Overview and Award Outcomes
Overview
Plastics Technicians are needed for the demands of the rapidly growing plastics forming industry. These demands include the operation of processing equipment and the transforming of polymers (plastics) into usable products.
Plastics personnel perform such operations as compounding materials, molding, forming, troubleshooting, inspecting, testing raw materials and finishing products, assisting in mold design and modification and developing new polymers (plastics) applications. Plastics Technicians acquire an understanding of polymers (plastics) processing equipment and materials.
Award Outcomes
Utilize safe working practices
Identify steps and procedures in the Injection Molding processes
Identify steps and procedures in the Extrusion Molding processes
Perform quality control practices
Identify steps and procedures in Properties and Tests of Plastics
Operate various types of plastics manufacturing processes
Apply principles of Plastics, Chemistry and Ingredients
Demonstrate good manufacturing practices (GMP)
Demonstrate procedures used for plastics manufacturing processes
Demonstrate procedures used for plastics manufacturing auxiliary equipment
Demonstrate Communication in the Workplace
Demonstrate use of Computers in Manufacturing
Career Opportunities
There is a wide range of employment as well as advancement opportunities for the individual who seeks a career in the plastics forming industry. Plastics Technicians may find jobs in a variety of diverse areas such as; research and development, manufacturing, design and service. Employment potential lies in the following: supervision, molding technician, material handling, quality control, lab technician, engineering aids and in related areas such as the sale of plastics processing equipment and materials.
Program Requirements
Technical Studies Required 21 Credits
| METS1050 | Quality Control | 3 |
| PLST1008 | Fundamentals of Plastics/Chemistry/Ingredients | 4 |
| PLST1041 | Introduction to Plastics Molding Processes | 3 |
| PLST2007 | Properties and Tests of Selected Plastics | 4 |
Select from 12 credits of Injection Molding or 7 credits of Extrusion Molding
General Education Required 5 Credits
General Education Elective 0 Credits
Technical Studies Elective 10 Credits
Any ARET, ELEC, ENGC, FLPW, MACH, METS, PLST or WLDG course that is not required for this award may be used as an elective.
Recommended:
| FLPW2112 | Instrumentation of Fluid Power Systems | 3 |
| PLST1500 | Plastics Processes Lab | 1 - 3 |
| PLST1900 | Specialized Lab | 1 - 4 |
| PLST2030 | Systematic Medical Device Protocol | 3 |
| PLST2035 | Medical Device Polymer Processes | 3 |
| PLST2300 | Plastics Engineering Technology Internship | 4 |
Total Diploma Credits 36
Semester Sequence
Offered at Brooklyn Park Only
First Semester
| PLST1008 | Fundamentals of Plastics/Chemistry/Ingredients | 4 |
| PLST1041 | Introduction to Plastics Molding Processes | 3 |
| PLST2007 | Properties and Tests of Selected Plastics | 4 |
| METS1000 | Computers in Manufacturing | 3 |
| METS1050 | Quality Control | 3 |
Second Semester
(Select from 7 Credits of Extrusion Molding or 12 Credits of Injection Molding)
| PLST2011 | Extrusion Molding Processes I | 3 |
| PLST2017 | Extrusion Molding Processes II | 4 |
| or | |
| PLST2128 | Injection Molding Process I | 4 |
| PLST2138 | Injection Molding Process II | 4 |
| PLST2143 | Injection Molding Process III | 4 |
| | |
| PLST2300 | Plastics Engineering Technology Internship | 4 |
| Elective | |
| | |
| Technical Studies Electives | 6 |
Technical Studies Electives
Any Automation Robotics Engineering Technology (ARET), Electronic Technology (ELEC), Engineering CAD Technology (ENGC), Fluid Power Technology (FLPW), Machine Tool Technology (MACH), Manufacturing Engineering Technology (METS), Plastics Engineering Technology (PLST), or Welding and Metal Fabrication (WLDG) course that is not required for this award may be used as an elective.
Recommended:
| FLPW2112 | Instrumentation of Fluid Power Systems | 3 |
| PLST1500 | Plastics Processes Lab | 1 - 3 |
| PLST1900 | Specialized Lab | 1 - 4 |
| PLST2030 | Systematic Medical Device Protocol | 3 |
| PLST2035 | Medical Device Polymer Processes | 3 |
| PLST2300 | Plastics Engineering Technology Internship | 4 |
Choose a Total of: 10 Credits
Graduation (36 Credits)
Semester listings reflect the recommended sequence. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the information herein is subject to change without notice.
6/10/2022 : BP 4404 / EP