City University of Hong Kong

Course Syllabus

offered by Department of Materials Science and Engineering

with effect from Semester A 2018 / 19

Part I Course Overview

Course Title: Polymer Engineering

Course Code: MSE3113

Course Duration: One semester

Credit Units: 3

Level: B3

Arts and Humanities

Proposed Area:
(for GE courses only) Study of Societies, Social and Business Organisations
Science and Technology
Medium of
Instruction: English

Medium of
Assessment: English

Prerequisites:
(Course Code and Nil
Title)
AP2102/MSE2102 Introduction to Materials Engineering
Precursors: AP2104/MSE2104 Mechanics of Solids
(Course Code and MA1201 Calculus and Basic Linear Algebra II or
Title) MA2157 Foundation Mathematics and Statistics or
MA2176 Basic Calculus and Linear Algebra
Equivalent Courses:
(Course Code and AP3113 Polymer Engineering
Title)
Exclusive Courses:
(Course Code and Nil
Title)

Course Syllabus 1
Jun 2017
Part II Course Details

1. Abstract

Polymers are commonly used in the industry nowadays. As a class of material, polymers possess many
distinct characteristics when compared to other traditional materials such as metals and ceramics. This
course aims to lay down the foundation knowledge in polymer science and its engineering applications
in such a way that the students can identify the appropriate concepts required in given engineering
problems and apply them to formulate suitable engineering solutions.

2. Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)

(CILOs state what the student is expected to be able to do at the end of the course according to a given
standard of performance.)

No. CILOs# Weighting* Discovery-enriched

(if curriculum related
applicable) learning outcomes
(please tick where
appropriate)
A1 A2 A3
1. Demonstrate the macromolecular nature of polymers in √
industrial applications.
2. Identify the importance of additives in plastics √
formulations.
3. Apply the basic theories on the mechanical behaviours of √
polymers to solve simple engineering (such as deformation
and fracture) problems.
4. Apply basic rheological theories to solve simple problems √
in melt characterization and polymer processing.
5. Recognize the environmental issues of using polymers in √
the industry.
* If weighting is assigned to CILOs, they should add up to 100%. 100%
#
Please specify the alignment of CILOs to the Gateway Education Programme Intended Learning
outcomes (PILOs) in Section A of Annex.

A1: Attitude
Develop an attitude of discovery/innovation/creativity, as demonstrated by students possessing a
strong sense of curiosity, asking questions actively, challenging assumptions or engaging in
inquiry together with teachers.
A2: Ability
Develop the ability/skill needed to discover/innovate/create, as demonstrated by students
possessing critical thinking skills to assess ideas, acquiring research skills, synthesizing
knowledge across disciplines or applying academic knowledge to self-life problems.
A3: Accomplishments
Demonstrate accomplishment of discovery/innovation/creativity through producing /constructing
creative works/new artefacts, effective solutions to real-life problems or new processes.

Course Syllabus 2
Jun 2017
3. Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs)
(TLAs designed to facilitate students’ achievement of the CILOs.)

TLA Brief Description CILO No. Hours/week (if

1 2 3 4 5 applicable)
Lecture / Explain the key concepts in √ √ √ √ √ 39
Tutorial Mechanics of solids in an
interactive manner
Laboratory To demonstrate some of the key √ √ 12
topics learned in Lecture/Tutorial
by experimentation
Total(hrs) 51

4. Assessment Tasks/Activities (ATs)

(ATs are designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs.)

Assessment Tasks/Activities CILO No. Weighting* Remarks

1 2 3 4 5
Continuous Assessment: 50%
Tests √ √ √ √ √ 20 There will be two
1-hour tests, each
carries 10%
Lab reports √ √ 20 Students need to
complete a number of
experiments that
demonstrate the
principles discussed in
lectures/tutorials
Assignments √ √ √ √ √ 10 Take-home or in-class
assignments
Examination^: 50% (duration: 2 hours)
* The weightings should add up to 100%. 100%

^ For a student to pass the course, at least 40% of the maximum mark for the examination must be
obtained.

Course Syllabus 3
Jun 2017
5. Assessment Rubrics
(Grading of student achievements is based on student performance in assessment tasks/activities with the following rubrics.)

Assessment Task Criterion Excellent Good Fair Marginal Failure

(A+, A, A-) (B+, B, B-) (C+, C, C-) (D) (F)
1. Tests Able to solve High Significant Moderate Basic Not even reaching the
numerical problems, marginal level
and demonstrate the
understanding of
basic principles
2. Lab reports Ability to explain the High Significant Moderate Basic Not even reaching the
methodology and marginal level
results from
experiments
3. Assignments Able to solve High Significant Moderate Basic Not even reaching the
numerical problems, marginal level
and demonstrate the
understanding of
basic principles
4. Examination Able to solve High Significant Moderate Basic Not even reaching the
numerical problems, marginal level
and demonstrate the
understanding of
basic principles

Course Syllabus 4
Jun 2017
Part III Other Information (more details can be provided separately in the teaching plan)

1. Keyword Syllabus
 Basic concepts of polymer science
Thermoplastics, thermosets and rubbers. Addition, condensation and network polymerization.
Molecular weight distribution and their measurement. Amorphous and crystalline polymers.
Stereoisomerism. Copolymers.
 Polymer melt rheology
Types of flows: Bulk deformation, elongational flow and shear flow. Non-Newtonian flow. Analysis
of simple flows. Rheometry: Melt flow index, capillary rheometer, cone and plate rheometer.
 Polymer processing
Extrusion: Extruder and extrusion dies. Basic consideration on mixing. Single screw and twin screw
extruders. Injection moulding: The gate, runner, and mould. Control of pressure, temperature and
time. Other processes.
 Rubber elasticity
Models for rubber elasticity. Rubber springs.
 Viscoelasticity
Creep, stress relaxation, and dynamic experiments. Boltzmann superposition principle.
Time-temperature superposition.
 Yield and fracture
Shear yielding: Eyring’s model, yielding under multiaxial stresses. Impact fracture of polymers.
Dynamic critical strain energy release rate.
 Additives
The need for additives. Types of additives. Properties modifications.
 Polymers and their properties
Commodity thermoplastics. Fibres. Elastomers. Thermosets. Engineering polymers. Specialty
polymers. Polymer blends.
 Environmental considerations
Plastics recycling. Biodegradable polymers.

2. Reading List
2.1 Compulsory Readings
(Compulsory readings can include books, book chapters, or journal/magazine articles. There are also
collections of e-books, e-journals available from the CityU Library.)

1. N G McCrum, C P Buckley and C B Bucknall, “Principles of Polymer Engineering”, 2nd Ed.,

Oxford Science Publications (1997). (TA455.P58 M334 1997)

Course Syllabus 5
Jun 2017
2.2 Additional Readings
(Additional references for students to learn to expand their knowledge about the subject.)

1. L. H. Sperling, Introduction to Physical Polymer Science (4th Edition), John Wiley & Sons,
2006 (Springer e-book)
2. J R Fried, “Polymer Science and Technology”, Prentice Hall (1995). (QD381.F73 1995)
3. T A Osswald and G Menges, “Materials Science of Polymers for Engineers”, Hanser
Publishers (1996). (TA455.P58 O68 1996)

Course Syllabus 6
Jun 2017