Graduate Course Descriptions

The following directory lists the graduate courses which the University expects to offer, although the University in no way guarantees that all such courses will be offered in any given academic year, and reserves the right to alter the list if conditions warrant. Click on the links below for a list of courses in that subject area. You may then click “View Classes” to see scheduled classes for individual courses.

5098. Variable Topics in Polymer Science

1.00 - 3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 12 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

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5351. Polymer Physics

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Modern concepts relating to glassy, rubbery and organized states of bulk polymers. Considers rubber elasticity, glass-to-rubber transitions, networks, elements of crystallization, blends and interfacial phenomena.

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5352. Polymer Properties

Also offered as: CHEG 5352

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Interrelationships between solid state structure, dynamics, and mechanical properties of non-crystalline and semi-crystalline polymers. Considers polymer viscoelasticity, diffusion, failure mechanism, and elementary polymer rheology.

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5367. Polymer Rheology

Also offered as: CHEG 5367

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Analysis of the deformation and flow of polymeric materials. Topics include non-Newtonian flow, viscoelastic behavior and melt fracture with application to polymer processing.

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5380. Polymer Synthesis

Also offered as: CHEM 5380

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Chemistry of the formation of high polymers, including kinetics, mechanisms, and stereochemistry of step growth and addition polymerization. Recent advances in polymer synthesis.

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5381. Polymer Physical Chemistry

Also offered as: CHEM 5381

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

A molecular description of the fundamental physico-chemical aspects of polymer solutions and solids. Considers thermodynamics, chain statistics, dynamics, and structure of polymer molecules.

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5382. Polymer Characterization I

Also offered as: CHEM 5382

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Experimental techniques for characterizing polymers on a molecular level, with emphasis on the provision of a working knowledge of instrumental analysis. Experiments include dilute solution viscosity, vapor pressure osmometry, gel permeation chromatography, chemical and spectroscopic analysis.

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5384. Polymer Characterization II

Also offered as: CHEM 5384

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Experimental techniques for characterizing polymers on a macroscopic scale, with emphasis on provision of a working knowledge of instrumental analysis. Experiments include calorimetry, mechanical analysis, surface characterization, and structure determination.

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5395. Biopolymers

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Thermodynamics and kinetics of biopolymers (carbohydrates, proteins, DNA/RNA, lipids/biomembranes). Properties, applications, and connections to current research.

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5396. Polymer Processing

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Various polymer processing techniques: extrusion; injection molding; film and sheet processing; blow molding; thermoforming; fiber spinning; processing of thermosets and special polymers.

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5397. Nanostructural Characterization

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Various types of scattering techniques (diffraction, small angle scattering, reflectometry) to investigate global structure of polymeric or other soft materials ranging from Å to submicron using different probes (X-ray, neutron, light).

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6001. Seminar in Polymer Science and Engineering

1.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Presentations by invited guest speakers on topics of current interest in various areas of Polymer Science and Engineering.

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