Packaging Science Bachelor of Science Degree

Design and test sustainable packaging for food, medical, and consumer product industries.


100%

Outcomes Rate of RIT Graduates from this degree

$71.1K

Average First-Year Salary of RIT Graduates from this degree

82%

required courses in the College of Engineering Technology for this major have a lab component


Overview for Packaging Science BS

Pursue a Bachelor of Science in Packaging Science at RIT


  • Gain Real-World Experience: Two blocks of cooperative education provide you with hands-on, full-time paid work experience in the packaging science industry.

  • Accelerated Degree Option: The opportunity to enroll in a combined bachelor’s/master’s option gives you a competitive advantage in your field.

  • Career Connections: A packaging career fair connects our packaging science majors with more than 25+ employers in the packaging industry.

  • Jobs at Industry-Leading Companies: Recent graduates are employed at Tesla, Starbucks, Hasbro, KraftHeinz, PepsiCo, Milwaukee Tool, Revlon, American Packaging Corporation, Colgate-Palmolive, Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, and more.

  • Fast Track Your Success: Earn a BS degree and an MBA in as few as five years with our +MBA program. 

  • STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.
What you can do with a degree in Packaging Science?

RIT’s Packaging Science Degree

RIT’s packaging science major is a dynamic major that integrates engineering, creative design, and business to develop and design product packaging for a range of consumer goods. During the conceptualization, design, and development of product packaging, you will learn to weigh factors such as:

Read More
Loading...

Careers and Experiential Learning

Typical Job Titles

Packaging Engineer Packaging Designer Packaging Development Engineer
Applications Engineer Product Engineer Structural Designer
Packaging Sales Sustainable Packaging Engineer Packaging R&D Engineer

Industries

  • Biotech and Life Sciences
  • Consumer Packaged Goods
  • Design
  • Food and Beverage
  • Medical Devices
  • Pharmaceuticals
Post-Graduation Salary and Career Info for Packaging Science BS

Cooperative Education

What’s different about an RIT education? It’s the career experience you gain by completing cooperative education and internships with top companies in every single industry. You’ll earn more than a degree. You’ll gain real-world career experience that sets you apart. It’s exposure–early and often–to a variety of professional work environments, career paths, and industries.

Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. Your engineering co-ops will provide hands-on experience that enables you to apply your engineering knowledge in professional settings while you make valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.

In the packaging engineering degree, you'll complete two required blocks of co-op. You'll gain extensive career experience through full-time, paid co-op positions in companies that design and develop packaging for cosmetics and health products, pharmaceuticals and medical products, food and beverages, tools and equipment for manufacturing, toys, and other consumer goods, and more. You’ll also develop your professional skills and broaden your industry contacts.

Companies that employ our packaging science students for co-ops include Colgate-Palmolive, CONMED, CooperVision, GlaxoSmithKline, Hammer Packaging, Hasbro, Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, Merck & Co., Inc., Milwaukee Tool, PepsiCo, Revlon, and Stanley Black & Decker, to name a few.

Jobs for Packaging Engineers and Packaging Designers

RIT’s packaging engineering degree prepares you for employment in areas such as package development, packaging design, 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 is experiencing dynamic growth and packaging engineers and packaging designers with wide-ranging skills and expertise are in demand.

Packaging Science Career Fair

RIT hosts a packaging science-specific career fair that connects packaging science majors with corporations, organizations, design firms, and more, who hire packaging professionals. During this day-long event, you’ll be able to network with company representatives and interview directly for open co-op and permanent employment positions.

