The aim of this proposal is to improve the quality of the laboratory courses involved in the Composites and Polymers Program at New Mexico State University. This multi-disciplinary program involves the chemistry, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and engineering technology and is focused on the manufacture, processing, testing and design of fiber-reinforced polymeric composites. The improvement will be accomplished by incorporating modern instrumentation and equipment for three laboratory courses: Polymers and Composites Laboratory: Advanced Materials Technology Laboratory and the Composites Team Project Laboratory. Curriculum and course content developments are being accomplished with the aid of funding provided by industrial co-sponsors. The laboratory courses are strongly correlated to current industrial problems. A key feature of the program is an emphasis of the multi-disciplinary nature of and team approach to composite materials manufactured. These improvements will have a large impact on the students passing through the program, and can provide a model for other multi-disciplinary polymer and composite materials laboratory programs.
