Polymer Chemistry A study of synthetic high molecular weight materials of practical application in industry or of theoretical interest in chemistry. Representative polymer systems are examined with respect to the effect of molecular weight, weight distribution, and structure on physical properties. The choice of monomeric starting materials and mechanisms of polymerization are examined in detail. Methods of characterizing macromolecules are surveyed. CHM 309 is highly recommended.
Emphasis is placed on structure determination and hands-on experience with chemical instrumentation.
2, Lab. 2. Inorganic Chemistry A survey of the theories of atomic structure, chemical bonding and structure and the relationship of these theories to inorganic reactions, mechanisms and coordination compounds. A study of the decay of radioactive nuclides with emphasis on the theory of nuclear decay. Laboratory will include the study of the detection of radiation, methods of radioanalysis and the safe handling of unsealed radioactive sources. 3, Lab. 3.