Co-op and Experiential Learning Options for Packaging Science BS

Featured Work and Profiles

Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Packaging Science BS

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

Packaging Science BS

The curriculum below outlines the typical course sequence(s) for this program.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
CHMG-141 General & Analytical Chemistry I 3
CHMG-145 General & Analytical Chemistry I Lab 1
MATH-171 Calculus A (fulfills General Education: Mathematical Perspective A) 3
PACK-101 Introduction to Packaging 1
PACK-151 Packaging Design I 3
UWRT-150 FYW: Writing Seminar (fulfills General Education: First Year Writing (WI)) 3
YOPS-10 RIT 365: RIT Connections 0
 Hours14
Spring
MATH-172 Calculus B (fulfills General Education: Mathematical Perspective B) 3
MEDG-106 Microbiology of Health And Disease (fulfills General Education: Scientific Principles Perspective) 3
PACK-152 Packaging Design II 3
General Education: Artistic Perspective 3
General Education: Ethical Perspective 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
CHMG-201 Introduction to Organic Polymer Technology 3
PACK-211 Packaging Metals & Plastics 3
PACK-212 Packaging Paper & Glass 3
STAT-145 Introduction to Statistics I 3
General Education: Global Perspective 3
 Hours15
Spring
CHMG-123 Chemistry of Materials 3
PACK-311 Containers I 3
PACK-95 Career Seminar 0
PACK-312 Containers II 3
STAT-146 Introduction to Statistics II 4
General Education: Social Perspective 3
 Hours16
Summer
PACK-499 Cooperative Work Experience 0
 Hours0
Third Year
Fall
MKTG-230 Principles of Marketing 3
PACK-421 Packaging for Distribution 3
General Education: Immersion 1 3
General Education: Elective 3
Select one of the folllowing Environmental Electives: 3
Concepts of Environmental Science  
Sustainable Food Systems  
Environment and Society  
Environmental Policy  
 Hours15
Spring
MAAT-402 Graphic Media and Packaging Business Practices 3
PACK-430 Packaging Regulations 3
PACK-470 Food Packaging 3
PACK-471 Packaging Supply Chain 3
PHYS-111 College Physics I (fulfills General Education: Natural Science Inquiry Perspective) 4
 Hours16
Summer
PACK-499 Cooperative Work Experience 0
 Hours0
Fourth Year
Fall
PACK-422 Dynamics and Protective Packaging 3
General Education: Immersion 2 3
Open Elective 3
Packaging Elective 3
Select one of the following Printing Electives: 3
Gravure and Flexography  
Digital Print Processes  
Package Printing  
 Hours15
Spring
PACK-481 Packaging for Marketing and End Use 3
Packaging Elective 3
General Education: Immersion 3 3
Open Electives 6
 Hours15
 Total Hours121

Notes:

  • All students pursuing a bachelor’s degree are also required to complete two different Wellness courses.

