Coatings programs.

Presented here are summaries of the university programs supported by the Coatings Industry Education Foundation (CIEF). Currently, the CIEF supports programs at California State Polytechnic University, DePaul University, Eastern Michigan University, North Dakota State University, The University of Missouri-Rolla, and The University of Southern Mississippi.

Polymers and Coatings Program at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, one of the 23 campuses of the California State University system, enrolls over 18,000 students and is nationally recognized for the excellence of its programs in architecture, agriculture, engineering, and the sciences. Extensive hands-on experience with modern techniques and equipment is a hallmark of the undergraduate education offered at Cal Poly/SLO. The polymers and coatings program was developed with the support of the FSCT and its member societies. An Industrial Advisory Council provides support and guidance for the program. The Council includes representation from 20 major coatings manufacturers and raw materials suppliers. During the past year the Council has been working to raise funds for the new Western Coatings Technology Center to be housed in the proposed Science Center. Construction of the new center is planned to begin in 2008. The Western Coatings Technology Center will provide a state-of-the-art facility for polymers and coatings research and education and will include three major laboratories, a conference center, and faculty offices. This project must be funded entirely by private donations.

The polymers and coatings programs at Cal Poly include an undergraduate concentration, a masters program leading to an MS degree in Polymers and Coatings Science, and short courses offered during winter and summer. The concentration provides educational and professional experience to chemistry and biochemistry majors who wish to specialize in polymers and coatings sciences, and to materials engineering majors who want a background in polymers and coatings. The program meets the American Chemical Society requirements for certification as a chemistry/polymers degree. Some Cal Poly/SLO students receive scholarships sponsored by the LASCT and scholarships supported by the FSCT through CIEF.

The concentration includes five courses, including two laboratory courses, and comprises a total of 18 quarter units. An industrial internship, lasting from three to six months, is a central part of the undergraduate program. Graduates completing the concentration have the academic knowledge, technical training, and applied experience to enter the polymer and coatings industries. Students graduating last year accepted positions with a wide-range of companies and several are continuing their studies at graduate school.

The initiation of a new MS degree program in Polymers and Coatings Science in Fall 2002 marked a major milestone for Cal Poly's Polymers and Coatings program. The focus of the program is a structured industrial internship or an industry sponsored research project. This not only takes the place of the traditional thesis, but involves students undertaking directed study while on the internship or working on their project and writing research papers related to their internship or project. With this approach, the internship/project serves as both coursework and research. This program has two different tracks, a "4+1" track begun by selected undergraduates during their junior year and a more traditional track begun after completing a BS degree in a chemistry-related field. The MS program is suitable for those who have worked in industry since leaving school and who wish to obtain further advanced training in polymers and coatings science. Currently, there are 14 students enrolled in the MS degree program. Financial support from the Bill Moore Research Fellowship Endowment is available for qualifying masters degree candidates.

Industry-Related Research

Faculty and students are involved in a wide range of projects related to coating raw materials, formulations, and application aspects. The department's continuing research projects on surfactants, rheology modifiers, and their interactions are focused on developing solutions to real-world coating problems such as viscosity stability and color development issues. A growing area of research within our program is on nanotechnology applications in coatings. The faculty members have expertise in colloid and surface chemistry, dispersants and other additives, synthetic chemistry, rheology, and coating formulating methods and make significant contributions in these areas.

The students and faculty have also developed techniques that are crucial for the analysis of the new generation of coatings formulated to meet the more strict environmental requirements of state and governmental agencies. They have pioneered the use of solid phase microextraction for the analysis of volatile organic compounds in coatings. In addition, methods have been developed for analysis of both exempt compounds and very low (often called "zero VOC") coatings. These techniques also allow for the determination of speciated volatile organic compound levels, where both the total amount of volatile organic compounds and the amount of each specific compound are determined.

Other industry and government-funded projects include coatings for aircraft applications, applications of coatings in art restoration, and medical applications of polymers and coatings.

Requests from qualified industry and academic personnel to spend a sabbatical year at Cal Poly/SLO are most welcome.

