Preparing Pitt students for research and careers in the interdisciplinary world of materials science: Polymer ChemistryMr. McGuire: I just want to say one word to you. Just one word.Benjamin: Yes, sir.Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?Benjamin: Yes, I am.Mr. McGuire: Plastics.--“The Graduate”, 1967Although our undergraduates are too young to remember this movie—most were born in the late 1990s—the message from this memorable scene in whichDustin Hoffman’s character receives career advice from a family friend has only increased in relevancy given today’s technologically driven economy. Indeed, our own students have received the message on a daily basis. Surrounded by the products of the early progress in materials science, e.g., smart phones, engineered fabrics for sportswear, and food packaging, students are excited to be part of the next wave of advances and are seeking to learn science that will allow them to contribute to new polymer application like 3D-printing and bioengineering. We have noticed this increased enthusiasm in the swelling enrollment for materials-focused polymer chemistry course (Fig. 1). Polymer Chemistry, which is a course devoted specifically to the study of plastics, is part of the Department of Chemistry’s commitment to preparing students for their future careers. This elective course which is targeted at senior undergraduates consists of both a lecture component, Chem 1600 (3 credits) and a lab, Chem 1605 (1 credit). Topics in the lecture include polymer synthesis, molecular characterization, and the measurement of bulk properties. Unusual in composition relative to most upper level chemistry classes, the course includes both undergraduate and graduate students and up to 40% of those who attend are from affiliated disciplines outside Chemistry: Chemical Engineering, Materials and Mechanical Engineering, and Pharmacy. This diverse combination of students is particularly appropriate for the course given the interdisciplinary nature of the materials science in general. Moreover, students benefit from the sharing of perspectives and specialized knowledge throughout the semester.Pitt is in many ways a pioneer in the offering a Polymer Chemistry course. Despite the importance of polymers in technology and Mr. McGuire’s timely advice, relatively few chemistry departments offer a course in polymer science to their students. The American Chemical Society (ACS) has recently recognized this omission as a significant deficiency and has changed the requirements for an ACS-certified degree to include polymer chemistry. The Pitt polymer course was started in 1986 by Prof. Frank Plankey, and then taught by Prof. Toby Chapman (now emeritus) for two decades. In 2008, Prof. Tara Meyer assumed responsibility for the course and has taught the class for all but one year since then. Prof. Alex Star taught the course in 2012. The polymer lab is, of course, one of the most educational and fun aspects of the course. The lab is held in the recently renovated advanced lab space on the 4th floor which is equipped with Schlenk lines, generous hoods and a 300 MHz NMR. Hands-on experience is ensured as the sections (2) are limited to a maximum of 8 students and one TA. During the course of the semester the students carry out a variety of different polymerizations and learn to isolate and characterize the products using techniques such as size exclusion chromatography (SEC) which helps determine chain length and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) which detect thermal transitions. While some labs involve classic experiments and techniques, two of the experiments performed are actually based research in the Asher and Meyer groups: 1) an emulsion polymerization which yields uncharged colloidal suspensions of polystyrene particles and 2) the preparation of a metal- and graphene oxide-crosslinked hydrogels. The students in the lab course are also taught through a series of increasingly complex assignments to write up the results of their experiments using standard scientific writing practices. Finally, it has to be said that the polymer lab offers an outcome which is rare in other chemistry lab courses, products whose properties can be directly experienced. Unlike many small molecule syntheses which produce the ubiquitous white powder, the product isolated from a polymer synthesis can often be characterized visually or by touch. Students can see and feel the difference between the products of a chain mechanism and a step-growth mechanism because the chain-derived product will be mechanically stronger and stiffer while the step-growth product will be more flexible and softer. Differences at the molecular level are translated to macroscopic bulk behavior. This direct experience helps students understand how molecular synthesis leads to the plastics that surround them and helps them understand how to design new materials.