Packaging Science BS / MS Dual Degree

The curriculum below outlines the typical course sequence(s) for this program 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
CHMG-141 General & Analytical Chemistry I 3
CHMG-145 General & Analytical Chemistry I Lab 1
PACK-101 Introduction to Packaging 1
PACK-151 Packaging Design I 3
MATH-171 Calculus A (fulfills General Education: Mathematical Perspective A) 3
UWRT-150 FYW: Writing Seminar (General Education – First Year Writing (WI)) 3
YOPS-10 RIT 365: RIT Connections 0
 Hours14
Spring
MATH-172 Calculus B (fulfills General Education: Mathematical Perspective B) 3
MEDG-106 Microbiology of Health And Disease (fulfills General Education: Scientific Principles Perspective) 3
PACK-152 Packaging Design II 3
General Education: Artistic Perspective 3
General Education: Ethical Perspective 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
CHMG-201 Introduction to Organic Polymer Technology 3
PACK-211 Packaging Metals & Plastics 3
PACK-212 Packaging Paper & Glass 3
STAT-145 Introduction to Statistics I 3
General Education: Global Perspective 3
 Hours15
Spring
CHMG-123 Chemistry of Materials 3
PACK-95 Career Seminar 0
PACK-311 Containers I 3
PACK-312 Containers II 3
STAT-146 Introduction to Statistics II 4
General Education: Social Perspective 3
 Hours16
Summer
PACK-499 Cooperative Work Experience 0
 Hours0
Third Year
Fall
MKTG-230 Principles of Marketing 3
PACK-421 Packaging for Distribution 3
General Education: Immersion 1 3
Select one of the folllowing Environmental Electives: 3
Concepts of Environmental Science  
Sustainable Food Systems  
Environment and Society  
Environmental Policy  
General Education: Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring
MAAT-402 Graphic Media and Packaging Business Practices ((WI-PR)) 3
PACK-430 Packaging Regulations 3
PACK-470 Food Packaging 3
PACK-471 Packaging Supply Chain 3
PHYS-111 College Physics I (fulfills General Education: Natural Science Inquiry Perspective) 4
 Hours16
Summer
PACK-499 Cooperative Work Experience 0
 Hours0
Fourth Year
Fall
Select one of the following Printing Electives: 3
Gravure and Flexography  
Digital Print Processes  
Package Printing  
General Education: Immersion 2 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 3
Packaging Graduate Elective 1 1 3
 Hours15
Spring
PACK-481 Packaging for Marketing and End Use 3
PACK-783 Advanced Packaging Dynamics 2 3
Undergraduate Packaging Elective 3
General Education: Immersion 3 3
Open Elective 3
 Hours15
Fifth Year
Fall
GRCS-701 Research Methods 3
PACK-742 Distribution Systems 3
Packaging Graduate Elective 1 3
Packaging Graduate Elective 2 3
 Hours12
Spring
PACK-730 Packaging and the Environment 3
PACK-763 Packaging for End Use 3
Select one of the following: 6
Research Thesis  
Graduate Project ( and 1 Packaging Graduate Elective)  
Comprehensive Examination ( and 2 Packaging Graduate Electives)  
 Hours12
 Total Hours145

Notes:

  • All students pursuing a bachelor’s degree are also required to complete two different Wellness courses.
1

This course fulfills an Undergraduate Packaging Elective 1 in the BS program

2

The course fulfills PACK-422 Dynamics and Protective Packaging in the BS program

Packaging Science BS / Materials Science and Engineering MS Dual Degree

The curriculum below outlines the typical course sequence(s) for this program.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
CHMG-141 General & Analytical Chemistry I 3
CHMG-145 General & Analytical Chemistry I Lab 1
MATH-171 Calculus A (fulfills General Education: Mathematical Perspective A) 3
PACK-101 Introduction to Packaging 1
PACK-151 Packaging Design I 3
UWRT-150 FYW: Writing Seminar (General Education: First Year Writing (WI)) 3
YOPS-10 RIT 365: RIT Connections 0
 Hours14
Spring
MATH-172 Calculus B (fulfills General Education: Mathematical Perspective B) 3
MEDG-106 Microbiology of Health And Disease (fulfills General Education: Scientific Principles Perspective) 3
PACK-152 Packaging Design II 3
General Education: Artistic Perspective 3
General Education: Ethical Perspective 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
CHMG-201 Introduction to Organic Polymer Technology 3
PACK-211 Packaging Metals & Plastics 3
PACK-212 Packaging Paper & Glass 3
STAT-145 Introduction to Statistics I 3
General Education: Global Perspective 3
 Hours15
Spring
CHMG-123 Chemistry of Materials 3
PACK-95 Career Seminar 0
PACK-311 Containers I 3
PACK-312 Containers II 3
STAT-146 Introduction to Statistics II 4
General Education: Social Perspective 3
 Hours16
Summer
PACK-499 Cooperative Work Experience 1 0
 Hours0
Third Year
Fall
Select one of the folllowing Environmental Electives: 3
Concepts of Environmental Science  
Sustainable Food Systems  
Environment and Society  
Environmental Policy  
MKTG-230 Principles of Marketing 3
PACK-421 Packaging for Distribution 3
General Education: Elective 3
General Education: Immersion 1 3
 Hours15
Spring
MAAT-402 Graphic Media and Packaging Business Practices (WI-PR) 3
PACK-430 Packaging Regulations 3
PACK-470 Food Packaging 3
PACK-471 Packaging Supply Chain 3
PHYS-111 College Physics I (fulfills General Education: Natural Science Inquiry Perspective) 4
 Hours16
Summer
PACK-499 Cooperative Work Experience 1 0
 Hours0
Fourth Year
Fall
Select one of the following Printing Electives: 3
Gravure and Flexography  
Digital Print Processes  
Package Printing  
PACK-422 Dynamics and Protective Packaging 3
MTSE Graduate Elective 1 2,3 3
General Education: Immersion 2 3
Open Elective 1 3
 Hours15
Spring
PACK-481 Packaging for Marketing and End Use 3
MTSE Graduate Elective 2 2,4 3
General Education: Immersion 3 3
Open Elective 2 3
Open Elective 3 3
 Hours15
Fifth Year
Fall
MTSE-601 Materials Science 3
MTSE-704 Theoretical Methods in Materials Science and Engineering 3
MTSE Graduate Elective 3 2 3
MTSE Graduate Elective 4 2 3
 Hours12
Spring
MTSE-705 Experimental Techniques 3
Select one of the following Culminating Experiences: 9
Graduate Project (plus two (2) MTSE Graduate Electives) 5  
Research & Thesis 6  
 Hours12
 Total Hours145

