Coatings and Polymeric Materials

Many people take coatings for granted. However, a $50 billion industry exists to supply coatings worldwide which decorate, protect and provide function to autos, buildings, furniture, appliances, bridges, medical devices, magnetic tapes and disks and countless other objects. Performance of these coatings depends critically upon specially tailored polymers which form coating films. Thus, good coatings scientists must be good polymer chemists. Other scientific disciplines also are important to the coatings scientist such as organic chemistry, rheology, surface chemistry, chemical analysis, photochemistry, mathematics and several branches of engineering.

Background Information

North Dakota State University started offering polymer and coatings chemistry courses in 1905. Of the few universities which offer training that focuses on special polymers used in coatings, NDSU has the longest and most extensive experience. Over the decades, the Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials has established a worldwide reputation for education and research. In doing so, we have enhanced international diversity through interactions between students and staff with leading companies and universities in the United States and abroad. Today, there is a growing shortage of polymer chemists at all degree levels, therefore providing polymers and coatings science graduates with abundant job opportunities. NDSU graduates are especially sought after by coating and chemical industries, and are employed by major coatings, polymer, chemical and petroleum companies, with many graduates attaining upper management positions. At the undergraduate level, B.S. degrees in science and engineering with a coatings and polymeric materials minor are offered. M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are available at the graduate level. These programs attract many students and provide numerous opportunities for undergraduate research.

Students acquire a sound foundation in polymer chemistry which can be applied in a number of related fields—plastics for microelectronics, engineering, communications, aerospace and others.

The Faculty

The faculty includes individuals with extensive experience in the coatings and chemical industries who have theoretical and practical expertise in polymer characterization, polymer rheology, corrosion, coating design, surface chemistry, organic chemistry of reactive polymers and polymer synthesis. Faculty members are in demand as consultants and speakers in America, Europe and Asia.

Advisory Board

The department works closely with the coatings and chemical industries and with their suppliers and customers to assure relevance of the programs. An advisory board composed of prominent industry people meets annually with staff and students. Its members critique the program and provide assistance ranging from technical information to job placement advice. Every year all students have opportunities to meet with the board members.

 

Companies represented on the board include DuPont, Eastman Chemical, 3M, Valspar, Cytec, Rohm and Haas, Toyota, Akzo, Bayer, BASF, Sherwin-Williams, Bayer, PPG, Phoenix, Tecton, Air Products, Boeing, the Air Force and other major coatings producers.

Research Opportunities

Materials science, corrosion and polymer synthetic projects are funded by a wide variety of organizations including NASA, the Air Force and industry. The only Corrosion and Coatings Research Center in North America is located within our department. Many undergraduate students may find employment and challenging research opportunities during the academic year and summer months. Funds have recently been awarded to fund a center of excellence in surface protection.

Career Opportunities

Demand for polymer chemists at all degree levels exceeds the supply, and NDSU graduates are especially sought after by the coatings and chemical industries. Alumni are now employed in professional and managerial positions at most of the major coatings producers and at many other companies which produce or use polymers.

The coatings industry and its suppliers need more polymer chemists to respond to pressures for improved performance and reduced environmental impact. Producers of electronics, computers, electric insulators, communication and aerospace equipment and packaging materials have all become heavily involved in polymer science.

The Program

Undergraduates in science and engineering are candidates for the BS degree with a minor in coatings and polymeric materials. The program for chemistry majors is an American Chemical Society accredited program. The minor includes technical elective courses concentrated in the areas relating to the use of polymers and coatings, and provides excellent preparation for professional employment at the undergraduate and graduate level. Courses in polymers and coatings may be taken starting in the junior year.

 

These courses include lectures on theoretical aspects of the subject, and laboratories stressing the practical aspects of polymer synthesis and of preparation and testing of coatings. Courses on other subjects are also offered.

The department also offers two M.S. Degrees in polymers and coatings science and chemistry, and a Ph.D. degree in chemistry with a polymers and coatings science major. Graduate-level courses may be taken by undergraduates who have the appropriate prerequisites.

Related Experiences

The Cooperative Education Program assists in finding summer jobs in the laboratories of industrial companies. Many students find such experiences rewarding. The Department of Catings and Polymeric Materials at NDSU offers an Undergraduate Research Program for Chemistry, materials science engineering majors and related fields for students who have completed their junior year. This program has a long history of success since its conception in 1978. Summer research appointments are available each year for students in chemistry, materials science, engineering and related fields, between their junior and senior years, who inend to pursue graduate studies and have an interest in ploymers and coatings science. Students are awaraded a stipend of $3,500 plus housing for 10 weeks.

 

The program provides students with an opportunity to become involved with research in polymers and coatings. Cutting edge research is performed by the students and is supported by experienced faculty. The final goal of the program is to produce publishable results. Currently the department consists of seven faculty, five postdoctoral researchers and 30 graduate students along with undergraduate researchers. With the department’s recent move to its new facility, located in the NDSU Research and Technology Park, the students will perform research in state of the art laboratories.

The Corporate Scholarship Program

About 45 four-year scholarships of $500 to $2,500 per year are available to undergraduates through the Coatings and Polymeric Materials Corporate Scholarship program. High school seniors and transfer students who plan to enter NDSU and who are interested in this field are encouraged to apply through the NDSU Office of Admission. Scholarships are renewable for up to four years depending on continued interest, satisfactory progress in course work and availability of funds.

The Curriculum

To earn a minor in coatings and polymeric materials, a student must complete
16 credits from the list of approved courses.

Sample Curriculum

*If Chem. 341/342 and 341L/342L are required for a student's major, the credits cannot count toward minor in coatings and polymeric materials. Chem. 353 and 354 can be substituted for Chem. 341L and 342L.

*Electives must include 18 credits in humanities and social sciences; six of these credits must be in humanities/fine arts and six of these credits must be in social sciences. In addition, three credits must have a global perspective and three credits must be in the cultural diversity category.

This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or with the Office of Registration and Records.

Contact Information

Dr. Stuart Croll, Chair

Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials
North Dakota State University

1735 NDSU Research Park Dr
PO Box 5376
Fargo, ND 58105-5376

Tel: (701) 231-7633
Fax: (701) 231-8439
Email: NDSU.Polycoat@ndsu.edu
Web: http://cpm.ndsu.nodak.edu/

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
124 Ceres Hall
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/prospective/students

(6/07)