2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

COLO5180M Synthesis and Application of Polymers

15 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Dr Paul Thornton
Email: P.D.Thornton@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

A bachelor degree with a 2:2 (hons) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related subject, or the equivalent.

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components, or the equivalent.

Module replaces

COLO5080M

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Students will be knowledgeable in the more advanced aspects of polymerisation.Emphasis will be placed on natural and synthetic polymers beginning with fundamental aspects and moving rapidly to more up-to-date and advanced materials. Characterisation will be covered in a general sense. Some emphasis will be placed on functional polymers, biopolymeric, materials coatings systems and polymers for high tech applications.

Objectives

Students will be knowledgeable in the more advanced aspects of polymerisations and copolymerisations. The significance of natural and synthetic polymer modification will be emphasised for the creation of commercial products. In addition, the module will disseminate the importance of polymer composites, biomedical polymers and other functional polymers. Finally, students will gain a thorough understanding of the contemporary methods of monomer and polymer characterisation.

Learning outcomes
(1) A comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of both theoretical and synthetic polymer chemistry.
(2) Knowledge of key contemporary methods of polymerisation, and their wide-ranging applicability in academic and commercial research.
(3) Familiarity of polymeric properties, and the methods utilised to assess these properties.
(4) An understanding of the medicinal and economical importance of biomedical polymers.

Syllabus

- Introduction to Polymer Chemistry
- General Polymer Synthesis
- Free Radical Polymerisations
- Ionic Polymerisations
- LP1: ATRP
- LP2: RAFT
- LP3: NMP
- Ring-Opening Polymerisations
- Emulsion Polymerisations
- Inorganic Polymers and their Commercial Significance
- Polymer Self-Assembly
- Polymer Processing
- Coordination polymerisation
- Branched Polymers
- Biomedical Polymers (in conjunction with CHEM5600)

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
presentation	1	3.00	3.00
Class tests, exams and assessment	1	2.00	2.00
Lecture	22	1.00	22.00
Seminar	4	1.00	4.00
Independent online learning hours			4.00
Private study hours			115.00
Total Contact hours			31.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

The students will have two assessed problem sheets (2 x 3 hrs) to complete and hand in for assessment, each of which will comprise 5% of the total module mark.

Each student will be required to provide a 1,500 word essay (10 hrs) on the commercial application of a chosen/assigned polymer (e.g. The Use of Epoxy Resin in Modern Aircraft). This element will be worth 5% of the total module mark.

Each student will prepare and present a Powerpoint presentation, or Youtube video if preferred, concerning a relevant topic in contemporary polymer chemistry (e.g. The Commercial Exploitation of RAFT Polymerisations). This element will be worth 5% of the total module mark. The presentations (8 hr to prepare) will be provide in a single 3 hr session in which peer assessment will take place.

Solutions to the assessed and practise problem sheets will be made available online. The students will also be given some online videos and website resources to explore from the VLE (4 hrs independent online learning)

Further study of lecture material, including reading relevant accompanying material in books on the module reading list as directed by the lecturers. (3 hr per lecture = 66 hr)

Exam revision, including practise of past papers. (25 hr)

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student assessment will be performed at weeks 3, 6, 8 and 9, and so student progress will be readily monitored throughout the advancement of the module. In addition, the seminars provided will offer an excellent indication of the understanding that each student has for the subject. Finally, student engagement will be conducted throughout the course to ensure that progression is made by all.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1,500 words	5.00
Presentation	10 min + 5 min questions	5.00
Problem Sheet	2 problem sheets will be provided (Work will be set in week 2 and due in week 3, then the second set in week 8 and due in week 9).	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		20.00

.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Unseen exam	2 hr 00 mins	80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		80.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 04/04/2016

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