Notes:

  • All students pursuing a bachelor’s degree are also required to complete two different Wellness courses.
  • In this dual degree program, 6 credits from the graduate program are double-counted because they also fulfill degree requirements in the undergraduate program.
1

Students must complete two blocks of cooperative education in addition to coursework.

2

Approved Electives comprise graduate courses offered by programs in the College of Science, Kate Gleason College of Engineering, Golisano Institute for Sustainability, School of Individualized Studies and the Saunders College of Business. See below for additional approved electives.

3

This course fulfills a Packaging Elective in the BS program.

4

This course fulfills a Packaging Elective in the BS program.

5

Students who select Project as their Culminating Experience must complete MTSE-777 Graduate Project and two additional Graduate Electives.

6

Students who select Thesis as their Culminating Experience must complete 9 credits of MTSE-790 Research & Thesis.

Approved MTSE Graduate Electives

Approved Electives comprise graduate courses offered by programs in the College of Science, Kate Gleason College of Engineering, Golisano Institute for Sustainability, School of Individualized Studies and the Saunders College of Business. Prerequisites for all Approved Electives include Graduate Standing and may require permission of instructor.

MTSE-602Polymer Science3
MTSE-617Material Degradation3
MTSE-632Solid State Science3
MTSE-704Theoretical Methods in Materials Science and Engineering3
MTSE-780Theory of Microsensors and Actuators3
MTSE-799Independent Study1-4

Admissions and Financial Aid

This program is STEM designated when studying on campus and full time.

First-Year Admission

First-year applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong academic background that includes:

  • 4 years of English
  • 3 years of social studies and/or history
  • 3 years of math is required and must include algebra, geometry, and algebra 2/trigonometry. Pre-calculus is preferred.
  • 2-3 years of science. Chemistry or physics is required and biology is recommended.
  • Technology electives are preferred.

Transfer Admission

Transfer applicants should meet these minimum degree-specific requirements:

  • A minimum of college algebra is required. Pre-calculus or calculus is preferred.
  • Chemistry or physics is required.

Learn How to Apply

Financial Aid and Scholarships

100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.

RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs. When all these are put to work, your actual cost may be much lower than the published estimated cost of attendance.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships

Resources

Access Resources for students including academic advisors, student clubs and organizations, documents, technical information and support, and software help.

Related News

Contact

Program Contact
  • Yanelys Alvarado
  • Senior Staff Specialist
  • Department of Packaging and Graphic Media Science
  • College of Engineering Technology
  • 585‑475‑2278
  • ycamet@rit.edu