Master of Polymer Science and Engineering
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Mission
The mission of the Polymer Science and Engineering program is to provide students with a deep and comprehensive understanding of polymer chemistry that is linked with a wide range of essential knowledge and learning experiences related to engineering fields. The program will provide students with a balance of theory, applications, and research experience. In addition, the program will prepare professional graduates who can positively be involved in the research and development of the polymer industry.
Program Educational Objectives
Graduates of the Polymer Science and Engineering program should have attained one or more of the following objectives within a few years after completion of their degrees:
- Pursue a successful career in the field of polymer science, chemical industry, petrochemical industry, or a related field or engage in entrepreneurship.
- Continue their professional development and lifelong learning through self-learning, continuing education, and professional certification.
- Advance their careers by demonstrating leadership and interpersonal skills including teamwork and communication skills.
Semester 1 (Fall)
Term | Course Code | Course Title |
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Course 1 | CHEM 529 | Catalysis in Polymerization |
Course 2 | CHEM 537 | Polymer Synthesis |
Semester 2 (Spring)
Term | Course Code | Course Title |
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Course 1 | CHEM 630 | Physical Chemistry and Characterization of Polymers |
Course 2 | CHE 540 | Applied Polymer Rheology |
Course 3 | CHEM 619 |
Project Note: CHEM 619 is registered with zero credit in this term. |
Semester 3 (Fall)
Term | Course Code | Course Title |
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Course 1 | CHEM 531 | Functional Polymers |
Course 2 | ME 578 | Mechanical Properties of Engineering Polymers |
Project | CHEM 619 | Project |
Semester 4 (Spring)
Term | Course Code | Course Title |
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Course 1 | CHEM 530 | Polymeric Materials in Oil and Gas Industries |
Course 2 | CHE 541 | Polymer Processing |
Project | CHEM 619 | Project |
Student Enrollment and Graduation Data
Batch No. | Academic Year | Enrollment | Graduation | Program Duration |
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Batch 4 | 2023-2024 | 7 | - | (2) Two Years |
Batch 3 | 2022-2023 | 9 | - | (2) Two Years |
Batch 2 | 2021-2022 | 11 | 11 | (1) One Year |
Batch 1 | 2020-2021 | 20 | 19 | (1) One Year |
Enrollment Statistics
Annual Graduate Student Enrollment and Graduation Data
No. | Academic Year | Term | Term Code | Enrolled Students | Graduated Students |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | 21-1 | 13 | 0 | ||
Current | 2021-2022 | Spring | 21-2 | 11 | 0 |
Summer | 21-3 | NA | NA | ||
Fall | 20-1 | 26 | 0 | ||
1st Batch | 2020-2021 | Spring | 20-2 | 20 | 0 |
Summer | 20-3 | 20 | 18 |
- Enrollment figures are based on data available at the beginning of each term.
- Expected to Graduate by the end of the Term, NA = Not Available yet.
Student Outcomes
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
- an ability to undertake a research project resulting in a report that demonstrates a mastery of the subject matter and a high level of communication skills.
Courses
- The program is multidisciplinary and provides students with modern knowledge and practical experience in polymer chemistry and engineering: polymer design, synthesis, characterization, and manufacturing processes.
- It covers the use and importance of polymers in the oil and gas fields.
- The program benefits from the state-of-art research facilities available in the departments of chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering and in the research institute at KFUPM.
- Career prospects for graduates with specialist knowledge in polymer science and engineering are strong, particularly the petrochemical industry.
- The economic prospect of the petrochemical industry in the kingdom is showing significant growth. The Saudi Arabian general investment authority (SAGIA) announced in 2019 more than US 2 Billion investments in new petrochemical facilities in the kingdom.
