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Plastics Engineering Course Listings

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Co-Reqs: 26.215 Pl Process Eng Lab or 26.315 Plastics Proc Lab III or 26.415 Capstone Design I or 26.574 Adv Phys Prop Lab.
 
 
 
This three-semester sequence details the chemistry, properties, processing and design characteristics of both thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers. The structure/property relationships of amorphous and semi-crystalline polymers will be reviewed. Representative end-use applications of commodity, engineering, and specialty plastics will be discussed, along with updated comments on contemporary industry-related problems, including feedstock availability and alternatives, regulatory affairs, and environmental issues.
 
Pre-Reqs: 84.121 Chemistry I or 84.117 Selected Topics in Chemistry.
 
This three-semester sequence details the chemistry, properties, processing and design characteristics of both thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers. The structure/property relationships of amorphous and semi-crystalline polymers will be reviewed. Representative end use applications of commodity, engineering, and specialty plastics will be discussed, along with updated comments on contemporary industry-related problems, including feedstock availability and alternatives, regulatory affairs, and environmental issues. 
 
Pre-Req: 26.201 Polymer Materials I.
 
 
The Professional Development Seminar is designed to provide students with the necessary structure, resources, and support to successfully secure and engage in their first Plastics Cooperative Education experience. Through a variety of interactive teaching methodologies and assignments, students will participate in a sequence of learning activities including self-assessment, industry research, and the development of co-op learning objectives, the job search process (resume-writing, strategic interviewing, professional networking) and professional behavior and presentation skills. The goal of the course is to assist each student in developing a sound plan of action to successfully participate in the cooperative education experience. 
 
Equilibrium of structures subjected to forces and moments. Area and mass moments of inertia,. Internal forces, shear and bending moments acting on loaded structures, including cantilevers, beams, trusses, bridges and machine frames. Friction.
 
Pre-Reqs: 92.131 Calculus I and 95. 141 Physics I.
 
Cam-generated motion, including design of cams and dynamics of cam follower. Multibar mechanisms including analysis of their displacement, velocity and acceleration. 
 
A laboratory course to study polymer processing methods. Experiments are designed so that the student will understand the theory of polymer conversion techniques by the interaction between process variables and materials. Some of the conversion methods studied are extrusion, injection molding, rotomolding, thermoforming, compounding and mixing.
 
Co-Req: 26.201 Polymer Materials I, 26.001 Plastics Safety Lecture.
 
Continuation of 26.215. 
 
Pre-Req: 26.215 Pl Processing Eng Lab; Co-Reqs: 26.202 Polymer Materials II and 26.002 Plastics Safety Lecture.
 
Introductory course developing the fundamentals of design principles in plastics applications. Commercial design software will be used.
 
The principles of thermodynamics, a study of the first and second laws of thermodynamics with applications to classic power generation and refrigeration systems. The concepts of entropy, reversibility, irreversibility and availability. 
 
Pre-Req: 92.132 Calculus II and 95.141 Physics I.
 
Basic concepts dealing with the interpretation of experimental engineering results. Deterministic vs. stochastic processes. Elementary probability theory and common distributions. Graphical analysis and mathematical modeling. Statistical parameters and their applications to quality control, and tests of significance. Design of experiments (DOE) for process development and optimization.
 
The primary goal of this course is to assist students in assessing the value and learning derived from their recent Cooperative Education I experience. Through facilitated small group discussion, the review of learning objectives, mid-term and final performance reviews, and reflective and technical written work, students will examine their on the job learning, skill attainment, and performance. 
 
Pre-Reqs: 26.210 Prof Dev Seminar and 26.491 Coop Educ I.
 
26.314 Fluid FlowCredits: 3
Statics and dynamics of Newtonian and Non-Newtonian fluids. Bernoulli equation, flow in closed conduits, measurement of fluid flow, external flow, rheology of melts, control volume, temperature and entrance effects. Applications of flow equations to plastics processing.
 
Pre-Req: 92.132 Calculus II.
 
A continuation of the processing laboratory sequence with emphasis on advanced processes and control of plastics processing. Processes include twin-screw extrusion, blow molding, and injection molding while process control examines hydraulic circuits, process control systems, transfer methods in injection molding, and process windows. 
 
Pre-Reqs: 26.216 Pl Process Eng Lab II, 26.202 Polymer Materials II; Co-Req: 26.001 Plastics Safety Lecture.
 
The fourth course of the processing laboratory sequence examines experiment design and analysis of variables, statistical quality control and statistical process control.
 
Pre-Reqs: 26.216 Pl Process Eng Lab II, 26.202 Polymer Materials II; Co-Req: 26.002 Plastics Safety Lecture.
 
26.348 Heat TransferCredits: 3
Theory and application of steady and transient heat conduction, convection, and radiation. Heat transfer in plastics processing. Analysis of heat exchangers. 
 
