Polymer Science and Technology Programme
COURSE STRUCTURE
Year 1 Semester 1
|
SN |
COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
T |
P |
C |
|
1 |
PST 501 |
Advanced General Chemistry |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
2 |
PST 503 |
Polymers as Materials I |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
3 |
PST 505 |
Polymerization Processes |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
4 |
PST 507 |
Characterization of Polymers |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
5 |
PST 509 |
Introduction to Nano Science and Technology |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
6 |
PST 511 |
Practicals in Polymer Science and Technology I |
0 |
3 |
2 |
|
7 |
PST 513 |
Research Methods I |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
8 |
CHEM 561 |
Seminars I |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
9 |
Total |
|
15 |
3 |
16 |
Year 1 Semester 2
|
SN |
COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
T |
P |
C |
|
1 |
PST 502 |
Development of Entrepreneural Skills |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
2 |
PST 504 |
Polymers as Materials II |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
3 |
PST 506 |
Types and Applications of Polymers |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
4 |
PST 508 |
Environmental Impact of polymers |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
5 |
PST 510 |
Applications of Nanoscience and Technology to Polymer Materials |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
6 |
PST 512 |
Practicals in Polymer Science and Technology II |
0 |
3 |
2 |
|
7 |
PST 514 |
Research Methods II |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
8 |
CHEM 562 |
Seminars II |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
9 |
Total |
|
15 |
3 |
16 |
Year 2 Semester 1
|
SN |
COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
T |
P |
C |
|
1 |
PST 600 |
Industrial Exposure |
0 |
6 |
4 |
|
2 |
CHEM 661 |
Seminars III |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
3 |
PST 601 |
Research Project I |
0 |
30 |
10 |
|
4 |
Total |
|
1 |
30 |
15 |
Year 2 Semester 2
|
SN |
COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
T |
P |
C |
|
1 |
CHEM 662 |
Seminars IV |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
2 |
PST 602 |
Research Project II |
0 |
30 |
14 |
|
3 |
Total |
|
1 |
30 |
15 |
Research Work and Preparation of Thesis
DETAILS OF COURSE DESCRIPTION
PST 501: Advanced General Chemistry
This course module reviews basic chemical concepts, principles, and reactions for graduate level students: Concepts of mole and concentration as applied in stoichiometric equations; Thermodynamics; Energy, Enthalpy, thermochemistry, spontaneity, Entropy, and Free Energy, Equilibrium. Quantum mechanics; atomic structure, periodicity and bonding, VBT, MOT, CFT/LFT. Chemical kinetics; elementary reactions and complex reactions, experimental kinetics. Functional group chemistry. Transition metal chemistry, Organic reaction mechanism; substitution, addition, elimination and symmetry controlled reactions, Organometallic reaction mechanism; oxidative addition and reduction elimination, insertion and elimination, nucleophilic and electrophilic addition and abstraction
3 credits
CHEM 503: Polymers as Materials I
Introduction to Polymer Science and Technology; Material Properties of Polymers: physical and chemical properties, electrical properties, thermal properties, optical properties; Polymer Physics: stress-strain relationships; Mechanical properties (including rheological and visco-elastic behaviour); Applications of polymers based on their properties
2 credits
CHEM 505: Polymerization Processes
Chemistry of Polymer Synthesis: radical, anionic, cationic and Ziegler Natta catalyzed polymerization mechanisms, polycondensation mechanism; olefin metathesis; Co-polymerization mechanism and co-polymerization parameters; Degree of polymerization as a function of yield; Biopolymers - polypeptide, polysaccharide, polynucleotide and polyterpenes; Kinetics (including Trommsdorff-Norrish effect) and thermodynamics of polymerizations; Industrial Processes of Polymer Synthesis: selected polymers and their preparations - preparations based on polymerization mechanisms, polymerization processes (including bulk, suspension, solution, emulsion and interfacial polymerization techniques); Polymer reactions; Polymer additives
2 credits
CHEM 507: Characterization of Polymers
Analytical Techniques: NMR, FT-IR, X-Ray, GPC, SEM, DSC, TGA, TG; Applications of analytical techniques for determination of degree of crystallinity/amorphosity, molar masses using colligative properties (e.g., osmotic pressure), light scattering, viscometry and molar mass distributions (GPC); particle size and its distribution, studies of polymer surfaces (SEM); thermal analyses - phase transition measurements including thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); Degree of polymerization; Bulk Density as a function of pellet size and shape and as quality control parameter (e.g. in determining foreign matter in polymer - volatile materials trapped in the pellets) 2 credits
CHEM 509: Introduction to Nano Science and Technology
Nanotechnology timeline and milestones; Overview of different nanomaterials available; Potential uses of nanomaterials in electronics, robotics, computers, sensors in textiles, sports equipment, mobile electronic devices, vehicles and transportation; Medical applications of nanomaterials; Novel physical chemistry related to nanoparticles such as colloids and clusters: different equilibrium structures, quantum effects, conductivity and enhanced catalytic activity compared to the same materials in the macroscopic state; Exploitation of self-assembly and self-organization to design functional structures in 1D, 2D or 3D structures. Examples to emphasize on self-assembled monolayers.
2 credits
PST 511: Practicals in Polymer Science and Technology I
Experiments in polymer science and technology based on the theoretical work and meant to enhance understanding and application of principles
2 credits
PST 513: Research Methods I
Introduction to research: Definition; Types of research - fundamental, applied, etc; Research philosophy- research questions, statement of problem, research objectives and hypothesis, Research approach and strategy- qualitative and quantitative; Data collection methods -surveys, interviews, case studies, experimentation, etc; Piloting surveys and full scale surveys, etc; Sampling Techniques - Population definition, etc.; Literature review; Research proposal writing.
