Natural and Synthetic Polymer Chemistry Bachelor of Science

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This option offers an excellent background both for direct entry into industrial chemistry and graduate study in areas such as chemistry, biotechnology or polymer science.

Students 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.

• 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 professional 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.
• Advanced courses in mathematics, statistics.

The senior year culminates in a senior research project undertaken under the supervision of one of the chemistry faculty. Their research interests range from laboratory to field-intensive studies.

All students are encouraged to start research before their senior year through FCH 495.

The program offers an excellent background both for direct entry into industrial chemistry and graduate study in areas such as chemistry, biotechnology, material science. 

Participating Faculty

• Paul M. Caluwe; pmcaluwe@syr.edu
  organic chemistry, synthetic polymer chemistry
• Avik P. Chatterjee; achatter@esf.edu
  polymer chemistry, theoretical polymer and physical chemistry
• Kelley J. Donaghy; kdonaghy@esf.edu
  inorganic chemistry, solid state materials and chemical education
• Ivan Gitsov Ivanov; igivanov@esf.edu
  synthesis and characterization of dendrimers, hyperbranched, and other nanostructured polymers, polymer chemistry, "green" chemistry, polymer synthesis through biocatalysis, biomaterials
• Christopher T. Nomura; ctnomura@esf.edu
  biochemistry, polymer chemistry, biopolymer chemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, microbial physiology, biodegradable plastics, transcriptomics
• Arthur J. Stipanovic; astipano@esf.edu
  polymer chemistry, biopolymers, biodegradable polymers, characterization, rheology