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Program Description
The goal of the Polymer Science minor is to produce graduates who have a first-hand knowledge of the relationships between the synthesis, processing, structure, and properties of polymer materials. These materials are essential in everything from common consumer products to high tech applications in aerospace, medicine, electronics, and energy. The polymer science minor builds on aspects of chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering to design, analyze, and process polymers. This minor can readily complement degrees in other engineering or science disciplines.
Prerequisite courses to begin the minor include MATH 141 and an introductory CHEM course (CHEM 112 or CHEM 112H or CHEM 101 or CHEM 106 or CHEM 110 or CHEM 110H or CHEM 130).
What is Polymer Science?
Polymer scientists investigate long-chain molecules, which include plastics, cellulose (found in trees and paper), DNA, and more. Polymers have unique chemical and physical properties; understanding these properties involves aspects of organic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, contemporary physics, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You like investigating polymer materials at the micrometer and nanometer scales.
- You enjoy combining a variety of physical and biological sciences to understand how organic molecules behave.
- You are interested in pursuing a career in polymer materials design, or the process of designing polymer materials for specific applications.
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 20 |
Requirements for the Minor
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Several Variables | 2 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| CHEM 210 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CHEM 202 | Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry I | |
| MATSE 202 | Introduction to Polymer Materials | 3 |
| or CHEM 480 | Chemistry and Properties of Polymers | |
| Select 9-12 credits from the following: | 9-12 | |
| Biomedical Materials | ||
| Surfaces and the Biological Response to Materials | ||
| Sustainable & Recyclable Polymers | ||
| Polymeric Materials I | ||
| Thermodynamics, Microstructure, and Characterization of Polymers | ||
| Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Polymers and Composities | ||
| Rheology and Processing of Polymers | ||
| Fundamentals of Composite Materials Science and Engineering | ||
| Select 0-3 credits from the following: | 0-3 | |
| Bioproducts Science and Technology | ||
| Composites Processing | ||
| Analytical Biochemistry | ||
| Polymers in Biomedical Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Polymer Science | ||
| Mechanics of Viscoelastic Materials | ||
| Engineering Composite Materials | ||
| Composites Processing | ||
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
R. Allen Kimel
Associate Head for Undergraduate Studies
225B Steidle Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-5397
rak189@psu.edu
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
225B Steidle Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-9857
rak189@psu.edu