Graduate Faculty

701-231-7633

Current Faculty

Gordon P. Bierwagen, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 1968
Research Interests:
Surface chemistry of coatings materials, corrosion, electrochemistry
of coatings, coating lifetime prediction, concentrated random composites

Bret Chisholm, Ph.D.
University of Southern Mississippi, 1993
Research Interests:
Combinatorial chemistry methods for coatings, novel organic-inorganic coatings applications, new polyester nanocomposites

Stuart G. Croll, Ph.D.
University of Leeds, UK, 1974
Postdoctoral:
National Research Council, Canada
Research Interests:
Weathering durability of coatings, service lifetime prediction, colloidal stability, physical chemistry and suspension stability,
pigment-polymer interactions, film formation processes, coating and polymer physics

Victoria Johnston Gelling, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2001
Research Interests:
Corrosion control of active metal substrates by environmentally friendly coating, electroactive conducting polymers (ECPs) as corrosion inhibitors, electrochemical experimental techniques for the examination of coated substrates

Andrej Voronov, Ph.D.
Lviv Polytechnic Institute, Ukraine, 1994
Research Interests:
Synthesis of amphiphilic, invertible polymers with controllable hydrophilic-lipophilic properties. Polymer invertibility in polar and non-polar media; phase transfer and micelle formation, size- and shape-controlled synthesis of nanoparticles

Dean Webster, Ph.D.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 1984
Research Interests:
Synthesis of high performance polymers, polymerization reactions, crosslinking chemistry, and quantitative structure-property relationship

Research Faculty

Kerry Allahar
University of Florida, 2003
Research Interests:
Modeling and Prediction of Corrosion in Coated Metal Systems, Diffusion, Percolation and General Mass Transport, Electrochemical analysis of lubricating systems via Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)

Brian R. Hinderliter
University of Virginia, 2000
Research Interests:
Radiation Transport, Monte Carlo Simulations of Polymer Degradation, Prediction of Coating Properties, Finite Element Modeling of Polymer Mechanics, Percolation and General Mass Transport, Electromagnetic and Dielectric Response of Coatings

Dennis E. Tallman
(formerly of NDSU Dept. of Chemistry)
The Ohio State University, 1968
Research Interests:
Analytical and Physical Electrochemistry, Corrosion Mechanisms, Corrosion Control by Coatings, Electroactive Conducting Polymers, Scanning Probe Techniques
Microelectrodes and Microelectrode Arrays

Adjunct Faculty

Dante Battocchi, (Center for Surface Protection, NDSU)
University of Trento, 2001
Research Interests:
Electrochemical Noise Measurements, Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technique (SVET), Organic metal-rich primers characterization and development, Materials protection and metal corrosion

Bret Chisholm, (Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, NDSU)
University of Southern Mississippi, 1993
Research Interests:
Combinatorial chemistry methods for coatings, novel organic-inorganic coatings applications, new polyester nanocomposites

Matthew S. Gebhard
( currently at Valspar Corp. )
Stanford University, 1990
Research Interests:
Rheology in coatings processes, final film properties, architectural binder technology

Loren W. Hill, Ph.D. (Consultant)
(currently a consultant)
Pennsylvania State University, 1965
Research Interests:
Structure-property relationships of thermoset coatings, dynamic mechanical analysis

Theodore Provder, Ph.D. (Consultant)
(currently director of Coatings Research Institute,
Eastern Michigan University)
University of Wisconsin, 1965
Research Interests:
Chromatographic and separation methods of polymers, particle size measurements

Richard R. Roesler, Ph.D.
(currently at Bayer Corporation)
University of Washington, 1969
Research Interests:
Blocked polyisocyanates, polyurethane pispersions, high solids amine functional coreactants for polyisocyanate

Brian S. Skerry, Ph.D.
(currently at Sherwin-Williams)
University of Manchester, UK, PhD 1980
Research Interests:
Corrosion and coatings

Emeritus Faculty

Juergen H. Braun, Ph.D.
(adjunct professor emeritus, retired from DuPont)
University of Texas, 1956

Zeno W. Wicks, Jr., Ph.D.
(professor emeritus)
University of Illinois, 1944

Program Description

The Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials offers graduate studies leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Polymers and Coatings Science. A mission of the departmental research is to bridge a gap between basic and applied research in the field of polymers and coatings. Such philosophy provides a unique atmosphere and opportunities for cross-disciplinary research experience, which is often accomplished by the multi-disciplinary research activities with other departments, for example, chemistry or engineering departments. Advanced research work involves specialized training in the following areas: colloidal and interfacial chemistry of polymers and coatings, polymer synthesis, adhesion, durability, spectroscopy of polymers and coatings, corrosion control by coatings, electrochemistry of coatings, nanomaterials design and synthesis, and rheology. The department has an industrial advisory board consisting of leading industrial scientists and/or former graduates who often help provide new directions to the program.