- The courses are taught by experts in their field providing in-depth and cutting-edge knowledge
Fall
Course Outline
Coordinating Department | Chemistry |
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College | College of Sciences |
Availability | |
ECTS Credits | |
Credit Level | |
Number of Credits | |
Summary | Basic concept of polymer chemistry, fundamental bases for understanding the principles associated with the polymerization reactions |
Course description | Basic concept of polymer chemistry, fundamental bases for understanding the principles associated with the polymerization reactions using a number of traditional and contemporary polymerization techniques (step-growth polymerization, radical polymerization, ionic polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, polymerization by transition metal catalysts) with an emphasis on the mechanisms, kinetics, stereochemistry, structure, structure-property relationships and resulting Physical, Chemical, Mechanical, Thermal and Engineering properties of Polymers, Polymer Processing and Rheology, properties of polymers. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites | Graduate Standing |
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Co-requisites | |
Other requirements |
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2020/21, Available to all students (SV1) | |
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Quota: | |
Course Start | Semester 1 (201) |
Timetable: Lecture & Office Hours | Lecture: MW: 6:45 pm – 8: 00 pm, Office hours: TW 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm and By appointment. |
Learning and Teaching activities | |
Assessment | Assignment type, Exam, Quizzes, ….. |
Additional Information (Assessment) | More details on grad distribution.. |
Feedback | |
No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes |
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On successful completion of this course, student will be able to: 1.Discuss the fundamentals and basic concepts of Polymer Chemistry. (Knowledge) 2. Describe physical and chemical properties based on polymer structure. (Knowledge) 3. Explain the polymerization reaction and reaction mechanism for different traditional and contemporary polymerization techniques. (Skills) 4.Solve problems related to kinetics, stereochemistry, structure, and structure-property relationships of polymers. (Skills) 5.Select polymers for given applications based on their chemical and physical properties. (Competence) |
Reading List |
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills | |
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Additional Class Delivery Information | |
Keywords |
Contacts
Course Instructor | Dr. Shaikh Asrof Ali |
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Course Assistant |
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Course Instructor
Dr. Shaikh Asrof Ali
Course Number | ME 578 (3-0-3) |
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Course Title |
Mechanical Properties of Engineering Polymers |
Course Main Objectives |
1. To broaden the knowledge of students about polymers, their applications, and their mechanical properties. 2. To study the yield behavior and breaking phenomena of polymers. 3. To study the viscoelastic behavior of polymers. 4. To study the behavior of polymer composites. |
Course Leaning Outcomes |
1. Identify the distinctive mechanical behavior of polymers. 2. Interpret the high ductility phenomena of polymers. 3. Correlate the mechanical behavior to the molecular structure of polymers. 4. Estimate the viscoelastic behavior of polymers. 5. Design materials based on polymer composites. |
Catalog Course Description |
General introduction to polymers and their applications. Types of mechanical behavior. Hookean and rubber elasticity. Plastic deformation. Fracture. Linear viscoelasticity. Dynamic mechanical behavior and testing. Experimental methods. Mechanical properties of polymeric composites. |
Pre-Requisites |
Graduate Standing |
Weekly Breakdown of Topics |
1. Introduction to polymeric materials: Structure of polymers (Chapter 1 & notes). 2. The deformation of an elastic solid (Chapter 2). 3. Rubber-like elasticity (Chapter 3). 4. Yield and instability in polymers (Chapter 11). 5. Breaking phenomena (Chapter 12). 6. Polymer Composites: Macro- and Micro-scale (Chapter 8). 7. Principles of linear viscoelasticity (Chapter 4). 8. The measurement of viscoelastic behavior (Chapter 5). 9. Time-temperature equivalence (Chapter 6). 10. Anisotropic mechanical behavior (Chapter 7). |
