Graduate Certificate in Packaging Engineering
With CBU’s Graduate Certificate in Packaging Engineering, you can develop and produce packaging that contains, protects, preserves, transports, informs, and sells a product.
Packaging activities at CBU are supported by various labs in Saint Benilde Hall as well as the computer labs and classrooms in Nolan Engineering Center.
What You’ll Study
The Graduate Certificate in Packaging Engineering program requires completion of three courses. Course work focuses on the study of products, packages, materials, containers, structures, methods, machinery, and transportation.
Course requirements can be completed online or on campus. Classes are held once a week and are offered as 8-week or 16-week classes.
All classes can be applied toward the MSEM or MSCIS program upon successful completion.
Courses in the Graduate Certificate in Packaging Engineering Program
You may choose three courses from the following:
- ENGM 634. Supply Chain Analytics – 3 credits
Packaging materials, container types, processes, technology, and equipment. Packaging development process, testing and evaluation methods, standards, and equipment. Government regulations. Preparation for IoPP CPP examination. - ENGM 640. Packaging Technology – 3 credits
Packaging materials, container types, processes, technology, and equipment. Packaging development process, testing and evaluation methods, standards, and equipment. Government regulations. Preparation for IoPP CPP examination. - ENGM 642. Sustainability – 3 credits
Environmental impact of packaging waste and packaging sustainability. Sustainability definition and its goals. Potential benefits of sustainable packaging for businesses. Consumer role in sustainable packaging. Challenges in transitioning to sustainable packaging. The concept of sustainable packaging. Types of sustainable packaging materials: recyclable, compostable, reusable, post-consumer recycled content (PCR). Technology and innovation in sustainable packaging. Guidelines and practical steps in packaging design considerations for sustainability. Life cycle assessment (LAC) of the sustainability of a product’s packaging. Current state and future trend of implementations of sustainable packaging. - ENGM 644. Transport Packaging – 3 credits
Transport packaging-related organizations, test protocols, and testing equipment. Distribution hazards including shock, vibration, compression, and temperature/humidity. Packaging performance testing. ISTA laboratory, package, and professional certifications. - ENGM 646. Packaging for Ecommerce– 3 credits
This course will intensively study the package design requirements specific to products for e-commerce and home delivery. It will focus on research and development of economical and environment-friendly protective packaging systems and specifications for inexpensive consumer goods such as beverages and other household products, apparel and other personal products, bulky/heavy goods such as furniture, extreme fragile products such as large flat TVs, temperature-sensitive products such as foods and groceries etc. traditionally sold through retail stores with limited packaging protections. Other advanced topics, such as packaging for automatic fulfillment, robot/drone delivery, etc., will also be explored. - ENGM 647 Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer in Cold-Chain Packaging – 3 credits
Applications of thermodynamics and heat transfer in cold-chain packaging, including insulated shipping containers and phase change materials. Experimental data and mathematical models are used throughout the course. - ENGM 648 Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Packaging – 3 credits
Materials for pharmaceutical packaging. Spoilage mechanisms. Child resistant and tamper evident packaging. Various types of pharmaceutical packaging, including blister and strip, vial and ampoule, and aerosol. Materials for medical device packaging, including PETG and Tyvek. Unique Device Identification. CDC guideline for disinfection and sterilization. Stability, strength and integrity tests. ASTM test protocols. - ENGM 649. Distribution of Temperature-Sensitive Products – 3 credits
Heat transfer basics. Insulated containers and coolants. Equipment including environmental chambers, thermocouples, monitoring tools. Cold-chain-related guidelines from WHO, ISTA, CDER, and PDA. Roles of ISTA-certified thermal laboratory. - ENGM 653. Measuring and Monitoring Temperature – 3 credits
Temperature sensor technologies, data acquisition systems, temperature data loggers, thermocouples, portable data loggers, and temperature indicator labels are also available. - ENGM 6xx. Special Topics – 3 credits
From time to time, a special topics course may be taught by packaging faculty. These might include packaging-related courses, such as cold chain management, thermal testing, or other areas of current interest. Special topics courses with packaging content may be applied to this certificate with the approval of the graduate director.
How to Apply for the Graduate Certificate in Packaging Engineering Program
To apply, submit the following:
1. Graduate Program Application
- Select Graduate for Application Type
- Select Graduate Special/Non-Degree Seeking for Student Type
- Select “Yes” to indicate you will pursue a certificate
- Select the preferred graduate certificate program
