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Studies & Degrees in Polymer Technology

Polymer technology deals with polymers, the large-molecule materials found in plastics, rubber, fibres, coatings and composites, and with the processes that turn them into products. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes polymers engineers as materials engineers who specialise in naturally occurring polymers, such as cellulose and collagen, and in synthetic polymers (plastics) for a variety of applications.

Students learn how polymers are made, how their structure determines their properties, and how they are processed and tested. The Department of Polymer Science at Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, a college of the University of Delhi, lists the broad components of its course as polymer technology, polymer processing, fibre science, rubber technology, chemical technology, and polymer blends and composites. Its laboratories train students in the synthesis, processing and testing of different types of polymers, with equipment such as an injection moulding machine, a two-roll mill, a single screw extruder and a universal testing machine.

Qualifications and levels

The subject is taught under several degree names, and the route depends on the country and the university.

  • A dedicated bachelor's degree. The B.Sc. (Honours) Polymer Science of the University of Delhi was introduced at Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences in 2004. Students can do an internship in industry or in a research organisation during the course.
  • A major within materials engineering. The College of Materials Science and Engineering at Donghua University, in Shanghai, offers four undergraduate majors, one of which is polymer materials and engineering. It also has a doctoral programme in Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Part of a broad materials degree. At the University of California, Davis, the Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering requires a minimum of 157 units. It is directed toward an understanding of the structure, properties and processing of materials, and treats polymers together with metals and ceramics.
  • Master's degree and PhD. According to the BLS, entry-level jobs for materials engineers typically require a bachelor's degree, while some jobs, such as those in research and development, require a master's degree or a PhD. Polymer research draws on several fields: the Polymers programme of the US National Science Foundation funds research and education that include components of materials science, chemistry and chemical engineering, and physics.

The BLS advises school pupils who are interested in materials engineering to take mathematics (algebra, trigonometry and calculus), science (biology, chemistry and physics) and computer programming.

Where to study it

SpainExchange lists 4 active schools for this subject: two in India, one in China and one in the United States. They are the University of Calcutta in Kolkata, the University of Delhi, Donghua University in Shanghai and the University of California, Davis.

Donghua University has a long record in fibre and polymer materials. Its College of Materials Science and Engineering was founded in 1994 and originates from the first chemical fibre major in China, established in 1954. The college reports 2,072 students: 947 undergraduates and 1,125 graduate students, 30 of them international. It also hosts the State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials.

The language of instruction differs by school and by programme. Donghua University publishes a list of its English-taught bachelor's degree programmes for 2026; check there whether the major you want is included. For the other schools, ask the department which language is used and what recognition the qualification has in the country where you plan to work.

Careers

Graduates work in the production of plastics, rubber, fibres, paints and composites, in quality control and testing laboratories, and in research and development. Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences states that its graduates are placed in polymer industries and academic institutions in India and abroad.

Official statistics are published only for wider occupations. In the United States, materials engineers held about 23,800 jobs in 2025, and the BLS projects employment growth of 8% from 2025 to 2035. The largest employers were transportation equipment manufacturing (17%), research and development (10%) and engineering services (9%). Chemists and materials scientists, a related group, held 93,500 jobs in 2025, with projected growth of 7%. These figures apply to the United States only.

Frequently asked questions

Is polymer technology the same as plastics engineering?

Plastics are one group of polymers. Polymer technology also covers rubber, fibres, composites and natural polymers such as cellulose.

Which degree should I look for?

Look for polymer science, polymer materials and engineering, or materials science and engineering. The name differs between universities, so compare the list of courses and the laboratory work.

Do I need a master's degree to work with polymers?

Not always. According to the BLS, entry-level jobs for materials engineers typically require a bachelor's degree, but some jobs, such as those in research and development, require a master's degree or a PhD.

Which school subjects prepare for this degree?

Mathematics, chemistry and physics are the main ones. The BLS also recommends biology and computer programming for future materials engineers.