Packaging Science

What do air, cars, laptops, plants, knee-replacements and lunch have in common? They all can be and are packaged! Students majoring in packaging science learn all about the design, engineering, science, innovation, research and business that make up this diverse industry. For more than 20 years, Clemson has been thinking outside of the box and producing career-ready graduates who are ready to solve the problems of tomorrow. Clemson is one of just a few schools in the U.S. that offers a degree in packaging science. Our program is unique as it blends together biology, chemistry and physics. Because of this, our graduates fill a special niche within industry. Since this is a very hands-on major, you'll get to work with package design and graphics, food and health care packaging and advanced materials. 

Packaging science majors first complete basic course work in science and math before delving into the intricacies of packaging design, materials, polymers and distribution. A strong science and math background is essential for success. Clemson offers four emphasis areas including:

• Distribution, transportation and engineering technology
• Materials
• Food and health care packaging
• Package design and graphics

Our faculty are in touch with the ever-changing needs of industry. Industry partnerships have helped stock the laboratories with equipment for you to use. You will have access to each of the labs as an enhancement to your classroom learning.

• The DuPont Miracles of Science Laboratory
• The Cryovac Flavour Mark Retort Laboratory
• The Sonoco Transport Package Testing Laboratory
• Organoleptic Sensory Lab
• The Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics
• Culinary Research Lab

Combined Bachelor's/Master's Program
Get a jump-start on your graduate degree in packaging science with Clemson's accelerated five-year combined bachelor's/master's program.

For the 2022 admissions cycle, Clemson has adopted a test-optional policy. Applicants are not required to submit a standardized test score to be considered for admission to Clemson for the 2022-2023 academic year.

If you choose that test scores should be used, your scores must be submitted electronically by the respective testing agency. Clemson’s institutional code for SAT is 5111, and the code for ACT is 3842. Clemson super-scores both the SAT and the ACT. For the SAT, this means that the overall total SAT score will then be derived by taking the highest of the evidence-based reading and writing/math scores.

According to The ACT, superscoring at Clemson means that we “consider a student’s highest ACT section (or subtest) scores regardless of test date. The super composite ACT score is calculated as the average of the best ACT English, Reading, Math, and Science subject scores and is used as one of multiple factors in admission and financial aid.”