Education Programs
Graduate Programs
Illinois Institute of Technology, as one of the leading private
technological universities in the nation, awards post-graduate
degrees in a multitude of disciplines in engineering and science.
These degrees include the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Master's
of Science (M.S.) and a Professional (non-thesis) Master's degree.
In conjunction with the Departments of Biological, Chemical, and
Physical Sciences, Chemical and Biological Engineering and
Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering, CEPSE offers
a series of core and elective courses (listed below) at the graduate
level covering a wide range of topics in polymer science and engineering.
These courses can be used to satisfy a portion of the requirements
for the Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering
or Materials Engineering set by the degree-granting academic unit
and the Graduate College.
In addition to this coursework, graduate students pursuing Ph.D.
and M.S. degrees are involved in intensive original research
leading to a thesis under the supervision of one or more CEPSE
faculty.
The polymer science and engineering courses listed below can also
be used to satisfy a portion of the requirements for the Professional
Master's degrees in Chemistry, Chemical
Engineering or Materials Engineering. This option allows students
the opportunity to explore the exciting and interdisciplinary
fields of polymer science and engineering while earning an advanced
degree in a more traditional discipline. The Professional Master's
degree program is designed for the working professional with a
bachelor's degree in science or in engineering. For convenience
and to facilitate part-time study, all courses are offered in
the late afternoon or early evening, and many are offered using
IIT's unique distance learning program via IITV.
Certificate Programs
In collaboration with the Graduate
College, CEPSE now offers certificate programs in Polymer
Synthesis and Characterization (PSC) and Polymer Synthesis and
Processing (PSP). These certificates involve taking a total of
9 credit hours (3 courses) as follows: CHEM 435/CHE 450 Principles
of Polymer Science and Engineering and CHEM 535 Polymer Synthesis
or CHE 538 Polymerization Reaction Engineering and CHEM 542 Polymer
Characterization and Analysis (PSC) or CHE 555 Polymer Processing
(PSP). Note that certificates may be earned by non-degree seeking
students.
Undergraduate Programs
CEPSE
offered courses can be used to complete an Area of Specialization
(minor) for Bachelor's of Science (B.S.) Degrees in Chemistry,
Chemical Engineering or Materials Engineering. This involves 12
credit hours (four courses) of technical electives that include
CHEM 435/CHE 450 and three other courses from those listed below.
Students may substitute one course not from the list below with
the approval of their academic advisor.
Courses
The following courses covering various aspects of polymer science
and engineering are offered by CEPSE faculty. Schedules for these
courses for current and future semesters can be found in the Announcements
section.
• CHEM 435/CHE
450 Principles of Polymer Science and Engineering
This introductory course deals with the physics, chemistry, and
engineering of polymer systems. Classical concepts and theories
as well as recent developments are addressed. Topics to be discussed
include: synthesis, characterization, structure and properties,
thermodynamics, mechanical behavior and processing.
• CHEM 535
Polymer Synthesis
In-depth study of polymer synthesis, kinetics of polymerization,
solution and thermal properties, processing and characterization
techniques, and rheological behavior. Selected topics include
high-performance polymers, conducting polymers, biopolymers, medicinal
polymers, photosensitive polymers and liquid crystalline polymers.
• CHEM 542
Polymer Characterization and Analysis
Overview of various characterization and analysis techniques in
polymer science and technology such as thermal analysis, mechanical
property measurements, chromatographic separations, techniques
for the determination of molecular weights and chemical analysis
of polymer additives in polymer research, product development,
quality control, and in degradation studies. A general discussion
on industrial problem solving using multiple characterization
techniques.
• CHE 538 Polymerization
Reaction Engineering
The engineering of reactors for the manufacture of synthetic polymeric
materials, commercial processes for manufacture of polymers of
many types, polymer chemistry and engineering reactor design.
• CHE 555 Polymer
Processing
Analysis of momentum, heat, and mass transfer in polymer processing
operations. Polymer processes considered include: extrusion, film
blowing, calendering, fiber spinning, injection molding, mixing
and devolatilization,
• CHE 575 Polymer
Rheology
Flow of viscoelastic fluids, integral and differential constitutive
equations from continuum and molecular considerations, methods
of experimental evaluations.
• FPE 541 Principles
of Food Packaging
Types of packaging materials and equipment. Food-package interaction.
Package testing to ensure safety. Special design considerations.
Recycling of packaging materials.
• MMAE 579
Characterization of Polymers
Review of principles and practical applications of techniques
for characterization of polymeric materials. Includes discussion
of microscopy, diffraction and scattering methods, spectroscopy,
thermal analysis, mechanical property measurements, trace analysis
methods and rheological techniques.
• MMAE 580
Structure and Properties of Polymers
Molecular structure of amorphous, crystalline, and network polymers.
Theories of the glassy state. Transition and melt temperatures.
Model prediction of viscoelastic properties. Time-temperature
superposition principle. Theory of rubber elasticity.
• MMAE 581
Theory of Mechanical Behavior of Polymers
Molecular theories for glass transitions and viscoelastic properties,
strength of rubbery and glassy polymers. Deformation of crystalline
polymers. Yield phenomena in glassy polymers. Photo-elastic properties
of polymers.
