Following in depth review, the Council for Higher Education accredited and approved the opening of the Plastics Engineering M.Sc. research program, at Shenkar. This accreditation is a breakthrough in Israeli higher education, as it is the first time that the Council for Higher Education recognizes the research infrastructure in an Engineering College that is not a university.

Approval for opening the Plastics Engineering M.Sc. research program was celebrated in the polymer industry as well. At the program’s festive launching at Shenkar last week, both Sami Sagol, a prominent Israeli industrialist and the owner of Keter Plastic; and Meir Bar-El, Director of the Society of Israel Plastics and Rubber Industry and Deputy Director of The Manufacturers' Association of Israel, expressed the hope that this program would prepare and contribute to the next generation of researchers and developers needed for the advancement of the multi-functional plastic industry.

Rationale of the Program

Polymer materials play a main role in all aspects of life: from flat television screens to structural materials for aircraft, vehicles and boats; medical and pharmaceutical accessories; coating and protective surfaces; adhesives, electronic devices, packaging, furniture, toys and ornamental accessories. And, this is only a partial list. The industrial turnover for these in Israel alone is over $4 billion dollars a year.

The variety of materials and their uses requires comprehensive knowledge in the science and technology of polymers and plastics. Examination of the latent possibilities in developing new polymer products requires the research of experienced scientists and advanced infrastructure. This infrastructure is found in Shenkar, at the polymer laboratories named in memory of the late Joseph Sagol, and in cooperation with Shenkar’s nano-technology laboratories.

Program Summary

The program is based on advanced engineering courses and provides the student with comprehensive and updated knowledge in the field. Specific courses relate to advanced plastic material processing. Other courses pertain to polymer materials for adhesives and coatings, compounds, of composite materials, to nano-technology of polymer materials, bio-polymers and surface phenomena.

There are three main fields of study in the program:

1. Advanced subjects in engineering
2. Structure, properties and applications of polymers
3. Processing and characterization of polymers

In addition to topics studied, the graduate student will complete a final or research project.

If the chosen track is a Master’s degree without thesis, the student must present a final project whose purpose is practicum in engineering including a critical survey, theoretical or engineering analysis emphasizing the engineering approach.

If the chosen track is a Master’s degree with thesis, the student must present an independent research, including a literature survey, and an innovative approach. The research will experimental and theoretical – basic or applied, with emphasis on scientific methodology and discussion of research results.

The Academic Degree

The academic degree granted will be Master of Science, M.Sc. – Master of Science in Plastics Engineering (with or without a thesis).