Description:

Simply stated, polymer science is the science of large molecules. By virtue of their size alone, macromolecules have certain unique chemical and physical properties. It is also a relatively new academic discipline (at least in the U.S.) and one that is characterized by extraordinary breadth. It involves aspects of organic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, contemporary physics (particularly theories of the solid state and solutions), chemical and mechanical engineering and, most recently, electrical engineering. Moreover, there is a growing demand for what can be called engineering technologists, those skilled in the art of designing processes for producing specific products.

The goal of the polymer science minor is to produce graduates who have a first-hand knowledge of the relationships between the synthesis, structure, properties and processing of polymer materials. Students are required to take MATSE 443 (3 credits), which provides a broad overview of the subject, then select 15 credits chosen from a suite of courses that deal with polymer synthesis, microstructure and morphology, properties and processing.

Course Requirements :
A total of 18 credits are required for the minor.

Required Course (3 credits)
MATSE 443 Introduction to the Materials Science of Polymers

Additional Courses (15 credits)
Select 12 credits from:
MATSE 441 Polymeric Materials I
MATSE 442 Polymer Synthesis
MATSE 444 Solid State Properties of Polymeric Materials
MATSE 445 Thermodynamics, Microstructure, and Characterization of Polymers
and MATSE 446 Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Polymers and Composites
Select 3 credits from:
B M B 474 Analytical Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (this is a 2 credit course)
CH E 441 Polymer Processing
E MCH 446 Mechanics of Viscoelastic Materials
MATSE 473 Polymeric Materials Laboratory - Synthesis (this is a 1 credit course)
MATSE 474 Polymeric Materials Laboratory - Characterization (this is a 1 credit course)
MATSE 447 Rheology and Processing Technology
MATSE 494W Research and Design Senior Project (includes writing a thesis)
MATSE 496 Independent Studies