Introduction to Polymers (ChE 355) Introduction to Polymer Materials Science (ChE 392P, graduate) Macromolecular Chemistry (CH 367L) Physical Chemistry of Macromolecular Systems (CH 392N) ChE 355, ChE 392P, CH 367L CH 392N (Unique #14435, 14635, 50315, 50520) Fall 2020 Course Description: The purpose of this course is to learn synthesis, structural characterization, physical properties, and applications of polymers.
Prerequisites: CHE 322 (Thermodynamics) or equivalent.
Registrar Schedule: M W F 9:00AM–10:00AM Synchronous meetings: W 9:00AM–10:00AM (Zoom, recorded) Lectures: Panopto Video Discussion: TBD to maximize possible attendance.
Recitations: N/A
Instructor: Dr. Nathaniel A. Lynd [email protected] Office Hours: By appt.
Teaching Assistants: Benjamin Pedretti [email protected] Office Hour: TBD
Course website: on Canvas http://canvas.utexas.edu
Source Materials: Original literature https://polymerdatabase.com/home.html Polymer Chemistry by Paul C. Hiemenz, and Timothy P. Lodge Principles of Polymerization by George Odian Principles of Polymer Chemistry by Paul J. Flory
Assessment: 1000 points CHE 355 and CH 367L Comprehension Evaluations 80% (800 points) Attendance at a discussion hour 20% (200 points)
CHE 392P and CH 392N Comprehension Evaluations 80% (800 points) Paper, topic presentation 20% (200 points)
Comprehension Evaluations: These are assignments to accompany recorded lecture material. You may use the lectures, books, articles, and lecture notes to complete these assignments. They are not timed or proctored and are handed in approximately once every other week on Sunday night by the latest by upload to canvas.
Paper or topic presentation: Graduate students will be asked to deliver a short presentation (ca. 10 minutes) to the class during the Wednesday synchronous sessions. The topics will be on current research,
ChE 355/ChE 392P/CH 367L/CH 392N Page 1 of 9 or a classic paper that resulted in course content. These sessions will be recorded and questions will appear on the comprehension evaluation based on their presentations.
Discussion hour: This is a one hour session where several of you will meet with me in a small group zoom meeting. Topics for discussion might include current developments in polymer chemistry, career development, coursework, etc. You must participate in one discussion hour. While I will attempt to hold the discussion hour at a fixed time that is available to everyone in the class, it is likely that the time will be moved during the semester.
Exam Dates: No exams.
Final Exam Policy: No final exam.
Re-Grading: Re-grade requests may be submitted in writing (e-mail) up to one week after the item was graded.
Grading: +/– grading will be used. A standard scale is anticipated.
A > 94% A– > 90% B+ > 87% B > 84% B– > 80% C+ > 77% C > 74% C– > 70%
Absences: No excuses for missed tests, exams, or quizzes will be accepted other than written certified medical excuses or written letters on university letterhead for UT-related school activities. By UT Austin policy, you must notify me of your pending absence at least fourteen days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a class, an examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, you will be given an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time after the absence.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS Knowledge, abilities and skills students should have entering this course: 1. A general understanding of synthetic organic chemistry. 2. A basic understanding of thermodynamic concepts such as free energy, enthalpy, and entropy. 3. Some math skills consistent with a technical background.
Knowledge, abilities and skills students should gain from this course: This course has two main objectives. The first is to introduce synthetic aspects of polymer science, while also presenting many of the polymers that society uses today. The second objective is to introduce the polymer physics underlying polymer properties. By the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. Become familiar with the terminology, conventions, names, and many polymers used by society today.