Pre-Reqs: 92.231 Calculus III & 92.234 Differential Equations or 92.236 Eng Differential Equations.
 
Course work entails the introduction to the fundamentals of plastics mold and die engineering with the objective to develop an overall appreciation of the mold engineer's job. Emphasis is placed on an integrated approach to mold engineering which includes the interrelationships of polymeric materials, engineering principles, processing, and plastics product design: mold and die design/construction, and design communications. Laboratory consists of the actual design of a mold or mold components with emphasis on CAD and computerized Material Databases. A semester project is required. Junior status or permission of instructor.
 
Pre-Reqs: 26.218 Intro to Design and 26.314 Fluid Flow.
 
A study of the fundamental principles of polymer processing, i.e., the conversion of the polymeric materials into useful articles. Correlation between process variables, material characteristics and parts design are studied to determine the functional relationships between them. " 
 
Pre-Req: 26.215 Pl Processing Eng Lab and 26.216 Pl Process Eng Lab II.
 
A continuation of 26.377.
 
Pre-Req: 26.377 Plastics Process Engineering I.
 
An introduction to polymer science with a focus on making polymers. Topics covered include the chemistry, kinetics, and statistics of step and chain polymerizations and copolymerizatios, polymerization processes. Industrially relevant polymers and commercial polymerization processes will be highlighted, with coverage of the health and safety aspects of various approaches to the preparation of various polymers given. 
 
Pre-Req: 26.202 Polymeric Materials II and 84.204 Intro to Organic & Polymer Chemistry.
 
An introduction to polymer science with a focus on polymer properties and behavior. Topics covered include analytical techniques (chemical, thermal, and microstructural analysis of polymers, measurement of molecular weight distribution, etc.), as well as the underlying pnysical, rheological and solution properties that make these techniques possible.
 
Pre-Req: 26.381 Polymer Science for Engineers I.
 
Synthesis of polymers by step growth, condensation, suspension and free radical emulsion polymerization techniques. Fundamental concepts in polymerization kinetics and mechanism will be covered as well as strucure-propery considerations and polymerization with functional groups. 
 
Pre-Req: 84.204 Intro Organic & Polymer Chem; Co-Req: 26.381Polymer Sci for Engineers I.
 
Polymer characterization techniques including molecular weight distribution by gel permeation chromatography, crystallinity and order by differential scanning calorimetry; polymer morphology and surface properties,and spectroscopic (nuclear magnetic resonance, Raman, infrared) and mechanical (tensile, dynamic mechanical, rehological) techniques will also be covered.
 
Pre-Reqs: 84.204, 26.381, 26.383; Co-Req: 26.382.
 
Topics covered in this course include linear viscoelasticity, creep, stress relaxation, dynamic behavior, hysteresis, stress-strain response phenomena, principles of time-temperature superposition, rubber elasticity, failure and fracture mechanisms for polymers, and the effect of additives on mechanical behavior. Real life design examples are used to demonstrate the topics and concepts as much as possible. 
 
Pre-Reqs: 26.211 Engineering Mechanics, 26.202 Polymer Materials II, and 92.231 Calculus III.
 
Basic principles of control systems used with plastics processing equipment. Included are instrumentation, signal conditioning, data acquisition, feedback control, process monitoring, data reduction, SPC/SQC, and Taguchi methods.
 
Pre-Req: 92.234 Differential Equations or 92.236 Eng Differential Equations.
 
The fundamental relationships between molecular structure, properties and end-use applications of plastics materials will be explored in detail. Molecular structural features include chemical composition, molecular size and flexibility, intermolecular order and bonding, and supermolecular structure. Properties include processability, mechanical, acoustic, thermal, electrical, optical and chemical properties, price, and balance of properties. Applications include rigid solids, flexible solids, foams, film and non-plastic applications. 
 
Pre-Req: 26.202 Polymeric Materials II.
 
Individual research projects in plastics chemistry, properties, processing, products, and industry organization. Students will review the existing literature, obtain materials and equipment, plan and carry out research programs and submit final reports for publication.
 
Co-Req: 26.001 Plastics Safety Lecture.
 
The primary goal of this course is to assist students in assessing the value and learning derived from their Cooperative Education Experience II experience. Through facilitated small group discussion, the review of learning objectives, mid-term and final performance reviews, and reflective and technical written work, students will examine their on the job learning, specific skill attainment and overall co-op performance. Students will also demonstrate their work through the development of specific technical report writing, presentation, projects or poster sessions that will be shared with others, including, but not limited to, their Faculty Co-op Advisor, other engineering faculty, peers, and employers. 
 
Pre-Reqs: 26.210 Prof Dev Seminar, 26.310 Coop Assessment I, 26.491 Coop Ed I and 26.492 Coop Ed II.
 
