Macromolecular Materials – (M.Sc.)

Contents

The two-year programme (120 ECTS) consists of courses worth 90 ECTS, followed by a Degree project, worth 30 ECTS. Two mandatory courses (15 ECTS) are included in the first year, and the remaining courses may be chosen from a list of 25 courses. From this list, 5 courses are regarded as particularly important, and the student is required to choose at least 3 of them. This gives the student a great opportunity to create his/her own curriculum. Guidelines and recommendations for course combinations will be given. Courses corresponding to 15 ECTS can be elected freely.

Mandatory courses
* Scientific theory and research methodology, 7.5 ECTS

The course provides an introduction to the theory and methodology of science, and is intended for the Master's student or new PhD student. One aim is to supply the basic concepts needed for placing the techniques and knowledge acquired in the student´s other courses into the wider context of the natural sciences. Another aim is to provide the basic intellectual tools that allow for a reasoned and critical assessment of results and methods from the wide variety of disciplines that the student is likely to encounter during his or her continued career in research and/or in professional life.

The course is given by the Division of Philosophy at KTH. 4.5 ECTS are relevent to students from all of KTH´s programmes taking the course, and 3 ECTS are specific to this programme.

* Mechanical properties of materials, 7.5 ECTS

Students who have completed the Materials Design programme at KTH may not take this course, but are instead required to take KD 1090 Organic chemistry 1. This course covers: basic continuum mechanics; constitutive relationships for different material classes (elastic, viscoelastic and viscous materials); time and temperature dependence of viscoelastic materials; fracture mechanics; modern construction and design facilities; molecular aspects on mechanical properties of materials; and entropy elasticity and viscoelasticity.

Elective courses

* Polymer physics, 7.5 ECTS

The goal of the course is to give basic knowledge about different states of polymers, their chemical-physical behaviour at these different states, and analysis methods of their properties. Other topics covered are: fundamental behaviour and properties of polymeric materials; analysis of physico-chemical properties; conformation and configuration of polymer chain; molecular weight, rubber elasticity, polymer solutions and mixtures, multicomponent systems, phase transitions, amorphous state and crystalline state; correlation between morphology, structure and properties; Viscoelasticity and rheology of polymers; and degradation processes.

* Polymer chemistry, 7.5 ECTS

In this course the different aspects of polymer chemistry are discussed. Polymer chemistry is a multidisciplinary science that deals with the chemical synthesis and chemical properties of polymers. This polymer chemistry course covers the synthetic techniques in common use in both academic and industrial laboratories for making a wide variety of polymers. All major synthetic methods are considered: step growth polymerisation, chain polymerisation with ionic and radical variations, copolymerisation, stereospecific polymerisation, coordination polymerisation, ring-opening polymerisation, and synthetic reactions on formed polymers. Emphasis is placed on how the various synthetic methods are used to control structural features such as molecular weight, branching, crosslinking, and crystallinity.

* Fibre technology - natural and synthetic fibres, 7.5 ECTS

This course includes the following: raw materials for papermaking and dry formed fibrous networks; the correlation between fibre and paper/fibre network properties; influence of unit operations in fibre processing on fibre and network properties (mechanical and optical properties); cellulose/water interactions; fibre swelling and its link to process/product properties; different methods of physically and chemically modifying fibre properties; hierarchical structure of paper/fibre networks, for example, for hygiene products; cellulose-based fibre composites and future developments; chemistry and structure of synthetic fibres.

* Inorganic materials chemistry, 7.5 ECTS

This course covers the following topics: research concerning new inorganic materials; description of the most important materials in natural and technical systems; theoretical models for understanding electrical, magnetic and mechanical properties as well as an introduction to cluster chemistry and the materials of "tomorrow"; fundamental coordination chemistry and determination of solid state structures; synthesis of materials and their applications; corrosion of inorganic materials.

* Biofibre Chemistry, ECTS

This course deals with the properties and technical processing of biofibres, with a focus on wood fibres, from a chemical perspective. The content is: biology of plants, parts of plants, wood and fibre morphology, chemical structure and properties of cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin and extractives. Non-wood plant fibres and biofibres from animals, and their applications. Chemistry of biorefinery, including chemical and mechnical pulping and bleaching, is also included in this course.

Year 1

* Mechanical Properties of Materials

* Scientific Theory and Research Methodology

* Polymer Physics

* Fibre Technology-Natural and Synthetic Fibres

* Biofibre Chemistry

* Inorganic Materials Chemistry

* Polymer Chemistry

* Polymeric Materials: Structure and Properties

* Advanced Organic Chemistry

* Biopolymers

* Surfaces, Colloids and Soft Matter

* Chemistry of a Biorefinery

* Spectroscopic Tools for Chemistry

* Biocomposite Materials

* Ideation- Creating a business Idea

* Biocatalysis

Year 2

* Surface Coatings Chemistry

* Master's thesis, 30 ECTS

* Polymer Engineering

* Biomedical Materials

* Pulp and Paper Processes

* Advanced Pulp and Paper Processes

* Design of Products in Materials Chemistry

* Corrosion and Surface Protection

* Nanostructured Materials

* Sustainable Systems for Heat, Power and Materials Production

Degree project
The Degree project is worth 30 ECTS. The thesis topic may be chosen from a list of available thesis projects at the School of Chemical Science and Engineering.