Course Instructor
Dr. Khaled Mezghani
Course Outline
Coordinating Department | Chemistry |
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College | College of Sciences |
Availability | |
ECTS Credits | |
Credit Level | |
Number of Credits | 3-0-3 |
Summary | The main objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of chemical functional groups and engineering of well-defined macromolecules in defining the polymer's chemical and physical properties about their applications. |
Course description | The course will discuss the basic understanding of the principles of design and engineering of well-defined macromolecular structures and functionalization intended for different applications. The chemical and physical characteristics of biopolymers and the functionalities required to meet the needs of the intended biological function will be presented. Conducting polymers and composites, self-healing polymers, and polymers for anticorrosive coating will also be discussed. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites | Graduate Standing |
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Co-requisites | |
Other requirements |
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2020/21, Available to all students (SV1) | |
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Quota: | |
Course Start | Semester 1 (201) |
Timetable: Lecture & Office Hours | MW 5.20 – 6.35 PM; MW 1:00- 2.00 PM |
Learning and Teaching activities | |
Assessment | Homework assignments, Time short quizzes, Term report, Oral Presentations, Midterm, Final Examination. |
Additional Information (Assessment) | More detail on grad distribution |
Feedback | |
No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes |
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Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to: |
1. Identify various organic functional groups, structure and design to synthesis and characterize these groups as functional polymers (Knowledge) 2. Describe the unique physical and chemical properties based on polymer and biopolymer (Knowledge) 3. Think critically about chemical structure, mechanisms, reactivity, methodology and related chemical applications (Skills) 4. Solve a variety of novel problems in design, synthesis, and characterization of polymer/biopolymer for target applications (Skills) 5. Recognize the functional polymers in determining the chemical and physical properties of the emphasized polymers/biopolymers with regards to their given applications (Competence) 6. Explore potential areas of polymer research and draw scientific conclusions from experimental results through reading and understanding scientific literature (Competence). |
Reading List |
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• Functional polymers, M. A. Jafar Mazumder, H. Sheardown, A. Al-Ahmed, Springer Nature, ISBN: 978-3-319-95988-7, 2019. • Functional Biopolymers, M. A. Jafar Mazumder, H. Sheardown, A. Al-Ahmed, Springer Nature, ISBN: 978-3-319-95991-7, 2019. • Smart and Functional Polymers, Jianxun Ding, Yang Li, Mingqiang Li, MDPI AG, 2019, ISBN-10: 3039215906. |
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills | |
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Additional Class Delivery Information | |
Keywords |
Contacts
Course Instructor | Dr. Jafar Mazumder |
Course Assistant |
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Course Instructor
Dr. Mohammad J. Mazumder
Course Outline
Coordinating Department | Chemistry |
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College | College of Sciences |
Availability | |
ECTS Credits | |
Credit Level | |
Number of Credits | |
Summary | Principles of materials processing with focus on polymers. |
Course description | Principles of materials processing with focus on polymers. Technology, theory and analysis of the major unit processing operations for polymers and composite materials such as extrusion, injection molding and blow molding. Analysis of polymer flow in different dyes that are used in polymer processing operations. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites | Graduate Standing |
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Co-requisites | |
Other requirements |
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2020/21, Available to all students (SV1) | |
---|---|
Quota: | |
Course Start | Semester 1 (201) |
Timetable: Lecture & Office Hours | |
Learning and Teaching activities | |
Assessment | Assignment type, Exam, Quizzes, ….. |
Additional Information (Assessment) | More details on grad distribution.. |
Feedback | |