First-year students who enter the program may take entrance examinations, which are used by the graduate committee primarily for advisory purposes. During the fall semester, the faculty meet with the new students to acquaint them with the research programs in the department. Because students are required to select an adviser by the end of the first semester in residence, they are strongly urged to discuss research opportunities with faculty members.. Programs are individually tailored to the needs of each student.

Admissions Requirements

The Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials graduate program is open to all qualified graduates of universities and colleges of recognized standing. To be admitted with full status to the program, the applicant must:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution of recognized standing.
2. Have adequate preparation in a science or engineering, field, and show potential to undertake advanced study and research as evidenced by academic performance and experience.
3. At the baccalaureate level, have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) in all courses of at least 3.0 or equivalent. Students with a previous graduate degree with a GPA of 3.0 or equivalent may be admitted in full standing.

Students who do not meet all requirements for admission or have deficiencies in prerequisite course work, but show potential for successful graduate study, may be admitted under a conditional status. Evidence must be provided showing that the applicant's record does not adequately reflect on his/her potential. The student may not earn more than 12-semester graduate credits in the conditional status. After meeting the specified standards of performance set by the department, the student, in consultation with the major adviser, may request a change to full graduate standing. The request for change must be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School by the adviser and approved by the departmental graduate program director or chair.

Although there is no application deadline, the applicants are encouraged to submit all application materials through the Graduate School before April 15th of the upcoming academic year.

Official transcripts (transcripts having an appropriate seal or stamp) of all previous undergraduate and graduate records must be received by the Graduate School before the application is complete. When a transcript is submitted in advance of completion of undergraduate or graduate studies, an updated transcript showing all course credits and grades must be provided prior to initial registration at North Dakota State University.

Three letters of recommendation are generally required before action is taken on any application. Personal reference report forms, as well as other application forms, can be obtained from the Graduate School.

The TOEFL examination is required of international applicants. A score of 550 or greater must be achieved. General Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores are also required for international students, but waived for domestic applicants . GRE subject scores are highly recommended, but not required for international students.

Financial Assistance

The student must first be accepted in full or conditional status before he/she is eligible for an assistantship in the Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials. To be considered for an assistantship, a completed Graduate School application, official transcripts, and three letters of reference must be submitted no later than April 15. International students must also submit a TOEFL score. General and subject GRE scores are highly encouraged if they are available to the student.

Graduate students are supported during both the academic year and summer months by either teaching or research assistantships. The current monthly stipend is $1,300 - $1,700+ per month, for an annual stipend of $15,600 - $20,400+. University tuition is waived for all qualified TA's and RA's.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science programs require the completion of 16 credits of letter-graded course work with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. The Ph.D. option requires the completion of 27 credits of letter-graded course work with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better.

Each student must choose a thesis adviser within three to six months of beginning graduate school. By the end of the first semester in residence, the student selects a research adviser and after two semesters, an examining committee. This committee advises the student and administers oral examinations.

Candidates for the M.S. program normally satisfy course requirements within one year of study. Ph.D. candidates typically take about two years to complete courses, leaving later years for full-time dissertation research.

Candidacy qualifying examinations are administered twice annually. All Ph.D. candidates are required to pass the qualifying exam and defend an original written research proposal at least eight months prior to the final dissertation examination. The proposal topic must be approved by the student's advisory committee, which administers the oral exam. Following completion of dissertation research and the presentation of an acceptable written dissertation, the candidate defends before the advisory committee.

Research Facilities and Equipment

The Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials is housed in a new building in the NDSU Research and Technology Park on the northwest corner of the campus. This new building consists of nearly 40,000 square feet of floor space for research and teaching. The holdings in the Klosterman Chemistry Library (second floor of Ladd Hall) include current subscriptions to more than 200 journals, monographs, and other reference materials. Graduate students and faculty have round-the-clock access seven days a week.

