Polymer Science and Engineering, BSE
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE)
Major: Polymer Science and Engineering
Program Overview
In 1970, the department introduced a program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree with a major in Polymer Science and Engineering, which is designed to prepare the student both for employment in polymer-based industry and for graduate education in polymer science.
The Case School of Engineering is proud that the polymer science and engineering program was the first such undergraduate program in the country to receive accreditation from the Engineering Council for Professional Development. The curriculum combines courses dealing with all aspects of polymer science and engineering with basic courses in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology, depending on the needs and interests of the student. The student chooses a sequence of technical electives, in consultation with a faculty advisor, allowing a degree of specialization in one particular area of interest, e.g., biomaterials, chemical engineering, biochemistry, or physics. In addition to required formal laboratory courses, students are encouraged to participate in the research activities of the department, both through part-time employment as student laboratory technicians and through the senior project requirement: a one or two semester project that involves the planning and performance of a research project.
Polymer science undergraduates are also strongly encouraged to seek summer employment in industrial laboratories during at least one of their three years with the department. In addition to the general undergraduate curriculum in Polymer Science and Engineering, the department offers two specialized programs which lead to the Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in Polymer Science and Engineering. The cooperative program contains all the coursework required for full-time resident students plus one or two six-month cooperative sessions in polymer-based industry. The company is selected by the student in consultation with his or her advisor, depending on the available opportunities. The dual-degree program allows students to work simultaneously on two baccalaureate level degrees within the university. It generally takes five years to complete the course requirements for each department for the degree. The Combined Bachelor's/Master's (CBM) program leads to the simultaneous completion of requirements for both the master’s and bachelor’s degrees. Students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 may apply for admission to this program in their junior year.
The Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree program with a major in Polymer Science and Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Materials (1), Metallurgical (2), Ceramics (3), and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
Program Educational Objectives
The program will produce graduates who:
- Are competent, creative, collaborative, and highly valued polymer engineers and scientists in industry, academia, or government.
- Are flexible and adaptable in the workplace, possess the capacity to embrace new opportunities of emerging technologies, sustainability initiatives, and leadership and teamwork opportunities, all affording impactful engineering careers.
- Are prepared to continue their lifelong professional development, for example, by obtaining advanced degrees in polymer science and engineering or other professional fields, including medicine, law, management, finance or public policy.
- Act with the global, ethical, societal, ecological, and commercial awareness expected of practicing engineering professionals.
Learning Outcomes
As preparation for achieving the above educational objectives, the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree program with a major in Polymer Science and Engineering is designed so that students attain:
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- 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
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- 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
- 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
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Co-op and Internship Programs
Opportunities are available for students to alternate studies with work in industry or government as a co-op student, which involves paid full-time employment over seven months (one semester and one summer). Students may work in one or two co-ops, beginning in the third year of study. Co-ops provide students the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in their field by completing a significant engineering project while receiving professional mentoring. During a co-op placement, students do not pay tuition but maintain their full-time student status while earning a salary. Alternatively or additionally, students may obtain employment as summer interns.
Undergraduate Policies
For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.
Combined Bachelor's/Master's Programs
Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.
Program Requirements
Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Mathematics, Science and Engineering Courses: | ||
| MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I | 4 |
| MATH 122 | Calculus for Science and Engineering II | 4 |
| or MATH 124 | Calculus II | |
| MATH 223 | Calculus for Science and Engineering III | 3 |
| or MATH 227 | Calculus III | |
| MATH 224 | Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
| or MATH 228 | Differential Equations | |
| PHYS 121 | General Physics I - Mechanics | 4 |
| or PHYS 123 | Physics and Frontiers I - Mechanics | |
| PHYS 122 | General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| or PHYS 124 | Physics and Frontiers II - Electricity and Magnetism | |
| CHEM 111 | Principles of Chemistry for Engineers | 4 |
| ENGR 130 | Foundations of Engineering and Programming | 3 |
| ENGR 145 | Chemistry of Materials | 4 |
| ENGR 200 | Statics and Strength of Materials | 3 |
| ENGR 210 | Introduction to Circuits and Instrumentation | 4 |
| ENGR 399 | Impact of Engineering on Society | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 43 | |
Traditional Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EMAC 270 | Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering | 3 |
| EMAC 276 | Polymer Properties and Design | 3 |
| EMAC 351 | Physical Chemistry for Engineering | 3 |
| EMAC 352 | Polymer Physics and Engineering | 3 |
| EMAC 355 | Polymer Analysis Laboratory | 3 |
| EMAC 370 | Polymer Chemistry | 3 |
| EMAC 372 | Polymer Processing and Testing Laboratory | 3 |
| EMAC 375 | Fundamentals of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics and Polymer Rheology | 3 |
| EMAC 376 | Polymer Engineering | 3 |
| EMAC 377 | Polymer Processing | 3 |
| EMAC 378 | Polymer Engineer Design Product | 3 |
| EMAC 398 | Polymer Science and Engineering Project I | 3 |
| Three Technical Electives a | 9 | |
| Natural Science Elective b | 3-4 | |
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Biochemistry: From Molecules To Medical Science | ||
| Introduction to Modern Physics | ||
| Methods of Mathematical Physics I | ||
| Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 48-49 | |
- a
Can include 3 or 6 credit hours of EMAC 125 and/or EMAC 325.
- b
Chosen in consultation with the student's academic advisor.
