The MS Packaging Value Chain program embraces the relevant disciplines of packaging science and technology, data analytics, design, marketing, finance, supply chain, operations and quantitative analysis. Coursework is planned around the critical skills, knowledge, theories and abilities required to master the value addition potential of packaging in the global markets.
Click HERE for the 2022-2023 course offering calendar
Click HERE for the 2023-2024 course offering calendar
Core Courses
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| GSP 530 | Packaging Value Chain | 2 |
| GSP 532 | Packaging Materials | 4 |
| GSP 533 | Advanced Packaging Laws and Regulations | 3 |
| GSP 535 | Packaging Value in Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| GSP 536 | Packaging Design | 4 |
| GSP 539 | Marketing and Sales for Packaged Product | 4 |
| GSP 540 | Quantitative Analysis for Packaging | 4 |
| GSP 591* | Applied Industry Project | 5 |
*ITP 591 satisfies the culminating experience requirement for the degree. All students are required to complete an applied industry project which involves initiation, completion and presentation of an individual project, involving research, allowing an opportunity to apply knowledge, skills, and competencies to address a significant issue in the field of packaging value chain, preferably in connection with the student’s employment.
Approved Electives (Select any four courses)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| GSB 520 | Data Management for Business Analytics | 4 |
| GSP 541 | Corporate Finance for Packaging | 4 |
| GSB 534 | Lean Operations Management | 4 |
| GSP 537 | Distribution Packaging for Business Managers | 4 |
| GSP 538 | Quality Evaluation of Packaged Products | 4 |
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
GSP 530 – PACKAGING VALUE CHAIN* (Pre/Corequisite for all other GSP courses)
Packaging value chain from raw material supplier to retailers in the context of meeting current needs within the packaging arena. Global exploration of value chain strategies to increase innovation, sustainability, cost savings, quality, organizational agility, and responsiveness.
GSP 532 – PACKAGING MATERIALS
Fundamental and physical properties of packaging materials. Processing of materials. Design and fabrication of packaging materials for efficient, economically viable and environmental sustainable product-package systems for global supply chain solutions.
GSP 533 – ADVANCED PACKAGING LAWS & REGULATIONS
Overview of packaging laws and regulations. Content ranges from FDA, USDA, FTC, and EPA concepts, to labeling and structural issues such as bio-terror, product security and environmental packaging to materials issues, litigation, international concepts and intellectual property issues.
GSP 535 – PACKAGING VALUE IN LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Integrated view of procurement, operations and logistics management. Management of the flow of products from raw material sourcing and acquisition through delivery to the final user. Capturing and understanding the value across these flows and how to increase it.
GSP 536 – PACKAGING DESIGN
Overview of structural and graphic design concepts for package design with focus on creating value throughout the entire packaging value chain. Topics include design thinking, innovation, design processes, two-dimensional and three-dimensional design elements, positioning, value creation, and distribution packaging considerations.
GSP 538 – QUALITY EVALUATION OF PACKAGED PRODUCTS
Overview of the role of quality of packaged product and techniques used for testing and evaluating quality of consumer products as related to material quality assessment, product-package interaction and human-package interaction.
GSP 539 – MARKETING AND SALES FOR PACKAGED PRODUCTS
Packaging as a means to increase sales of product. Package design, structure, materials and production costs. Exploration of color, imagery, sustainability, and recent trends.
GSP 540 – QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS FOR PACKAGING
Analytical and quantitative techniques. Summary measures, smoothing, interpolation curve fitting, root-finding, extrema. Numerical differentiation, integration. Boundary value problems. Numerical simulation.
GSP 541 – CORPORATE FINANCE FOR PACKAGING
Decisions with financial implications for firms’ owners and stakeholders in the context of packaging. Choice of best packaging alternative from the financial standpoint.
GSP 537 – DISTRIBUTION PACKAGING FOR BUSINESS MANAGERS
Physical properties of distribution packaging and equipment used in prototyping and testing of product-packaging systems for global supply chains. Application of packaging knowledge to solve distribution packaging problems in modern business, with a view towards costs and environmental sustainability.
GSP 591 – APPLIED INDUSTRY PROJECT I
Initiation, completion and presentation of an individual project, involving research, allowing an opportunity to apply knowledge, skills, and competencies to address a significant issue in the field of packaging value chain.
GSB 520 – DATA MANAGEMENT FOR BUSINESS ANALYTICS
Exploration of data management including relational databases, data warehouses, and NOSQL databases. Foundation for analyzing, designing, implementing and using information repositories in a business environment. Topics include the database development life cycle, data modeling, SQL programming, data quality and integration. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format.
GSB 534 – LEAN OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
Introduction to the operations function and its interaction with other areas in an organization. Emphasis on applying lean six sigma thinking to achieve competitive advantage in cost, quality, time, and flexibility in manufacturing and service operations.
