Polymer Science and Engineering
Description
Soft matter encompasses a wide variety of materials that deform when stressed. This matter includes biological tissue, liquids, polymers, gels and more. In this course you will study the relationships between molecular structure, morphology, and the unique physical, chemical, and mechanical behavior of polymers. You will learn how these matters, despite macroscale differences, respond in similar ways to physical stimuli, due to their underlying macromolecular network structure. We will explore case studies of polymers in biomedical devices and microelectronics, and you will learn how advanced polymeric biomaterials are the cornerstone of new medical technologies and can expand the capabilities in microelectronics applications. You will gain a greater understanding of how the intersection of physics, chemistry, engineering and biology apply to this dynamic field.
What you will learn
- Methods for preparing synthetic polymers
- How enthalpy and entropy determine conformation
- About the many exciting applications of this research in next-generation technologies
Prerequisites
ENGR 50 and Chem 31A or equivalent is recommended.
Topics include
- Polymer physics and elasticity
- Solution thermodynamics and thermal behavior
- Rheology
- Molecular weight distributions
- Polymerization
Notes
Course Availability
The course schedule is displayed for planning purposes – courses can be modified, changed, or cancelled. Course availability will be considered finalized on the first day of open enrollment. For quarterly enrollment dates, please refer to our graduate education section.
