POLYMER CHEMISTRY, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY - 2021/2
Module code: CHE3065
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, and in a departure from previous academic years and previously published information, the University has had to change the delivery (and in some cases the content) of its programmes, together with certain University services and facilities for the academic year 2020/21.
These changes include the implementation of a hybrid teaching approach during 2020/21. Detailed information on all changes is available at: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/coronavirus/course-changes. This webpage sets out information relating to general University changes, and will also direct you to consider additional specific information relating to your chosen programme.
Prior to registering online, you must read this general information and all relevant additional programme specific information. By completing online registration, you acknowledge that you have read such content, and accept all such changes.
Module Overview
The purpose of this module is to provide an overview of advanced polymer chemistry with a focus on polymers that are used in more advanced technologies.
Module provider
Chemistry
Module Leader
VARCOE John (Chemistry)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 6
JACs code:
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
Indicative content includes:
• Revision of basic polymer concepts.
• Advanced polymer characterisation (GPC, light scattering, rheology, MALDI, Raman).
• Heterogeneous polymerisations: Suspension, emulsion, and mini-/micro-emulsion polymerisations.
• Living polymerisation: anionic polymerisation and synthesis of diblock copolymers.
• Controlled radical polymerisation: NMP, ATRP, RAFT.
• Metal mediated polymerisation methods: Ziegler-Natta and metallocenic polymerisation catalysts, ROMP and ADMET.
• Graft Copolymers: Chemical grafting including Click Chemistry.
• Phase Behaviour.
• Polymer additives and blends.
• Polymer composites: integration of inorganic and organic materials.
• Advanced polymer applications.
• Conjugated polymers: polypyrrole and polyacetylene.
• Inorganic Polymers: e.g. polysiloxanes, polysilanes, polyphosphazenes.
• Copolymerisation: reactivity ratios and structural aspects.
• Liquid crystal polymers: synthesis of Vectra.
• Self-assembly in polymerisation.
Assessment pattern
Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Examination | EXAMINATION (1.5 HOURS) | 80 |
Coursework | COURSEWORK | 20 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate new knowledge related to the chemistry, synthesis, characterisation, and application of advanced polymers. The examination will involve the application of some of this knowledge to unknown examples. The coursework will involve a detailed literature search effort by the students to report on aspects of polymer science that have not been covered in the lectures.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
• Exam: 70%, 1.5 H (addresses learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4).
• Coursework: 30%, maximum of 4,500 words (addresses learning outcomes 1, 3).
Formative assessment
Practice problem sheets will be given out at regular intervals and parts of the course will be revisited where required (i.e. if the practice problems reveal areas of lower student understanding).
Feedback
The students will be given feedback on the items from the practice problem sheets that indicate a lower level of understanding. Feedback from the coursework element will be in three strands: (1) The most interesting polymer science reported in the submissions will be communicated to all students; (2) A summary of the more successful literature search strategies will be given to all students; (3) Feedback will be given individually to students and will include comments on the structure and content of the report.
Module aims
- • extend the fundamental aspects of polymer chemistry to more advanced concepts
- • provide an overview of advanced synthetic methodologies, smart and high performance polymers, and the properties of polymers (particularly at the chemistry – materials engineering interface)
- • introduce materials where organic polymers are interfaced with inorganic components
Learning outcomes
Attributes Developed | ||
---|---|---|
001 | Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of advanced concepts in polymer chemistry | K |
002 | Apply an appropriate protocol to synthesise a target polymeric material | CK |
003 | Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of macromolecular property-relationships | K |
004 | Critically evaluate an appropriate polymeric material for a target application | CK |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Overall student workload
Independent Study Hours: 118
Lecture Hours: 30
Tutorial Hours: 2
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to develop knowledge of polymers for more advanced technologies. The polymer lecture notes for the FHEQ Level-5 module (Materials Chemistry: Fundamentals to Application) will be provided on SurreyLearn for background reading. The first 2 h of lectures will revise the key points from that module. The delivery is mainly lecture-based with practice problems given out at key points for formative assessment.
The learning and teaching methods include:
• Average of 3 h of lectures per week for 10 weeks;
• 2 h of revision class covering some practice problems;
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: CHE3065
Other information
None.
Programmes this module appears in
Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
---|---|---|---|
Chemistry BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
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 2021/2 academic year.