This is a named option in the Engineering M.Eng.
The named option of Polymer Engineering is a fully online degree that includes an interdisciplinary curriculum of courses incorporating the latest research and practices in plastics and polymer manufacturing. It is designed to prepare engineers for professional practice in the polymer industry.
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website. Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online. |
| Fall Deadline | July 15 |
| Spring Deadline | November 1 |
| Summer Deadline | This program does not admit in summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Every applicant whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English must provide an English proficiency test score and meet the Graduate School minimum requirements (https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/#english-proficiency). |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for fall and spring terms.
The degree may be earned by engineers who have:
- A B.S. degree in engineering from an ABET-approved program or recognized international institution
- A minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours (approximately two years of work) or a master's degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00
Program Resources
Students in the Engineering M.Eng. programs are not permitted to accept teaching assistantships, project assistantships, research assistantships or other appointments that would result in a tuition waiver. Students in these programs cannot enroll in other graduate programs nor take courses outside the prescribed curriculum. If you intend to combine study in this program with other academic programs at UW–Madison, please contact Engineering Professional Development's Students Services Department (studentservices@epd.wisc.edu).
Federal Loans
Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to receive some level of funding through the federal direct loan program. These loans are available to qualified graduate students who are taking at least four credits during the Fall and Spring semesters, and two credits during Summer. Private loans are also available. Learn more about financial aid at financialaid.wisc.edu.
Employer Support
Many students receive some financial support from their employers. Often, students find it beneficial to sit down with their employer and discuss how this program applies to their current and future responsibilities. Other key points to discuss include how participation will not interrupt your work schedule.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
NAMED OPTION REQUIREMENTS
MODE OF INSTRUCTION
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | No | Yes | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students are able to complete a program with minimal disruptions to careers and other commitments. Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments. Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus. Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information. Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format. |
CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 16 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | Half of degree coursework (15 credits out of 30 total credits) must be completed graduate-level coursework; courses with the Graduate Level Coursework attribute are identified and searchable in the university's Course Guide (https://registrar.wisc.edu/course-guide/). |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. |
| Other Grade Requirements | Must retake any courses for which a grade below C is recorded. |
| Assessments and Examinations | No formal examination is required. |
| Language Requirements | None. |
REQUIRED COURSES
This degree is geared toward those with an academic background in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Materials, Biomedical, Biological Systems, Civil, Etc). Students entering the program are expected to have completed an undergraduate degree in an Engineering Field, or Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science or Physics. Students may be admitted with deficiency on a case-by-case basis, but will be expected to complete the necessary leveling courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| E P D 636 | Introduction to Polymers | 3 |
| E P D 637 | Polymer Characterization | 3 |
| M E 417 | Transport Phenomena in Polymer Processing | 3 |
| M E 418 | Engineering Design with Polymers | 3 |
| Electives | 18 | |
| Polymer Coatings | ||
| Plastics Recycling and Sustainability | ||
| Fundamentals of Injection Molding | ||
| Rheology of Foods and Biomaterials | ||
| Composite Materials | ||
| Additive Manufacturing | ||
| Experimental Mechanics | ||
| Advanced Independent Study | ||
| Advanced Polymer Processing | ||
| Modeling and Simulation in Polymer Processing | ||
| Introduction to Polymer Rheology | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
NAMED OPTION-SPECIFIC POLICIES
PRIOR COURSEWORK
Graduate Work from Other Institutions
With program approval, students are allowed to count graduate coursework from other institutions toward the minimum graduate degree credit requirement and the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement. No credits from other institutions can be counted toward the minimum graduate residence credit requirement. Coursework earned five or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
UW–Madison Undergraduate
Up to 7 credits numbered 300 or above can be counted toward the minimum graduate degree credit requirement. Up to 7 credits of courses numbered 600 or above can be counted toward the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement. No credits can be counted toward the minimum graduate residence credit requirement. Coursework earned five or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
UW–Madison University Special
With program approval, students are allowed to count up to 9 credits of coursework numbered 300 or above taken as a UW–Madison Special student toward the minimum graduate residence credit requirement, and the minimum graduate degree credit requirement, and up to 15 credits of courses numbered 700 or above taken as a UW–Madison Special student toward the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement. Coursework earned five or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
PROBATION
The Graduate School regularly reviews the record of any student who earned grades of BC, C, D, F, or Incomplete in a graduate course (300 or above), or grade of U in research credits. This review could result in academic probation with a hold on future enrollment or in being suspended from the Graduate School.
- Good standing (progressing according to standards; any funding guarantee remains in place).
- Probation (not progressing according to standards but permitted to enroll; loss of funding guarantee; specific plan with dates and deadlines in place in regard to removal of probationary status).
- Unsatisfactory progress (not progressing according to standards; not permitted to enroll, dismissal, leave of absence or change of advisor or program).
ADVISOR / COMMITTEE
All students have both a plan advisor and academic advisor (typically the program director or academic director for each program); programs without a fixed curriculum are required to meet with their advisor to outline an approved plan of study by the end of their first academic term.
CREDITS PER TERM ALLOWED
15 credits
TIME CONSTRAINTS
Master’s degree students who have been absent for five or more consecutive years lose all credits that they have earned before their absence. Individual programs may count the coursework students completed prior to their absence for meeting program requirements; that coursework may not count toward Graduate School credit requirements.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Dean of Students Office (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
Students should contact the department chair or program director with questions about grievances.
OTHER
Students enrolled in these programs are not permitted to accept teaching assistantships, project assistantships, research assistantships or other appointments that would result in a tuition waiver. Students in these programs cannot enroll in other graduate programs nor take courses outside the prescribed curriculum. If you intend to combine study in this program with other academic programs at UW–Madison, please contact Engineering Professional Development's Student Services (studentservices@epd.wisc.edu).
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.