Biomaterials track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| EBME 201 | Physiology-Biophysics I | 3 |
| EBME 202 | Physiology-Biophysics II | 3 |
| EBME 306 | Introduction to Biomedical Materials | 3 |
| EMAC 270 | Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering | 3 |
| EMAC 276 | Polymer Properties and Design | 3 |
| EMAC 351 | Physical Chemistry for Engineering | 3 |
| EMAC 352 | Polymer Physics and Engineering | 3 |
| EMAC 355 | Polymer Analysis Laboratory | 3 |
| EMAC 370 | Polymer Chemistry | 3 |
| EMAC 376 | Polymer Engineering | 3 |
| EMAC 377 | Polymer Processing | 3 |
| EMAC 378 | Polymer Engineer Design Product | 3 |
| EMAC 398 | Polymer Science and Engineering Project I | 3 |
| Natural Science Elective a | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Biochemistry: From Molecules To Medical Science | ||
| Genes, Evolution and Ecology | ||
| Cells and Proteins | ||
| Principles of Developmental Biology | ||
| Technical Electives: | 9 | |
| Choose three of the following: | ||
| Materials for Prosthetics and Orthotics | ||
| Biomaterials for Drug Delivery | ||
| Introduction to Tissue Engineering | ||
| Quantitative Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Bioengineering | ||
| Polymers in Medicine | ||
| Nanomedicine | ||
| First Year Research on Polymers and Undergraduate Research in Polymer Science b | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 51 | |
- a
Chosen in consultation with the student's academic advisor.
- b
3 credit hours of research may be substituted for one of the technical electives.
Sample Plan of Study
Traditional Track
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| CHEM 111 | Principles of Chemistry for Engineers | 4 |
| ENGR 130 | Foundations of Engineering and Programming | 3 |
| MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I | 4 |
| Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGR 145 | Chemistry of Materials | 4 |
| MATH 122 | Calculus for Science and Engineering II | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | General Physics I - Mechanics | 4 |
| Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 223 | Introductory Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| EMAC 270 | Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering | 3 |
| MATH 223 | Calculus for Science and Engineering III | 3 |
| PHYS 122 | General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 224 | Introductory Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| EMAC 276 | Polymer Properties and Design | 3 |
| ENGR 200 | Statics and Strength of Materials | 3 |
| MATH 224 | Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 290 | Chemical Laboratory Methods for Engineers | 3 |
| EMAC 351 | Physical Chemistry for Engineering | 3 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Technical Elective b | 3 | |
| Natural Science Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| EMAC 376 | Polymer Engineering | 3 |
| EMAC 355 | Polymer Analysis Laboratory | 3 |
| EMAC 352 | Polymer Physics and Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR 399 | Impact of Engineering on Society | 3 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Technical Elective b | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENGR 210 | Introduction to Circuits and Instrumentation | 4 |
| EMAC 370 | Polymer Chemistry | 3 |
| EMAC 375 | Fundamentals of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics and Polymer Rheology | 3 |
| EMAC 377 | Polymer Processing | 3 |
| EMAC 398 | Polymer Science and Engineering Project I c | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| EMAC 372 | Polymer Processing and Testing Laboratory | 3 |
| EMAC 378 | Polymer Engineer Design Product | 3 |
| Technical Elective b | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 127 | |
- a
- b
Technical sequence must be approved by department advisor.
- c
Preparation for the polymer science project should commence in the previous semester.
Biomaterials Track
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| CHEM 111 | Principles of Chemistry for Engineers | 4 |
| ENGR 130 | Foundations of Engineering and Programming | 3 |
| MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I | 4 |
| Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGR 145 | Chemistry of Materials | 4 |
| MATH 122 | Calculus for Science and Engineering II | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | General Physics I - Mechanics | 4 |
| Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EBME 201 | Physiology-Biophysics I | 3 |
| EMAC 270 | Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering | 3 |
| MATH 223 | Calculus for Science and Engineering III | 3 |
| PHYS 122 | General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| EBME 202 | Physiology-Biophysics II b | 3 |
| EMAC 276 | Polymer Properties and Design | 3 |
| ENGR 200 | Statics and Strength of Materials | 3 |
| MATH 224 | Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 223 | Introductory Organic Chemistry I b | 3 |
| CHEM 290 | Chemical Laboratory Methods for Engineers | 3 |
| EBME 306 | Introduction to Biomedical Materials | 3 |
| EMAC 351 | Physical Chemistry for Engineering | 3 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 224 | Introductory Organic Chemistry II b | 3 |
| EMAC 376 | Polymer Engineering | 3 |
| EMAC 303 | Structure of Biological Materials | 3 |
| EMAC 355 | Polymer Analysis Laboratory | 3 |
| Technical Elective c | 3 | |
| Natural Science Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENGR 210 | Introduction to Circuits and Instrumentation | 4 |
| EMAC 370 | Polymer Chemistry | 3 |
| EMAC 375 | Fundamentals of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics and Polymer Rheology | 3 |
| EMAC 377 | Polymer Processing | 3 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| EMAC 378 | Polymer Engineer Design Product | 3 |
| EMAC 398 | Polymer Science and Engineering Project I d | 3 |
| ENGR 399 | Impact of Engineering on Society | 3 |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 127 | |
- a
- b
Suggested for pre-med students.
- c
EMAC 355 is strongly recommended.
- d
Preparation for the polymer science project should commence in the previous semester.