Degree Pathway for Ph.D. in Engineering, Plastics Engineering Option

For students entering Fall 2026 and beyond.

Course Requirements for the Ph.D. in Engineering, Plastics Engineering Option

Required Core Courses (total number of courses required is 2)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Sub total6
PLAS.5090Plastics Processing Theory I3
PLAS.5730Graduate Polymer Laboratory3

Elective Course Choices (total courses required is 9, see below for more choices)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits

PLAS.6420 OR 

PLAS.6180

Characterization of Polymers and Plastics (materials option) OR Structural Design Product (design / processing option)3

PLAS.6820 OR

PLAS.5850 OR

PLAS.5760

Physical Polymer Science (materials option) OR Computer Aided Engineering (design/processing option) OR Advanced Mold Design (design/processing option)3
PLAS.XXXXPlastics Engineering elective 13
PLAS.XXXXPlastics Engineering elective 23

PLAS.5440 OR

PLAS.XXXX

Advanced Plastics Materials (or placement exam) OR elective3

PLAS.5180 OR

PLAS.XXXX

Plastics Product Design (or placement exam) OR elective3

PLAS.5030 OR

PLAS.XXXX

Mechanical Behavior of Polymers (or placement exam) OR elective3

PLAS.5060 OR

PLAS.XXXX

Polymer Structure Properties and Applications (or placement exam) OR elective3

PLAS.5780 OR

PLAS.XXXX

Advanced Plastics Processing (or placement exam) OR elective3

PLAS.7530 OR 

PLAS.7560 OR

PLAS.7590

Doctoral Dissertation / Plastics Engineering33-45
Sub Total 57

Total number of courses required for the degree is 11.
Total credit hours for the degree is 63.

Updated 6/12/26