2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.

View Undergraduate Section View Graduate Section

Explore Programs

Explore programs to find a fit for you.

Search Courses

Explore courses by subject and keyword.

Bachelor of Science in Packaging Systems and Design

Packaging Systems and Design Major

Program Curriculum

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Degree Core Requirements
SBIO 2004	Computer-Aided Design in Packaging	3
SBIO 2104	Principles of Packaging	3
SBIO 3124	Paper and Paperboard Packaging	3
SBIO 3224	Packaging Distribution Systems	3
SBIO 3284	Packaging Polymers and Production	3
SBIO 4024	Packaging Design for Global Distribution	3
SBIO 4054	Packaging Systems Design Practicum	3
Subtotal		21
Major Requirements
Packaging Engineering
SBIO 4224	Industrial Packaging Systems	3
SBIO 3314	Mechanics of Sustainable Biomaterials and Packaging (Packaging Applications)	4
Subtotal		7
Packaging Applications
SBIO 4214	Food and Health Care Packaging	3
SBIO 3244	Packaging Machinery and Production Systems	3
Subtotal		6
Sustainability
SBIO 3464	Sustainable Operations Management	3
SBIO 4164	Sustainability Performance and Assessments	3
SBIO 2504	Circular Economy Analytics for Sustainable Systems	3
Subtotal		9
Chemical and Physical Sciences
BIOL 1115	Principles of Biology Laboratory	1
PHYS 2205	General Physics	3
CHEM 1036	General Chemistry	3
CHEM 2514	Survey of Organic Chemistry	3
Subtotal		10
Specialized Packaging Topic
Select 2 from the following:		6
SBIO 2154	Packaging and Culture
SBIO 2214	Design Fundamentals for Packaging
SBIO 3104	Packaging Design Applications
Packaging Experiential Learning
Select one of the following:		3
SBIO 3964	Field Study
SBIO 4994	Undergraduate Research
or SBIO 3994	Undergraduate Research
XXXX 3954 Study Abroad
XXXX 4954 Study Abroad
Subtotal		9
Free Electives
Select remaining credit hours to fulfill remaining credits required for graduation.		12
Subtotal		12
Pathways to General Education
Pathways Concept 1 - Discourse
ENGL 1105	First-Year Writing	3
or COMM 1015	Communication Skills
ENGL 1106	First-Year Writing	3
or COMM 1016	Communication Skills
ENGL 3764	Technical Writing (1A)	3
Pathways Concept 2 - Critical Thinking in the Humanities
Select six credits in Pathway 2		6
Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences
ECON 2005	Principles of Economics	3
ECON 2006	Principles of Economics	3
Pathways Concept 4 - Reasoning in the Natural Sciences
BIOL 1105	Principles of Biology	3
CHEM 1035	General Chemistry	3
CHEM 1045	General Chemistry Laboratory	1
Pathways Concept 5 - Quantitative and Computational Thinking
STAT 3604	Statistics for Social Science	3
MATH 1025	Elementary Calculus	3
MATH 1026	Elementary Calculus	3
Pathways Concept 6 - Critique and Practice in Design and the Arts
Select three credits in Pathway 6d		3
Select three credits in Pathway 6a		3
Pathways Concept 7 - Critical Analysis of Identity and Equity in the United States
Select three credits in Pathway 7 that may be double-counted with another core outcome or major requirement		3
Subtotal		46
Total Credits		120

Satisfactory Progress

By the end of the semester in which the student has attempted 60 hours (including transfer, advanced placement, advanced standing, and credit by examination), “satisfactory progress” towards a B.S. degree in the College of Natural Resources and Environment will include the following minimum criteria:

Having a grade point average of at least 2.0
Passing at least 24 semester credits that apply towards the Pathways General Education
Passing the required 1000-level courses in Biology, Chemistry, English, and Math

Graduation Requirements

In-major GPA Computation

Includes all courses designated SBIO. The acceptable minimum is 2.0.

Sequencing

Courses should be taken in a sequence that ensures that any prerequisite or corequisite requirements are met. Free elective courses may also have prerequisite requirements. Students should plan ahead and ensure that they have completed prerequisites or are enrolled in corequisite courses.

Acceptable Substitutions

SBIO 3994 or SBIO 4994 Undergraduate Research: SBIO 3005 Sustainable Packaging Design and Innovation I or SBIO 3006 Sustainable Packaging Design and Innovation II.
MATH 1025 Elementary Calculus: MATH 1225 Calculus of a Single Variable
MATH 1026 Elementary Calculus: MATH 1226 Calculus of a Single Variable
STAT 3604 Statistics for Social Science: STAT 3005 Statistical Methods or STAT 3615 Biological Statistics
SBIO 4214 Food and Health Packaging: FST 4304 Food Processing

Foreign Language Requirement

Two years of one language in high school or complete an 1105-1106 foreign language (e.g. FR, GR, SPAN) grouping or equivalent.