Polymer Materials Engineering, BS

Department of Engineering and Design, College of Science and Engineering

186 (150+ program credits)

Introduction

Students enrolled in Western’s Polymer Materials Engineering (PME) program study the relationship between molecular structure, processing, and properties of polymers and composites. The PME curriculum prepares graduates who understand and apply established scientific and engineering knowledge to support engineering activities in manufacturing environments. The technical curriculum is built upon a firm base of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and materials science. Practical experience in design, materials, processing, economics, testing, characterization, and analysis is a crucial part of the hands-on curriculum that is provided in the program’s extensive and well-equipped laboratory facilities.

Why Consider a Polymer Materials Engineering Major?

A polymer materials engineer can be involved in the development, design analysis, planning, supervision, or construction of the materials, methods, and equipment for the production of industrial or consumer goods in the plastics or composites industry. The PME graduate will help to solve the complex problems associated with plastics or composites manufacturing operations. PME graduates work in teams with engineers, scientists, and technicians to solve manufacturing-related problems.

Engineering and Design Departmental Website: engineeringdesign.wwu.edu

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Program Admissions: Admission to the Polymer Materials Engineering major is a two-phase process. When students initially declare, they are designated as pre-majors. Students must complete the courses listed below in order to apply to the major. Admission to full major status is determined by academic performance as a pre-major and other factors. Admission to the major is competitive. Neither completion of the prerequisites nor attainment of any specific GPA guarantees admission.

Major Prerequisite courses: CHEM 161, CHEM 162, MATH 124, MATH 125, PHYS 161, ENGR 101, ENGR 115, ENGR 170, and ENGR 214. Students may be currently enrolled in no more than two of the above courses when they apply for major admission. A final decision on applications may be delayed until receipt of final grades for in-progress courses. Students must obtain at least a C- in the above courses and an overall GPA in them of 2.0 or higher to be considered. AP scores are converted to GPA as follows: 5 = A; 4 = B; 3 = C. Decisions are based primarily on cumulative GPA in the prerequisite courses, but successful completion of other required Major courses, GPA in the Major, and overall GPA are also considerations.

Application: In addition to academic performance as described above, acceptance decisions will also be based on a series of short-answer questions explaining any prior experience, academic challenges and/or achievements that would give insight as to why you would like to study Polymer Materials Engineering.

Applications are due on the first Friday in February. Only complete, on-time applications will be considered. Applicants will be notified by the end of the following week. Students who are accepted must register for PME 371, MFGE 261 and MATH 345 spring quarter before the end of Phase II registration unless they are given explicit permission from a PCE advisor not to do so. Students who do not register by the end of Phase II registration may lose their major status. Graduation will be delayed if students do not complete PHYS 163 by the end of fall quarter junior year and PME 342 by the end of winter quarter junior year.

Other quarters: If additional spaces become available, all pre-Majors will be notified by email that applications are being accepted, including the application deadline and the requirements to apply.

Transfer Students: A student that will be transferring to Western Washington University will be designated as a pre-major and will need to apply to the major. Transfer students who believe they are ready to apply to the PME major should contact the department program coordinator for advising the quarter they intend to start at Western.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.