Taught programmes – Polymer Materials Science and Engineering
The masters programme in Polymer Materials Science and Engineering is a multi-disciplinary taught programme which examines in-depth the wide range of issues relating to structural and functional polymers. The programme prepares you for a career in industry or for an academic or research career via PhD.
Multi-disciplinary
The Polymer Materials Science and Engineering programme, offered in partnership with the School of Chemistry, is multi-disciplinary and provides you with a rich understanding of both traditional commodity plastics and speciality polymers with increasing applications in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields, and in electronics and nanotechnology.
The programme
The complete MSc programme is made up of taught course units and a five-month dissertation project (MSc) or six-week short project (Diploma). The taught course units are delivered through a combination of lectures and practical laboratory work. The course units cover a wide range of topical subject areas:
Control and Design of Polymerisations
The polymer industry is dependent upon good control of polymer structure and properties during the synthesis of these ubiquitous materials. This unit provides comprehensive coverage of the key areas of step and chain homopolymerisation and copolymerisation with emphasis on the chemistry of polymerisation and the theory that defines the key principles for controlling polymerisations and polymer properties. Thus the chemistry of each of the commercially-important polymerisation methods (polycondensations, polyadditions, free-radical, cationic, anionic and coordination polymerisations, and ring-opening polymerisations) is presented in a way that provides an appreciation of how to control polymerisation processes and the properties of the polymers produced.
Polymer Characterisation
An understanding of the chemical makeup and structure of polymers and copolymers over the full range of length scales, from molecular to macroscopic, is essential for informed choice of material for any given application. This information is extracted using instrumental techniques such as MALDI Mass Spectrometry, NMR, IR, Raman and UV-visible spectroscopy for characterisation at the molecular scale; TG, DTA, DSC and DMTA can be used to determine important features of solid polymers such as crystallinity, chain orientation, copolymer domain structure and chain dynamics; furthermore, study of fundamental solution properties and behaviour of polymers underpins techniques such as viscosity measurement and Gel Permeation Chromatography for determination of molecular weight, a key parameter in polymer performance. This unit takes students from the basic polymer science through the principles and practical applications of all these techniques, up to the level of knowledge required to confidently assess the properties and nature of any polymer sample.
Structure and Mechanical Properties of Polymers
In comparison to traditional engineering materials, polymers exhibit a unique combination of physical and mechanical properties. This unit explores the relationships between structure and properties in polymeric materials. Topics include: Amorphous polymers – the glass-rubber transition (Tg); Semi-crystalline polymers - crystalline structure and morphology, microscopy and x-ray diffraction; Network polymers – network structure and rubber elasticity; Viscoelasticity – time-dependent behaviour; Mechanical properties – elastic deformation, yield behaviour, fracture, oriented polymers (films and fibres); Polymer composites – stiffness, strength and fracture of continuous- and discontinuous-fibre systems.
Polymer Processing and Industrial Case-Study
The processing of polymers is undertaken on a vast industrial scale, using numerous techniques to produce a huge array of products, many of which we see every day.
This unit explores both the basic science behind processing, i.e. polymer melt rheology and heat transfer, as well as a wide range of process technologies for the production of common artefacts. The unit culminates with a case study exercise in which teams of students are presented with a "real-life" technical problem that has been faced by the polymer processing industry. The study is led by a leading industrialist and the teams compete in a presentation of their analysis of the problem and suggested solutions.
Engineering Design and Communication
Polymer scientists and engineers do not work in isolation; we need to communicate our ideas and understanding to others, and will only succeed if we work with others in the planning and design of projects and research. We also must appreciate the needs of design engineers, if we are to select and design materials that are fit for purpose. This unit introduces students to engineering design concepts as well as design skills, such as FE modelling, experimental design and statistics. As a team, you will undertake a design case study, centred on materials selection. You will also develop your written and oral communication skills as you prepare and plan for your research project.
Soft Matter and Nanotechnology (option)
This unit explores aspects of polymer physics; in particular chain dynamics, time and temperature dependent behaviour of polymers, chain-chain interactions, deformation and molecular dynamics, thin films, photolithography, patterning and nanoelectronics and nanotubes. In-depth analyses of the physics and chemistry behind emerging nanotechnologies are developed and examples of state-of-the-art applications are presented and discussed.
New Directions in Polymerisation (option)
This unit takes students to the frontiers of new polymer material synthesis, covering such areas as: "living" polymerizations and their use in preparation of dendrimers, hyperbranched polymers and cyclic polymers; conjugated and conducting polymers; light-emitting polymers; metallo-polymers; and high-performance polymers for demanding materials applications. The emphasis is on the cutting edge of polymer design and synthesis, and as such, unit content evolves rapidly in response to the latest developments. This unit particularly suits those students wishing to develop their knowledge of polymer chemistry.
You will be assessed by a combination of examinations and course work, and you will complete an industrial case study which supports development of your transferable skills.
Your options
You can choose to take the programme at Certificate, Diploma or MSc level and in full-time, part-time or online distance-learning format.
Entry requirements
MSc qualification
You will need a UK lower-class (2.2) Honours degree in a Science, Engineering or Technology field, or equivalent International degree.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements and / or have a mix of other postgraduate or professional qualifications and relevant work experience, then your application will be considered for the progressive entry route, which means that you will be registered for the Certificate or Diploma level and you will be assessed at the end of each level before you progress to the next stage.
Diploma and Certificate qualification
For the Diploma and Certificate qualifications we will consider your application on an individual basis. You can apply with a mix of UK Honours or equivalent International degree, professional qualifications and postgraduate work experience.
Scholarships
This programme is part of the Manchester Materials Masters (MMM) programme, and is applicable to the MMM Scholarships for 2007.