No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes |
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On successful completion of this course, student will be able to: 1. Compare and contrast different industrial processes for materials manufacturing. 2. Discuss the chemistry and characteristics of different types of polymers. 3. Describe the different polymerization kinetics and their effects on polymer properties. 4. Appraise the design of polymer blends and composites and how formulations affect their properties. 5. Analyze the flow behaviors of polymers in different dyes. 6. Evaluate and select the suitable polymer process technology (e.g., extrusion, injection molding and blow molding) for polymer manufacturing. |
Reading List |
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills | |
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Additional Class Delivery Information | |
Keywords |
Contacts
Course Instructor | Dr. Abdulhadi Al-Juhani |
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Course Assistant |
Course Instructor
Dr. Abdulhadi Al-Juhani
Spring
Course Number |
CHEM 530 (3-0-3) |
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Course Title |
Polymers in Oil & Gas Industries |
Course Main Objectives |
1. To give an overview of the various chemical components of oil and gas chemistry 2. To provide an insight into the various physical and chemical methods used in recovery and separation of oil and gas. 3. To survey various methods of preparation of nanomaterials and polymer nanocomposites 4. To give an insight into the role of polymer chemistry in providing solutions for polymeric membranes and surface coating applications 5. To give an insight into the role of polymer chemistry in providing solutions for polymer nanocomposites and polymers, used in oil spill clean-up and adsorbents. |
Course Leaning Outcomes |
Upon completion of this course, students will: Explain the origins and background of formation of oil & gas, and the various physical and chemical processes that are employed in this industry to recover and refine the end products. Describe the chemical & physical structure and functions of nanomaterials and polymer nanocomposites. Explain basic chemical & physical procedures used to prepare nanomaterials and polymer nanocomposites with the appropriate reaction conditions. Recognize the role of key chemical functionalities and structural features of polymers and polymer nanocomposites employed for enhanced oil recovery and polymeric membranes for gas separation applications. Demonstrate the important roles and limitations of polymer chemistry and polymer nanocomposites in providing solutions for polymeric membranes and surface coating applications. Employ basic synthetic chemistry knowledge to prepare and/or modify nanomaterials, polymer nanocomposites and polymers, used as oil spill clean-up and adsorbents. |
Catalog Course Description |
Introduction and background to the oil & gas industries, role of synthesised and natural polymers and polymer nanocomposites in the oil & gas industries. Nano-enhanced polymers in oil and gas, polymers for enhanced oil recovery, oil spill cleanup, gas adsorption and sweetening. Polymers for pipeline coating and anticorrosion. Polymers for energy storage, packaging, and heat exchange materials. |
Pre-Requisites |
Graduate Standing |
Weekly Breakdown of Topics |
1. Chemistry of Oil & Gas (6 lectures): Introduction to the origins and background of formation of oil & gas, and the various physical and chemical processes that are employed in this industry to recover and refine the end products. 2. Polymer Nanocomposites (7 lectures): Introduction to nanomaterials and polymer nanocomposites, basic chemical and physical procedures used to prepare nanomaterials and polymer nanocomposites 3. Role of Polymers in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) (6 lectures) Associative polymer applications in chemical injection for enhanced oil recovery (EOR); the role of key chemical functionalities and structural features of polymers (both synthesized and natural) and polymer nanocomposites employed for enhanced oil recovery. 4. Polymers for Oil Spill Clean Up (6 lectures): Polymeric Materials for Oil Spill Clean Up and Phenol Removal Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Cryogel Nanocomposites for Oil Spill Clean-up. 5. Polymeric Membranes and Adsorbents (6 lectures): Polyurethane Membranes for Gas Separation; Polymer Modified/Enhanced Adsorbents for Gas Adsorption and Sweetening. Recognize the role of key chemical functionalities and structural features of polymers and polymer nanocomposites employed for polymeric membranes for gas separation applications. 6. Polymeric Coatings (5 lectures): Polymeric Pipeline Coatings for Oil and Gas Industry. Biopolymer Coatings. Epoxy Composite Coatings for Enhanced Corrosion Resistance. |