Modern equipment and instrumentation have profoundly influenced the development of instruction and are the cornerstones of research in the chemical sciences. The Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials offers instrumentation ranging from the most modern spectrometers to coatings and paints making and testing equipment. While more expensive research facilities, for example, state-of-the-art electron and optical microscopy laboratories, are readily available to all researchers on the NDSU campus, great efforts have been made to assure that the research equipment is sufficient to meet the needs of modern research. Some noteworthy acquisitions of the past few years include 400 MHZ and 270 MHZ NMR spectrometers, a gas chromatrograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS), Fourier transform-mass spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrometers with all necessary surface accessories and step-scan capabilities, FT-IR and FT-Raman microscopies, color measuring apparatus, pulsed laser systems (several with tunable dye lasers) and other optical hardware, a tunable infrared diode laser, all with their own dedicated computers. Scanning probe microscopes (AFM, scanning thermal microscope, and a Kelvin Probe microscope), routine electrochemical testing equipment for EIS, ENM and other electrochemical measurements on coatings, a scanning vibrating electrode technique equipment are also available. Facilities for studying colloids include an electroacoustic spectrometer . Other facilities include differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, mechanical testing, gel permeation chromatography, viscosity measurements, UV visible absorbance, fluorescence, atomic absorption, as well as cyclic salt fog chambers and UV exposure equipment for durability studies, etc. are also available. Other, more specialized instrumentation include static/dynamic surface tension and contact angle apparatus, viscometers, color and foam characterization devices.

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Courses Offered

651 Laboratory Safety (1 Cr)

Hazards and safe practices in chemical, radiation and biological laboratories, applicable to all studies at NDSU. Recognized by the University as completion (for credit) of safety training to work in a research laborator.

673 Polymer Synthesis (3 Cr)

Catalysts and mechanisms in the chain-growth and step-growth synthesis of macromolecules from polyesters of the 30s to engineering polymers of the 90s. Prereq. Chem 342.

674 Coatings I (3 Cr)

Principles of film formation, synthesis, structure-property relationships, coatings solvents; pigments and their dispersion. Prereq. Chem 342.

675 Coatings II (3 Cr)

Physical properties of coatings and their components; formulation, design, testing, and applications; color, adhesion, and rheology. Prereq. P&C 474/674.

684 Coatings I--Laboratory (2 Cr)

Polymer synthesis, coating characterization, and properties. Laboratory counterpart to P&C 474/674. Coreq. P&C 474/674.

685 Coatings II--Laboratory (2 Cr)

Coating formulation; testing, color measurements, synthesis, application methods. Laboratory counterpart to P&C 475/675. 1 six-hour laboratory. Hours flexible. Coreq. P&C 475/675.

686 Corrosion and Its Control by Coatings (2 Cr)

Corrosion science: electrochemistry of corrosion, corrosion effects, measurement of corrosion, corrosion control by coatings, characterization of coating protection, accelerated testing. Prereq. or Coreq. Chem 430; Coreq. P&C 474/674, 475/675. Cross-listed with Chem.

771 Modern Methods of Polymer Characterization (3 Cr)

Polymer physics and physical (dynamic mechanical analysis, chromatographic and thermal analysis) methods for characterization of polymers and coatings. Prereq. Chem 365 or departmental approval.

773 Organic Chemistry of Coatings (3 Cr)

Advanced topics in organic chemistry as used in coatings including polymer synthesis, crosslinking reactions, and molecular degradation reactions in coating films. Prereq. P&C 473 and 475, and Chem 741 or departmental approval.

775 Color and Appearance (3 Cr)

Topics in color and appearance in coatings and weathering of coatings, including numerical methods for opacity and color measurement, computer color matching methods, and color methods in coatings, inks and computers.. Prereq: P&C 475/675.

778 Physical Chemistry of Polymers (4 Cr)

Introduction to rheological concepts and the flow behavior of macromolecules. Transitions in polymers, molecular weight characterization, blend compatibility, composite behavior, and other topics, e.g., drug release and liquid crystals. Prereq: P&C 473/673.

782 Physical Chemistry of Coatings (3 Cr)

Surface chemistry, diffusion in coatings, colloid stability, advanced CPVC concepts, film formation, particle size effects, and theories of coating application methods. Prereq: Chem 365; P&C 474/674.

796 Topics in Supramolecular Chemistry (3 Cr)

Supramolecular chemistry as a non-covalent bond synthetic tool in material design and development. Prereq. P&C 473, 475 or departmental approval.

The following variable credit courses are also offered:

 

690 Graduate Seminar (M.S) 1-3

790 Graduate Seminar (Ph.D.) 1-3

793 Individual Study/Tutorial 1-5

795 Field Experience 1-15

796 Special Topics 1-5

798 Master's Thesis 1-10

799 Doctoral Dissertation 1-15