Polymeric Materials and Biomaterials
Code: 102510Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | OP | 4 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Carolina Gimbert Suriñach
- Email :
- carolina.gimbert@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Carolina Gimbert Suriñach
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
It is advisable to have passed the subjects "Fundamentals in Chemistry I" and "Structure and Reactivity of Organic Compounds".
The subject is taught entirely in English, thus it is almost essential to have a good knowledge of this language.
Objectives
In "Polymeric materials and biomaterials" we will study the chemical and physical properties of most important polymers and biomaterials and the main preparation methods and applications. Basic concepts about characterization methods will be given.
The objectives of the course are:
1 Identify the main synthetic polymers.
2 Be familiar with the most important methods for the preparation and characterization of polymeric materials and biomaterials.
3 Determine and represent the structure of organic polymers and biomaterials.
4 Find out the properties of polymeric materials depending on their structure.
5 Describe the main applications of polymeric materials and biomaterials based on their structure.
Learning outcomes
- Communicate orally and in writing in one's own language.
- Manage the organisation and planning of tasks.
- Resolve problems and make decisions.
- Obtain information, including by digital means.
- Manage, analyse and synthesise information.
- Use IT to treat and present information.
- Communicate clearly in English.
- Work in a team and show concern for interpersonal relations at work.
- Reason in a critical manner
- Be ethically committed.
- Learn autonomously.
- Propose creative ideas and solutions.
- Show initiative and an enterprising spirit.
- Show motivation for quality.
- Show sensitivity for environmental issues.
- Analyse the composition, structure and molecular weight of polymeric materials using the most common measurement and characterisation techniques.
- Describe the kinetics, mechanisms, polymerisation techniques and most relevant examples of polymerisation reactions by stages and in chain.
- Identify the main parameters used to describe the thermomechanical behaviour of polymers, as well as other physical and chemical properties of interest.
- Propose the best processing methods and additives for polymeric materials in accordance with their end applications.
- Distinguish the main types of soft matter and their properties.
- Predict the product formed in polymerisation reactions.
- Synthesise and characterise solid materials with electrical, magnetic or optical properties, and measure said properties.
- Prepare and characterise polymeric materials and other types of soft matter.
- Prepare and characterise nanomaterials.
- Properly use the required material and instruments to prepare and characterise solid, soft and nano materials.
- Justify the results obtained in the laboratory from processes of synthesising and characterising solid, soft and nano materials on the basis of knowledge of their structure and properties.
- Properly handle the chemical products required to prepare solid, soft and nano materials.
- Identify the environmental impact of the use of polymeric materials and recycling demands.
- Recognise the English names of terms in the field of material science.
- Recognise the English names used in the field of preparing and characterising solid and soft materials, as well as in nanochemistry and nanomaterials.
- Read, analyse and extract information from texts in the English language on the different areas of the field of material chemistry.
Contents
1. Introduction: classification, nomenclature, composition, structure and morphology of synthetic polymers.
2. Synthesis and applications of polymers: classification of polymerization reactions (step-growth and chain polymerization, copolymerization, polymer curing, etc.).
3. Rheology and properties of polymers. Characterization techniques of polymers.
4. Formulation and processing: composites, fillers and additives. Polymer technology. Environmental aspects.
5. Soft matter: definition, liquid crystals, surfactants and colloids.
6. Biomaterials and natural polymers: introduction, main tissues, biomedical materials, natural polymers from plants and animals.
Laboratory practices
Synthesis and characterization of polymers of different nature.
Qualitative analysis and determination of polymer properties.
WARNING ON SECURITY IN THE LABORATORY
Any student involved in an incident because of negligence of security measures may be expelled from the laboratory and fail the course.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading of texts and recipes, and writing reports | 23 | 0.92 | 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 26, 29, 30, 31 |
| Lectures | 34 | 1.36 | 1, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 29, 30, 31 |
| Practical exercises | 18 | 0.72 | 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 |
| Tutoring | 4 | 0.16 | 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 29, 30, 31 |
| Studying and exercises solving | 64 | 2.56 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 29, 30, 31 |
Students will be involved in different types of activities throughout this course:
a) Lectures in class: in the classroom, lectures or flipped classroom about the contents of the subject will be carried out. In addition, questions and exercises will be solved. Students will also carry out laboratory sessions, consisting of the synthesis and characterization of polymeric materials.
b) Supervised activities: there will be tutorials to monitor the progress of students with different aspects of the subject when required.
c) Autonomous activities: students will study the contents of the course and solve exercises on their own. They will also read related texts related to the contents of the course and the experimental protocols. They might also be involve in the preparation of material for flipped classroom if required.