Short Courses

The program offers two short courses, one during winter and another during summer. The winter short course on "Polymers and Coating Science" was held February 5-9, 2007. The summer "Introductory Coating Science and Technology" short course scheduled for July 9-13, 2007, includes both lecture and laboratory sessions. For further information on the polymers and coatings program at Cal Poly/SLO, visit the website, www.polymerscoatings.calpoly.edu, or contact Dr. Ray Fernando, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

Polymers and Coatings Technology Master's Degree Program at DePaul

Modern coatings, a $10 billion industry in the United States, protect and beautify our surroundings. The need for improved products, concern for their effects on the environment, and the need to conserve petroleum resources present new challenges to the coatings industry as well as new opportunities for chemists trained in coatings technology.

DePaul University is one of only four institutions in the United States that offers a graduate program of study in the coatings field. The program began in 1985 and has six to eight graduates each year.

Program Objectives

The main objectives of the program are twofold: to satisfy the demand for technical professionals in the coatings industry at an advanced level, and to provide an opportunity for Bachelor of Science level coatings chemists in the Chicago area to enhance their knowledge and skill for improved levels of performance and advancement in salary and rank.

Expert Faculty

The Department of Chemistry at DePaul University has 11 full-time faculty members and has been offering courses in polymer chemistry since 1971. Chemists from local industries teach specialized coatings courses.

Professional Endorsement

The Coatings Technology Program at DePaul University has received the endorsement and active support of the Chicago Society for Coatings Technology and the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology.

Admission Requirements

The program requires graduate admission to DePaul University. Candidates should have earned the Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry or its equivalent. The 12-course curriculum (44 quarter hours) requires about nine quarters of study. Required courses include five advanced courses in Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry; three courses in Polymer Chemistry (Synthesis, Characterization, and Physical Chemistry), and four courses in Coatings Technology, two of which are laboratory based.

All graduate courses are taught in the evening, with labs on Saturday morning. Students may also enroll in Coatings and Polymer courses as non-degree seeking students to enhance their knowledge.

Course Schedule

The specific schedule of courses taken will depend upon when the program is started, when courses are offered, and the student's personal preference regarding sequencing and course loads.

Fall quarter-odd year: Advanced Organic Chemistry I, CHE 450; Coatings Technology II, CHE 462; Coatings Technology Lab II, CHE 463

Winter quarter-even year: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I, CHE 422; Advanced Organic Chemistry II, CHE 452

Spring quarter-even year: Polymer Synthesis, CHE 430; Advanced Inorganic Chemistry II, CHE 424

Fall quarter-even year: Advanced Physical Chemistry I, CHE 470; Polymer Characterization, CHE 434

Winter quarter-even year: Advanced Physical Chemistry II, CHE 472

Spring quarter-odd year: Physical Chemistry of Polymers, CHE 432; Coatings Technology I, CHE 460; Coatings Technology Lab I, CHE 461

For more information contact: Dr. Gregory B. Kharas, DePaul University, Department of Chemistry, 1036 West Belden Ave., Chicago, IL 60614; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail]; www.depaul.edu./~alchemy.

Polymers & Coatings at Eastern Michigan

Eastern Michigan University's College of Technology program in Polymers and Coatings undergraduate and graduate study continues to be a leader in the U.S. in preparing quality scientific and technical workforce for the coatings industries. Faculty members with extensive research and industrial experience are employed to teach in the program and provide a solid content base for the program. Strong instructional programs are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels and research efforts are guided by effective industrial input through industrial advisory committees.

The Polymers & Coatings Technology programs focus on three principal goals: (1) to educate and prepare graduates to join coatings industry oriented companies and become productive on the day they begin their employment; (2) to establish and propagate a strong cooperative educational program to help students financially and allow them to gain valuable industrial experience; and (3) to provide a research experience through the Coatings Research Institute (CRI) for undergraduate and graduate students in the program.

Over the last few years a steady increase in enrollment of both undergraduate and graduate programs has been achieved. Availability of strong scholarship programs, research funding, and increasing awareness among the community about the opportunities in the field are primary reasons for this sustained growth. The contribution of the Coating Industry Education Fund (CIEF) in supporting theses programs has been significant.

With the increasing globalization of the economic and industrial arenas, the EMU Polymers and Coatings program has entered into long-term cooperative agreements with international academic institutions in Europe and Asia. This enables EMU to serve our students from a global perspective.

