While a number of chemistry for engineers textbooks have been published to date, the optimal content for a General Chemistry course specifically aimed at undergraduate engineering majors remains ambiguous. Introduction to organic functional groups early in the lecture course allows entrée into classroom discussions involving engineering material design, synthetic hurdles to molecular architecture targets, and technological applications showing evidence of analysis and evaluative active learning far above routine comprehension. Pedagogical material currently under development uses empirically derived molar group contributions to calculate polymer structure-property relationships in concert with principles taught throughout a conventional General Chemistry course. Student calculations and discussion range from thermal, interfacial, and transport polymer properties to chemical stability to optical, electrical, and mechanical polymer properties. Preliminary pedagogical efficacy studies and student feedback are discussed wherein significant overall student enthusiasm has been noted while fostering classroom discussion concerning polymer structure-property relationships applied to the design of state-of-the-art materials and their novel applications.

General chemistry pedagogy to engineering students <i>via</i> polymer structure-property relationships

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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General chemistry pedagogy to engineering students via polymer structure-property relationships