Plastics Engineering Courses

The Barbie’s, Gi Jo’s, and toy cars have all been dream companions of many of our childhoods. However, have we ever wondered from where these toys come from? Or who manufactures them and who is behind the design and idea of the different parts? Well, most of the toys are manufactured using polymeric material or plastic which is in a semi-liquid form containing the property of plasticity and displaying flow. The mechanical properties of plastic and the material itself pose a great difficulty to handle and mould into a substance. This requires specially qualified engineers in order understand the mechanical property of plastic and convert it into the required product keeping in mind the underlying properties. It is the plastic engineering courses that help a person become a specialist in dealing, manufacturing and marketing of plastic materials. Plough through the lines that follow and learn about the various interesting courses under this field of study.

Career In Plastics Engineering

Course Details

Eligibility
In order to start up with a course in plastic engineering the candidate must have successfully completed his/her higher secondary education with physics, chemistry and mathematics as the main subjects. In order to enrol for a post graduate level degree, the candidate must have a BE certificate in chemical/polymer engineering or a B.Sc degree in chemistry along with a B.Tech/diploma in plastic technology. The graduates in plastic engineering or graduates in chemistry are eligible to take up a doctorate or an M.Phil course in plastic engineering. Apart from these courses a student can also take up production, management and marketing courses. 

Bachelors Degree
The bachelors degree program in plastic engineering prepares the students to apply the engineering principles and skills to support the individuals and engineering firms engaged in the development and use of industrial polymers. The course material includes instructions in the principles of macromolecular chemistry, polymerization and plastic manufacturing processes. It also includes equipment, design and operational testing procedures, equipment maintenance and repair procedures and report preparation. 

Masters Program
The graduate program provides professional training to the students that create opportunities for more advanced theoretical and practical study in plastic materials, design and processing. The study also trains the candidates in the area of rubber and elastomeric technology, medical plastics, coatings and adhesives. The graduate program in plastic engineering keeps the candidate updated to the modern developments in the field of study. The course is mainly designed to prepare the candidates to take up positions of experts in companies and organisations dealing with the recycling of polymer, plastics production development and manufacturing. 

Doctorate Degree
The doctoral program in plastic engineering prepares the individual to learn and apply mathematical and scientific principles in the development, design and operational evaluation of the synthesized macromolecular compounds and their application to certain specific technological uses. The course program also teaches students the techniques to manufacture and produce industrial materials with tailored properties, lightweight structural components, with the use of solid and liquid polymers and the analysis of the polymerization process. 

Specializations
Plastic engineering provides a number of specialization courses, helping the candidates to excel and specialize in their field of interest. The specialization courses focuses on providing the required skills and knowledge to the students, that will help them take up expert positions in renowned organisations. Some of the specialized courses offered in the field by global institutions are: 

Skills Required
In order to excel in the field of plastic engineering, the candidates should have interest in research and development in the scientific arena. The candidates need to have a creative mind and ability to learn and recall the terms and theories related to the subject. They should possess good knowledge of MS office, MS excel, MS word, positive attitude, good presentation and communication skills, and other prerequisites to make it big in this field. 

Career Prospects
The use of plastics and polymers in the manufacturing of vehicles, electronics, paints, adhesives and plenty of other products is increasing day by day. This increase in the use of polymers has increased the demand for experts in plastic engineering. The telecommunication industry, transport industry, packaging and electricity industries are all in the hunt of plastic and material engineers. Graduates of plastic engineering can also find rewarding and challenging jobs in the ministry of petroleum, the polymers corporation of the state, oil and natural gas commission, petrochemicals engineering plants and other similar organisations.