New packaging science minor offered at Virginia Tech
Starting this fall, students in the College of Natural Resources have the option to minor in packaging science. The Department of Wood Science and Forest Products is offering this minor to students who are interested in the development and production of packaging materials.
Students will develop a dynamic understanding of engineering, technology, design, business, and the environment as it relates to packaging and promotion of products.
“Packaging science minors will be in high demand as their expertise will be unique and highly desired in the growing packaging industry,” noted Paul Winistorfer, head of the wood science and forest products department. Graduates can expect careers in a variety of fields, including packaging to manufacturers, suppliers, and users, transport packaging, and unit load systems-based design. Students in food science, business, agriculture, and engineering will find the science minor complementary to their discipline.
Packaging science will be housed in the Center for Unit Load Design at Virginia Tech. The 6,700 square foot facility features a packaging testing laboratory, the William H. Sardo Pallet and Container Research Laboratory, and the Unit Load Testing Laboratory. “The Center for Unit Load Design can offer students a lot in terms of packaging and material handling, and we are very excited to be able to use the facility for packaging science,” added Winistorfer
To learn more about the undergraduate packaging science program or the Center for Unit Load Design, contact Bonnie Maccubbin at (540) 231-5370 or bjmac@vt.edu. More information can also be found at www.unitload.vt.edu.
The College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech consistently ranks among the top five programs of its kind in the nation. Faculty members stress both the technical and human elements of natural resources and instill in students a sense of stewardship and land-use ethics. Areas of studies include environmental resource management, fisheries and wildlife sciences, forestry, geospatial and environmental analysis, natural resource recreation, urban forestry, wood science and forest products, geography, and international development.
