;

Plastics Engineering Technology Diploma

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 29 Credits

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
METS1050Quality Control

3

PLST1008Fundamentals of Plastics/Chemistry/Ingredients

4

PLST1041Introduction to Plastics Molding Processes

3

PLST2007Properties and Tests of Selected Plastics

4

PLST2300Plastics Engineering Technology Internship

4

Select from 11 credits of Injection Molding or 11 credits of Extrusion Molding

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
PLST2129Injection Molding Process I

5

PLST2139Injection Molding Process II

3

PLST2144Injection Molding Process III

3

or

PLST2012Extrusion Processes I

4

PLST2017Extrusion Processes II

4

PLST2035Medical Device Polymer Processes

3

General Education Required 0 Credits

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits

General Education Elective 0 Credits

Technical Studies Elective 7 Credits

Any course that is not required for this award may be used as an elective.

Recommended:

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
FLPW2112Instrumentation of Fluid Power Systems

3

MACH1205Machine Tool Technology

3

PLST2012Extrusion Processes I

4

PLST2017Extrusion Processes II

4

PLST1500Plastics Processes Lab

1 - 3

PLST1900Specialized Lab

1 - 4

PLST2031Systematic Medical Device Protocol

4

PLST2035Medical Device Polymer Processes

3

PLST2129Injection Molding Process I

5

PLST2139Injection Molding Process II

3

PLST2144Injection Molding Process III

3

Total Diploma Credits 36

Semester Sequence

Offered at Brooklyn Park Only

First Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
PLST1008Fundamentals of Plastics/Chemistry/Ingredients

4

PLST1041Introduction to Plastics Molding Processes

3

PLST2007Properties and Tests of Selected Plastics

4

METS1050Quality Control

3

 

Technical Studies Electives

4

Total Credits  18

Second Semester

(Select from 11 Credits of Extrusion Molding or 11 Credits of Injection Molding)

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
PLST2012Extrusion Processes I

4

PLST2017Extrusion Processes II

4

PLST2035Medical Device Polymer Processes

3

or

PLST2129Injection Molding Process I

5

PLST2139Injection Molding Process II

3

PLST2144Injection Molding Process III

3

 

PLST2300Plastics Engineering Technology Internship

4

Technical Studies Electives

3

Total Credits  18

Technical Studies Electives

Any course that is not required for this award may be used as an elective.

Recommended:

Course NumberCourse TitleCourse Credits
FLPW2112Instrumentation of Fluid Power Systems

3

PLST2012Extrusion Processes I

4

PLST2017Extrusion Processes II

4

PLST1500Plastics Processes Lab

1 - 3

PLST1900Specialized Lab

1 - 4

PLST2031Systematic Medical Device Protocol

4

PLST2035Medical Device Polymer Processes

3

PLST2129Injection Molding Process I

5

PLST2139Injection Molding Process II

3

PLST2144Injection Molding Process III

3

Choose a Total of:  7 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.

 

5/6/2024 : BP 4404 / EP