Ryerson University

Department of Chemical Engineering

Polymer Science CHE 454
Course Outline Winter 2016

Instructor:
Dr. Philip Chan
Office KHS-241-J
(416) 979-5000 6960

Office hours: TBA

Email: p4chan@ryerson.ca

Prerequisite:

CHY 224

Corequisite:

CHE 312

Course topics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Introduction (History; Concepts; Definitions; Classifications)

Molecular weight measurements and distributions
Physical and mechanical properties of polymers
Polymer solutions and blends
Diffusion in polymers
Polymerization techniques (Step-growth polymerization; Free-radical polymerization;
Copolymerization; Dispersion and emulsion polymerizations; Ionic and coordinated
polymerizations)
7. Selected topics (Polymer reaction engineering; Specialty polymers)

Textbook:
Required:

A. Rudin & P. Choi, The Elements of Polymer Science and Engineering,

Academic Press, Toronto, 3rd edition, 2013. (Available at the bookstore)

Reference:

F.W. Billmeyer, Textbook of Polymer Science, 3rd edition, Wiley-Interscience,

Toronto, 1984. (Available for 2-hour loan in the library)

Learning objectives*:
1. Integrates mathematics with natural and applied sciences to develop numerical and
analytical models for processes and systems. (1b)
2. Practices critical and continual assessment of experimental data and associated models. (3c)
3. Considers economic, social, and environmental factors in decisions. (9)
*

www.ryerson.ca/feas/programs/qa/gradattributes.html

Evaluation scheme:
Assignments
Project
Midterm examination (March 4, 2016)
Final examination

10%
20%
20%
50%

Other information:
Students are required to attend and participate actively in all lectures and project presentations.
If a student is absent for an examination or more than one project presentation day, s/he must
present a valid medical certificate or other pertinent official documentation to the Department of
Chemical Engineering main office KHS-241.
The student will receive zero for the
project/examination component if there is no valid reason.
All project and assignments must have the appropriate standard cover page, which can be
downloaded from the Department website at http://chemeng.ryerson.ca/. The cover page must
be signed by the student(s) prior to submission of the work. A submission without the
appropriate cover page properly completed will not be accepted.
Assignments are due at 4 p.m. on the specified date, and must contain the following: (a) Cover
page, (b) Question sheet, and (c) Students solutions. Assignments can be deposited into the
course mailbox outside the main entrance to the Department of Chemical Engineering KHS241.
Students are advised to make photocopies of their work before submitting them.
assignments and project will not be accepted without valid reason.

Late

Grades may be posted by hardcopy in a non-identifying way. Students who wish not to have
their grades posted in hardcopy format must inform the instructor in writing by email.
Students are required to adhere to all Ryerson academic and non-academic policies, including:
1. Policy on Undergraduate Grading, Promotion and Academic Standing
http://www.ryerson.ca/senate/policies/pol46.pdf
2. Academic Integrity
http://www.ryerson.ca/content/dam/senate/policies/pol60_Effective_Sept_1_2015.pdf
3. Student Code of Non-Academic Conduct
http://www.ryerson.ca/senate/policies/pol61.pdf
4. Undergraduate Academic Consideration and Appeals
http://www.ryerson.ca/senate/policies/pol134.pdf
5. Examination Policy
http://www.ryerson.ca/senate/policies/pol135.pdf
6. Accommodation of Student Religious, Aboriginal and Spiritual Observance
http://www.ryerson.ca/senate/policies/pol150.pdf
7. Establishment and Use of Student Email Accounts for Official University Communication:
http://www.ryerson.ca/senate/policies/pol157.pdf
8. Academic Accommodation of Students with Disabilities
http://www.ryerson.ca/senate/policies/pol159.pdf