ChE 355/ChE 392P/CH 367L/CH 392N Page 2 of 9 2. Understand the spectrum of methods used to make polymers and their scope, relative strengths, and weaknesses, and the effect of reactivity on polymer architecture, composition, and stereochemistry. The polymer chemistry portion of this course will cover the following: o Distinguishing features of polymers over small molecules o Step-growth polymerization § Kinetic and thermodynamic considerations § Examples o Chain growth polymerization § Controlled polymerization (fast initiation, no termination, no equilibrium) § Controlled polymerization (fast initiation, no termination, equilibrium) § Controlled polymerization (slow initiation, no termination, no equilibrium) § Uncontrolled polymerization (continuous initiation and termination) § Copolymerization • Non-terminal (ideal) model • Terminal model, and more complicated models • Description of stereochemical control of polymerization o Isoselectivity versus o Enantioselectivity § Examples 3. Understand the core concepts that form the basis for many of the physical properties of polymers. The polymer physics portion of this course will cover the following: o Polymer conformation: § Description of polymer spatial extent § Statistical models for chain statistics § Shortcomings of current models o Thermodynamics of polymer solutions: § Regular solution theory § Flory-Huggins theory § Osmotic pressure (osmometry) § Phase behavior of polymer solutions (bimodal,spinodal,critical point)’ § Interactions o Light scattering by polymer solutions § Basic concepts of light scattering (light, X-ray, neutron, etc.) § Scattering by an isolated molecule § Scattering from a dilute polymer solution § Form factor and the Zimm equation § Scattering regimes and particular form factors o Dynamics of dilute polymer solutions o Networks, gels, and rubber elasticity o Linear viscoelasticity o Glass transition o Crystallinity o Mechanical properties 4. Current topics in polymer science, e.e., o Reinforced composites (e.g., carbon fiber) o Block polymer self-assembly
SUGGESTED COURSE SCHEDULE
ChE 355/ChE 392P/CH 367L/CH 392N Page 3 of 9 **This syllabus represents my current plans and objectives. As we go through the semester, those plans may need to change to enhance learning opportunities. Such changes are not unusual and will be communicated clearly. Module 1: Introduction to Chain Molecules Weeks 1-3 Module 2: Step-Growth Polymerization Weeks 3-4 Module 3: Chain Growth Polymerization (Addition Polymerization) Weeks 4-5 Module 4: Free Radical Polymerization Weeks 6 Module 5: Controlled Radical Polymerization Week 7 Module 6: Copolymerization Week 8 Module 7: Polymer Conformations Week 9-10 Module 8: Polymers in Solution Weeks 11-12 Module 9: Networks and Gels Weeks 13 Module 10: Polymer Blends and Block Polymers Weeks 14-15
ANTICIPATED COMPREHENSION EVALUATION DUE DATES: CE#1 09/06 11:59PM CE#2 09/20 11:59PM CE#3 10/04 11:59PM CE#4 10/18 11:59PM CE#5 11/01 11:59PM CE#6 11/15 11:59PM CE#7 11/22 11:59PM CE#8 12/07 11:59PM (last day of class)
DETAILED TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE:
ChE 355/ChE 392P/CH 367L/CH 392N Page 4 of 9 Week 1
08/26 W – Synchronous – Syllabus – Course
08/28 F – Asynchronous – 1 Introduction to Chain Molecules
Week 2
08/31 M – Asynchronous – 1 Introduction to Chain Molecules
09/02 W – Synchronous – Graduate student presentation(s) – Q&A – Review
09/04 F – Asynchronous –1 Introduction to Chain Molecules (due CE#1 09/06 11:59PM)
Week 3
09/07 M – Labor day. Go outside. No lecture.
09/09 W – Synchronous – Graduate student presentation(s) – Q&A – Review
09/11 F – Asynchronous – 2 Step-Growth Polymerization
Week 4
09/14 M – Asynchronous – 2 Step-Growth Polymerization
09/16 W – Synchronous – Graduate student presentation(s) – Q&A – Review
09/18 F – Asynchronous –3 Addition Polymerization (due CE#2 9/20 11:59PM)
Week 5
09/21 M – Asynchronous – 3 Addition Polymerization
09/23 W – Synchronous – Graduate student presentation(s) – Q&A – Review
09/25 F – Asynchronous – 3 Addition Polymerization
Week 6
09/28 M – Asynchronous – 4 Free Radical Polymerization
09/30 W – Synchronous – Graduate student presentation(s) – Q&A – Review
10/02 F – Asynchronous – 4 Free Radical Polymerization (due CE#3 10/04 11:59PM)
ChE 355/ChE 392P/CH 367L/CH 392N Page 5 of 9 Week 7
10/05 M – Asynchronous – 5 Controlled Radical Polymerization
10/07 W – Synchronous – Graduate student presentation(s) – Q&A – Review
10/09 F – Asynchronous – 5 Controlled Radical Polymerization
Week 8
10/12 M – Asynchronous – 6 Copolymerization
10/14 W – Synchronous – Graduate student presentation(s) – Q&A – Review
10/16 F – Asynchronous – 6 Copolymerization (due CE#4 10/18 11:59PM)
Week 9
10/19 M – Asynchronous – 7 Polymer Conformations
10/21 W – Synchronous – Graduate student presentation(s) – Q&A – Review
10/23 F – Asynchronous – 7 Polymer Conformations
Week 10
10/26 M – Asynchronous – 7 Polymer Conformations
10/28 W – Synchronous – Graduate student presentation(s) – Q&A – Review
10/30 F – Asynchronous – 8 Polymers in Solution – (due CE#5 11/1 11:59PM)
Week 11
11/02 M – Asynchronous – 8 Polymers in Solution
11/04 W – Synchronous – Graduate student presentation(s) – Q&A – Review
11/06 F – Asynchronous – 8 Polymers in Solution
Week 12
11/09 M – Asynchronous – 8 Polymers in Solution
11/11 W – Synchronous – Graduate student presentation(s) – Q&A – Review
ChE 355/ChE 392P/CH 367L/CH 392N Page 6 of 9 11/13 F – Asynchronous – 8 Polymers in Solution (due CE#6 11/15 11:59PM)
Week 13
11/16 M – Asynchronous – 9 Networks and Gels
11/18 W – Synchronous – Graduate student presentation(s) – Q&A – Review
11/20 F – Asynchronous – 9 Networks and Gels (due CE #7 11/22 11:59PM)
Week 14
11/23 M – Asynchronous – 10 Polymer Blends and Block Polymers
11/25–27 Thanksgiving holiday and end of in-person instruction.
