CH4PC-Polymer Chemistry

Module Provider: Chemistry
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Wayne Hayes
Email: w.c.hayes@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Study modern developments in polymer science in depth. During the lectures you will enhance your understanding of how state-of-the-art polymer chemistry impacts modern society, ranging from the use of polymers in aviation technologies through to everyday electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers.

Aims:
To build on the basic concepts of polymer chemistry by exploring the design, development and application of polymeric materials in modern technology.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Students who have successfully completed this module will be able to:
£ Describe, discuss and explain the molecular design concepts and synthetic approaches involved in development of advanced polymeric materials.
£ Critically evaluate the potential applications and limitations of any particular class of polymeric structures.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Advanced Structural Polymers and their Applications: Design concepts, synthesis, structure, properties and applications of high-performance aromatic and inorganic polymers. Non-crystalline, crystalline, and liquid-crystalline polymeric materials for use under extreme conditions. Polymers as elastomers and in modern display technology. Physical origin of rubber elasticity; properties of simple elastomers; cross-linking methodology; properties of complex elastomers, such as liquid crystalline elastomers. liquid crystalline polymers in display technologies.



Advanced Materials: The course will cover, amongst other topics, routes to hyperbranched polymers and dendrimers; self-assembled polymer networks; controlled free radical polymerisation techniques. History and development of photoresist technologies for use in the microelectronic industry.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Two 1 hour lectures per week supplemented by directed independent study.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		18
Practicals classes and workshops		2
Guided independent study:		80
Total hours by term		100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:
1.5 hours

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:
Students will attend tutorials on the material covered in this module. Attendance is compulsory. A tutorial comprises both written work and oral contribution.

Tutorials to be submitted as detailed on Blackboard.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
An overall mark of 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:
Reassessment will be held in August and will be by examination only worth 100%.
Final year students are not eligible to resit this module unless they have failed their degree programme overall.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 22 September 2022