 Physics I, Permission of Instructor.
Methods for design and analysis of experiments provided in three course modules: (1) descriptive and inferential statistics for hypothesis testing: (2) analysis of variance and linear regression for model building; and (3) factorial, fractional factorial, and response surface design of experiments for decision support and optimization. Course incorporates project work with modern statistical programming. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Quantitative Literacy (QL) and Critical thinking and problem solving (CTPS).
Pre-Req: MATH 1320 Calculus II.
The primary goal of this seminar is to assist students in the overall assessment of their overall cooperative education experience. Through facilitated small group discussion, individual consultation and hands on practice, students will have an opportunity to identify and articulate their technical and professional skills, and explore how these skills and their co-op employment might be translated and leveraged into future work environments and their academic program at UML.
Pre/Co-req: PLAS 2100 Professional Development Seminar; and Pre/Co-Req:PLAS 3CE Cooperative Education.PLAS 2100&PLAS 3CE Pre/Co-Req
Statics and dynamics of Newtonian and Non-Newtonian fluids. Bernoulli equation, flow in closed conduits, measurement of fluid flow, external flow, rheology of melts, control volume, temperature and entrance effects. Applications of flow equations to plastics processing. Recommended Pre-Reqs: 92.234 Differential Equations or 92.236 Engineering Differential Equations.
This laboratory introduces students to the plastics manufacturing processes of twin screw extrusion, film extrusion, tube extrusion, and injection molding process monitoring. Experiments are designed so that the student will understand the theory of polymer conversion techniques by the interaction between process variables and material characteristics.
Pre-Req: PLAS 2150 or PLAS 2160 Plastics Processing Eng Lab I/II, PLAS 2010 or PLAS 2020 Polymeric Materials I/II; Co-Req: PLAS 0010 Plastics Safety Lecture.
This laboratory introduces students to variations of injection molding, extrusion, blow molding and thermoset manufacturing processes not previously studied. Advanced process set-up, including design of experiments, is covered. Experiments are designed so that the student will understand the theory of polymer conversion techniques by the interaction between process variables and material characteristics.
Pre-Req: PLAS 2150 or PLAS 2160 Plastics Processing Eng Lab I/II, PLAS 2010 or PLAS 2020 Polymeric Materials I/II; Co-Req: PLAS 0020 Plastics Safety Lecture.
This seminar is designed to support and assist students in the assessment of their 6 month cooperative education experience. Students will reflect of their extended time in a work environment, the impact of their experience on their planning, and how organizational culture, personal interests and values can inform their subsequent decisions for career development. Through facilitated small group discussions, individual consultation and hands on practice, students will have the opportunity to identify and articulate their technical and professional skills.
Pre-req: PLAS.3CE Co-op Experience and PLAS.2100 Professional Development Seminar, Permission of Instructor following 6 month co-op.
This course covers the theory and application of steady and transient heat conduction, convection, and radiation. Particular emphasis is placed on heat transfer problems in plastics processing and modern engineered systems. Computational methods and analysis of heat exchangers are covered.
Pre/Co-Req: MATH 2310 Calculus III; MATH 2340 Differential Equations or MATH 2360 Eng Differential Equations.
The course provides a comprehensive systematic approach to mold engineering and design, specifically focused on injection molds. Topics are presented in a top-down manner, beginning with significant design objectives and constraints followed by application specific analysis. Topics include: mold types and functions, mold layout, cost estimation, cavity filling, feed systems, gating, venting, cooling systems, shrinkage, ejector systems, and structural design. Junior status or permission of instructor. Includes laboratory experience in mold design and mold making.
Pre-Reqs: PLAS 2180 Intro to Design or PLAS.1070 Introduction to Plastics Engineering; Pre-Req or Co-Reqs: PLAS 3480 Heat Transfer. (PLAS.3140 recommended pre-requisite).
The first course in a two semester sequence to study the fundamental principles of polymer processing, i.e., the conversion of the polymeric materials into useful articles. The course will first study the properties of polymers (bulk and rheological and thermal properties) and why they are important to understanding polymer processing. This course will emphasize the fundamental principles of the extrusion process and examine the correlation between elements of the extruder, polymer properties, and processing variables and why they all must be considered when studying and understandng a plastics processing technique.
