Study Guide

Objectives

After completing the course, student
• understands the basics of synthetic polymers and biopolymers such as classification, polymerization, structures, characteristics and mechanical properties.
• understands the role of circular economy in this context.
• knows and is able to explain the operating principles of the most common identification methods of polymers.
• understands the importance of the laboratory safety working methods and instructions
• can apply working instructions and follow them, can apply testing standards and use the physical, chemical or analytical analyzing equipment in right way

Content

• Classification and abbreviated terms of synthetic polymers and biopolymers, general characteristics of plastics and elastics and polymer testing.
• Polymerization methods, depolymerization and degradation of polymers
• Identification of polymers
• Operating principles of spectrophotometric, chromatographic, thermoanalytic and electrochemical analysis instruments. Handling the results.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Knowing: The student knows the basics of polymers. The student can tell about mechanical and physical properties of polymers. The student understands the basic concepts and phenomena of material analysing and characterization methods.
Acting: The student manages the assigned tasks under supervision/assistance.
Being: The student is a little bit motivated, takes his/her responsibity for studying and is capable of working in a group. The student can give and take feedback.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Knowing: The student knows well the basics of polymers. The student can independently tell about mechanical properties of polymers. The student can explain the basic concepts and phenomena of material analysing and characterisation methods on more advanced level.
Acting: The student applies substance matter learnt in previous studies, makes a plan/plans before carrying out tasks, limits tasks/problems to have an appropriate scope, solves problems.
Being: The student can give and receive feedback actively and constructively, can cooperate responsibly and is ready to develop his/her interaction skills. The student recognizes and follows the important courses of action in the field. The student takes responsibility and commits to the group activities in addition to his/her own work.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Knowing: The student knows widely the basics of polymers. The student can independently determine mechanical properties of polymers and can apply his/her knowledge. The student has versatile and fluent ability to analyze phenomena realizing the limitations related to theories in use.
Acting: The student can search for diverse solution alternatives, justify his/her choices, assesses new solution alternatives, combines solution alternatives creatively or creates new ones.
Being: The student can cooperate responsibly, flexibly and constructively, develops his/her own and the group's interaction, works responsibly and in a committed manner considering the community and field requirements and needs.