POLYMERS: SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND APPLICATIONS - 2020/1

Module Overview

This module provides an introduction and up-to-date overview of developments in polymer materials, polymer processing and applications. Students successfully completing the module will have a critical awareness of the use of polymers in engineering, from processing-structure-properties to implementation.

Provisions are also made for students who are not confident in Chemistry, in the form of a quiz and pre-reading notes before they attend the module.

Module provider

Mechanical Engineering Sciences

Module Leader

LEKAKOU Constantina (Mech Eng Sci)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content: the course includes lectures, exercise classes and laboratory sessions.

• Introduction


• The amorphous state


• The crystalline state


• Synthesis of polymers


• Thermosets


• Thermoplastics


• Elastomers


• Mechanical behaviour


• Toughening and Toughening Mechanisms in Polymers


• Design with Polymers


• Degradation of Polymers


• Chemical Characterisation of Polymers


• Physical Characterisation of Polymers


• Processing of Plastics


• Advanced Processing Techniques


• Adhesives and Coatings


• Polymer Blends and Alloys


• Conjugated Polymers for Optoelectronic Applications


• Polymers in Microelectronics


• Polymers in Automotive Applications


• Recycling of Polymers

Provisions are also made for students who are not confident in Chemistry: they can test their knowledge by doing a quiz available on SurreyLearn and do some pre-reading of notes on basics of Organic Chemistry for Polymers, also available on SurreyLearn.

 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

NA

Assessment Strategy

 

Summative assessment and formative feedback

• Q1 (4 x short answer) + Q2 (long answer question)

[Learning outcomes 1-5]        (45 hours)        Mon/Tues 2 weeks after end of course {40%}

• Q3 (6 x short answer) + Q4 (long answer question)

[Learning outcomes 1-4]        (75 hours)        Mon/Tues 6 weeks after end of course {60%}

• Formative verbal feedback is given in lectures and tutorials.


• Written feedback is given on the first assessment coursework (Q1 & Q2), which is submitted in advance of the final summative assessment.

Module aims

• provide an up-to-date appreciation of the developments and applications of polymers in engineering
• provide students with important background and conceptual on the structure and properties of polymers with the addition of recent developments in the chemical and physical structure
• provide students with important background and conceptual on the structure and properties of polymers with the addition of recent developments in processing
• provide students with important background and conceptual on the structure and properties of polymers with the addition of recent developments in production of new classes of polymers that lead to a new range of properties or significant improvement of existing properties
• novel applications for polymers or applications where the polymers have found recent expansion in novel areas due to their enhanced or novel properties
• environmental issues regarding polymers including recycling of polymers and degradation of polymers.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to introduce the above content through lectures and tutorials (including worked example classes). This is delivered through lectures and tutorial classes.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• 25 hours lectures


• 5 hours tutorial classes


• 120 hours coursework.

The teaching is delivered as a one-week intensive course.

 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENGM100

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.