The University of Akron - the College of Engineering and Polymer Science
Master of Science in Polymer Engineering
Akron, USA
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The Master of Science in Polymer Engineering readies students with a technical bachelor's to work in polymer and related industries. It deepens polymer science and polymer engineering knowledge, offers hands-on lab experience, and builds non-technical skills in business and law so graduates can lead teams and manage technology-aware decisions at UA.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter industry, consulting, or venture capital; common roles include polymers engineer, materials scientist, product development engineer, quality manager, regulatory affairs specialist, technical manager, technology consultant. They'll work across plastics, composites, coatings, adhesives, manufacturing, R&D support, business development, and supervision, including materials characterization, product testing, and scale-up.
This degree prepares individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a technical area to work in polymer or polymer-related industries, consulting, or venture capital firms in a non-research position requiring both a broad familiarity with fundamentals of polymer science and polymer engineering and some knowledge of business and law. The program deepens technical knowledge in the polymer field while providing non-technical skills needed by team leaders, managers, and supervisors to make technology-mindful decisions.
Degree Requirements
Polymer Engineering administers a graduate program in which students are guided through a course of study and research under the supervision of a faculty member leading to the award of a Master’s degree in Polymer Engineering. The combined requirements of the Graduate School and Polymer Engineering program represent the minimum standards for the attainment of the degree. In an effort to tailor the program to each student's background and research interests, Polymer Engineering and/or the student’s advisor may request requirements beyond the minimum in order to ensure academic and professional success.
The Master’s in Polymer Engineering is awarded to a student after the completion of a prescribed program of course studies and a research project that leads to the preparation of a written thesis describing the research in a scholarly manner. A student and his/her advisor can plan any additional courses necessary to solve the thesis research project and/or that allow for the academic and professional growth of the student.
Currently, to achieve the M.S. in Polymer Engineering, a student must complete:
- 30 credits in polymer engineering, including:
- 12 credits of polymer engineering core courses
- 6 credits of polymer engineering 600-level electives
- 6 credits of technical electives
- 6 or more credits of thesis research
- A written thesis
- An oral defense of the thesis
Core Courses
12 credits - required for all students
- 9841:611 Fundamentals of Polymer Structure Characterization (3 credits)
- 9841:621 Rheology of Polymer Fluids (3 credits)
- 9841:641 Polymer Chemistry and Thermodynamics (3 credits)
- 9841:650 Introduction to Polymer Engineering (3 credits)
