The Bachelor of Science in Packaging program, offered by the Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Packaging , is one of a handful of programs in the USA providing technical expertise in this multidisciplinary field. Every product manufactured from health care and beauty products to washing machines and drugs require packages to protect and sell the product. The BS degree in Packaging is a regimented degree plan for students who wish to develop a focused set of skills in pre-selected areas of packaging so they can apply these skills in a technical setting. The degree plan emphasizes industry focused scientific and methodological training, as well as breadth in pre-selected areas of engineering, graphic design, project management, advertising, and material science. Students also take support courses in bacteriology, chemistry, math, physics, and statistics to prepare for the major. A carefully prepared multi-year program of study will ensure an appropriate sequencing of required courses and students should seek early and frequent advice from departmental advisors.
The academic program at SJSU begins with material courses to understand the properties of glass, plastics and paper then expands to the properties and manufacturing and use of packages made from these materials. The next group of courses describe the use of packages in particular industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, medical products and healthcare and beauty. The courses include the corporate use of packages and project management in driving packaging projects in a firm to the understanding of federal regulations for heavily regulated industries like drugs and medical products. There are no minimum grade requirements for the major other than an overall 2.0 average across the courses in the major (i.e., a D- can “count” towards meeting packaging requirements).
The number of potential jobs for graduates and careers available with a background in packaging is driven by the uniqueness of the skills learned by the students but also by the fact that there are very few places to learn the skills necessary to design and develop package systems. The packaging students engage in several industry-sponsored competitions every year as well as attending at least one major trade show at little expense to themselves. These industry-focused activities along with a paid internship position enable packaging graduates to interview as knowledgeable graduates.
Summary of Degree Units
| University Graduation Requirements |
35 |
| Major Preparation |
30 |
| Major Requirements |
47 |
| University Electives |
8 |
| Total |
120 |
Program Roadmaps
The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.
Nutrition, Food Science and Packaging International Experience Requirement
To satisfy the Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Packaging international requirement, students must study abroad for at least nine days in an approved program (exemption from the study abroad portion of the requirement must be approved by the Associate Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences based on compelling individual life experiences or physical limitations. A relevant cross-cultural experience in the U.S. will be substituted). Specific details can be found on the college website.
