/ School of Engineering / Department of Industrial & Mechanical Engineering /

Minor in Packaging

Overview

The Packaging minor at LAU is an interdisciplinary field in which scientific and design principles are applied to analyze, develop and produce packages that inform, communicate, advertise, contain, protect, preserve, and transport a product. The Packaging minor includes the study of products, package materials, materials behavior, structures, methods, machinery and most common types of processes used for package design, production and transportation.

In order to maximize comprehension of this study field, the minor includes laboratory and studio courses that provide the student with hands-on experience.

The program is designed to capitalize on theories and skills learned in other disciplines, thereby uniquely preparing students for success as packaging professionals in positions ranging from technical research and development to design, production and sales.

Program Objectives

The objective of the Packaging minor is to capitalize on theories and skills learned in other disciplines to prepare students for success as packaging professionals in positions ranging from technical research and development to design, production, and sales.

Program Outcomes

  1. Ability to apply scientific and design principles to analyze, develop, and produce packages that protect, preserve, and transport a product
  2. Ability to apply design principles to inform, communicate, and advertise a product
  3. Knowledge of materials and materials behavior, structures, methods, machinery, and the most common types of processes used for package design, production, and transportation
  4. Hands-on experience in testing, analyzing and designing packages.

Minor Requirements

The minor requires the completion of 18 credits of Packaging courses:

  • 12 required core credits
  •  6 elective credits

Required Core Courses (12 credits)

  • PKGINE570  / Introduction to Packaging (3 cr.)
  • PKGINE572 / Packaging Dynamics and Permeation (3 cr.) 
  • PKGINE573 / Packaging Types and Processes (3 cr.)
  • PKGINE580 / Packaging Design (3 cr.) 

Elective Courses (6 credits)

Design electives

  • PKGINE582 / Structural Packaging (3 cr.)
  • PKGINE584 / Package Branding (3 cr.)
  • PKGINE586 / Computer Graphics for Packaging (3 cr.)
  • PKGINE588 / Packaging Applications (3 cr.)
  • PKGINE589 / Special Topic Course in Packaging ­
Design (3 cr.) 

Engineering electives

  • PKGINE574 / Paper and Paperboard Packaging  (3 cr.) 
  • PKGINE575 / Corrugated Packaging (3 cr.)
  • PKGINE576 / Rigid Plastic Packaging (3 cr.) 
  • PKGINE577 / Packaging for Food, Drug and 
Cosmetics (3 cr.) 
  • PKGINE578 / Food Preservation Packaging (3 cr.)
  • PKGINE579 / Special Topic Course in Packaging 
Engineering (3 cr.) 
  • PKGINE582 / Structural Packaging (3 cr.)

Note: Students with an engineering or design emphasis are advised to take the two electives in the respective area of emphasis.

Course Descriptions

PKG/INE570 / Introduction to Packaging [3-0, 3 cr.]

This course will present an overview of the history of packaging, its functions, materials, and development, and an overview of packaging design, processing systems, and testing. The historical, social, technological, and environmental impact, as well as the legal aspects of packaging will also be discussed. Examples will include product/package combinations, and the impact these choices make on the market success of a product, and the important role of proper packaging design in the reduction of solid waste, and sustainable development.

Prerequisites: Second-year standing.

PKG/INE572 / Packaging Dynamics and Permeation [2-3, 3 cr.]

This course is an introduction to the mechanics, stresses and strains, shock, vibration, compression, temperature, humidity, friction and pressure, as factors affecting the design of packaging, including the design of packages to protect against these hazards. Damage boundary, product fragility, barrier properties against permeation will be explored from the point of view of the packaging industry.

Prerequisites: PHY211 Statics or ARC311 Building Systems.

PKG/INE573 / Packaging Types and Processes [3-0, 3 cr.]

This course is a study of the operation and performance of modern packaging systems (e.g. die cutting, blister packaging, blow molding, injection molding, etc.). Topics include equipment selection and specification, design and imple­mentation of packaging lines in production, assessing and improving operating performance, process control and instrumentation, as well as overall environ­mental friendliness of the process, its sustainability and amenability to reuse, recycling, and total waste reduction.

Prerequisites: PKG/INE570 Introduction to Packaging.

PKG/INE574 / Paper & Paperboard Packaging [3-0, 3 cr.]

