515.661.81 - Introduction to Polymer Science

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Structural Theory of Bonding
• Introduction to Polymer Science
• The Polymerization Process
• The Simple Polymer Chain Polyethylene
• Free Radical Polymerization
• Ionic Polymerization
• The Ziegler-Natta Catalyst
• Condensation Polymerization or Step Growth Polymerization
• Fabrication of Polymer Products
• Biomedical Polymers
• Electroactive Polymers
• Biodegradable Polymers, Environmental Issues, and Polymers in the 21st Century

Course Goals

The goal of this course is to provide students with an introduction to the preparation, properties and manufacturing of polymers.  Methods for synthesizing polymers, manufacture of polymers, and the techniques used to characterize polymer properties will be presented.  The course topics include natural and synthetic giant molecules; inorganic and organic polymers; biomacromolecules; and elastomers, adhesives, coatings, fibers, plastics, blends, caulks, composites and ceramics.  The basic principles that apply to one polymer class can be used to understand all of the other classes and are integrated into the framework of this course.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Explain the fundamental principles of polymers, nomenclature, classification, preparation, structure, and properties.
• Recognize the reaction mechanism involved in polymer synthesis and the kinetics of these reactions.
• Show how polymers are used in structural, electronic, biologic, and medical applications
• Describe preparative methods of polymers; step growth polymerization, radical polymerization, ionic polymerization, ring-opening polymerization.
• Explain the principles of polymer chain architecture, polymer molecular weight, structure, stereochemistry, and morphology, with particular emphasis on the relationship between chemical structure and morphology.
• Identify the different types of polymers used in modern society
• Evaluate technical papers in the field of polymer science and report the results of papers to others in the field.
• Make an oral presentation on a technical research paper in the field of modern polymer science.

Textbooks

Introduction to Polymers, 3rd Edition, Young, R.J. & Lovell, P.A. (2011), CRC Press
Introduction to Polymer Chemistry, 4th Edition, Carraher Jr., C.E. (2017), CRC Press

Student Coursework Requirements

• Students will be required to complete a short quiz on the contents of the syllabus. (2% of total grade)
• Each of the twelve lecture modules will contain a graded lecture quiz that students will complete individually. Weekly assignments will vary depending on module learning objectives. (12% of total grade)
• Students will be asked to contribute to four discussion activities during the semester. Students will be asked to participate in asynchronous discussions on topics related to the module learning objectives. (8% of total grade)
• Students will be assigned problem sets that demonstrate their understanding of the assigned reading material (18% of total grade)
• Students will be asked to read technical papers during the semester and complete an assessment of each paper. (20% of total grade)
• Two one-hour open book exams will be given during the course. The first exam will cover Modules 1-6.  The second exam will cover the material learned in Modules 8-13.  These exams will assess students’ achievement of the learning objectives in modules throughout the semester. (15% of total grade)
• Students will be assigned a mid-term and final project that will include presentations to the class via Zoom (25% of total grade)

Late submissions. Dr. Potember does not accept late submissions. Canvas assignments will close at 11:59 PM on the date due and will not be accepted.   Students should not wait until the last minute to submit assignments because large files (which many submissions will be) can take many minutes to upload to Canvas and students may not be able to submit if the files are not completely loaded by 11:59PM.   If students run into technical difficulties, they may (as a matter of last resort and not to be used for every assignment) e-mail their assignment to the instructor as long as it is received in Dr. Potember’s inbox before 11:59PM on the due date.  Assignments received after this time will not be accepted or graded and will result in a 0 for that assignment. 

Grading Policy

• 100–90 = A
• 89–80 = B
• 79–70 = C
  

Course Policies

Personal Wellbeing

If you are struggling with anxiety, stress, depression or other mental health related concerns, please consider connecting with the Johns Hopkins Student Assistance Program (JHSAP). If you are concerned about a friend, please encourage that person to seek out our services. JHSAP can be reached at 443-287-7000 or https://jhsap.org/

Tutoring Website

Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals offers a tutoring connection network that allows students to connect with other Johns Hopkins Engineering students or alumni for tutoring services. This service allows students to search a list of courses to “Find a Tutor” or complete a profile to “Become a Tutor.” More information about this service can be found on the tutoring website (https://tutor.ep.jhu.edu/).

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.