Outline Polymer Science Course Outline Introduces the fundamental concept, processes, preparation and physical characterization of polymers, with emphasis placed on those of commercial interest, to make students more effective problem solvers in the industrial environment. Students will synthesize a variety of polymers such as vinyl polymers, block copolymers, epoxies, and resins.
Enrollment is limited.
Students are admitted to master's programs in chemistry or physics upon admission to this interdisciplinary program. Polymer Chemical Physics Statistical and thermodynamic models for the equilbrium configuration, conformation, structure, mechanical properties, and phase transitions of polymer solutions, dense melts, liquid crystals, mixtures, block copolymers, surfaces and interfaces, and electronic polymers. Discussion of techniques for polymer characterization, including light, electron, x-ray, and neutron scattering, light and electron microscopy, and optical, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. Classification of polymerization reactions, theory and practice of step growth polymerization, radical polymerization, emulsion polymerization, ionic polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, olefin metathesis polymerization, and polymerization by transition metal catalysts. Introduction to mechanical properties and fabrication techniques.