The Polymer Processing & Manufacturing capstone certificate is fully online and covers advanced analysis and modeling of plastics extrusion, injection molding, and other processes; mold and equipment design; along with materials consideration.

Explore the curriculum for this program.

More program information, including current tuition costs, can be found on the program website.

How to Get in

Admission Requirements

This capstone certificate is geared toward those with an academic background in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Materials, Biomedical, Biological Systems, Civil, Etc). Admitted applicants entering the program are expected to have completed an undergraduate degree in an Engineering Field, or Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science or Physics. Applications are accepted for Fall, Spring, and Summer on a rolling basis.  

  • BS degree or equivalent credential from an ABET-accredited college or university.*
  • A minimum undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 2.75 on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours (approximately two years of work).
    • Applicants from an international institution must have a strong academic performance comparable to a 3.00 for an undergraduate or master’s degree.
  • International degree-seeking applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by providing official results of an English proficiency exam. Scores must be within two years of the anticipated start of enrollment.
    • TOEFL internet (iBT) (on or after January 21, 2026): 5.0 out of 6
    • TOEFL (before January 21, 2026): 92 out of 120
    • IELTS: 7.0
    • Duolingo English Test: 125
*

Equivalency to an ABET-accredited program: Applicants who do not have bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program may also qualify for admission to the program. Such applicants must have a BS in science, technology, or a related field with sufficient coursework and professional experience to demonstrate proficiency in engineering practice.

Contact the Graduate Advisor for more specific admission information at studentservices@interpro.wisc.edu. For further details about the program, please see the program website.

Note: Exceptions to standard admission requirements are considered by the admissions committee on an individual basis. Applicants may be admitted with deficiency, but will be expected to complete the necessary leveling courses.

Admission

Applications are accepted for admission to all three terms (fall, spring, summer).

  • Fall deadline: Aug 1
  • Spring deadline: Dec 1
  • Summer deadline: June 1

The admissions process has been designed to conduct a holistic review of likely success in the program. Decisions are based on academic and professional background.

Note: Adult Career and Special Student Services (ACSSS) is the admitting office for all University Special students. However, the department offering the Capstone Certificate program makes the final admission decision upon review of all applicant materials.

Application Steps

  1. Submit an online application for admission as a University Special student, selecting UNCS Capstone Certificate and the program: Polymer Processing & Manufacturing. This application is received and processed by DCS with final decision held for approval from the specific capstone certificate coordinator. Include the following in your application:

    1. Resume/CV that includes educational history and professional experience

    2. Transcripts of all previous college coursework

  2. Optional: submit up to two letters of recommendation. Recommenders should use this recommendation form.
  3. After a decision has been made, the Graduate Advisor will contact the applicant by email to inform them of the decision and next steps.

Requirements

Required Courses

Students must complete 9 credits from the following list.

E P D 634Introduction to Polymer Chemistry2
E P D 636Introduction to Polymer Physics2
E P D 638Polymer Coatings and Adhesives3
E P D 639Plastics Recycling and Sustainability2
E P D 640Introductory Polymer Rheology3
E P D 648Plastics Manufacturing and Sustainability Seminar1
E P D 650Introduction to Polymers Processing3
E P D 652Quantitative Methods for Interdisciplinary Engineering3
M E 417Transport Phenomena in Polymer Processing3
M E 418Engineering Design with Polymers3
M E 419Fundamentals of Injection Molding3
M E 514Polymer Additive Manufacturing3
M E 717Advanced Polymer Processing3
M E 718Modeling and Simulation in Polymer Processing3

Minimum Requirements for Capstone Certificate Completion

  • Students must earn a minimum grade of C in each course used to meet Capstone Certificate requirements.
  • Courses in which a student elects the pass/fail or audit option will not count toward completion of Capstone Certificate requirements.
  • All of the Capstone Certificate credits must be earned "in residence" (which includes on campus and distance-delivered courses) at UW-Madison.
  • All of the Capstone Certificate credits must be earned while enrolled in the Capstone Certificate program.

Individual Capstone Certificate programs may have additional requirements for completion, which will be listed above as/if applicable.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Explain the common synthetic strategies for the fabrication of polymers.
  2. Evaluate issues in manufacture and processing to make a material or compound.
  3. Analyze outcomes of polymer materials based on properties such as viscoelasticity.