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Degree Programs
Although the manufacture of many chemical products requires application of principles of colloid, polymer or surface science, these subjects receive minimal coverage in most engineering and science curricula. The CPS Program was established to provide education about these topics, and continues to view educational opportunities for full-time and part-time students as one of its primary roles. The coursework offered through the Program is relevant to industries involved with, for example, pigments and paints, pharmaceuticals, synthetic and biopolymer manufacture, cosmetics and personal care, environmental cleanup methods, heterogeneous catalysis, and surfactants.
The CPS program provides education options to undergraduates and graduate students.
Undergraduate
The CPS Program provides several interdisciplinary options for undergraduate chemical engineering and chemistry students. These programs are described below:Undergraduate Elective Options for Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Students
Undergraduate chemical engineering students may elect the CPS Option, which requires completion of the following four-course sequence:
- 06-607 Physical Chemistry of Colloids and Surfaces
- 06-426 Experimental Colloids and Surfaces
- 06-609 Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules (or 09-509)
- 06-466 Experimental Polymer Science
This option, which was initiated in 1978, is very popular, as 25-40% of each senior class chooses this course sequence.
Undergraduate Elective Options for Chemistry Students
Undergraduate chemistry students may elect the Polymer Science Option, which requires enrollment in polymer lecture courses which may include the CPS evening lab course, 39-802.
MS CPS
The Master of Science degree in Colloids, Polymers and Surfaces is offered jointly by the Carnegie Institute of Technology and the Mellon College of Science. A total of 96 units of coursework are required to earn the degree. It is also possible to earn a combined degree in either chemical engineering or chemistry. On average, five MS degrees in CPS are awarded annually.The program is open to qualified students with a bachelor's degree in either science or engineering. Full-time students requiring financial support must apply for admission and financial aid through a sponsoring department, i.e. chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, or civil and environmental engineering.
A degree candidate studying full-time may conduct research and complete a Master's thesis, which may represent up to 40 units of credit. Students may instead earn the 96 units required entirely through coursework. The majority of CPS students choose the coursework option and have full-time employment. For that reason, classes are scheduled for the late afternoon and evening hours.
Degree Requirements
The M.S. degree in Colloids, Polymers and Surfaces requires a minimum of 96 units of coursework satisfactorily completed.The listing below shows the degree requirements:
Required Courses:
Thermodynamics: One Graduate-Level Course
09-703 Chemical Thermodynamics 12 units
06-705 Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 12 units
or equivalent course with approval of CPS director.
Polymers: Introductory Level Course
09-509 (06-609) Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules 9 unitsColloids and Surfaces: Introductory Level Course
06-607 Physical Chemistry of Colloids and Surfaces 9 units
CPS Lab I:
39-801 Colloids and Surfaces 12 units
CPS Lab II:
39-802 Polymers 12 units
Electives:06-610 Rheology and Structure of Complex Fluids
06-702 Advanced Applied Reaction Kinetics
06-712 Colloids and Dispersions
06-714 Surfaces and Adsorption
06-719 Polymer and Surfactant Interfacial Phenomena
06-901 Advanced Topics in Reaction Kinetics & Catalysis
06-905 Advanced Topics in Colloid & Surface Phenomena
09-702 Statistical Mechanics
09-741 Organic Chemistry of Polymers
09-742 Physical Chemistry of Polymers
09-841 Special Topics in Polymer Chemistry
09-851 Independent Study
39-605 Engineering Product Design
39-810 (06-810) CPS Seminar
Other advanced technical electives with approval.
