Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will operate a comprehen- sive course in polymer chemistry for university faculty who may wish eventually to teach this subject or to incorporate it into courses in analytical, organic, physical, or biochemistry. The approach aims to overcome much of the reluctance to consider polymer chemistry as an important aspect of undergraduate training in chemistry. The four-week course will be composed of lectures, lecture demonstrations, and laboratory experiments. In addition to preparing faculty to teach polymer chemistry comfortably and enthusiastically, the course will encourage faculty to consider supervising undergraduate research in polymer chemistry. In addition to NSF funds, participants' institutions will contribute about 15% in travel costs toward the cost of the project.
