CHEM5548 · Chemistry
Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
This course covers modern synthetic methods in polymer chemistry and general principles that govern the unique properties of macromolecules. Synthetic methods that will be covered include radical, anionic, and cationic initiated polymerization reactions as well as metal-mediated polymerization reactions. Strategies used by chemists to control polymer molecular weight, stereochemistry (i.e., tacticity), and polymer microstructure (e.g., block, random, and alternating co-polymers) will be emphasized. Polymer characterization techniques will also be covered that include measuring molecular weight and molecular weight distributions, and determining polymer thermal and mechanical properties. To complement tutorial-style lectures, this course also consists of seminar-style talks given by the instructors and invited speakers on contemporary research topics in polymer science that cover a wide range of topics, such as conductive polymers, fluoropolymers, sequence-controlled polymers, biomaterials, sustainable polymers, polymer networks, drug delivery, and mechanochemistry.
Course experience
Averages use the original five-point historical evaluation scale.
Organization
3.6 / 5
How well the course was organized
Challenge
3.4 / 5
How intellectually challenging students found it
Attendance
4.3 / 5
How necessary attendance was
Assignments
3.3 / 5
How helpful assignments were
Weekly effort
~6.5
hours per week
Estimated from the original workload response buckets. Individual sections may differ.
Instructor options
Ratings below reflect only recovered evaluations connected to this course.
Across time
Section-level results available in the recovered archive.
Spring 2025
1 sectionSpring 2023
2 sections