The Coatings Research Institute (CRI) of EMU, the only one of its kind in the U.S., has been providing exceptional opportunities to students for a high-tech research experience. CRI's mission is to be a leading academic organization that develops relevant scientific knowledge for understanding and for expanding the science and technology of paints, coatings, and nano-based materials. EMU and CRI are at the forefront of coatings science and are sponsoring a symposium, "Smart Coatings 2007," February 21-23 in Orlando, FL. Among other activities, CRI provides continuing education opportunities to coatings and allied industry personnel. Founded in 1985, the institute has grown as a center of excellence and since 1990 also houses The NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) in Coatings. To learn more, visit the department's website at www.emich.edu/public/coatings_research/.

Faculty/Staff

Dr. Theodore Provder is the Director, Coatings Research Institute in the College of Technology, and also is the Director of the National Science Foundation Industry/University Research Center in Coatings. He has more than 36 years industrial experience in coatings, polymers, plastics, and composites, of which 29 years experience was with ICI Paints (The Glidden Company) as principal scientist. He has over 120 publications and three patents which encompass his research interests in polymer and coatings characterization, cure chemistry and physics, film formation, and structure-morphology/property-end use relationships, and waterborne and powder coatings. Dr. Provder and coauthors were awarded the 2006 first-place Roon Award for the best scientific paper by the FSCT.

Professor Frank Jones is semi-retired but remains active in research, writing, and consulting. The 3rd edition of the book Organic Coatings: Science and Technology will be published by John Wiley & Sons early in 2007. Co-authors are Zeno Wicks, Frank Jones, Peter Pappas, and Douglas Wicks. Research interests include synthesis and applications of nano-particle latexes, very low-VOC and solventless coatings, artist paints, and coatings based on biocatalyzed polymers.

Professor Jamil Baghdachi continues as the coordinator for graduate studies and continues an active research program. Current interests include novel waterborne coatings from renewable sources, automotive and special purpose coatings, powder coatings, adhesion science and technology, durability and performance of coatings, coatings for corrosion prevention, color science and pigment dispersion technology, as well as smart coatings technology.

Professor John Texter joined the Polymers and Coatings department in August 2002 as a full Professor. He brings over 20 years experience in industrial small particle and coating technologies at Eastman Kodak Company. He also was a managing consultant for the Strider Research Corporation for four years. His research interests include particle synthesis, nanoparticle science and technology, microemulsion polymerization, coatings and emulsions based on renewable resources, color science, and various coating processes.

Professor Vijay Mannari serves as coordinator for the undergraduate program in Polymers and Coatings Technology. He has been associated with the polymers and coating field for 20 years, with a good blend of experience in teaching, research, and industry. His research interests include polymer synthesis, coatings based on renewable resources, waterborne and high-solids coatings, coatings for corrosion control and prevention, novel crosslinking chemistry, and UV-cure systems.

Professor Weidian Shen is Professor of Physics and Director, Surface Science Research Lab in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and an active research member in the Coatings Research Institute. His research interests include the study of surface morphology at the micro and nano-scale level using scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy instrumentation, micro/nano-mechanics at surfaces, and micro/nano-tribology. He has developed a new technique to characterize mar/scratch resistance and identify mar/scratch mechanisms of surface coatings quantitatively.

Adjunct Research Professor Ron Lewarchik joined Eastern Michigan University's Coatings Research Institute in September, 2004. Ron has 35 years of industry experience in coatings, polymers, and plastics in various management capacities including global director, Coil Coatings, for BASF, and vice president of Industrial Coatings Research and Technology for Morton International. He holds over 50 U.S. and foreign patents and three R & D 100 awards primarily concerning waterborne, high solids and UV cure polymers and coatings. Current research activities include low emissivity, coil, and automotive coatings.

Ph.D. (Technology) Program

EMU's Ph.D.(Technology) program commenced in Fall 2005. Among many disciplines, the doctoral students can pursue their research in the polymers and coatings concentration. Polymers and coatings programs are very well placed to serve the doctoral research fellows in terms of infrastructure, expertise, and institutional commitment.

Schedule for Academic Courses

The following academic courses are typically offered during the academic year.