Pre-Reqs: PLAS 2010 Polymer Materials I or PLAS 2020 Polymer Materials II. Pre-Req or Co-Req: PLAS 3140 Fluid Flow. PLAS.3140 is a Co-Req of PLAS.3770.
Plastics Process Engineering II introduces four of the five major plastics forming (manufacturing) processes: rotational molding, thermoforming, blow molding, and injection molding with emphasis on how polymeric materials, machine and tooling components, and process variables affect properties of the products produced with each process. The course also examines melt mixing in polymer processing, including mixing in single screw systems and mixing in co-rotating twin screw extruders.
Pre-Reqs: PLAS 2010 Polymer Materials I or PLAS 2020 Polymer Materials II.
An introduction to polymer science with a focus on making polymers. Topics covered include the chemistry, kinetics, and statistics of step and chain polymerizations and copolymerizations, polymerization processes. Industrially relevant polymers and commercial polymerization processes will be highlighted, with coverage of the health and safety aspects of various approaches to the preparation of various polymers given. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Quantitative Literacy (QL).
Pre-Req: PLAS 2010 Polymer Materials I or PLAS 2020 Polymeric Materials II and CHEM 2040 Intro to Organic & Polymer Chemistry or CHEM 2210 Organic Chemistry I.
An introduction to polymer science with a focus on polymer properties and behavior. Topics covered include analytical techniques (chemical, thermal, and microstructural analysis of polymers, measurement of molecular weight distribution, etc.), as well as the underlying physical, rheological and solution properties that make these techniques possible. Recommended Pre-Req: 26.381 Polymer Science for Engineers I
Synthesis of polymers by step growth, condensation, suspension and free radical emulsion polymerization techniques. Fundamental concepts in polymerization kinetics and mechanism will be covered as well as structure-property considerations and polymerization with functional groups.
Pre-Req: CHEM 2040 Intro Organic & Polymer Chem or CHEM 2210 Organic Chemistry I; Co-Req: PLAS 3810 Polymer Science for Engineers I.
Polymer characterization techniques including molecular weight distribution by gel permeation chromatography, crystallinity and order by differential scanning calorimetry; polymer morphology and surface properties, and spectroscopic (nuclear magnetic resonance, Raman, infrared) and mechanical (tensile, dynamic mechanical, rheological) techniques will also be covered. Recommended Pre-Reqs: 26.381 Polymer Science for Engineers I and 26.383 Polymer Science I Lab; Co-Req: 26.382 Polymer Science for Engineers II.
Pre-Reqs: CHEM 2040 Intro to Organic and Polymer Chemistry or CHEM 2210 Organic Chemistry I; Co-Req: PLAS 3820 Polymer Sci for Engineers II.
Plastics Engineering Curricular Practical Training (CPT). "Variable credit course, student chooses appropriate amount of credits when registering."
Comprehensive and in-depth analysis of US medical device diagnostics development and approval requirements. Detailed analysis of quality assurance issues and regulatory reforms implemented under the Food and Drug Administration. Provides a step-by-step guide through the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CRDH) investigational device exemptions, premarket approval, 510 (k) application process, and product development protocol and review processes.
Level is Junior or Senior Standing Only.
Topics covered in this course include linear viscoelasticity, creep, stress relaxation, dynamic behavior, hysteresis, stress-strain response phenomena, principles of time-temperature superposition, rubber elasticity, failure and fracture mechanisms for polymers, and the effect of additives on mechanical behavior. Real life design examples are used to demonstrate the topics and concepts as much as possible.
Pre-Reqs: (ENGN.2050 or PLAS.2110) and PLAS.2150 Plastics Process Engin. Lab I, MATH.2340 Differential Equations or MATH.2360 Engin. Differential Equations.
