2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Department of Chemical Science and Engineering Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
Introduction to Polymer Science
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Ikuyoshi Tomita / Takane Imaoka
- Class Format
- Lecture (Livestream)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Mon
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- CAP.I426
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course introduces the fundamentals of polymer synthesis, especially step-growth polymerization, and also covers the historical aspects of polymer science. Students will learn the basic properties of polymers and the concept of molecular weights in polymer science.
For students of other graduate majors, this course provides an opportunity to learn about frontier researches in the fields related to polymer chemistry.
Course description and aims
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Explain the definition of polymers and the historical aspects of polymer science.
2) Explain the features of polymers including molecular weights.
3) Explain polycondensation, polyaddition and addition-condensation.
4) Explain the basic properties of polymer solutions and polymer solids.
5) Explain process chemistry for polymers.
Keywords
History of polymer science、Molecular weight、Molecular weight distribution、Primary structure, Higher-order structure, Step‐growth polymerization、Polycondensation、Polyaddition、Addition-condensation、Phase transition
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Lecture and excise
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | History of polymer science | Explain the definition of polymers. |
| Class 2 | Structures and molecular weight of polymers | Explain the structures, molecular weights and polydispersity index. |
| Class 3 | Characterization of polymers | Explain the measurement methods of molecular weights for polymer materials (GPC, Light scattering). |
| Class 4 | General introduction to polymer synthesis1 | Explain the features of step-growth polymerization, polyaddition, addition-condensation and the reactions of polymers. |
| Class 5 | General introduction to polymer synthesis2 | Explain chain polymerization. |
| Class 6 | Properties of polymer solutions | Explain the behaviors of polymers in a solution using a simple model. |
| Class 7 | Properties of polymer solids | Explain the behaviors of polymers in the solid state materials. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
To be announced.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
To be announced.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students' knowledge of polymer science and synthesis. Final exam 80%, exercise problems 20%.
Related courses
- CAP.I427 ： Introduction to Polymer Chemistry
- CAP.I437 ： Introduction to Polymer Physical Properties
Prerequisites
Basic Knowledge in Organic and Physical Chemistry
This lecture does not accommodate undergraduate students who wish to take graduate courses in advance; thus, undergraduate students are not eligible to enroll. This lecture is intended for those who have not studied polymer science at the undergraduate level; therefore, those who have already studied the subject are kindly asked not to enroll.