Fall Semester: PC-310 Polymers for Engineers and Technologists; PC-400 Polymers & Coatings Tech.-I; PC-401 Polymers & Coatings Tech.-I (Lab); PC-479 Coating Raw Materials; PC-570 Coating Evaluation & Testing; PC-574 Cross-linking Technology for Coatings; PC-650 Powder Coatings

Winter Semester: PC-402 Polymers & Coatings Tech.-II; PC-403 Polymers & Coatings Tech.-II (Lab); PC-460 Coating Formulation; PC-503 Advanced Polymers & Coatings Tech. Lab.; PC-544 Waterborne Coatings; PC-592 Surface Modification; PC-652 Durability of Coatings

Contact Information

Dr. Theodore Provder, Director, Coatings Research Institute; Director, NSF I/UCRC in Coatings, 734.487.2203, [e-mail], www.emich.edu/public/coatings_research/.

Sandra Tanner, Coatings Research Institute Short Courses

734.487.2203

[e-mail]

www.emich.edu/public/coatings_research/schedule.html

Dr. Vijay Mannari, Undergraduate Studies Coordinator

734.487.1235

[e-mail]

http://cot.emich.edu/polymers/under-grad.html

Dr. Jamil Baghdachi, Graduate Studies Coordinator

734.487.3192

[e-mail]

http://cot.emich.edu/polymers/grad.html

Dr. Pauline Buchanan, Ph.D. Program Director for a degree in Technology with a concentration in Polymers and Coatings

734.487.2336

[e-mail]

www.emich.edu/public/coatings_research/graduate.html

Coatings and Polymeric Materials Study at NDSU

The Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials at North Dakota State University started in 1905 when the first paint chemistry course was offered as part of the chemistry curriculum. Today, the department has the only Ph.D. program focusing on coating science in the U.S. With both federal government and corporate research support, the faculty currently directs and performs research at a rate of approximately $4.5 million per year.

The Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials (C & PM) at NDSU is principally a graduate program, granting a Ph.D. or M.S. in Coatings and Polymeric Materials Science or a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Nanotechnology. The graduate program is open to all those with a suitable bachelor's degree. There is now a minor offered in Coatings and Polymeric Materials which provides technical skills and competence in the areas of polymers and coatings' materials. The minor is available to all undergraduates with the necessary prerequisites.

The department maintains interactions with the coatings industry. The focus of many of these relationships is the department's Industrial Advisory Board, IAB, which meets annually. The IAB reviews and makes recommendations on the C & PM program curriculum, helps identify technical trends in the field, and brings to the forefront student needs and their preparation for future employment. This is a vital, extensive, and integrated program that affects everyday activities that are key to the NDSU C & PM program.

Enrollment in coatings courses averages 10-15 students each year for our undergraduate classes. A major attraction for undergraduates is the scholarship program, which exceeds $25,000 a year. Scholarship sponsors include: Coatings Industry Education Foundation; Ira R. Messer Award; George A. Nichols (endowed by DeSoto); Northwestern Society for Coatings Technology; Carlton L. Rydstrom Sr. Memorial; Tnemec Company and its representatives supporting the Albert C. Bean Sr. Foundation, Ernest T. Trigg Scholarship, and Joseph A. Vasta Memorials (vested through CIEF); Valspar Foundation; Wicks Fund; Rheineck Memorial; and the Lowell F. Wood Fellowship.

In addition to Dr. Gelling, the department now has two more research professors. Dr. Hinderliter, who has been working with Dr. Croll for some years, and Dr. Allahar, who more recently joined the corrosion activity with Dr. Bierwagen. All the research professors may supervise graduate students together with Bret Chisholm, an adjunct professor who is with the Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering at NDSU.

The C & PM Department also offers Short Courses, held every summer. Our 2007 Coatings Science and Corrosion courses will be held June 4-15 on the NDSU campus in Fargo. These courses continue a tradition of providing excellent, intensive training in coatings science for industrial and government scientists who need to understand more about coatings and corrosion science.

Faculty

Professor Gordon Bierwagen (Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Iowa State University), who joined the department in 1989 after 20 years of industrial experience, continues his duties as Managing Editor of the Progress in Organic Coatings journal. Along with Prof. Dennis Tall-man (Chemistry) and Prof. Stuart Croll, Dr. Bierwagen directs studies of aircraft coatings for the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and is the Director of the NCSU Center for Surface Protection. His patented work on Mg-rich primers for the sacrificial protection of Al alloys is the only truly chrome-free protection system for aircraft and it has recently been licensed to Akzo Nobel. He is also involved with a Combinatorial Materials Research program supported by the ONR and directed by Prof. Dean Webster. Dr. Bierwagen currently has nine graduate students, three post-docs, and works directly with two researcher professors. In the past year Dr. Bierwagen has been chosen Researcher of the Year for the NDSU College of Science and Mathematics and in 2005-06 he had 25 refereed scientific journal articles, one book chapter (with Dennis Tallman), two patents, and 13 invited presentations.

