Polymers are a vast and interdisciplinary field, encompassing synthesis, mechanical and physico-chemical properties, and a wide range of applications. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of polymer materials, serving as a solid foundation for students who wish to specialize further in any specific aspect of the field.

The course covers the essentials of polymer chemistry, synthesis, and characterization techniques, as well as polymer processing. It also explores the diverse applications of polymers, from established industrial uses to emerging research and development topics.

By the end of this course, students will be able to understand the fundamental principles of polymer chemistry and synthesis ; characterize polymers using standard techniques and relate polymer structure to mechanical and physico-chemical properties.

Two laboratory sessions complement the lectures:

The first session focuses on polymer synthesis, allowing students to practice fundamental experimental skills.

The second session involves correlating polymer characteristics with mechanical properties through tensile testing.

This course is designed for students with no prior background in polymers.