Attending Clemson was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Not only did I receive a great education and get access to some of the best packaging equipment in the industry, I also made lifelong friends and created memories that I'll never forget. From games in Death Valley to getting wings at Backstreets to walks on the dikes, my college experience was everything I could've hoped for and more.
Packaging Science Curriculum
PKSC 1020: Introduction to Packaging Science
This class went over the functions of a package; materials, processes, and technology used in package development; and the relationship of packaging to the corporation, consumer, and society as a whole. It provided a great overview of what the rest of the curriculum would cover.
We also covered the topic of business ethics throughout my classes at Clemson. My professors instilled basic values and beliefs about how we treat each other, customers, suppliers, people in our communities, and the states and countries where our employer operates. These are the key values we pride ourselves on.
Honesty.
Integrity.
Promise-Keeping & Trustworthiness.
Loyalty.
Fairness.
Concern for Others.
Respect for Others.
Law Abiding.
PACKAGING 2010: PACKAGING PERISHABLE PRODUCTS
This class covered the packaging and chemistry of perishable foods and pharmaceuticals. I took this class in the spring of sophomore year, and this is a paper I wrote about food and drug recalls. A lot of this class dealt with organic chemistry, and it was where I learned that I love getting to the basics of why things are the way they are.
PKSC 2020: PACKAGING MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING
This class focused on the study of packaging materials including glass, metal, metal foils and sheets, wood, paper, paperboard, plastics, composites, adhesives, coatings, and cushioning media. It also covered their functional properties in packaging application and laminating and combining of different packaging materials. I loved being able to see where the materials come from and the entire process of them getting made. Attached is a lab we did to ID different plastics.
PKSC 2040: CONTAINER SYSTEMS
This class examined all the packages and containers used to develop systems to distribute products as well as the compatibility of product and package, structural design, costs, and merchandising considerations. This document was an extra credit assignment where we identified the method of forming for common grocery store items. After this class, I was able to pick up any package in the grocery store and tell you how it was made.
PKSC 3200: PACKAGING DESIGN THEORY
This class was the study of human factors psychology as it relates to product and package development. The class focused on advanced color theory, space, shape, texture, pattern, typography, branding, marketing, consumer studies, ergonomics, sustainability and applied packaging. I loved this class because it went into the psychology of why people choose a certain package. This document was an essay analyzing the effectiveness of a package's marketing techniques.
PKSC 3680: PACKAGING AND SOCIETY
This class was the study of the role of packaging in society as it relates to the responsibilities of the packaging scientist in protecting people and the environment. It included the study of packaging and environmental regulations and guidelines currently in place to achieve these goals. My main takeaway from this class was that sustainability is not sustainable unless it's economically profitable. This document is an essay about modern day sustainability.
PKSC 4010: PACKAGING MACHINERY
This class studied types of machinery used to form, fill, seal, and handle various packaging, products, and packaging materials. We also discussed methods for machine line optimization and layout. It was interesting being able to see how each machine works. This file was a packaging machinery line I designed for V8 juice.
PKSC 4040:Â Mechanical Properties of Packages and Principles of Protective Packaging
This class was the study of the mechanical properties of products and packages and standard methods of determining these properties. It focused on the functional properties of packages related to shock and vibration isolation and compression. I loved this class because it was a lot of physics and calculus, and I loved being able to boil down complex movements into mathematical equations.
This was a presentation I made to describe natural frequencies and maximum accelerations of a package during transportation.
PKSC 4540: Product and Package Evaluation Laboratory
This was the accompanying lab to PKSC 4040. It consisted of laboratory experiments to determine properties of packaging materials and to evaluate the response of packages and products to shock, vibration, and compression. We operated standard testing equipment and become familiar with industry recognized test methods and standards. This was an assignment I did on one of the labs where we created a PSD and GRMS plot of the vibrations in a cart after pushing it around the building.
PKSC 4160: Application of Polymers in Packaging
This class was the detailed study of polymer science and engineering as applied to packaging science, including polymer morphology, rheology, physical properties, processing methods, and polymerization. It emphasized relationships among processing, structure, and properties. This class dived deeper into the principles of organic chemistry. I really enjoyed seeing the chemical structures and learning what each compound does for a substrate. This file was a project I did on a patent for pulp formed wine bottles.
PKSC 4300: CONVERTING FOR FLEXIBLE PACKAGING
This class was the study of materials, methods, processes, and equipment used in converting web materials for flexible packaging. The lab provided hands-on experience preparing and operating pilot-scale converting equipment. I really enjoyed how hands on this class was. We were able to operate a blown and cast film line.
This document is a memo my lab group wrote about a lab on the Mayer rod coating line.
PKSC 4400: Packaging for Distribution
Packaging for distribution covered the fundamental principles of distribution packaging design. Topics included ASTM and ISTA packaging test methods, packaging design guidelines for distribution, terminology, transport modes, distribution hazards, and protective packaging materials. It was interesting to learn how a test plan translates into the actual test. This document is an ASTM test plan that I made for a water fountain.
PKSC 4640: FOOD AND HEALTHCARE PACKAGING
This class covers the characteristics, engineering properties, and applications of various materials and systems used in the packaging of foods, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. I enjoyed learning about all the different laws and regulations that relate to food and healthcare packaging. This is a presentation I did on a semester long study of the shelf life of goldfish.