Master of Science in Paper & Printing Science (PPSM)

Co-Coordinator: James Springstead
Co-Coordinator: Qingliu Wu

Room A-222 Floyd Hall

The Master of Science in Paper and Printing Science is designed to provide theoretical and laboratory experiences which are basic to the development of professional competence in pulp, paper, and printing science. The department has leadership in the areas of flexo, offset and gravure printing, recycling and deinking, papermaking, computational fluid dynamics, and coating. It is internationally recognized in the fields of gravure, printing, printed electronics, paper coating and barrier coating. Its laboratories and equipment are the most complete of any similar academic institution featuring a complete recycled fiber pilot plant, paper machine, high speed puddle and metered size press coater, cylindrical laboratory blade and rod coater and gravure, flexo, offset, screen, and digital printing presses.

Thesis Option and a Non-thesis Option are available. While the program requirements for each option differ, the admission requirements for both options are identical. Students without a sufficient background will be required to take PAPR 5000.

Admission Requirements

Applicants with science and related baccalaureate degrees may qualify for admission based upon demonstrated competence at an accredited college or university.
At least one semester of college chemistry and one semester of calculus are required.
After admission, the student’s graduate advisor will approve a plan of study, which may include courses not eligible for graduate credit.
Applicants are encouraged to submit results of the Graduate Record Examination to support their application for admission.

Program Options and Requirements

Thesis Option

1. A minimum of 30 semester hours of credit.

2. A minimum of 15 semester hours of:

Paper and Printing Science courses excluding the thesis research credits, of which the following core courses are required:

GPS 5201 - Color Printing and Substrates Credits: 3 hours
PAPR 5301 - Material Instrumental Analysis Credits: 2 hours
PAPR 5501 - Advanced Paper Processes Credits: 3 hours
PAPR 7250 - Doctoral Research Seminar Credits: 1 hour
Credits: 1 hour needed.

Note:

A minimum of one-half of the credit hours earned towards the master’s degree must be at the 6000 course level or higher.

3. Students must satisfactorily complete

A statistics or design of experiments course at the 5000 course level or higher.

4. A minimum of three semester hours of course work

Outside the Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering.

5. Satisfactory completion of six semester hours of the following course

Based on either an experimental or theoretical topic, under the guidance of a Thesis Committee.

PAPR 7000 - Master’s Thesis Credits: 1 - 6 hours
(Credits needed: 6 hours)

Non-Thesis Option

1. A minimum of 30 semester hours of credit.

2. A minimum of 18 semester hours of:

Paper and Printing Science courses, of which the following core courses are required:

GPS 5201 - Color Printing and Substrates Credits: 3 hours
PAPR 5301 - Material Instrumental Analysis Credits: 2 hours
PAPR 5501 - Advanced Paper Processes Credits: 3 hours
PAPR 7250 - Doctoral Research Seminar Credits: 1 hour

3. A minimum of six semester hours of course work

Outside the department approved by the department’s graduate advisor.