COURSE CURRICULUM

The MS in Packaging Science at RIT is a 30-credit graduate program designed to build advanced expertise in packaging systems, materials, testing, sustainability, and distribution. The curriculum combines engineering principles with environmental awareness and product-focused design to prepare students for technical and leadership roles in the packaging industry.In the first year, students begin with Research Methods, which builds the foundation for graduate-level investigation and analysis. They also take Distribution Systems, which focuses on how packaging performs across supply chains, logistics networks, and transportation environments. Alongside these core courses, students complete a set of packaging graduate electives that allow them to tailor their studies toward areas such as materials, design, or manufacturing.In the spring semester, students study Packaging and the Environment, which emphasizes sustainable packaging design, recyclability, and environmental impact. Packaging for End Use focuses on how packaging interacts with consumers and product functionality, while Advanced Packaging Dynamics examines physical performance factors such as shock, vibration, compression, and real-world handling conditions.The program culminates in one of three options: a research thesis, a graduate project, or a comprehensive examination. The thesis route emphasizes original research, the project option focuses on applied industry problem-solving, and the exam option provides a broader assessment of knowledge across the field.Overall, the Packaging Science MS prepares graduates for careers in packaging engineering, product development, quality assurance, sustainability, and supply chain optimization across industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, and industrial manufacturing.