Week 15
11/30 M – Asynchronous – 10 Polymer Blends and Block Polymers
12/02 W – Synchronous – Graduate student presentation(s) – Q&A – Review
12/04 F – Asynchronous – 10 Polymer Blends and Block Polymers
Week 16
12/07 M – Last day of class for the semester – Synchronous – (due CE #8 12/07 11:59PM)
ChE 355/ChE 392P/CH 367L/CH 392N Page 7 of 9 FEEDBACK It is my goal to make this an excellent course and a positive experience for all of us. If you feel that the course is not meeting your expectations or you want to provide feedback on how the course is progressing for you, I encourage you to contact me as early as possible. POLICIES Comprehension Evaluations: Recitations: N/A Academic Integrity I expect our students to hold the highest ethical standards in their personal and professional conduct. University of Texas Honor Code: The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community. Cheating encompasses such behaviors as copying another student’s work, bringing materials into an exam that are not allowed, and a variety of other academically dishonest behaviors (a list of examples is included below). As with plagiarism, students who are discovered to have cheated will receive no credit for an assignment or exam and will be reported to the Student Judicial Services. Depending on the severity of the cheating, a one letter grade reduction in grade may result, or an F for the class in cases of extreme academic dishonesty such as forging a regrade request. Examples of Cheating Behavior (a non-exhaustive list) Exams • Learning what is on an exam from someone who has already taken it • Using a false excuse to delay taking an exam • Copying from another student on an exam with or without their knowledge • Helping someone else cheat on an exam • Using unauthorized information: textbook, lecture notes, homework solutions, etc. • Using unauthorized electronic devices to obtain information during an exam • Using more time than allowed for an exam (take-home exam) • Unauthorized communication during an exam • Requesting a re-grade after modifying an exam Homework • Copying someone else’s computer code when asked for individual work • Working with others on an assignment when not authorized • Receiving unpermitted help from someone on an assignment • Paraphrasing/copying material from a written/printed source without referencing it • Paraphrasing/copying material from an internet source without referencing it • Fabricating/falsifying a bibliography • Turning in work copied from another • Turning in work done by another • Obtaining solutions from a database of previous years’ assignments/exams Other work • Fabricating or falsifying lab data
ChE 355/ChE 392P/CH 367L/CH 392N Page 8 of 9 • Fabricating or falsifying research data Other University Notices and Policies Use of E-mail for Official Correspondence to Students All students should become familiar with the University's official e-mail student notification policy. It is the student's responsibility to keep the University informed as to changes in his or her e-mail address. Students are expected to check e-mail on a frequent and regular basis in order to stay current with University-related communications, recognizing that certain communications may be time-critical. It is recommended that e-mail be checked daily, but at a minimum, twice per week. The complete text of this policy and instructions for updating your e-mail address are available at http://www.utexas.edu/its/help/utmail/1564.
Documented Disability Statement Any student with a documented disability who requires academic accommodations should contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at (512) 471-6259 (voice) or 1-866-329-3986 (video phone). I may provide accommodations with an official accommodation letter from SSD if those accommodations do not require a major reorganization of quizzes and midterm exam times. Please notify me as early in the semester as possible if you need disability-related accommodations. Based on past performance, I have noted that the students registered with SSD suffer no performance disadvantage in my classes.
Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL) If you are worried about someone who is acting differently, you may use the Behavior Concerns Advice Line to discuss by phone your concerns about another individual’s behavior. This service is provided through a partnership among the Office of the Dean of Students, the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC), the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and The University of Texas Police Department (UTPD). Call 512-232-5050 or visit http://www.utexas.edu/safety/bcal.
Sharing of Course Materials is Prohibited: No materials used in this class, including, but not limited to, lecture hand-outs, videos, assessments (quizzes, exams, papers, projects, homework assignments), in-class materials, review sheets, and additional problem sets, may be shared online or with anyone outside of the class unless you have my explicit, written permission. Unauthorized sharing of materials promotes cheating. It is a violation of the University’s Student Honor Code and an act of academic dishonesty. I am well aware of the sites used for sharing materials, and any materials found online that are associated with you, or any suspected unauthorized sharing of materials, will be reported to Student Conduct and Academic Integrity in the Office of the Dean of Students. These reports can result in sanctions, including failure in the course. Class Recordings: Class recordings are reserved only for students in this class for educational purposes and are protected under FERPA. The recordings should not be shared outside the class in any form. Violation of this restriction by a student could lead to Student Misconduct proceedings.
COVID Caveats: To help keep everyone at UT and in our community safe, it is critical that students (and faculty and staff) report COVID-19 symptoms and testing, regardless of test results, to the HealthPoint Occupational Health Program (OHP) as soon as possible. Please see this link to understand what needs to be reported. In addition, to help understand what to do if a fellow student in the class (or the instructor or TA) tests positive for COVID, see this University Health Services link.
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