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Polymer Science and Engineering

Availability: Hattiesburg Options

Polymer Science and Engineering

Why choose Polymer Science and Engineering?

Polymer Science and Engineering is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on the structure and processing of polymeric materials and how these relate to properties and performance. The degree program provides a wealth of opportunities for our students to engage in the field beyond the classroom. There are a variety of pioneering research and design topics for students to explore, including aerospace composites, optoelectronic materials, and personal protection for military and sporting goods, among others.

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95% Job placement before graduation
66% 2018 seniors with internships
50%students continue to graduate programs

What Will I Learn?

Through coursework in multiple STEM disciplines, upper-level courses, and a senior engineering design experience, the program prepares students to achieve the following program educational objectives:

  • Advance professionally with increasing leadership and responsibility beyond entry level in polymer industries or related fields;
  • Build capability to work effectively in multidisciplinary team settings to achieve organization objectives;
  • Contribute to societal benefits in an environmentally and ethically responsible manner; and
  • Engage in life-long learning through professional activities and training, the pursuit of advanced degrees, and individual professional development.

Although not required by the program, many students participate in industrial research internships and university research experiences for undergraduates during the summers. Recent examples of locations are

  • Chevron Oronite
  • Ascend Performance Materials
  • Future Labs
  • U.S. Corps of Engineers
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology
  • Alchemy Nanotechnologies
  • Princeton University
  • Vanderbilt University
  • University of California – Santa Barbara
  • Case Western Reserve University

Polymer Science and Engineering students participate in a year-long senior design project that culminates with the development of a new or improved polymer product or polymer related process.  Performed in groups, these projects are collaborative and industrially relevant.  This is an integral part of an engineering education.

Students can also participate in faculty led groups that are involved in cutting edge, externally funded research and development projects.   When involved in research projects, students learn the skills, techniques, and methods necessary to solve challenging technical problems.  This experience enhances scholarship, internship, and future employment opportunities.

The School of Polymer Science and Engineering offers a student support infrastructure that assists students with individualized tutoring, topic specific workshops, and peer mentoring. Additionally, the Polymer Science Association student group provides access to a study room in the Thames Polymer Science Research Center as well as social and outreach activities that help build relationships among students at all levels.  

The Polymer Science and Engineering B.S. Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Materials, Metallurgical, Ceramics and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. Each student completing the degree will demonstrate mastery of the following competencies as established by ABET:

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Internationally recognized faculty mentors for all students

Each faculty member of the School of Polymer Science and Engineering has developed an innovative and vigorous research program that attracts governmental and industrial funding. Students participate along with faculty on these exciting and relevant research projects that build lasting student-mentor relationships.

Availability

Degree Plan Availability
Hattiesburg

Contact Us

School of Polymer Science and Engineering

202 Thames Polymer Science Research Center

Campus Hattiesburg

Campus Map

Email
polymersFREEMississippi

Phone
601.266.4868

Accreditation
ABET EAC Accredited

The Polymer Science and Engineering B.S. Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, , under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Materials, Metallurgical, Ceramics and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

  • Materials/Polymer Scientist or Engineer
  • Technical Service
  • Research and Development Engineer
  • Process Engineer
  • Consulting
  • Quality Engineer
  • Tyler Woldanski, 2018
    Lockheed-Martin
  • Brice Harkey, 2016
    Graduate Student, Vanderbilt University
  • Jarred Tramell, 2017
    Scientist, Pall Corporation
  • Brittany Thompson, 2019
    Graduate Student, University of Colorado - Boulder
  • Robert Bennett, 2017
    R & D Chemist, Tex-Cote
  • Joseph Turner, 2019
    Technical Service Engineer, Heritage Plastics