Professor Dean Webster has been a faculty member since 2001. He came to NDSU after 17 years in industry with Eastman Chemical Company and Sherwin-Williams. Dean received his B.S. in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Materials Engineering Science from Virginia Tech. He currently has seven graduate students and two postdoctoral associates in his research group. His current research projects involve the design of UV-curable laminating polymers for electronic applications, synthesis of novel crosslinkers, synthesis of novel coatings for underwater marine applications, and preparation of nanocomposites for coatings applications. Dr. Webster has also been involved in the development of the Combinatorial Materials Research Laboratory in the NDSU Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering. He directs the Coatings Science Short Courses held in June of every year on the NDSU campus. He is a member of the Professional Development Committee of the FSCT and participates in the International Coatings Technology Conferences held in conjunction with ICE.

Professor Stuart Croll joined the faculty in 2000. He received his doctorate in polymer physics at the University of Leeds. After working in England he moved to the Division of Building Research in the National Research Council Canada. He later joined the Sherwin-Williams Co. before working with titanium dioxide pigments at Millennium Chemical Co. Professor Croll investigates the weathering durability of coatings by examining the kinetics of degradation using both theoretical and experimental methods. This work is supported by the Air Force and the Army. Other interests include occasional work on modern art preservation and using protein chemistry to assemble smart coatings. Dr. Croll is a member of the Journal of Coatings Technology and Research and Progress in Organic Coatings Editorial Boards, is an instructor in the FSCT short course on waterborne coatings, and is a member of the Committee for Careers and Professional Development for the American Physical Society.

Research Assistant Professor Victoria Johnston Gelling joined C & PM in October 2001. Dr. Gelling received her B.S. in Chemistry at LIND in 1996 and her Ph.D. from the Dept. of Chemistry at NDSU in 2001. Her current research is focused on corrosion inhibitors, conducting polymers, and the use of electrochemical methods to investigate coating degradation. In addition to her research activities, she is responsible for the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience program, undergraduate scholarships, and undergraduate recruiting. The Summer Undergraduate Research Program is available to students majoring in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, and related fields who have completed their junior year. The program provides students with an opportunity to become involved with research in polymers and coatings. Dr. Gelling currently has four undergraduates and two graduate students working in her group.

Dante Battocchi joined the department in 2001 as a graduate student, and has remained as a Research Associate after graduating in 2003. Mr. Battocchi holds a doctorate in material engineering from University of Trento (Italy) as well as an M.S. in Coating Science. His main research focus is the development and optimization of Mg-rich primer (the technology was licensed to Akzo Nobel in June 2006) for the aircraft market. He is actively involved in writing grants for future research projects and supervises graduate students in the corrosion group of the department. In the summer of 2006 he accepted a position as the Associate Director in the newly established Center for Surface Protection at NDSU, part of the ED-COE program.

Brian Hinderliter, Ph.D. in Engineering Physics-Materials Science from University of Virginia, started in the department in 2001 as a post-doctoral researcher. Previous experience after earning Master's Degrees in Health Physics and Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics from the University of Wisconsin at Madison includes seven years as a Nuclear Engineer and Health Physicist at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory. His research revolves around modeling and interpreting materials behavior, which includes Monte Carlo simulations of coating degradation, finite element simulations of electromagnetic and mechanical response of composite systems, and finite difference predictions of diffusion behavior under various conditions.

Kerry Allahar graduated in 2003 with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida with a specialty in Electrochemical Engineering with Professor Mark E. Orazem as his advisor. He then worked as a post-doctoral student for 18 months with Professor Daryl P. Butt in the Materials and Science Engineering Department at the University of Florida. He joined the Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials at North Dakota State University in March 2005 as a Research Scientist and was promoted to Research Assistant Professor in October 2006. His research activities include the development of embedded sensors for the in-situ monitoring of coating systems, the development of mathematical models for the transport processes within conducting polymers, and the application of ionic liquids for electrochemical characterization of coatings.

