| The practice of engineering is undergoing significant changes due not only to the constant progress of technology, but also to the changes being brought about in business practices. The manufacturing sector is showing decline in numbers of engineers, and the service sector is growing. The advent of the truly global economy demands still further change. Perhaps the most pervasive changes are due to the digital revolution. Inevitably, the engineering disciplines will have to meet the demands of new branches, and engineering education will find new paths to follow as a result.;One new branch to follow is really a modification to an existing area; that of packaging. There is a concept that a new focus on packaging deserves an engineering based approach.;A proposal is put forth in this dissertation to develop a program based solely upon an undergraduate base in the engineering discipline. The benefits of such a base are many, and the downside is limited. And although the option of an PE accredited packaging degree is not yet possible, it is entirely possible to achieve a degree from a program that is ABET accredited. One example of this is the Packaging Concentration at University of Missouri-Rolla, which is ABET accredited since it is in the School of Engineering. Further, there is an option for the graduates to become registered Professional Engineers in the areas of Quality, Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering. As such, this program offers a base from which to develop a proposal for packaging education which addresses the changing needs of industry while maintaining a solid engineering base for the students. This proposal was presented to several review processes and was found to fulfill job needs that have been lacking from packaging education to date. |
