Page 768 - Carrahers_Polymer_Chemistry,_Eighth_Edition

Appendix D

Polymer Core Course

Committees

In 1979/80, the American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training noted the
following:
In light of the current importance of inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, and polymer chemistry,
advanced courses in these areas are especially recommended and students should be strongly encour-
aged to take one or more of these. Furthermore, the basic aspects of these three important areas should
be included at some place in the core material.
In light with this directive, the Polymer Education Committee formed committees that focused
on the integration of polymer topics in the foundational courses. Committees, hereafter called the
Core Course Committees, were formed to develop avenues where polymers would be included in
the foundational courses to enhance these courses. Polymer topics, principles, and illustrations were

identified that would help and enhance these courses. The reports of these committee deliberations
were published in the Journal of Chemical Education as follows:

• Introduction (describing the overall project) 60(11):971 (1983)
• General Chemistry 60(11):973 (1983)
• Inorganic 61:230 (1984)
• Physical 62:780 (1985) and 62:1030 (1985)
• Chemical Engineering 62:1079 (1985)

These reports act as a starting point for those teaching the specific foundational courses to intro-
duce polymers in these foundational courses.
The newest guidelines call for the intergradation of polymer topics within all of the foundational
courses. With this in mind, new committees are being formed to assist teachers to fulfi ll this.

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