Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Plastics Engineering Technology—Vehicle Engineering, BS
What Is the Study of Vehicle Engineering Technology in Plastics Engineering Technology?
Students enrolled in Western’s Vehicle Engineering Technology Option in Plastics Engineering Technology (PET/VET) program study the structure and characteristics of polymers, manufacturing methods, product design fundamentals, and modern processing methods for composites and polymeric materials in the context of vehicle design. The PET/VET curriculum prepares graduates who understand and apply established scientific and engineering knowledge to support engineering activities in manufacturing environments. A plastics engineering technologist can be involved in the development, design analysis, planning, supervision or construction of the methods and equipment for the production of industrial or consumer goods in the plastics or composites industry.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
The Vehicle Engineering Technology Option Plastics Engineering Technology (PET/VET) graduate will help to solve the complex problems associated with plastics or composites manufacturing operations. PET/VET graduates work in teams with engineers, scientists and technicians to solve manufacturing related problems. Practical experience and applied research in design, tooling, processing, testing, analysis, and production is a crucial part of the program.
PET/VET programs are less theoretical than engineering programs and are more applications or “hands-on” oriented. There are laboratory components to most PET/VET courses where students learn to apply theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom to solve practical or application-based problems.
How to Declare:
PET/VET Declaration is a two-phase process for a PET/VET Bachelor of Science major. In phase one, students declare as an Industrial Technology – Vehicle Design major. Entrance to the PET/VET major (phase II) is competitive and based on performance in ETEC 220, 280, 281, CHEM 121, and additional project work. Students must submit grades in these courses, evidence of project work and any additional academic work three weeks prior to registration for the following term. Students are allowed to apply to the PET/VET major three times per year.
Mid-Program Checkpoint
Students intending to complete a Bachelor’s of Science degree in the Vehicle Engineering Technology Option in Plastics Engineering Technology within four years should complete the following courses by the start of their junior year. Students are expected to follow all prerequisite requirements for courses and seek early departmental advisement.
Requirements
- ETECH 112, 113 (If you declared your major prior to the 2010-2011 academic year ETEC 110, & 111 can be substituted for 112 & 113)
- ETECH 220, 223, 224, 225, 280, 281
- CHEM 121 and 251; CSCI 140 or 141
- MATH 124 or 134; 125 or 135; 204; 240 or 245
- PHYS 121 and 122, or PHYS 114 and 115
- COMM 101 or 231
- GURs under advisement
Coursework
Technical Core: 84 credits
- ETEC 112 - Introduction to Engineering, Design and Graphics (3)
- ETEC 113 - Introduction to Computer-Aided Design (4)
- ETEC 220 - Introduction to Engineering Materials (4)
- ETEC 223 - Machine Metal Processes (4)
- ETEC 224 - Applied Engineering Statics (4)
- ETEC 225 - Strength of Materials (5)
- ETEC 280 - Power Mechanics (5)
- ETEC 281 - Power Transmission (5)
- ETEC 327 - Manufacturing Economics (3)
- ETEC 333 - Polymer Technology (5)
- ETEC 334 - Reinforced Plastics/Composites (5)
- ETEC 344 - Industrial Quality Assurance (4)
- ETEC 351 - Electronics for Engineering Technology I (4)
- ETEC 380 - Advanced Power Mechanics (3)
- ETEC 382 - Automotive Electronics (3)
- ETEC 432 - Plastics Senior Project - Implementation (4)
- ETEC 434 - Advanced Composites (3)
- ETEC 444 - Data Analysis and Design of Experiments (4)
- ETEC 480 - Advanced Emission Control (3)
- ETEC 481 - Gaseous Fuels (4)
- ETEC 484 - Vehicle Design (5)
- ETEC 486 - Advanced Vehicle Design (5)
Technical electives
- 9 credits from:
- ETEC 322 Numerical Control Operations (4)
- ETEC 335 Tooling for Plastics Processing (3)
- ETEC 337 Secondary Operations (3)
- ETEC 338 Injection Molding (4)
- ETEC 431 Plastics Product Design (3)
- ETEC 433 Engineering Polymers (3)
- ETEC 436 Polymer Compounding (3)
- ETEC 438 Directed Research in Plastics (1-3)
- ETEC 445 Current Trends (1-6 credits- topics vary)
- ETEC 300/400 Independent Study
- ETEC 489 Directed Research in Power Mechanics (1-3)
- or courses approved by major advisor
Supporting courses: 46 credits
- ETEC 341 Engineering and Society (3)
- ETEC 430 Plastics Senior Project - Definition (2)
Mathematics, 13 credits:
- MATH 124 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (5)
- MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (5)
- One course from:
- MATH 240 Introduction to Statistics (4)
- MATH 245 Statistics for Engineering Technology (3)
Physics, 10 credits:
- Choose one course from:
- PHYS 114 Principles of Physics I (5)
- PHYS 121 Physics With Calculus I (5)
- Choose one course from:
- PHYS 115 Principles of Physics II (0 or 5)
- PHYS 122 Physics With Calculus II (0 or 5)
Chemistry, 10 credits:
- CHEM 121 General Chemistry I (5)
- CHEM 251 Elementary Organic Chemistry (5)
Computer Science, 4 credits:
- Choose one from:
- CSCI 140 Programming Fundamentals in C++ (4)
- CSCI 141 Computer Programming I (4)
Communication, 9 credits:
- COMM 101 Fundamentals of Speech (4), or
- COMM 235 Exposition and Argumentation (4)
Total credits for the Vehicle Engineering Technology Option in Plastics Engineering Technology, including additional GUR requirements, 186.
GURs:
These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.
- ACOM: COMM 101
- QSR: MATH 124 and higher
- LSCI: PHYS 115, CHEM 121
- SCI: PHYS 114
- WP: Three Writing Proficiency points are required for graduation (noted as WP1, 2, and 3). Check Classfinder or Online Timetable for departmental offerings each quarter.
Sample Careers
- Process Engineer
- Project Engineer
- R&D Engineer
- Product Development Engineer
- Sales Engineer
- Materials Engineer
Companies that employ Western PET/VET graduates include:
The Boeing Company, Bunzl Extrusion, C&D Aerospace, Mold-Rite, Vaupell Industrial Plastics, Fleck Co. Inc., Allsop, Heath Tecna, Fiberchem, Physio-Control, Trim Systems, Nypro, GE Plastics, and Upchurch Scientific.
Department
Contact
Program Advisors
Nicole Hoekstra
ET204, 360-650-7237
Nicole.Hoekstra@wwu.edu
Janet Braun
ET143, 360-650-3447
Janet.Braun@wwu.edu
Department Chair:
Todd Morton
ET209, 360-650-3380
Todd.Morton@wwu.edu