Two-semester capstone laboratory. Student groups design, perform, analyze, report, and defend a research project which incorporates the processing and characterization of plastics materials. Supporting practicums on literature searches, plastics processing, basic plastics testing techniques, and data analysis are included in the course.
 
Co-Req: 26.001 Plastics Safety Lecture; and Level equal to Senior.
 
Continuation of 26.415. 
 
Level Senior Standing; Pre-Req: 26.415 Capstone Design I; and Co-Req: 26.002 Plastics Safety Lecture.
 
A section of capstone laboratory for honor students only. Honors student groups design, perform, analyze, report and defend a research project which incorporates the processing and characterization of plastics materials. Supporting practicum on literature serches, plastics processing, basic plastics testing techniques, and data analysis are included in the course. Corequisite: 26.416. Prerequisites: 26.301, 26.306, 26.315, 26.378.
 
Pre-Reqs: 26.301, 26.306, 26.315, 26.378; Co-Req: 26.416; Honors only.
 
Theoretical principles and sound engineering practice involved in the design of new end products made from polymers, applying the total systems approach to the balance between product design, choice of materials, tool design, and process techniques, as they affect competitive choices for commercial success. A semester project is required. 
 
Pre-Req: Senior status.
 
An interdisciplinary course taught by faculty from the Chemical, Mechanical and Plastics Engineering Departments, who have special knowledge in nanoscale fluid mechanics and heat transfer. The course on nanoscale transport phenomena constitutes a bridge between existing fluid and heat transfer courses in multiple disciplines and emerging nanoscale science and engineering concepts to reflect the forefront of nanomanufacturing. The course is designed to incorporate recent advances in manufacturing polymer based nanodevices. Key issues of the implementation and maintenance costs for fabrication will be addressed. Hands-on laboratory experiments will be performed to complement the lectures with the ultimate goal of designing and building a complete nanodevice at the end of the course. The course will prepare graduates for employment focused on designing and manufacturing nano/microfluidic systems, lab on a ship devices, electronic devices, medical devices and other emerging technologies.
 
Pre-Req: 26.314 Fluid Flow, 26.348 Heat Transfer, and 26.218 Intro to Design.
 
This zero credit course is designated for undergraduates who are participating in the Plastics voluntary co-op curricular track, and have successfully secured their first, full-time 3 month co-op employment. The industrial experience is designed to provide students the opportunity to develop and enhance their technical and professional skills. All students registered for this course will develop and submit written learning objectives, participate in employer and employee performance assessments, and complete a written report and/or presentation of their co-op experience. This course is open only to students who have submitted a co-op contract to the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education. 
 
Pre-Req: 26.210 Professional Development Seminar.
 
This zero-credit course is designated for undergraduates who are participating in the Plastics voluntary co-op curricular track and have already successfully completed 26.491 and their first, full-time 3 month co-op employment. The industrial experience is designed to provide students with the opportunity to further advance their professional and technical skills. All students registered for this course will develop and submit written learning objectives, participate in employer and employee performance assessments, and complete a written report and/or presentation of their co-op experience. This course is open only to students who have submitted a co-op contract to the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education.
 
Pre-Req: 26.491 Industrial Experience I, and 26.210 Prof Development Seminar.
 
This three credit course is specifically designated for undergraduates who are engaged in full-time co-op employment during either of the academic semesters. The 6 month industrial experience is designed to provide students with the opportunity to significantly advance their professional and technical skills. All students registered for this course will develop and submit written learning objectives, participate in employer and employee performance assessments, and complete a written report and/or presentation of their co-op experience. This course is open only to students who have submitted a co-op contract to the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education. Special Note: Enrollment in this course is mandatory if students expect to retain their full-time student status and remain eligible for health insurance and student loan deferment. 
 
Pre-Req: 26.210 Professional Development Seminar.
 
This three credit course is designated for upperclassmen who have not previously participated in full-time co-op summer employment. The 3 month industrial experience is designed to provide students the opportunity to develop and enhance their technical and professional skills. All students registered for this course will develop and submit written learning objectives, participate in employer and employee performance assessments, and complete a written report and/or presentation of their co-op experience. This course is open only to students who have submitted a co-op contract to the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education.
 
This zero-credit course is designated for upperclassmen who have previously participated in full-time semester and/or summer co-op employment and have already received three technical elective credits through an Industrial Experience course. This industrial experience is designed to provide students the opportunity to further enhance and develop their technical and professional skills. All students registered for this course will develop and submit written learning objectives, participate in employer and employee performance assessments, and complete a written report and/or presentation of their co-op experience. This course is open only to students who have submitted a co-op contract to the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education. 
 
Pre-Requisites: 26.491, or 26.492, or 26.493, or 26.494.
 

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