Basic principles of control systems used with plastics processing equipment. Included are instrumentation, signal conditioning, data acquisition, feedback control, process monitoring, data reduction, and SPC/SQC. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Critical Thinking & Problem Solving (CTPS) and Written & Oral Communication (WOC).
Pre-Req: MATH 2340 Differential Equations or MATH 2360 Eng Differential Equations.
The fundamental relationships between molecular structure, properties and end-use applications of plastics materials will be explored in detail. Molecular structural features include chemical composition, molecular size and flexibility, intermolecular order and bonding, and supermolecular structure. Properties include processability, mechanical, acoustic, thermal, electrical, optical and chemical properties, price, and balance of properties. Applications include rigid solids, flexible solids, foams, film and non-plastic applications.
Pre-Req: 26.202 Polymeric Materials II.
This seminar is designed to support and assist students in the continued assessment of their cooperative education experience. Through a deepening of their work in Co-op assessment 1, students well review their overall performance in the cooperative education program, while continuing to demonstrate their technical and professional skills through written work and public presentations to multiple audiences. It is expected that students will clearly define their future academic and career goals, enhance their professional networks, and develop a future plan to support aspirations related to their major.
Pre-Req or Co-Req: PLAS 2100; Pre-Req: PLAS 3CE or PLAS 4CE.
first half of a two-semester capstone experience. Students, working in teams under the supervision of faculty members, select a project related to the field of plastics engineering, prepare a project charter considering constraints and mitigations, conduct experimental research, and propose potential project solutions.
Co-req: PLAS 0010 or PLAS 0020 Plastics Safety Lecture; and Senior Status.
Second half of a two-semester capstone experience. Students, working in teams under the supervision of faculty members, continue a project related to the field of plastics engineering, implement one or more project solutions, conduct experimental research, author a final report, and provide a presentation according to professional conference guidelines.
Pre-Req: PLAS 4150 Capstone Project I; and Co-Req: PLAS 0010 or PLAS 0020 Plastics Safety Lecture. Senior Status.
A section of capstone laboratory for honor students only. Honors student groups design, perform, analyze, report and defend a research project which incorporates the processing and characterization of plastics materials. Supporting practicum on literature searches, plastics processing, basic plastics testing techniques, and data analysis are included in the course. "Variable credit course, student chooses appropriate amount of credits when registering."
Co-Req: PLAS 0010 or PLAS 0020 Plastics Safety Lecture.
Theoretical principles and engineering practices for development of new plastic products with a focus on conventional and advanced injection molding processes. Topics include design methodology, plastic materials selection, design for manufacturing, computer aided engineering, mechanical behavior of plastics, structural design of plastic parts, prototyping techniques, experimental stress analysis, assembly techniques for plastic parts, and design for recyclability.
Pre-req: PLAS.2110 Engineering Mechanics, or ENGN.2050 Statics, and PLAS.1070 Introduction to Plastics Engineering.
This seminar is designed to support and assist students int he assessment of their second cooperative education work experience that was for a 6 month cycle. Students will reflect on their extended time in this second work environment, and how their two different co-op work experiences impacts their subsequent decisions for career development. Students will review their overall performance in the cooperative education program, and demonstrate their technical and professional skills through written work and public presentations to multiple audiences.
An interdisciplinary course taught by faculty from the Chemical, Mechanical and Plastics Engineering Departments, who have special knowledge in nanoscale fluid mechanics and heat transfer. The course on nanoscale transport phenomena constitutes a bridge between existing fluid and heat transfer courses in multiple disciplines and emerging nanoscale science and engineering concepts to reflect the forefront of nanomanufacturing. The course is designed to incorporate recent advances in manufacturing polymer based nanodevices. Key issues of the implementation and maintenance costs for fabrication will be addressed. Hands-on laboratory experiments will be performed to complement the lectures with the ultimate goal of designing and building a complete nanodevice at the end of the course. The course will prepare graduates for employment focused on designing and manufacturing nano/microfluidic systems, lab on ship devices, electronic devices, medical devices and other emerging technologies.
Pre-Req: 26.314 Fluid Flow, 26.348 Heat Transfer, and 26.218 Intro to Design.
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.