Required Courses For Polymer Graduate Option

Advanced Thermo MTEN 735 (Ray Lin)
    Metallurgical Emphasis Thermodynamics

Introduction to Polymer Science MTSC 794 (Jim Boerio)
    (Young and Lovell) Molecuar Weights, Synthesis, Some mechanics etc.

Polymer Characterization MTEN 732  (Steve Clarson)
   Fairly Extensive Laboratory Introduction to Methods of Polymer Characterization

Properties of Polymers MTEN 634 (Greg Beaucage)
    Polymer Physics (Statics)

Electives are available in Synthesis, Morphology, Processing, Advanced Characterization, Coatings, Composites

Qualifier topics:  Characterization,
                          Solution Properties,
                          Mechanical Properties,
                          Synthesis,
                          Phase Transitions

Polymer Field is traditionally divided into 4 Categories:
    Synthetic Polymer Chemistry (Odian or Lenz)
    Polymer Physical Chemistry/Statics (Flory, DeGennes, Doi and Edwards)
    Polymer Dynamics (Processing) (DeGennes, Bird Armstrong Hassager, Others)
    Polymer Solid State Mechanics and Crystalline Morphology (Bucknell, Young, Others)

    Now Add to this:
    Biopolymers (Proteins, DNA, etc. No good book)
    Nano-Particles/Polymer Nano-composites (Again no good book)

Polymer Properties was traditionally taught by R. J. Roe and at UC has a basis in Polymer Physics and especially Statics.  Roe retired in 2000 and an elective course on Polymer Physics which had 2 parts, Statics and Dynamics was melded to cover basically the subject matter that Roe taught for a number of years (15+).  Partly this relates to continuity and tradition at UC and partly to topics that should be known by a Polymer Scientist.  Suggestions for topics in this course are always welcome. 

Polymer Properties teaches by two separate approaches: traditional lecture and quiz format and independent work on critical reviews.  It is possible to earn an A in this course by either of these approaches or by a combination of both.