TENTATIVE SYLLABUS FOR BIOMATERIALS CHEMISTRY, Version 05JAN2012
NEED TO PHOTOCOPY CHAPTER TEXTS, HWS, AND PPTS FOR A COURSEPACK
THAT FOLLOWS SYLLABUS.
WPS 723-001
January 11th – April 19th, 2011
2006 BILTMORE
Tuesdays & Thursdays
10:15 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.
Course Goal
The goal of this course is to provide the student with a deep understanding of the chemical
reactivity and structure & function of renewable biopolymers and their chemical modification.
The student will also appreciate advanced concepts in the wood chemistry of pulping &
bleaching, the biochemical pathways that lead to raw materials for energy production, and
develop an understanding of bioenergy.
Contact Information
Lucian A. Lucia, Ph.D.
Department of Forest Biomaterials (Wood & Paper Science)
3108 Biltmore Hall
Email: lucian.lucia@GMAIL.com, lalucia@NCSU.edu
Phone Contact Numbers: +1 919 515 7707 (Office), +1 919 889 7059 (Mobile)
Office Hour(s): By appointment
Objectives
The student will recognize and develop a basic understanding of: a polymer, a
biopolymer/biomaterial, structure/reactivity relationships, the advanced chemistry of lignin &
carbohydrates, biochemistry of plant energy conversion and fermentation, and biopolymer
chemical modifications.
Course Learning Outcomes
After a brief introduction where the various structural, synthetic and functionality considerations
of polymers are described, we will embark on a discussion of carbohydrates & lignin chemical
reactions. An understanding of the relationship between a biomaterial’s structure and its
properties will be developed in the course. We will have a series of reading assignments for each
section of the course to better develop the applications of that section. Homeworks and quizzes
will constitute a major portion of the work involved in this course.
Supporting Materials
Principles of Polymerization, ODIAN
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Textbook of Polymer Science, BILLMEYER
Problems in Advanced Organic Chemistry, GOTO, HIRATA, & STOUT
Advanced Organic Chemistry, CARY, SUNDBERG
Wood Chemistry: Fundamentals and Applications, SJÖSTRÖM
Biochemistry, GARRET & GRISHAM
Biochemical Engineering Fundamentals, BAILEY & OLLIS
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Course Topics
POLYMERS & BIOPOLYMERS/BIOMATERIALS ( 40%)
 Definitions of polymers & biopolymers/biomaterials
 Structure/function reactivity
 Polymerization mechanisms
 Carbohydrates & lignin: definitions, descriptions, applications, & industrial importance
PULPING & BLEACHING CHEMISTRY ( 40%)
 Fundamental chemical reactivity of lignin & cellulose
 Kraft pulping chemistry
 Organic chemistry reactions of aromatics/phenols
BIOCHEMISTRY ( 20%)
 Enzyme kinetics
 Enzyme specificity
 Lignin biosynthesis
 Bioenergy
 Fermentation
Tentative Course Topics
Class 1:
Class 2:
Class 3:
Class 4:
Class 5:
Class 6:
Class 7:
Class 8:
EXAM 1
Class 9:
Class 10:
Class 11:
Class 12:
Class 13:
Class 14:
Class 15:
Class 16:
EXAM 2
NO CLASS:
NO CLASS:
Class 17:
Introduction to Course, Overview of Syllabus/Grading, Mutual Expectations,
Review of SciFinder, and Organic Mechanism Problem (to be handed in as
Take Home Quiz 1 during the course of the semester)
What are polymers and biomaterials?
Quiz 2, How are they made? What do they do?
Quiz 3, What are their structures and function relationships?
Quiz 4, Synthesis & function
Quiz 5, Chemical & physical properties
Polymerization Demo (Laboratory Exercise)
Quiz 6, Radicals & rates of polymerization
Quiz 7, What are carbohydrates?
Quiz 8, Structure & properties of cellulose & chitosan (two important
carbohydrates)
Quiz 9, Lignin & kraft pulping reactions & mechanisms
Quiz 10, Chemical reactivity paradigms of lignin & phenolics
Advanced chemical reactions associated with pulping
Quiz 11, Reactivity of cellulose during kraft pulping
Quiz 12, Chemical bleaching reactions & mechanisms
Spring Break
Spring Break
Water, pH, and ionic equilibria
3
Class 18:
Class 19:
Class 20:
Class 21:
Class 22:
Class 23:
Class 24:
Class 25:
Class 26:
Class 27:
EXAM 4
Quiz 13, Enzyme kinetics & activity
Quiz 14, Enzyme kinetics & activity, part II
Quiz 15, Enzyme specificity
Lignin biosynthesis (Prof. Vincent Chiang)
Fermentation
Quiz 16, Bioenergy
EXAM 3
Cellulose derivatives
Hemicellulose derivatives
Lignin derivatives
Methods of Assessment and Grading
Examinations:
Quizzes:
Homework
Presentation:
Grading:
30%, FINAL
60%
10%
A+ (≥ 95%), A (90 – 95), A- (88 – 89), B+ (86 – 87), B (80 – 85),
B- (78 – 79), C+ (76 – 77), C (70 – 75), C- (68 – 69), D+ (66 –
67), D (60 – 65), D- (58 – 59), F (< 59)
Attendance
Full participation in classes and examinations is expected of all students. If you are unable to
attend, please contact the instructor prior to class. For further explanation on the nature of
excused and unexcused absences please refer to the university attendance regulation at
http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/pols_regs/REG205.00.4.php.
Academic Integrity
All students are expected to follow the University’s “Code of Student Conduct”. The policy on
academic integrity can be found in
http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/student_services/student_conduct/POL445.00.1.htm.
It is the teacher's understanding and expectation that the student's signature on any test or
assignment means that the student neither gave nor received unauthorized aid. Be certain to cite
references used for assignments. Plagiarism will not be accepted and may result in a failing
grade and/or expulsion from the University.
Accommodations
Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to
take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with Disability Services for
Students (DSS) at 1900 Student Health Center, Campus Box 7509, 515-7653
(http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/offices/affirm_action/dss/) and should see Lucian Lucia with the
appropriate paperwork from DSS
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