2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COLO1200 Introduction to Colour and Polymer Chemistry

10 creditsClass Size: 98

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

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

A level Chemistry or equivalent

Module replaces

COLO1120 - Introductory Polymer Science and COLO1500 - Chemistry of Colour

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This introductory module aims to familiarise students with the fascinating world of colorants and polymeric materials. Polymers and colorants have an impact on the quality of everyday lives in many ways; these include cosmetics, fibres, textiles and fashion, building and construction materials, foodstuffs, inks, paints and surface coatings - developed to meet many applications. The methods whereby polymers are created, modified and used will be explored, as will natural polymeric materials. This module will also introduce the chemistry associated with organic coloured materials, beginning with a discussion of the interaction of light with organic molecules and moving on to explore the chemistry of some commonly-used colorant classes as well as some novel hi-tech applications of colorants.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to recognise and use the vocabulary of colour and polymer science and have a basic understanding of the principles that influence coloration and polymerisation processes and the properties of coloured polymeric materials.
The students will have an understanding of the processing and use of natural polymers and of the creation of synthetic polymers.
Students should also be able to appreciate the influence of changes in the constitution of an organic molecule upon the observed colour and recognise the most common functional groups and structural features found in colorants and their intermediates.
In addition students will have developed a familiarity with the importance of colorants and polymeric materials to society.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have a knowledge of current trends in colorants and polymeric materials.
They will have a firm foundation which will give them the opportunity to move on to more advanced coverage of colorants and polymer studies in a variety of higher level modules.
They will understand the relevance to modern industrial and commercial applications of the significant impact of colorants and polymeric materials to society.

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have developed an appreciation of the relationship between colorants and polymeric materials in a range of important applications.
They will understand the chemical principles of the synthesis of selected organic colorants.
They will have developed an understanding of the principles governing the synthesis of polymeric materials.
They will have developed skills in reading and extracting information from literature sources, and in critically assessing the science that underpins the synthesis of colorants and polymeric materials.
They will have developed an appreciation of their ability to communicate their level of understanding.

Syllabus

1. Terminology, vocabulary, classification and functionality as applied to polymer science;
2. The principles of addition polymerisation and of step-growth polymerisation;
3. Synthesis of synthetic polymers;
4. Polymer resins and polymer resin precursors;
5. The thermodynamics of polymerisation processes (treated at an introductory level);
6. Intermolecular forces in polymers and their importance with respect to physical and structural properties;
7. Natural polymers-polysaccharides, proteins and rubbers-including derivatives and their synthetic competitors;
8. Examples of applications of polymers;
9. The interaction of light with organic molecules;
10. Introduction to colorants - dyes and pigments;
11. Generic classes of the organic colorants;
12. Classification of key reactions and mechanisms by which functional groups are introduced into organic intermediates and colorants;
13. Introduction to the chemistry and applications of organic colorants.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Example Class	2	1.00	2.00
Lectures	18	1.00	18.00
Private study hours			80.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Performance in example classes, and question and answer sessions, including e-voting, during lectures.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

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: 30/07/2015

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