Reference books: |
Mittal, V. Polymers in Oil & Gas Industry, Central West Publishing (2018). |
Assessment Method |
Midterm Exam (23%) Class Work Quiz (15%) Homework (10%) Term Paper/Presentation (12%) Final Exam (40%) |
Current Enrollment
35 |
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Course Instructor
Course Number | CHEM 630 (3-0-3) |
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Course Title |
Physical Chemistry and Characterization of Polymers |
Course Main Objectives |
1. Conformations of polymer chain & root mean square end-to-end distance. 2. Stereochemistry: tacticity. 3. Different kinds of molar masses & their determinations. 4. Solution viscosity: Polymer viscoelasticity and rheology. 5. Thermodynamics of polymer solution & phase equilibria. 6. Phase equilibria of polymer solution. 7. Mechanical properties of polymers. |
Course Leaning Outcomes |
Upon completion of this course, students will: 1. Relate the polymer microstructure to tacticity, conformation, stereochemistry, and photophysics. 2. Discuss the importance of molar mass in dictating polymer properties. 3. Select the proper technique (like DSC, DTA, TGA, light scattering, GPC, NMR, IR, viscosity, etc.,) for physical characterization of polymers. 4. Choose the proper techniques to determine solubility number-, viscosity- and weight-average molar masses of a polymer. 5. Calculate End-to-end distance and radius of gyration in a polymer chain. 6. Solve problems and equations on thermodynamics of polymer solution, Flory-Huggins Theory, Phase equilibria of polymer solution. 7. Discuss mechanical properties, viscoelasticity, rheology, Newtonian, non-Newtonian viscosity. 8. Defend potential areas of research on physical chemistry and characterization of polymer. |
Catalog Course Description |
Application of physical methods to the determination of the structure of polymers, physical chemistry of macromolecules, principles of experimental techniques and application, correlation between structure and physical macro-properties. |
Pre-Requisites | Graduate Standing |
Weekly Breakdown of Topics |
1. Objectives, Polymer synthesis: free radical, cationic, anionic, condensation, Ziegler-Natta, metallocene (2 classes) 2. Conformations of hydrocarbons/polymer chain (1 class) 3. Stereochemistry: tacticity (1 class) 4. Photophysics of polymers (1 class) 5. Number, weight, viscosity average molar mass (1 class) 6. Solution viscosity (1 class) 7. Melt viscosity, determination of Tg, Tm (1 class) 8. Root mean square End-to-end distance in a polymer chain (2 classes) 9. Polymer solubility (1 class) 10. Thermodynamics of polymer solution (TPS) (2 classes) 11. TPS: Flory-Huggins Theory, Flory-Krigbaum Theory (2 classes) 12. Molecular weight Determination: Colligative properties VPO, membrane osmometry, Gel permeation Chromatography (3 classes) 13. Phase equilibria of polymer solution. Polymer-polymer blend (3 classes) 14. Light scattering: Zimm plot, Molecular weight, virial coefficient, end-to-end distance (3 classes) 15. Mechanical properties: tensile strain, shear strain, etc, Maxwell and Kelvin-Voight element (2 classes) 16. Polymer viscoelasticity and rheology, Newtonian, non-Newtonian viscosity (2 classes) 17. Review the course materials (2 classes) |
Course Instructor
Course Number |
CHE 540 (3-0-3) |
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Course Title |
Applied Polymer Rheology |
Course Main Objectives |
1. Explain the fundamental concept in rheology such as viscosity, viscoelasticity, stress-strain relationship. 2. Familiarize students with different constitutive equations. 3. Describe the different types of Rheometers and operating principles 4. Present the difference in rheological properties of polymers, emulsion, suspensions, and foam. 5. Explain the different factors that affect the rheological properties. 6. Explain the application of rheology in different upstream and downstream industrial processes. |
Course Learning Outcomes |
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Learn the fundamentals of Rheology and important concepts. 2. Familiarize different rheological measurement tools and their limitations. 3. Understand the different model equations used to calculate viscosity and other rheological properties for different fluids. 4. Compare the difference in the rheology of polymers, emulsions, suspensions, and foam. 5. Interpret the rheological data obtained from different instruments. |
