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Packaging Science BS
Program overview
Packaging is increasingly related to total marketing concepts; it has even greater dependence on new developments in materials and processes. Therefore, the industry requires management personnel with creativity and a strong background in business, engineering, and science.
The packaging science major prepares students for employment in areas such as package development, sales, purchasing, structural design, production, research, and marketing. The major was developed as a result of a close and long-established relationship between the packaging industry and RIT. This multi-billion-dollar industry exhibits dynamic growth and provides employment for thousands of professionals with wide-ranging skills and expertise.
Cooperative education
The packaging science major requires six months of cooperative education in addition to course work.
Curriculum
Packaging science, BS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| LAS Foundation 2: First Year Writing | 3 | |
| MATH-171 | LAS Perspective 7A: Calculus | 3 |
| CHMG-121 | Chemical Principles and Applications | 3 |
| PACK-101 | Introduction to Packaging | 1 |
| PACK-151 | Packaging Design I | 3 |
| LAS Foundation 1: First Year Seminar† | 3 | |
| MATH-172 | LAS Perspective 7B: Calculus | 3 |
| CHMG-123 | Chemistry of Materials | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 1 | 3 | |
| PACK-152 | Packaging Design II | 3 |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| LAS Perspective 2, 3 | 6 | |
| CHMG-201 | Introduction to Organic Polymer Technology | 3 |
| PHYS-111 | LAS Perspective 5: College Physics 1 | 4 |
| PACK-211 | Packaging Metals and Plastics | 3 |
| PACK-212 | Packaging Paper and Glass | 3 |
| STAT-145 | Introduction to Statistics I | 3 |
| PHYS-112 | College Physics II | 4 |
| PACK-311, 312 | Containers I, II | 6 |
| Cooperative Education (summer) | Co-op | |
| Third Year | ||
| LAS Perspective 4 | 3 | |
| MEDG-106 | LAS Perspective 6: Microbiology in Health and Disease | 3 |
| STAT-146 | Introduction to Statistics II | 4 |
| MKTG-230 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| PACK-421 | Packaging for Distribution | 3 |
| LAS Immersion 1 | 3 | |
| PACK-430 | Packaging Regulations | 3 |
| PACK-422 | Dynamics and Protective Packaging | 3 |
| PACK-420 | Technical Communications | 3 |
| Packaging Elective | 3 | |
| Cooperative Education (summer) | Co-op | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| LAS Immersion 2, 3 | 6 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| PACK-470 | Food Packaging | 3 |
| PACK-451 | Packaging Development | 3 |
| Packaging Electives | 6 | |
| PACK-481 | Packaging for Marketing and End Use | 3 |
| PACK-471 | Packaging Supply Chain | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 121 | |
Please see New General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing bachelor's degrees are required to complete two Wellness courses.
† The First Year Seminar requirement is replaced by an LAS Elective for the 2013-14 academic year.
Additional information
Industry Advisory Board
The Industry Advisory Board contributes professional and technical expertise to the packaging science major, which strengthens and develops the curriculum to reflect the dynamics and growth of the industry.