Polymer Chemistry
Semester 20XX
CHEM 6440-01
Prerequisite: CHEM 3362
Topics in modern polymer chemistry including synthesis, kinetics, characterization, and uses.
Professors:
Phone:
Email:
AIM:
Office:
Office Hours:
Kevin Gwaltney, Ph.D.
770-423-6504
kgwaltne@kennesaw.edu
MoonshadowG
SC 421
Consult professor
Greg Rushton, Ph.D.
678-797-2046
use Vista email
svrushdog
SC 435
Text:
Polymer Chemistry: An Introduction, 3rd ed., Stevens
Class Time:
M W
Absence:
Student is responsible for all information and assignments from each lecture.
A late assignment may be accepted, but only if submitted within 48 hours and
the reason (e.g. illness) is approved by Dr. Gwaltney/Rushton.
Assignments will not be accepted late for vacation or end of the semester
travel, but some may be turned in early.
EARLY OR LATE EXAMS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. A drop of one exam
(but not the final) is provided to permit the student to be late or absent for one
exam (but not the final) due to unavoidable circumstances.
Exams begin at 11:00 a.m. and must be completed within time listed.
Integrity:
Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student
Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate Catalog. Section II of
the Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic
honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized
access to University materials, misrepresentation / falsification of University
records or academic work, malicious removal, retention, or destruction of
library materials, malicious / intentional misuse of computer facilities and / or
services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged
academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of
the University Judiciary Program, which includes either an “informal”
resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal
hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct’s
minimum one semester suspension requirement.
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
(required)
SC 215
Suspicious behavior can get you in trouble. Keep your eyes on your own
paper during Exams. Be careful to prevent other students from seeing your
paper during Exams. Non-medical electronic devices may not be used during
an exam.
>>> BE CAREFUL! Paraphrasing without proper citation or copying either all or a
portion of a website, book or another student’s work is improper and easily
detected.
Exams:
1
2
3
Final
Monday
Monday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Grading:
Practice, Quizzes and Articles
Exams
Report
Lesson Plan
Final Exam
Total
Points: 500 to 447.5
Grade:
A
February 12
March 19
April 18
May 2
1 hour 10 minutes
1 hour 10 minutes
1 hour 10 minutes
1 hour 50 minutes
100
200
50
50
100
500 pts.
447 to 397.5
B
397 to 347.5
C
347 to 297.5
D
297 >
F
Ranges may be widened based on class performance.
Practice Sets and Quizzes: Assignments, due dates and quizzes will be announced in
class or on Vista throughout the semester. Point values will vary.
Chemical & Engineering News Article: On the date indicated on the schedule (C&E),
submit a photocopy or printout of a Chemical & Engineering News article (must be in
“Science & Technology” or “News of the Week” sections) and provide a brief (~ 1 min.) verbal
summary for the class. Articles must be about polymers or polymer technology not only
about polymer business and industry. The reference must be posted on Vista so that no two
students bring the same article. Students will receive a maximum of 10 points with
appropriate adjustments (for example: unexcused absence or no submission (- 10), not
a C&E News Science & Technology article (-4), inadequate summary (-4), inability to answer
reasonable questions (-2), summary too long or too short (-1 to -10), etc.).
Journal Articles: On each of the dates indicated on the schedule (J), submit a photocopy or
printout of a journal article recent. Post the full reference for each article in JACS format on
Vista so that no two students bring the same article. START EARLY since you will likely
need to use SciFinder, Web of Science and/or Interlibrary Loan. For the second article (J2),
submit a 1 page summary of the article (0.75” margins, Arial 12 pt., 1.5 space, full reference
in JACS format). These articles may be among the articles for your report. Students will
receive a maximum of 10 points for each article with appropriate adjustments (for example:
unexcused absence or no submission (- 10), unacceptable subject (-4), inadequate summary
(-4), inability to answer reasonable questions (-2), reference not properly posted on Vista (-1
to -3), summary too long or too short (-1 to -10), etc.).
