There is an increasing awareness of the importance of macromolecular chemistry. Indeed, some exposure at the undergraduate level for chemistry majors is now recommended by the American Chemical Society. The focus of this project, through the acquisition of appropriate instrumentation, is to significantly improve the level of exposure for students to several important aspects of polymer chemistry. A core course was in place but had several gaps in the laboratory program. Specifically, the significant areas of thermal analysis and molecular weight distribution were treated only with "dry labs". The acquired Differential Scanning Calorimeter and High Pressure Gel Permeation Chromatograph allowed a number of in- depth experiments to be done, not only in Polymer Chemistry, but in several upper level courses as well. The institution contributed to this project in an amount equal to the NSF funds.
