Concentration: CX in Polymer Science & Technology
Polymer Science & Technology
Concentration Description
Polymers are used across a wide range of industries, including consumer products, textiles, electronics, energy, building and construction, health care, and aerospace. Polymers are also central to emerging industries including additive manufacturing, organic electronics, and renewable energy. The proposed multidisciplinary concentration of study covers science and engineering aspects of polymers. It will provide the students with the required knowledge to design synthetic polymers of desired properties to suit target applications. Also, students learn the important techniques for characterizing and processing polymers. Students are exposed to topics such as different methods of polymer synthesis, a wide spectrum of characterization techniques for studying the structures and physical properties of polymers, and processing of polymeric materials. This concentration of study is designed to promote a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary learning process which involves intersections of chemistry with chemical and mechanical engineering disciplines.
Concentration Objectives
Objective 1: Provide students a comprehensive knowledge in polymer science and engineering.
Objective 2: Prepare students for careers in the polymer industries involved in producing plastics, rubber, adhesives, composites, paints, fibers, and others.
Objective 3: Train students to be motivated, life-long learners, self-dependent and creative with problem solving experience.
Graduate Attributes
| University Graduate Attributes | Chemistry Program Graduate Attributes |
|---|---|
| Globally Aware | Knowledgeable |
| Scientifically Aware | |
| Solution Oriented | Problem Solver |
| Professionally & Socially Responisble | Competent Experimentalist |
| Digitally Enabled | Digitally Up-To-Date |
| Effective Cumminicator | Effective Communicator |
| Self-Learner | Research Initiator |
| Positively Interactive | Effective Team Player |
| Professionally & Socially Responsible | Responsible & Ethically Driven |
By the end of this concentration, the students will be able to:
- SLO1: Explain the fundamentals and principles of polymer science and engineering.
- SLO2: Solve problems in petrochemical industries related to synthesizing, characterizing, processing, and applying polymeric materials.
- SLO3: Select the proper technique for physical characterization and for processing of polymers.
- SLO4: Recognize the engineering applications of polymers.
Graduate Attributes
| University Graduate Attributes | Chemistry Program Graduate Attributes |
|---|---|
| Globally Aware | Knowledgeable |
| Scientifically Aware | |
| Solution Oriented | Problem Solver |
| Professionally & Socially Responisble | Competent Experimentalist |
| Digitally Enabled | Digitally Up-To-Date |
| Effective Cumminicator | Effective Communicator |
| Self-Learner | Research Initiator |
| Positively Interactive | Effective Team Player |
| Professionally & Socially Responsible | Responsible & Ethically Driven |
Eligibility
Students who finished all junior level courses of the following majors are eligible to enroll in this concentration:
- CHEMISTRY, MAJOR (CHEM )
- CHEMICAL ENGINEERING MAJOR (CHE)
- MECHANCAL ENGINEERING MAJOR (ME)
A student of other majors can enroll in this concentration if he is able to fulfil the prerequisite requirements of the concentration courses.
For the concentration to be registered in the students’ records, the student should finish all the concentration courses successfully.
Courses
Level: Undergraduate / Credit: NA / Pre-Req: Senior Standing. Cannot be taken for credit with CHEM 537 / Co-Req: None
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 properties of polymers.
Course Instructor
Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-0 / Pre-Req: CHEM 451 or CHE 463 / Co-Req: None
Polymer characterization and analysis using various qualitative and quantitative analytical instruments. Principles, applications, and limitations of the classical analytical techniques required for analysis and characterizing of different kinds of polymers. Analysis of molecular weight, mechanical properties, thermal properties, in addition to spectral analysis. Interpretation of data collected using different techniques of polymer analysis.
Course Instructor
Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3
Concepts of polymer sustainability. Biodegradation of polymers and approaches toward synthesizing biodegradable polymers. Health impact of polymers and various additives used in plastics industry. Managing plastic waste, recycling of polymers, life-cycle assessment, and circular economy of polymers.
Course Instructor
Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-3
Thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, their properties and engineering applications. Plastic manufacturing processes, equipment and mold design. Plastic materials and process selection.
Course Instructor