Sustainable Materials and Technology (BS): Sustainable Packaging Concentration
The Sustainable Packaging Concentration focuses on the rapid transformation of e-commerce and a heightened awareness of sustainability to create new opportunities within the packaging industry. Our main initiative will center around enhancing sustainability practices, innovative design, efficient processing, and comprehensive packaging solutions at all primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. We strive to create eco-friendly packaging that protects products and aligns with current design aesthetics, providing a minimal environmental footprint throughout the entire packaging operation. The Forest Biomaterials department stands out in this evolving landscape due to its exceptional strengths in developing innovative biomaterials. We aim to bridge the Sustainable Materials and Technology (SMT) and Paper Science & Engineering (PSE) programs to create an exciting concentration. It will combine the best assets from both programs, affording a favorable position to grow and lead in driving advancements in sustainable packaging solutions.
Contact
Rico Ruffino
rbruffin@ncsu.edu
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Departmental Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Student Success in Environmental First Year and Exploring the Environment | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Sciences | ||
| SMT 200 | Introduction to Sustainable Materials and Technology | 3 |
| SMT 203 | Physical Properties of Sustainable Materials | 4 |
| SMT 207 | Principles of Sustainable Product Development Lecture | 2 |
| SMT 210 | Sustainable Materials Internship | 1 |
| SMT 217 | Principles of Sustainable Product Development Laboratory | 1 |
| SMT 301 | Chemistry of Sustainable Materials | 3 |
| SMT 302 | Processing of Biomaterials | 4 |
| SMT 307 | Product Visualization | 3 |
| SMT 320 | Industrial Chemical Pollutants | 2 |
| SMT 441 | Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Materials | 4 |
| SMT 444 | Sustainable Composites and Biopolymers | 3 |
| SMT 483 | Capstone in Sustainable Materials and Technology | 3 |
| PSE 476 | Environmental Life Cycle Analysis | 3 |
| MIE 201 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| EC 205 | Fundamentals of Economics | 3 |
| ISE 311 | Engineering Economic Analysis | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| U.S. Environmental Law and Politics | ||
| Global Environmental Politics | ||
| Environmental Law & Economic Policy | ||
| IDS 201 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| Mathematics & Natural Sciences | ||
| Select one of the following Calculus courses: | 3 | |
| Elements of Calculus | ||
| Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| ST 311 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| CH 101 & CH 102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| CH 220 & CH 222 | Introductory Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| Select one of the following Physics courses: | 4 | |
| Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory | ||
| College Physics I | ||
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| Technical Electives 1 | 6 | |
| SMT 109 | Introduction to Sustainable Packaging | 3 |
| PSE 201 | Pulping and Papermaking Technology | 3 |
| PSE 212 | Paper Properties | 4 |
| Students can select 2 courses for a total of 6 credits. | ||
| Project Management for Sustainability (3 cr) | ||
| Introduction to Industrial Ecology (3 cr) | ||
| Recycling to Create a Sustainable Environment (2 cr) | ||
| Process Engineering (3 cr) | ||
| Pulp and Paper Products and Markets (3 cr) | ||
| Advised Electives 2 | 13 | |
| General Education Program (GEP) Courses | ||
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 3 | 4 |
| GEP Humanities | 6 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | |
| GEP Global Knowledge (Verify Requirement) | ||
| GEP Foundations of American Democracy (verify requirement) | ||
| World Language Proficiency (Verify Requirement) | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Student is encouraged to select two of the following courses that will fulfill an academic minor. Courses should enhance student’s career objectives and must be approved by a faculty advisor.
- 2
Courses should expand student’s sustainability portfolio and must be approved by a faculty advisor.
- 3
A grade of C- or better is required.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| SMT 200 | Introduction to Sustainable Materials and Technology | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Student Success in Environmental First Year and Exploring the Environment | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Sciences | ||
| Select one of the following Calculus courses | 3 | |
| Elements of Calculus | ||
| Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SMT 207 | Principles of Sustainable Product Development Lecture | 2 |
| SMT 217 | Principles of Sustainable Product Development Laboratory | 1 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science (CP) | 3 |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory (CP) | 1 |
| Select one of the following Physics electives: | 4 | |
| Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory | ||
| College Physics I | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| SMT 203 | Physical Properties of Sustainable Materials (CP) | 4 |
| CH 220 | Introductory Organic Chemistry (CP) | 3 |
| CH 222 | Organic Chemistry I Lab (CP) | 1 |
| MIE 201 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| Technical Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SMT 301 | Chemistry of Sustainable Materials (CP) | 3 |
| EC 205 | Fundamentals of Economics | 3 |
| IDS 201 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| SMT 109 | Introduction to Sustainable Packaging | 3 |
| PSE 201 | Pulping and Papermaking Technology | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Summer | ||
| SMT 210 | Sustainable Materials Internship | 1 |
| Hours | 1 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| SMT 307 | Product Visualization | 3 |
| ISE 311 | Engineering Economic Analysis | 3 |
| ST 311 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| Advised Elective 3 | 3 | |
| PSE 212 | Paper Properties | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SMT 302 | Processing of Biomaterials | 4 |
| SMT 320 | Industrial Chemical Pollutants | 2 |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| Technical Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Advised Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| SMT 441 | Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Materials | 4 |
| SMT 444 | Sustainable Composites and Biopolymers | 3 |
| PSE 476 | Environmental Life Cycle Analysis | 3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Advised Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SMT 483 | Capstone in Sustainable Materials and Technology | 3 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Select one of the following | 3 | |
| U.S. Environmental Law and Politics | ||
| Global Environmental Politics | ||
| Environmental Law & Economic Policy | ||
| Technical Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Advised Elective 3 | 1 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
A grade of C- or better is required
- 2
Student is encouraged to select courses that will fulfill an academic minor. Courses should enhance student’s career objectives and must be approved by a faculty advisor.
- 3
Courses should expand student’s sustainability portfolio and must be approved by a faculty advisor.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Sustainable Materials and Technology curriculum have many and varied job opportunities upon graduation with most receiving more than one job offer. Graduates enter the industry as management trainees, sales trainees, process engineers, quality assurance specialist, research & development associates and many others.
Career Titles
- Director of New Products
- Certification Specialist
- Sustainability Manager
- Plant Manager
- Quality Control Manager
- Project Engineer
- Material Scientist
- Market Analyst
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