University Catalog 2024-2025

Polymer and Color Chemistry (BS): Science & Operations Concentration

This bachelor’s degree takes an applied, hands-on approach to chemistry focusing on the building blocks of the materials we come into contact with every day: polymers and dyes. 

Students majoring in Polymer and Color Chemistry (PCC) learn about dye chemistry, color science, and textile wet processes in our Dyeing and Finishing Lab Pilot Plant and DataColor Lab. This experiential learning wraps up with a capstone project covering a range of projects unavailable anywhere else.

The Science and Operations concentration is one of three concentrations offered in the PCC degree. The course flexibility in this concentration allows students to select more elective courses to specialize a PCC degree to their interests. While it still prepares students for graduate school, this program is designed for students interested in direct entry to employment.  

Contact

Dr. Ahmed El-Shafei
Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science Department
Wilson College of Textiles
amelsha@ncsu.edu

Plan Requirements

Orientation
T 101Strategies for Success in the Wilson College of Textiles1
Writing & Speaking
Acad Writing Research 14
Major Requirements
PCC 101Introduction to Polymer and Color Chemistry2
PCC 104Introduction to Polymer and Color Chemistry Lab1
PCC 106Chemistry of Colorants and Auxiliaries3
TE 201Fiber Science4
TE 200Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering3
TMS 212Yarn and Fabric Formation and Properties2
PCC 301Technology of Dyeing and Finishing3
PCC 304Technology of Dyeing & Finishing Laboratory1
CH 331Introductory Physical Chemistry3
or TE 303 Thermodynamics for Textile Engineers
PCC 350Introduction to Color Science and Its Applications2
PCC 354Intro to Color Science Laboratory1
PCC 201Impact of Industry on the Environment and Society3
PCC 412Textile Chemical Analysis2
PCC 414Textile Chemistry Analysis Lab1
PCC 442Theory of Physico-Chemical Processes in Textiles II3
PCC 461Chemistry of Polymeric Materials3
PCC 462Characterization and Physical Properties of Polymers3
PCC 464Chemistry of Polymeric Materials Laboratory1
Mathematics
MA 131Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A3
or MA 141 Calculus I
MA 231Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B3
or MA 241 Calculus II
Sciences
CH 101Chemistry - A Molecular Science3
CH 102General Chemistry Laboratory1
CH 201Chemistry - A Quantitative Science3
CH 202Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory1
CH 221Organic Chemistry I3
CH 222Organic Chemistry I Lab1
CH 223Organic Chemistry II3
CH 224Organic Chemistry II Lab1
PY 211College Physics I4
or PY 205
PY 206
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory
PY 212College Physics II4
or PY 208
PY 209
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
Major Electives
Economics Elective3
Statistics Elective3
PCC Electives14
Advised Electives8-9
GEP Courses
GEP Humanities6
GEP Social Sciences3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives2
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Total Hours120
1

C- or better

Acad Writing Research

Acad Writing Research
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research4
WLEN 101Academic Writing and Research4
Transfer Sequence
ENG 1GEP3
ENG 202Disciplinary Perspectives in Writing3

Economics Elective

EC 201Principles of Microeconomics3
EC 205Fundamentals of Economics3
ARE 201Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics3

Statistics Elective

ST 311Introduction to Statistics3
ST 370Probability and Statistics for Engineers3
ST 380

PCC Electives

CH 441Forensic Chemistry3
PCC 274Introduction to Forensic Science3
PCC 404Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Fiber Formation3
PCC 420Textile Dyeing and Printing3
PCC 466Polymer Chemistry Laboratory3
PCC 471Chemistry of Biopolymers3
PCC 474Forensic Chemistry Laboratory3
PCC 490Undergraduate Research in Polymer and Color Chemistry1-6
T 497Independent Research in Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Materials Science I1-3
CH 335Principles of Green Chemistry4
CH 345Chemistry and War3
CH 442Advanced Synthetic Techniques4
CH 452Advanced Measurement Techniques I4