Catalogue Course Description |
Fundamental of Rheology. Concept of Viscosity and Viscoelasticity. Constitutive Equations. Experimental Methods in Rheology. Rheology of Polymers. Rheology of Suspension and Emulsions. Foam Rheology. |
Prerequisites | Graduate Standing |
Content Breakdown in Credit Hours |
Chemical Engineering: 3 credit hours |
Textbook(s) |
Christopher W. Macosko, “Rheology: Principles, Measurements, and Applications”, VCH Publishers Inc, NY, 1994 |
Reference(s) |
1. Malkin, A.I, Isayev, A.I, Rheology: Concepts, Methods, and Applications, ChemTec Pub., Ontario, Canada, 2006. 2. Gupta, R.K, “Polymer and composite Rheology”, second Edition, Marcel Dekker, 2000. 3. Barnes, H.A., Hutton, J.F., Walters, K., “An Introduction to Rheology”, Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. The Netherlands, 1993 4. Morrison, Faith A., Understanding Rheology, Oxford University Press, 2001 5. Larson, Ronald G., The Structure and Rheology of Complex Fluids, Oxford University Press, 1999. |
Assessment Method |
Mid Exam (25%) Final Exam (35%) Term Project (30%) Home Work+Attendance (10%) |
Weekly Breakdown of Topics |
Fundamental of Rheology (1 week) Concept of Viscosity and Viscoelasticity (3 weeks) Constitutive Equations (1 week) Experimental Methods in Rheology (4 weeks) Rheology of Polymers (4 weeks) Rheology of Suspension and Emulsions (1 week) Foam Rheology (1 week) |
Course Instructor
MS Polymer Science and Engineering
CHEM 619: Project
A graduate student will arrange with a faculty member to conduct an industrial research project related to the Polymer Science and Engineering field of study. Subsequently the students shall acquire skills and gain experiences in developing and running actual industry-based project. This project culminates in the writing of a technical report, and an oral technical presentation in front of a board of professors and industry experts.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Course Instructor
Summer
Course Number | CHEM 529 |
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Course Title | Catalysis in Polymerization |
Course Main Objectives |
1. Fundamental understanding of how catalysts work in polymerization reactions 2. Fundamental knowledge of how structure affects the function of catalysts 3. Mechanistic analysis of several catalytic processes 4. Trends and new developments in industrial catalysts for polymerization |
Course Leaning Outcomes |
Upon completion of this course, students will: 1. Explain the principles of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. 2. Discuss the concepts of catalyst stability, activity, deactivation, poisoning and selectivity. 3. Relate key roles of catalysts in the production of polymers with precisely controlled structures and stereochemistry. 4. Choose the catalysts appropriate for various types of polymerizations. 5. Propose and critique competently mechanisms of catalytic reaction. |
Catalog Course Description |
Fundamentals of homogeneous, heterogeneous and supported catalysis, developments in catalytic polymerization field including early transition metal and Ziegler-Natta, metallocene and non-metallocene, mid- and late transition metal catalysts, study the effect of catalyst types on polymer structures, mechanistic studies of some catalytic reactions, other examples of catalytic polymerization. |
Pre-Requisites | Graduate Standing |
Weekly Breakdown of Topics |
1. Fundamentals of Catalysis: Homogeneous and Heterogeneous 2. Polymerization Reaction 3. Early Transition metal and Ziegle-Natta Catalysts 4. Metallocene and non-metallocene catalysts 5. Mid and late transition metal catalysts 6. Supported catalyst for polymerization 7. Olefin copolymerization with polar monomers 8. Effect of catalyst types on polymer structures and properties 9. Mechanistic studies of some catalytic reactions |
Course Instructor
MS Polymer Science and Engineering
CHEM 619: Project
A graduate student will arrange with a faculty member to conduct an industrial research project related to the Polymer Science and Engineering field of study. Subsequently the students shall acquire skills and gain experiences in developing and running actual industry-based project. This project culminates in the writing of a technical report, and an oral technical presentation in front of a board of professors and industry experts.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing
Course Instructor