Gain advanced knowledge and skills for technical management positions in the plastics industry, as well as for administrative positions in government and for teaching careers in colleges and universities.

Overview

UMass Lowell's Ph.D. in Plastics Engineering program is designed to develop decision-making engineers with sound theoretical and technical research knowledge who are design- and development-oriented and have a firm engineering management background. This interdisciplinary program encompasses study in materials, design, processing, mathematics, computer science, and management.

The Ph.D. program in Plastics Engineering is primarily intended for full-time graduate students, however, some students take courses on a part-time basis. Many required courses are offered at night so that engineers working at local companies can take advantage of the program.

For program-specific questions and to connect with our current students, please contact theDoctoral Graduate Coordinator.

Curriculum

Required courses may include:

  • Characterization of Polymers and Plastics
  • Physical Polymer Science
  • New Development in Polymer Manufacturing
  • Structure Product Design
  • Plastics Processing Theory I
  • Numerical and Analytical Methods
  • Computer Aided Engineering and Design
  • Current Topics Plastics Seminar
  • Engineering Electives
  • Doctoral Research Dissertation

For more information including course listings and degree pathways, visit theAcademic Catalog.

Research at UMass Lowell

ܰstate-of-the-art laboratories are the result of the generous sponsorships by alumni and top companies in the industry.

A female UMass Lowell student seen through machinery in a Plastics Engineering lab.

UMass Lowell Plastics Engineering faculty work closely with industry and governmental organizations on plastics-related research.

Areas of research include:

  • Plastics Product Design
  • Plastics Process Development
  • Plastics Materials and Additives
  • Plastics Mold and Die Design
  • Elastomers and Rubber
  • Testing and Characterization
  • Computer-Aided Engineering
  • Plastics Recycling
  • Polymeric Biomaterials
Explore All Research Plastics Engineering Faculty

Funding Opportunities

UMass Lowell strives to provide full financial support for all admitted doctoral students. The first two years are typically funded through Teaching Assistantships (TA) plus summer research support, while funding for subsequent years is through Research Assistantships (RA). Assistantships are contingent upon availability and may be subject to change.

Admissions Requirements

All applications are submitted through EngineeringCAS.

  1. An application
  2. An application fee
  3. A statement of purpose
  4. Letters of recommendation
  5. Official transcripts
  6. Official test score report - GRE required for:
    1. Computer Engineering, MSE
    2. Electrical Engineering, MSE
    3. All Ph.D. Programs

Note: All required materials must be received before the application package can be evaluated.If you need to introduce new references or add other supporting documents log on to your application, click on “Program Materials” to update your application. Please note the new documents and references will be considered only if your application has not been reviewed for admission.

International Students: please see the additional application requirements.

Bachelor's to Master's Students: You will not need to apply via the application portal. Visit page to learn about the process to transition to your desired master's program.

1. Online Application application

Applications will only be accepted through EngineeringCAS, an application service for graduate engineering programs. All application documents and test scores need to be submitted through EnginneringCAS.

app-fee 2. Application Fee

The application fee is $75.

3. Statement of Purpose statement

In a separate document, submit a brief statement indicating your immediate and long-range goals, relevant work history, academic honors/awards received, any teaching experience and/or research conducted/published that may be pertinent to your graduate program. Two page recommended maximum.

Note: If you are applying to more than one program, you will need to submit a program-specific statement of purpose with each application package.

4. LOR Letters of Recommendation

Master's applicants need to submit two (2) letters of recommendation. Doctoral applicants will be asked to provide three (3). Recommendations should be from instructors who have taught you, ideally in the field to which you are applying. They may also be from employers or supervisors who are in a position to compare your performance to that of your peers. You will be asked via EngineeringCAS to provide (names and email addresses) referees during the application process and that an automated request will be sent out to your recommenders. You will be able to track the status of your recommendations and send reminders by logging back into your application.

5. TransTranscripts

Provide a complete transcript from the institution that awarded or will award you a bachelor’s degree. You may also include transcripts from other institutions at which you have taken relevant coursework. Please note that waiting for additional transcripts may delay review of your application.

You have two options for submitting transcripts:

  1. Self Report your transcript to EngineeringCAS. This will expedite your application review. Self-reported transcripts must correspond to the official transcript. The University reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if false credentials are provided at the point of application.
  2. Send official transcripts directly to UMass Lowell, either through a secure submission or via mail to:

    University of Massachusetts - Lowell
    Graduate Admissions - GPS Center
    839 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
    Lowell, MA 01854-3941

If you received your degree from UMass Lowell, it is not necessary for you to request a transcript, we are able to provide one for you.

International transcripts must clearly indicate that you have received (or will soon receive) a four-year bachelor's degree, the equivalent of an American bachelor's degree. Please note, the Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credential evaluated. Additional information about international transcripts is available on the . *You will need to provide an official copy prior to your first semester on campus. Self-reported transcripts must correspond to the official transcript.* The University reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if false credentials are provided at the point of application.

*UMass Lowell will require You to provide a copy of your Official Transcripts & Scores prior to your first semester.

6. OTSROfficial Test Score Report(s)

The following programs require the GRE for admission consideration:

  • Computer Engineering, MSE
  • Electrical Engineering, MSE
  • All Ph.D. Programs

Please have ETS send your GRE scores directly to EngineeringCAS using school code 4530.

A GRE waiver may be available to qualified master’s degree candidates. Further information can be found at GRE/GMAT/MAT Waiver Forms. You may also self-report your GRE scores.*

International Students:

English Proficiency Tests: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores are required. If you have taken the TOEFL, have ETS send your scores to EngineeringCAS (school code: B887). You may also self-report your scores. If you have taken the IELTS you may self-report your scores on the application.*

The requirements for the tests are as follows:

  • TOEFL - 79 or above
  • IELTS 6.5 or above

*UMass Lowell will require you to provide a copy of your Official Transcripts & Scores prior to your first semester.

Get moreinformation about standardized tests.

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Phone:
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978-934-2390 (International Students)

Email:
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