Teaching material
Students will have access to the slides used during lectures. These materials should be complemented by students using the suggested bibliographic resources.
Face-to-face classes
The face-to-face classes will be dedicated to the following aspects:
- To present and discuss the most difficult concepts of the subject, and to solve the doubts that may appear in lectures.
- To solve/comment exercises, that must have been previously solved by the students.
For this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively in study support tasks, such as bibliographic or information searches outside the classroom. In any case, the student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity/study.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writing exams module | 80% | 6 | 0.24 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31 |
| Laboratory module | 20% | 1 | 0.04 | 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 |
The assessment will be based on two modules, each having a specific weight in the final grade:
Practical module: this module is compulsory to pass the subject. The laboratory will be evaluated based on the ability and commitment demonstrated during laboratory sessions (50%) and a written exam about the experimental procedures and related concepts (50%). The practical module is considered passed when the average of the two activities is equal to or greater than 5.0 points out of 10, provided they have obtained a minimum of 4.0 out of 10 in both activities. The mark obtained in this practical module is equivalent to 20% of the final grade for the course.
In the case of a second enrollment to the course, students who have achieved the skills of the practical module in previous years (with a rating equal to or greater than 5.0 out of 10) they do not need to perform the practical module again.
Written test module: it will consist of two partial tests with a total weight of 40% each. The subject is considered passed when the average of the two tests grades is equal to or greater than 5.0 points out of 10, provided they have obtained a minimum of 4.0 out of 10 in both tests. If the final mark of the written test module is lower than 5.0 out of 10.0, it will be necessary to retake one or both failed exams with a score lower than 4.0 out of 10.
Passing the subject: to pass the subject it is necessary to have an average of 5.0 out of 10.0 of the two modules and to have completed the practical module.
Recovery exam: to undertake the recovery exam, the student should have previously been evaluated of all the continuous evaluation activities (two written exams and the laboratory sessions).
Students who do not pass the minimum scoring in the first and/or second written test and those with an average of less than 5.0 out of 10.0 for the overall subject can make a recovery exam, of the failed test or tests, after the second written test. The completion of this test involves giving up the qualification obtained in the firts and/or second written tests, but will keep the scoring and the weight of the practical module (20%).
When the number of assessment activities carried out is less than 25% (the practical module and two written tests), the grade will be “Not assessable”.
Single assessment: The single assessment is only applicable to the written tests module, and will consist of a single test in which the contents of the whole subject program will be evaluated using different types of exercises (multichoice questions, problem solving, concept development, etc.). The grade obtained in this test will account for 80% of the final grade of the subject. The minimum grade to pass the subject is a 5.0 out of 10 for this single test. The written tests module test for the single assessment modality will take place on the same day, time and place as the last continuous assessment test for the subject. The single evaluation of the written tests module can be recovered on the day set for the recovery of the subject, provided that the student has completed both the laboratory sessions and the written test. A student is graded as “non-assessable” following the same criterion as for the continuous evaluation. The review of the final grade follows the same procedure as for the continuous assessment.
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is not permitted in any assessment activity within the classroom, including midterm exams and exam related to the practical sessions. The lack of transparency in the use of AI in assessable activity will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may result in a partial or total penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.
The commission of any irregularity in an assessment activity (academic fraud, plagiarism or improper use of AI), which may lead to a significant variation in the grade, means that this activity will be graded with a 0. In the event that the teaching guide provides that to pass the subject it is an essential requirement to have obtained a minimum grade in this assessment act or that several irregularities occur in the assessment acts of the same course, the final grade for this course is 0. Additionally, a disciplinary process may be initiated against the student who incurs any of these irregularities.
Bibliography
Polymer Chemistry, C. E. Carraher, Jr. 10th edition, CRC 2017 (or any other previous edition). Available online: https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/avjcib/alma991000616389706709
Polymer Chemistry, S. Koltzenburg, M. Maskos, and O. Nuyken, 1st edition, Springer, 2017. Available online: https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991010401285506709
Introduction to Soft Matter: Synthetic and Biological Self-Assembling Materials, I. W. Hamley, Wiley, 2007. Available online: https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma99101034293720670
Polymer Synthesis: Theory and Practice, D. Braun, H. Cherdron, M. Rehahn, H. Ritter, B. Voit, 5th edition, Springer 2013.
Software
There is no recommended computer program for this subject.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | English | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 1 | English | first semester | afternoon |
| (PLABs) Suport a les pràctiques de laboratori | 1 | English | first semester | afternoon |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 2 | English | first semester | afternoon |
| (PLABs) Suport a les pràctiques de laboratori | 2 | English | first semester | afternoon |