Polymer Chemistry Topic: Students will signup (ST) for a topic (T) and date, and then,
provide a brief verbal summary for the class (~5 min.) of the. Summary may include
examples of a polymer or class of polymers, background about the polymer (history,
applications), synthetic methodology and issues that are being investigated. Students will
receive a maximum of 10 points with appropriate adjustments (for example: unexcused
absence or no submission (- 10), incorrect subject (-4), inadequate summary (-4), inability to
answer reasonable questions (-2), summary too long or too short (-1 to -10), etc.).
Polymer Report: Choose a common polymer and write a review (8 pages including figures
and references (JACS format), 0.75” margins, Arial 12 pt., 1.5 space). The review must
include recent advances reported in at least four research articles and must discuss common
uses and at least one synthesis of the polymer. Each student must submit their topic and
articles to Dr. Gwaltney (first come, first serve) by March 21, 2007 and must post article
references on Vista in JACS format. An outline of the report must be submitted by April 2,
2007, a draft must be submitted by by April 16, 2007, and the report must be submitted by
April 23, 2007. Students will receive a maximum of 50 points for their report with appropriate
adjustments (for example: no submission or plagiarism (- 50), late (-10 per day), not
following prescribed formats (-5), poor quality writing (-10), etc.). More details to follow.
Lesson Plans: As a prospective science teacher, you will need to be able to relate current
topics in chemistry-related technical advances to your daily lessons. To help you prepare for
such tasks, you will be expected to find articles in newspapers, magazines, journals, or
approved websites that incorporate polymer chemistry in a recent innovation or technological
advance and relate it to your teaching of high school chemistry. You will summarize the
article, write a short lesson plan (including instructional objectives, activities, and assessments)
that clearly shows where a discussion of your chosen topic is well integrated into the teaching
of this lesson. You are expected to write a total of two (2) lesson plans during this course, one
due prior to the midterm date, one due at least one week prior to the final exam date.
General Learning Outcomes for Upper-Level Elective Chemistry Courses:
Recognize and discuss emerging technologies.
Advance the student’s knowledge in a specialized area of Chemistry.
Integrate and evaluate knowledge gained in required Chemistry courses.
Proficient use of a variety of databases, including Chemical Abstracts, MSDS sites, and
other search engines.
Interpret and critique the recent literature in the specialized area of Chemistry.
Effectively communicate, in writing and/or presentation(s), and defend analysis of a
problem or article in the specialized area of Chemistry thereby displaying a greater
comprehension of Chemistry.
Write lessons plans aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards that incorporates the
study of polymer chemistry in the high school curriculum
Tentative Schedule
Introduction
Introduction (continued)
Natural Polymers
Molecular Weight
Structure and Morphology
Reading Reading
Date
1/8
1-1.5
1/10
1.6-1.9
1/17
18.2
1/22
18.3, 18.4.1, 18.4.4
1/24
2.1-2.3
1/29
2.4-2.6
1/31
3.1-3.4
2/5
3.5-3.10
2/7
Exam 1
Structure and Properties
Assignment
C&E
J
2/12
4.1-4.4
2/14
4.5-4.8, 4.10
2/19
J2, ST
Free Radical Polymerization
Ionic Polymerization
6.1-6.2
2/21
T
6.3-6.4
2/26
T
6.5-6.8
2/28
T
7.1-7.2
3/12
T
7.3, 8.1-8.2.1
3/14
T
Exam 2
3/19
Ziegler-Natta Polymerization etc.
8.2.2-8.4
3/21
References
Metathesis and Reactions
of Vinyl Polymers
8.7, 9.1, 9.4, 9.6
3/26
T
Evaluation, Characterization
5.1-5.2, 5.4-5.5
3/28
T
5.6-5.9
4/2
Outline, T
10.1-10.2, 10.4, 10.6-10.9
4/4
T
Polyethers
11.1, 11.2.3, 11.3.4
4/9
T
Polyesters
12.1-12.3
4/11
Draft
Polyamides
13.1-13.2.2, 13.3
4/16
and Analysis
Step and Ring-Opening
Exam 3
4/18
Others: Scan sections not listed for polymers that interest you
4/23
and be prepared to name and explain an example.
Final Exam
4/25
5/2
Report