Further information about current activities and the NDSU C & PM Program can be obtained from Professor Stuart Croll, Chairman, Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105-5376. Contact the department at 701.231.7633; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail]; website: http://cpm.ndsu.nodak.edu/.

University of Missouri-Rolla, Coatings Institute

UMR reports that they had an excellent year at all levels, from research to educational activities. The UMR Coatings Institute has increased its presence in the coatings community through its email newsletter. This publication has been met with much enthusiasm and its subscription base is growing rapidly. The department's undergraduate and graduate enrollment is increasing with more American graduate students entering the program than in past years. They have added several new pieces of equipment, including the state-of-the-art UV2000 Weather-Ometer, which was donated by Atlas.

Newsletter

The UMR Coatings Institute has created a newsletter which is emailed to subscribers free of charge. The newsletter is published 10-20 times a year as news develops. Past issues are available on our website at web.umr.edu/~coatings. The newsletter usually consists of three parts: news from the UMR campus, a technology segment targeting the coatings manufacturer, and a technology segment for the end user. Some segments address questions posed by readers, others are active research areas being studied at UMR. The UMR Coatings Institute invites anyone interested to subscribe for free by sending your name and e-mail address to Michael Van De Mark at [e-mail]. Questions or topic suggestions are welcome.

Current Faculty

Dr. Michael R. Van De Mark, Director of the UMR Coatings Institute and Associate Professor of Chemistry. His interests include polymer synthesis, nondestructive testing, nano-resin particle synthesis, coatings formulation, solvent/polymer interactions, ionomeric gels, organic electrochemistry, and pigment synthesis (phthalocyanines). He has a Ph.D. from Texas A & M University.

Dr. Thomas Schuman, Associate Professor of Chemistry. He is involved with coatings research, spectroscopy, corrosion, adhesion to metal and plastic substrates, metallic and non-metallic corrosion inhibitors, surface adsorption, organic polymer synthesis, and development of industrial agricultural materials and applications. Dr. Schuman received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Alabama.

Dr. Frank Blum, Curator's Professor of Chemistry. Polymer-solvent/polymer-surface interactions, polymer characterization, colloid chemistry, micro emulsions, liquid crystals, micelles, NMR spectroscopy, and diffusion are his areas of interest. Dr. Blum received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Harvest Collier is a Professor of Chemistry and Vice Provost at UMR and is involved in the basic research of transition metal compounds, inorganic materials, polymer synthesis, polymer characterization, and their application. He conducts a range of research and development activities on coatings system component utilization and coatings formulation development as well as the development and application of testing methods for performance evaluation. He has worked in the chemical industry in areas of new product development and marketing and currently participates in industrial collaborations that seek to promote student education and new technology application. Dr. Collier received his Ph.D. degree from Mississippi State University.

Dr. Nicolas Leventis, Associate Professor of Chemistry. Synthesis and characterization of redox complementary electrochromic polymers, conductive polymers, and aero gel/polymer composite systems are a few of his research interests.

Dr. James Stoffer, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry. He has taught and performed research in polymers and coatings science for more than 30 years. His work includes micro emulsion polymerization, ultrasonic dispersion of pigments, ultrasonic and microwave initiated free radical polymerizations, and transparent composites. He has studied organic polymerization mechanics so as to better understand paint chemistry and has worked with several different companies to develop new types of coatings. Dr. Stoffer received his Ph.D. degree from Purdue University.

Many other faculty from Ceramics, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Management, and the Mining areas interact with the UMR Coatings Institute.

The Institute acts as a point of contact which can put people from industry in touch with people who may be able to help them with problems.

Many projects are on-going from federal and industrial sources.

Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs

The program at UMR has been focused on coatings for over 49 years. The UMR undergraduate B.S. in Chemistry with specialization in polymers and coatings is accredited by the American Chemical Society. This degree prepares students for a career in the polymer, coatings, adhesives, sealant or ink industries or their suppliers. Also offered are B.A. and B.S. degrees in Chemistry which are not American Chemical Society accredited but are excellent for careers such as pre-professional, pre-law, patent law, technical sales, or technical marketing.

