MATSE 202 - Introduction to Polymer Materials

Materials made from many types of natural organic materials, (cotton, wool, hemp, leather, etc.) have been with us throughout recorded history and have played crucial roles in the rise of civilizations and the economies of tribes and nations. Over the course of the last 100 years or so, the development of synthetic organic materials, particularly polymers, has transformed the way we live. Modern transportation systems, much of contemporary medicine and the entire electronics and computer industry would not be possible without these materials. In order to understand their nature and provide a basis for a more in-depth understanding of these materials provided by courses with a more specific focus, why they are ubiquitous in modern society, this course will provide students with a basic knowledge of the structure, synthesis and properties and processing of these materials, starting with a review of atomic and molecular structure and proceeding through basic elements of the chemical synthesis, structure, mechanical properties and processing of these materials. A comparison will also be made between the mechanical properties of “hard” inorganic materials such as metals and ceramics, and “soft” organic materials such as polymers. The primary intended audience is undergraduates in Materials Science and Engineering. This course will provide a necessary overview of organic materials for those students who will focus on inorganic materials in the major and also provide an introduction to organic materials for those students who will specialize in polymers and other organic materials. It is also anticipated that students in other disciplines who want to obtain an overview of the science and engineering of organic materials would want to take this course.