Polymer Technology

Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)

About this program

Plastics and polymers have the power to transform tomorrow. And you do too. Pursue an associate’s at Penn College and build the technical talent to ignite change in a field with endless possibilities.

Thanks to plastic parts, rockets can lift off with lower energy consumption. Because of plastic biodegradable food containers, landfill waste can be dramatically reduced. And with more plastic integrated into vehicle designs, we can save fuel and carbon emissions.

At Penn College, you’ll get extensive hands-on experience with all the major processes in industry-driven labs. Soak up real-world lessons from faculty who’ve worked in the field. And build the technical talent to help imagine smarter, more sustainable solutions across all industries.

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

1 of 7

Plastics Programs in the World with ABET Accreditation

100%

Overall Job Placement

5

Learn Five Major Plastic Processes

Careers

  • Process technologist
  • Design technologist
  • Research & development technologist
Courses

At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.

​​Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.

  • Polymer Industries (PPT116)
  • Polymer Processing Survey - Lecture (PPT118)
  • Polymer Processing Survey - Lab (PPT119)
  • Introduction to Polymer Science (PPT127)
  • Polymer Testing Lab (PPT129)
  • Sustainable Materials (PPT140)
  • Composites & Nanocomposites (PPT160)
  • Extrusion (PPT248)
  • Blow Molding (PPT251)
  • Tooling Maintenance (PPT220)
  • Injection Molding (PPT235)
  • Rotational Molding (PPT260)
  • Thermoforming (PPT270)
  • Quality Principles (QAL231)

​Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.

  • Core Global & Cultural Diversity Perspective (CDP)
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry (CHM100) or
  • General Chemistry I (CHM111)
  • Machine Tool Applications for Fabrication & Repair (MTT223)

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • Information, Technology & Society (CSC124)
  • College Algebra & Trigonometry I (MTH181)
  • English Composition I (ENL111)
  • Technical & Professional Communication (ENL201) or
  • Fundamentals of Speech (SPC101)
  • College Algebra & Trigonometry II (MTH183)
Featured Videos

Lab Tour

Join instructor Vii Rice on a tour of the labs and the five major plastics processes in the Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology programs.

Plastics with Sydney

Meet Sidney Trunzo, a Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology student. Get a glimpse of her training in hands-on labs. Find out why she loves her major. And learn how this ABET-accredited program prepares students, like Sidney, to take the lead in a thriving industry.

Your Future in Plastics

Dive into the wide world of plastics. Explore unique and in-demand career possibilities ranging from operations and manufacturing to research and development. And meet a trio of Penn College graduates who are making names for themselves at Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials—one of the world’s leading providers of high-performance manufacturing materials.

Real World Ready

The Five Processes

In this video, you’ll discover the difference between extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, and rotational molding. See the tools and technology that go into each process. And the picture the vast array of products made with polymers.

Tour Schedule

Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Apr 7

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 7 8:30 AM - 3 PM

More tour dates are on the way.

But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Need a different date?

Let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Contact

Admissions Office

Maker Profiles
Internship

Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your know-how in the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand. 

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ABET-Accredited Program

Accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.abet.org), under the General Criteria, as Plastics and Polymer Technology.

Industry Partners

Work with experts to become an expert

Penn College's strong corporate partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.

Shell Polymers
Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE)

Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE)

SPE works to form and maintain a professional connection for students and leaders in the plastics industry. Other benefits include scholarships and career links. Regular activities include weekly meetings, plant tours, guest speakers, national events, and conferences.  

Student Organizations at Penn College

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 60+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Penn College News
03.26.2024

Manufacturing company endows scholarship at Penn College

A manufacturer of fiber optic and copper network cabling has endowed a scholarship at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Leviton recently presented the college with a $25,000 gift to establish the scholarship. The donation places the company – a Corporate Tomorrow Maker – in the Ambassadors Society ($25,000-$49,999) on the college’s Donor Wall.

02.02.2024

Guaranteed momentum at SEKISUI KYDEX

Meet five Pennsylvania College of Technology alumni who are making names for themselves with SEKISUI KYDEX, a global thermoplastics leader. Learn how they are applying their polymer engineering expertise to innovate and create sustainable thermoplastic material solutions for the next generation of product design.

01.12.2024

Guaranteed momentum at B. Braun Medical

A new YouTube video explores how Penn College graduates are answering the demand for tomorrow-minded polymer engineers through their work at B. Braun Medical. Challenged to develop innovative medical solutions, alumni – Daniel M. Dietrich, '09, processing engineering manager; and Joshua A. Berger, '20, injection molding process engineer – are committed to designing sustainable solutions to meet today's health care demands.

Gain global experience
Study Abroad

Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

Learn More

More Information

Accredited by ABET ETAC under the following name: Plastics and Polymer Technology.

View general transfer information

Necessary equipment will be addressed in courses as needed.

Uniforms and tools are available for purchase through The College Store.

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

  • Mr. Matthew Leatherman, '95, '97, Process Manager, Carlisle Construction Materials Inc.
  • Mr. Steven D Morgan, '93, '95, Plastics Engineer, Bausch & Lomb
  • Mr. Sean M Stabler, '04, '06, Research & Innovation Manager, SEKISUI KYDEX
  • Ms. Adriana Velasquez, TS Engineer, Shell Polymers
  • Mr. Ralph Wolstenholme, Vice President, Med Plast Westfield
  • Mr. Adam R Wrench, PMP, '06, Process Excellence Manager, West Pharmaceutical Services
  • Career Fair Connections

    Career Fair Connections

    Penn College graduates are in high demand. Employer participation at the Career Fair is proof. Attracting 400+ organizations, this popular event is hosted twice per year and introduces students to all types of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. 

    Learn More About Career Fair