All three degrees offer the prerequisites for continued education in chemistry, polymers and related fields. UMR also offers an education degree. The M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry with focus on polymers and coatings are available for those who wish to further their education toward research.

Programs

UMR is increasing efforts in the area of Continuing Education and Distance Learning, and now offers both credit and non-credit programs. Being offered July 16-18, 2007, is "Introduction to Coatings Composition and Specifications," a three-day course for sales and marketing personnel in the coatings market. Other courses include "Basic Composition of Coatings," which will be held March 12-16 and September 10-14; and "Introduction to Paint Formulation," slated for May 14-18 and October 22-26. Visit http://web.umr.edu/~coatings for more details.

For more information on current activities and UMR academic programs, contact Michael Van De Mark at 573.341.4419 or 4882, email: [e-mail], or fax: [phone]. You can also write to: UMR Coatings Institute, BOM #2, 1870 Miner Circle, Rolla, MO 65409-1020.

USM School of Polymers and High Performance Materials

The School of Polymers and High Performance Materials at the University of Southern Mississippi offers undergraduate and graduate programs leading to Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Polymer Science and Polymer Science & Engineering. The goal of the undergraduate and graduate program is to educate incoming students in the theory and practice of polymer science. Students in all of our degree programs receive valuable training for a career in academia and industries which process, develop, and use polymeric materials. The school is home to the Mississippi Polymer Institute, which provides technical assistance and educational outreach to the state of Mississippi; the National Science Foundation-sponsored Materials Research and Engineering Center for Response-Driven Polymeric Films, which addresses scientific and engineering aspects of stimuli-responsive thin films and coatings; the Industry/University Cooperative Research Center in Coatings, which provides its members with relevant scientific knowledge and understanding of polymeric coatings and films; and the Institute for Formulation Science.

Beginning in the Fall of 2006, the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials began offering a new program granting M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in the field of Sports and High Performance Materials, a unique program offered jointly with the University of Southern Mississippi's College of Health. The program's mission is to provide students with a wide range of critical, scientific, analytical, and problem-solving based learning skills that will train them in design, research, testing, and development of polymers used in applications ranging from protective sporting goods to military uniforms and prosthetic devices. In the Fall of 2007, a B.S. Degree in Sports and High Performance Materials will be offered as well.

The multidisciplinary programs of the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials encompass material that is usually taught in a wide variety of academic disciplines, such as chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, biochemistry, and biology. Students in the programs are introduced to the fundamentals and practical operating principles of polymer science and are taught to use these principles to approach and execute relevant cutting-edge research. Program graduates are encouraged to present and compete at local, regional, and national conferences and meetings. The majority of our undergraduates who do not seek advanced degrees are employed by the coatings industry.

The Bachelor of Science in Polymer Science offers challenging coursework and a broad background of information relevant to the field of polymer science, with particular emphasis paid to polymer chemistry and coatings science. Undergraduates in the program are required to actively participate in research for one year; most choose to participate for many years with some gaining practical lab experience for their entire undergraduate career. The dedication of the faculty to educate undergraduate students in the practice of polymer science is well established and continues to strengthen, as evidenced by the establishment of new scholarships for Fall of 2007 in addition to the already established CIEF scholarships.

The graduate program offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Polymer Science and Engineering. The thrust of the program is to educate by active participation. Knowledge is gained primarily through experience in the research lab while progressing towards the thesis or dissertation. Additionally, core coursework combined with seminars and close interaction with faculty members provide students with an exceptional education that prepares them for careers in academia and in industrial and government research and development leadership positions.

The faculty of Southern Mississippi's Polymer Science Research Center is drawn from various disciplines including chemistry, physics, and chemical engineering. The multidisciplinary nature of the program is exemplified by extensive collaboration among faculty members, with the aim of understanding the fundamental principles which underlie the properties of polymeric materials. All of the faculty members have earned the highest degree in their field and many have industrial experience. Their dedication to innovation, education, and research is respected worldwide.

Contact Information

Dr. Marek Urban, Director School of Polymers and High Performance Materials

Voice: 601.266.6868

Email: [e-mail]

Bret Calhoun, Administrative Assistant Director, School of Polymers and High Performance Materials

Voice: 601.266.4868

Email: [e-mail]

Or visit http://www.usm.edu/polymer.