Advised Electives

Advised Electives (Choose from this list or any 300 or 400 level CH course)
BEC 475Global Regulatory Affairs for Medical Products3
CH 441Forensic Chemistry3
MB 351General Microbiology3
MT 366Biotextile Product Development3
MT 381Medical Textile and the Regulatory Environment3
MT 432Evaluation of Biotextiles3
STS/PHI 325Bio-Medical Ethics3
PCC Electives
CH 441Forensic Chemistry3
PCC 404Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Fiber Formation3
PCC 420Textile Dyeing and Printing3
PCC 466Polymer Chemistry Laboratory3
PCC 471Chemistry of Biopolymers3
PCC 474Forensic Chemistry Laboratory3
PCC 490Undergraduate Research in Polymer and Color Chemistry1-6
T 497Independent Research in Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Materials Science I1-3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
T 101 Strategies for Success in the Wilson College of Textiles 1
PCC 101 Introduction to Polymer and Color Chemistry 2
PCC 104 Introduction to Polymer and Color Chemistry Lab 1
MA 131
Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A
or Calculus I
3-4
CH 101 Chemistry - A Molecular Science 3
CH 102 General Chemistry Laboratory 1
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 4
 Hours15
Spring Semester
PCC 106 Chemistry of Colorants and Auxiliaries (Polymer Synth. Sustain. the Env.) 3
CH 221 Organic Chemistry I 3
CH 222 Organic Chemistry I Lab 1
MA 231
Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B
or Calculus II
3-4
GEP Humanities 3
Economics Elective 3
 Hours17
Second Year
Fall Semester
TE 200 Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering (CP) 3
CH 223 Organic Chemistry II 3
CH 224 Organic Chemistry II Lab 1
PY 211
College Physics I
or Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
4
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 2-3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
TE 201 Fiber Science 4
CH 201
CH 202
Chemistry - A Quantitative Science
and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory
4
PY 212
College Physics II
or Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
4
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
GEP Social Sciences 3
 Hours16
Third Year
Fall Semester
PCC 461 Chemistry of Polymeric Materials (CP) 3
PCC 464 Chemistry of Polymeric Materials Laboratory 1
PCC 301 Technology of Dyeing and Finishing (CP) 3
PCC 304 Technology of Dyeing & Finishing Laboratory 1
TMS 212 Yarn and Fabric Formation and Properties 2
TE 303
Thermodynamics for Textile Engineers
or Introductory Physical Chemistry
3-4
 Hours13
Spring Semester
PCC 350 Introduction to Color Science and Its Applications 2
PCC 354 Intro to Color Science Laboratory 1
PCC 462 Characterization and Physical Properties of Polymers 3
PCC Elective 3
Advised Electives 3
Statistics Elective 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
PCC 442 Theory of Physico-Chemical Processes in Textiles II 3
PCC Electives 6
PCC 201 Impact of Industry on the Environment and Society 3
GEP Humanities 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
PCC 412 Textile Chemical Analysis 2
PCC 414 Textile Chemistry Analysis Lab 1
PCC Electives 3
Advised Electives 6
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours120

Career Opportunities

Employers across the country and the world that specifically seek out our students for their unique and in-demand knowledge. From apparel and more traditional textile applications to chemical companies, plastics, cosmetics and even forensics, our graduates are anything but boxed in by this unique degree. 

  • Apparel: Nike, GAP, Victoria’s Secret, Under Armour, HanesBrands Inc., Abercrombie & Fitch
  • Forensics: FBI, SBI
  • Traditional Textiles: Unifi, Milliken, ITG, Guilford Performance, LORD Corporation, PVH Corp. 
  • Fiber Producers/Chemical Companies: PGI, DuPont, Monsanto, Eastman Chemical Company, Cotton Inc., Teijin, Highland Industries, Honeywell 
  • Plastics: Plaspak Inc., IPS Adhesives 
  • Other: L’Oréal, Eisai Pharmaceuticals, Merc, Underwriters Laboratory, Ideal Fasteners, APJeT

Career Titles

  • Color Scientist
  • Dye Chemist / Textile Chemist
  • Research and Development (R&D) Polymer Chemist
  • Forensic Chemist
  • Plant / Development Chemist
  • Process Manager and/or Production Manager
  • Laboratory Director
  • Quality Control Chemist
  • Health Care Manager

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American Society of Quality

American Association of Chemists and Colorists