2 credits
CHEM 561: Seminars I
Each student will select their own topics and make a power point presentation on it, after which he/she will answer questions based on the presentation from lecturers and students present at presentation.
. 1 credit
PST 502: Development of Entrepreneural Skills
Introduction and course overview; Understanding entrepreneurship as a process; The nature of opportunity; what is "Opportunity-driven"; the Corridor Principle; Sources of opportunity.
Perspectives on emerging opportunities; the window of opportunity, how opportunities relate to business concepts; Defining the Market opportunity; Lead users and other marketing research techniques for understanding opportunity; Understanding market needs; Understanding how people look at ideas differently; Understanding the issues around idea management; Understanding how to break down any business challenge to the core idea; Sales strategy and customer value proposition; Financial models, projections and valuations; Venture financing, Term sheets, Company formation; Team dynamics and soft skills; Operations and partnerships; Business plans, What goes into the preparation of a Business plans.
3 credits
PST 504: Polymers as Materials II
An introduction to the basic principles of polymer processing, including fabrication and testing of polymers, stressing the development of models; Fabrication of polymers: casting, extrusion: bubble blown film extrusion, cast film extrusion; Blow molding; Injection molding; Calendering; Fibre spinning; Coating; Films; Fibres; Foam fabrication
2 credits
PST 506: Types and Applications of Polymers
Types of polymers and general applications: based on the structural arrangement (tacticity) e.g., polypropene, and physical properties of polymers, based on the preparation methods e.g. HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, (differences in structure determines differences in physical properties), and based on the linkages (e.g. amide linkage in proteins and also in nylon; ester linkages in polyester); Specific types of polymers and their uses; Polyesters (including polycarbonates); Polyamides, Polyurethanes, Polystyrene, PVC, PTFE among others and their uses; Copolymers: Vinylchloride + Vinylidene chloride, (name Saran), use - film for wrapping food; Styrene + Acrylonitrile, (name SAN), use - dishwasher-safe objects, vacuum cleaner parts; Acrylonitrile + 1, 3-Butadiene + Styrene, (name ABS), use - vehicle bumpers, crash helmets, telephone, luggage; Isobutylene + Isoprene, (name Butyl rubber), use - inner tubes, balls, inflatable sporting goods; Polyamides: Nylon, use - textiles, carpet, mountaineering ropes, tire cord, fishing lines, as substitute for metal in bearings and gears; Kevlar, an aramide, 5 times stronger than steel on equal weight bases, used for light weight bullet-resistant vests, automobile parts, high performance skis, the ropes used on the Mass Pathfinder; it is stable at high temperatures and therefore used in the protective clothing worn by firefighters.
2 credits
PST 508: Environmental Impact of Polymers
Polymer Degradation: destruction of polymer units (enzymatic and catalytic degradation); Types and mechanisms polymer degradation; Effects of composition and structure of polymers on the environment; Biodegradable polymers: Definitions (biodegradable and non-biodegradable) polymers; Methods of producing biodegradable polymers; Uses of biodegradable polymers; Introduction to natural polymers; Biodegradation of waste and global warming; Methods of measuring biodegradation; Plastic Waste Management: domestic, industrial and agricultural plastic wastes; Types of waste management practices (their advantages and disadvantages); Policies on plastic waste management
2 credits
CHEM 510: Applications of Nanoscience and Technology to Polymer Materials
Role of polymers in lithography resists, as well as self-organization of more complicated polymer architectures such as block copolymers and polymer brushes; Nanomaterials (Nanoparticles, nanoclusters, quantum dots synthesis); Preparation and characterization: "Top-Down" and "Bottom-Up" approaches to syntheses of nanomaterials (nanoparticles, nanoclusters and quantum dots); Top-down techniques: photolithography, other optical lithography (EUV, X-Ray, LIL), particle-beam lithographies (e-beam, FIB, shadow mask evaporation), probe lithographies, Bottom-up techniques: self-assembly, self-assembled monolayers, directed assembly, layer-by-layer assembly. Pattern replication techniques: soft lithography, nanoimprint lithography. Pattern transfer and enhancement techniques: dry etching, wet etching, pattern growth techniques (polymerization, directed assembly). Combination of Top-Down and Bottom-up techniques: current state-of-the-art approaches.
2 credits
CHEM 512: Practicals in Polymer Science and Technology II
Experiments in polymer science and technology based on the theoretical work and meant to enhance understanding and application of principles
2 credits
PST 514: Research Methodology II
Data analyses, processing and preparation, packaging the data for analyses; Scale of measurement: selecting statistical tools; Qualitative data analyses - content analyses, systematic analyses, etc.; Computer applications and software analytical tools - SPSS, MATHLAB etc.
2credits
CHEM 562: Seminars II (1, 0, 1)
Each student will select their own topics and make a power point presentation on it, after which he/she will answer questions based on the presentation from lecturers and students present at the presentation.
1 credit
PST 600: Industrial Exposure
Each student will spend ten weeks in industry undertaking an assignment given by the industry. At the end the period, they will be required to prepare a report which will be endorsed by the industry and assessed at the department.
4 credits
CHEM 661: Seminars III
Each student will select their own topics and make a power point presentation on it, after which he/she will answer questions based on the presentation from lecturers and students present at the presentation.
PST 601: Research Project I
Each student will undertake a research project under the guidance of a faculty member.
10 credits
CHEM 662: Seminars IV
Each student will select their own topics and make a power point presentation on it, after which he/she will answer questions based on the presentation from lecturers and students present at the presentation.
1 credit
PST 602: Research Project II
Each student will undertake a research project under the guidance of a faculty member. This will be followed by the preparation and defence of a thesis.
14 credits