This course is a study of the sources of cellulose fiber, methods of extraction, the effect of different fibers on the finished product, additives, conversion to paper and paperboard, identify paper types, surface finishes, and the design features and performance of basic paper characterization tests.

Prerequisites: PKG/INE570 Introduction to Packaging.

PKG/INE575 / Corrugated Packaging [3-0, 3 cr.]

This course is a study of distribution packaging which includes: product design factors affecting transportation, transportation hazards, protective package design, modern computer aids to shipping package design, regulations, and the methods and significance of various pre-shipment test procedures.

Prerequisites: PKG/INE570 Introduction to Packaging.

PKG/INE576 / Rigid Plastic Packaging [3-0, 3 cr.]

This course is a study of the different methods of forming polymers into usable shapes, and the advantages and limitations of each, with case studies of plastic bottle designs, thermoform design practice, with performance of standard con­tainer tests and evaluations.

Prerequisites: PKG/INE570 Introduction to Packaging.

PKG/INE577 / Packaging for Food, Drug, and Cosmetics [3-0, 3 cr.]

This course covers the physical and chemical properties of packaging materials including metals, glass, paper and polymers, in relation to their use in food, drugs, and cosmetics packaging applications. The major technical, safety, and legislative, areas critical to the successful application of packaging technologies will be reviewed, including a brief exploration of the historical aspects of food, drug, and cosmetics packaging in order to provide a perspective on modern packaging industries and their associated regulatory measures.

Prerequisites: PKG/INE570 Introduction to Packaging.

PKG/INE578 / Food Preservation Packaging [3-0, 3 cr.]

This course covers the study of the process of food deterioration, and the packaging methods that are used to control these processes, in order to extend useful shelf life of certain products.

Prerequisites: PKG/INE570 Introduction to Packaging.

PKG/INE579 / Special Topic Course in Packaging Engineering [3-0, 3 cr.]

This course will address the current issues in packaging engineering, and the trends in the market, with lectures by invited guests from the field.

Prerequisites: The consent of the instructor.

PKG/INE580 / Packaging Design [1-4, 3 cr.]

This course covers the application of graphic skills on 3-D representations, and investigation of new materials and methods in designing product containers. Projects include designing A line of products under the same brand name, con­structing die cut boxes, labels, and creating experimental packages.

Prerequisites: Second-year standing.

PKG/INE582 / Structural Packaging [1-4, 3 cr.]

This course will revolve around the creation and manipulation of basic shapes, in order to generate new structures for package designs. Issues of structures’ functional relevance and appropriateness will be investigated, in addition to the emphasis on the notion of the package as a work of art.

Prerequisites: PKG/INE570 Introduction to Packaging.

PKG/INE584 / Package Branding [1-4, 3 cr.]

This course will examine packaging in relation to the brand identity of a prod­uct. Students will be encouraged to explore new methods, and to bring fresh ideas to the concept of surface treatment and structure in the elaboration of the visual identity of a product.

Prerequisites: PKG/INE570 Introduction to Packaging.

PKG/INE586 / Computer Graphics for Packaging[2-2, 3 cr.]

This course covers the major software tools used by professionals in the pack­aging industry. Students will design and develop a relational database. Com­mercial label design software will be used to create product labels, including bar codes. Spreadsheets and programming environment will be used to solve packaging/business related problems. 2D/3D design software will be used to develop packaging concepts, and generate working drawings.

Prerequisites: MEE220 Engineering Graphics or ARC251 Introduction to Computer Graphics or DES251 Introduction to Computer Graphics, or GRA251 Introduction to Computer Graphics.

PKG/INE588 / Packaging Applications [1-4, 3 cr.]

This course provides the students the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained through actual projects, with a follow up on the production of packages in the factory. Assignments will address the functionality of packaging from product identification to its entire appeal, stacking, display and protection.

Pre-requisites: PKG/INE573 Packaging Types and Processes, and PKG/INE572 Pack­aging Dynamics and Permeation, or PKG/INE580 Packaging Design.

PKG/INE589 / Special Topic Course in Packaging Design [3-0, 3 cr.]

This course will address the current issues in packaging design, and the trends in the market, with lectures by invited guests from the field.
 

Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor

Last modified: September 26, 2017