Introduction to Polymer Science
If you do not have the prerequisites to this course, it would be fairly easy to make-up for the lack of background with additional reading. If in doubt, please contact the instructor.
In this course, the basic terminology used in polymer science is provided. This covers monomers, polymers, polymerization reactions, polymer structure and nomenclature, molecular weight distributions, and molecular weight measurements using osmometry, light scattering, viscosity, and gel permeation chromatography. Different examples of polymerization reactions are introduced. Step-growth polymerization and its use for the preparation of polyesters, polyamides, and polyurethanes is presented along with a description of the kinetics, molecular weight distributions and control, and polymerization equilibria. Radical chain polymerization is covered next including the polymerization kinetics and energetics, molecular weight distributions and control. Some examples of living radical polymerization are described with emphasis on molecular weight control. The crystallization of polymers is discussed, including nucleation, the formation of lamellar structures and spherulitic superstructures. Polymer properties, such as moduli, the glass temperature, melting temperature and viscoelastic properties are considered, as well as the influence of different parameters (e.g., molecular weight, crystallinity, chain structure) on these properties.
Please remember that the Undergraduate Calendar is always the official source for all course descriptions.