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Natural and Synthetic Polymer Chemistry
B.S.

Undergraduates in the natural and synthetic polymer option take advanced courses in mechanisms of polymerization and polymer synthesis, physical properties and characterization of polymers, and laboratory techniques of polymer synthesis and characterization. Special topics courses in contemporary polymer and material science are available as electives. In addition, courses in carbohydrate chemistry provide a solid background for chemists planning careers in paper, plastic, high-tech, energy, membranes, and related areas. Biochemistry is an appropriate elective for students interested in the growth of biotechnologies while environmental chemistry complements this program for students interested in working on problems of biodegradation. The program offers an excellent background both for direct entry into industrial chemistry and graduate study in areas such as chemistry, biotechnology or polymer science.

Students may enter the Bachelor of Science program as first-year students or as transfer students. Students who are preparing to transfer to ESF as juniors must have earned at least 60 credits of college coursework in courses comparable to the lower-division course requirements.

• Degree Requirements for the Natural and Synthetic Polymer Chemistry Option

Undergraduates in the Natural and Synthetic Polymer Chemistry option take advanced  lecture courses in the following areas:

• reaction kinetics and mechanisms of polymerization and polymer synthesis (FCH550),
• physical properties and characterization of polymers (FCH552),
• laboratory practice in the techniques of polymer synthesis and characterization (FCH551).

Some appropriate chemistry electives are:

• Biochemistry (FCH530) is an appropriate elective for students interested in  biotechnology.
• Environmental chemistry (FCH510 or FCH 511) complements the polymer program for students interested in working on problems relating to the environmental fate of polymers and compounds used in their production and processing.
• Carbohydrate/Polysaccharide Chemistry (FCH540): excellent preparation  for chemists planning careers in paper, textiles, membranes, biotechnology and related areas.
• Biochemistry (FCH541):  another good choice for biotechnology oriented students or premedical students,
• Computational Chemistry (FCH420): an introduction into the use of computers to model polymer and other chemical structures.
• Advanced courses in mathematics, statistics.

Research opportunities in polymer chemistry through the FCH495/498 sequence are strongly encouraged.

The program offers an excellent background both for direct entry into industrial chemistry and graduate study in areas such as chemistry, biotechnology, material or polymer science. More than 50 percent of all practicing chemists work on problems involving polymer chemistry.

Participating Faculty

• Dr. Israel Cabasso, Polymer Chemistry and Membrane Science
• Dr. Paul M. Caluwe, Organic Chemistry, Synthetic Polymer Chemistry
• Dr. Avik Chatterjee, Theoretical Polymer and Physical Chemistry
• Dr. Ivan Gitsov, Synthesis and Characterization of Dendrimers, Hyperbranched, and other Nanostructured Polymers
• Dr. Anatole Sarko, Emeritus, Physical, Computational and Biopolymer Chemistry
• Dr. Johannes Smid, Emeritus, Organic and Physical Polymer Chemistry
• Dr. Kenneth J. Smith, Jr., Emeritus, Physical and Theoretical Polymer Chemistry
• Dr. Arthur J. Stipanovic., Director of Analytical and Technical Services, Polymer Chemistry, Characterization, Rheology
• Dr. Tore E. Timell, Emeritus, Wood Chemistry
• Dr. William T. Winter, Structural Polymer Chemistry, NMR, Diffraction, Biopolymer and Polysaccharide Chemistry