Department of Polymer Science

 
College of Polymer Science & Polymer Engineering

The general requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees as well as course descriptions in Polymer Science are described in the current University Graduate Bulletin (see index for Polymer Science - course prefix 9871). These requirements are set by the Graduate School. The specific departmental requirements listed in the bulletin are set by the Department of Polymer Science. The combined requirements of the Graduate School and Department of Polymer Science represent the minimal standards for the attainment of a particular degree. As such, they do not adequately describe the concern of the DPS faculty that graduate programs also be tailored to each student's background and research interests. Consequently there are additional requirements and procedures that both the department and the research advisor impose beyond those described in the Bulletin.

Doctoral  Degree Requirements:  84 Total Credits = (36 minimum course credits  &  48  minimum research  credits);  2  cr. Seminar  I & II  for  full-time  students;  formal seminar; research presentation; pass 6 cumulative exams; doctoral dissertation defense and final written dissertation; 1  year  residency requirement; computer proficiency.

The  doctoral  degree  is  not  awarded  merely on  the  basis  of  the  completion  of  a prescribed   program   of  course  requirements.  The Ph.D.  In Polymer   Science   is considered to be recognition that the recipient has carried out independent and original research at the prevailing advanced level of polymer science understanding.      

In practice this original research is done under the guidance of a faculty member of the Polymer Science Department (see "Graduate Research Requirements", Section II).  The student  is  assumed  to  have an advanced level of understanding  of  the  principles  of polymer  science  necessary  to do research  after the successful  completion  of  course studies  and   cumulative  or  other examinations.  After  the  public  discussion  of  the research  work  both  in a departmental "formal seminar" and then  in  a  public  "research presentation", the written dissertation is examined by the dissertation committee and an "oral  doctoral dissertation defense" examination must be passed.  A good   measure  of the  scholarship  inherit  in  the  research can be determined  by  the  faculty  using  the described procedures.    

• A public discussion referred to as a departmental "formal seminar" and "research presentation required which reviews the literature pertinent to the research problem.

• Pass 6 Cumulative Exams - exams are given on a monthly basis (except June, July, August, and December)

• Oral doctoral dissertation defense and final written dissertation

• Computer  proficiency  is  required  and can be satisfied  by  an  earlier  undergraduate computer  programming  course  or  by a related course  taken at the UA.

• Attendance  and  participation is required in seminar-type discussions scheduled  by  the department. 

Course Requirements for the Ph.D. Program:

(See course descriptions in the Graduate Bulletin.)

The doctoral course program in Polymer Science consists of 36 credit hours based on a combination of:

Core Course Program -   17 credit hours (and 2 semesters of Polymer  Science Seminar  required  of all full-time doctoral students - credits are not included  in  the Total Course Credits),  

Elective Courses   - at least 19 credit hours of elective courses appropriate to each student's area of interest.

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Core Courses:  (17 credits) Required for all students:

4 credits of the following polymer chemistry courses:

• 9871: 601 Polymer Concepts ( 2 cr.)

• 9871: 602 Synthesis and Chemical Behavior of Polymers  (2 cr.)

Note: Students must take  601 and 602 unless exempted by the student’s advisor on the basis of previous study.

4 credits of polymer physical chemistry courses:

• 9871: 674 Polymer Structure and Characterization (2 cr.)

• 9871: 675 Polymer Thermodynamics (2 cr.)

4 credits of polymer physical property courses:

• 9871: 631 Physical Properties of Polymers I (2 cr.)

• 9871: 632 Physical Properties of Polymers II (2 cr.)

2  credits  of  the following  polymer technology course:

• 9871: 701 Polymer Technology I (2 cr.)

3  credits of polymer science laboratory

• 9871: 613 Polymer Science Laboratory (3 cr.)

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Two Seminars:  Required for Full-Time Students

9871: 607, 608 Polymer Science Seminars I and II (1 cr. each)

(Seminar  I and II are given concurrently in the Fall semester of each year.  Seminar  I is  for  first-year full-time students, and Seminar II is for second  year  full-time students.)

The  two  seminars  are required for all full-time students in  residence  for  two years,  but  they are not required for part-time students.  Note: The  two  credits earned  in these courses are in addition to the 36 course credits required  for  the Ph.D. (That is, the minimum course credits presented for graduation must be 36 credits of courses + 2 credits of Polymer Seminar).

Computer Proficiency Requirement:

All students  in  the  M.S. and Ph.D. programs in DPS are required  to  have  taken  a minimum  of one undergraduate or graduate level course in computer science,  like  the University of Akron course 3460:201, with a passing grade.  Graduate students  lacking such a course may demonstrate computer proficiency by taking (a) 3650:605, Computer Physics  I,  3  credits, or another applicable course at UA.

Elective Courses:

The  student  and the student's research advisor determine  the  elective  courses that  will  be  taken by the student to fulfill the student's  course  program.   The courses  may  be  in  the departments of  polymer  science,  chemistry,  physics, mathematics,    computing,    polymer    engineering    or    other    engineering departments.   Below  is a list of a typical first semester and  second  semester course program.

Typical First Semester Course Program

A  typical  first semester course program for new full-time students with no  previous  polymer background and no other course deficiencies would be:

Courses

9871:601 Polymer Concepts

9871:607 Polymer Science Seminar I

9871:631 Physical Properties of Polymers I

9871:674 Polymer Structure & Characterization

9871:701 Polymer Technology I

9871:899 Doctoral Research

Typical Second Semester Course Program

During  the  spring semester of the first year, and certainly by the fall semester  of  the  second year   all of the other required courses ought to have been taken to allow the student to be  well prepared  both  to  answer  cumulative exam  questions in the second year  and  also  to  read  the  polymer literature on the chosen research problem.

Courses

9871:602 Synthesis & Chemical Behavior of Polymers

9871:613 Polymer Science Lab

9871:632 Physical Properties of Polymers II  

9871:675 Polymer Thermodynamics

9871:702 Polymer Technology II

9871:899 Doctoral Research

All  of  the above courses provide an introductory survey of the assigned subjects, and  all  are taught by a team of faculty.  This choice of courses and selection of teachers has two purposes: 

(1) A  first  term student is introduced to all of the broad areas of  Polymer  Science through faculty who are actively doing research in each respective area and who can give a good perspective of current research trends.

(2) Simultaneously  a student also becomes personally acquainted with a  teacher  in his  or  her  possible special field of interest.   Thus  informal  discussions  with teacher can facilitate the choosing of a research  advisor in the spring semester.