Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Description
This course provides an opportunity for students to develop skills necessary to understand the basic principles of polymer life cycles, polymer properties and environmental footprints, manufacturing, design guidelines for sustainability, and recycling/upcycling. This course will provide an overview of the contradictory positive and negative characteristics of polymers with respect to sustainability. The course will also discuss conventional processing and additive manufacturing methods for producing polymeric parts and goods. The history of sustainability issues and its controversy concerning polymers (especially plastics) will be exemplified. Additionally, the course will cover the need for green that is forcing recycling and upcycling of polymers to become industrially feasible.
The goal of this course is to give students the necessary background and logical tools on sustainability of polymers for their manufacturing, including:
- Provide the principles of sustainability and the relationship of polymers to the environment;
- Understand the conventional and advanced polymer processing methods, such as fiber spinning, film blowing, blow molding, stereolithography, and selective laser sintering; and,
- Discuss current challenges of polymer waste management and future manufacturing options for increasing use of waste polymers through recycling and upcycling.
Course Prerequisites
Admitted to the Sustainability Engineering program
Course Materials
Selected contents from the following textbooks, as well as from the peer-reviewed publications:
- Michael Tolinski, Conor Carlin, Plastics and Sustainability Grey is the New Green, John Wiley & Sons, 2021.
- Michael M. Coleman and Paul C Painter, Essentials of Polymer Science Engineering, DEStech Publications, 2009: Chapter 1. Introduction and Chapter 14. Processing
- Tim A. Osswald, Understanding Polymer Processing, 2nd Ed., Hanser Publications, 2017: Chapter 8. Additive Manufacturing
Additional sources:
- Britt et al., Report of the Basic Energy Sciences Roundtable on Chemical Upcycling of Polymers, USDOE Office of Science, https://doi.org/10.2172/1616517
- Julian Allwood, Jonathan M Cullen, Sustainable Materials: With Both Eyes Open, The Use Less Group, Bloomsbury USA, 2012
Grades
Breakdown
Weekly Live Session attendance is encouraged but not required or graded. Students are expected to watch the Live Session if they cannot attend.
| Activity | Description | Points/Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Mini-Group Project Reports (3) | Assignment Report | 30% |
| Mini-Group Project Presentations (3) | Group presentation during Live Sessions | 15% |
| Mini-Group Project Peer Review | Participate in peer review | 10% |
| Discussion | Read and study case study and post to discussion board | 25% |
| Quiz | Weekly quizzes | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Discussion Board - Case Study
Discussion tool on Canvas will be used to implement “learning through argumentation”. When students argue in scientific ways, they learn how to take turns, listen actively, and respond constructively to others.
Weekly Quiz
Quizzes will be given at the end of each session to:
-
- assess students’ learning during the class.
- improve the students’ participation and attention to the course contents.
Mini-Group Project
Mini-projects will be assigned to:
-
- provide opportunities for research in sustainable polymer manufacturing beyond topics covered in the classroom.
- implement skills taught in this course towards solving “realistic” problems.
-
enhance the cooperative learning (peer learning) through group activities.
-
Format for mini-project:
- Starting in Week 4, students work in groups to create a Report and Presentation.
- Students present their project during the Live Sessions.
- The Learning Experience Flowchart, on the Start Here page, explains the activities in Weeks 4, 9 and 13.
- Students will also participate in a peer review activity at the end of the semester.
-
Format for mini-project:
Course Policies
Communication
Please post questions regarding the contents (Discussion, Mini-projects, Quizzes, etc.) in the Discussion Course Help, which can be found in Start Here module. For all other specific questions, please email me at rfoudazi@ou.edu. I will answer you within 48 hr.
There is ample opportunity within our course for academic debate, disagreement, compromise, and for us to change our minds.
In order for this to be a productive dialogue, which will promote effective learning, I ask that we all:
- Recognize that we are entering into this space with different experiences and understandings.
- Use reasoned arguments that are supported by reputable resources.
- Practice truly listening to one another.
- Ask questions for clarification.
- Provide and receive feedback with grace.
- Respect the privacy of those sharing. We are all learning together, and it’s important that we take from here what we have learned. Please respect that people may share how the topics in this course have impacted their personal lives and also that people may make mistakes while they learn.
- If something is said or done in these dialogues that prohibits you from being able to participate in this class, I ask that you reach out to me directly. You may also choose to use other resources on campus, such as reporting through the 24-Hour Reporting Hotline (call at 844-428-6531). This hotline can be used to report bias, discrimination, physical or mental harassment or misconduct by OU community members.
Feedback
The feedback and grades on assignments will be posted within two weeks after the deadline.
Late Policy
The general policy is that no late work will be accepted for grades. However, we understand that life is unpredictable. If anything comes up that prevents you from completing your assignments, do get in touch with us and explain the situation. We will try working something out, being fair to the other students enrolled in the class.
Plagiarism
The overall goal of this course is your learning. In order to demonstrate that you have reached this goal, the work you turn in needs to be your own, with the exception of the required group work. This includes putting written work into your own words and citing your sources, as appropriate to avoid plagiarism. Penalties for serious offenses include a zero on the assignment and egregious offenses can even result in expulsion from the university, so it is important to understand expectations. The most serious offenses can often be avoided by citing sources—when in doubt, cite it! As part of our work together we will talk about how to accurately and responsibly cite sources, both to avoid plagiarism and strengthen your arguments.
- Copying words and presenting them as your own writing.
- Copying words, even if you give the source, unless you also indicate that the copied words are a direct quotation.
- Copying words and then changing them a little, even if you give the source.
- Even if you express it in your own words, it is plagiarism to use someone else’s idea as your own.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, the privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important in this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they can enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability or a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no-contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. To learn more or to report an incident, please contact the Institutional Equity Office (M-F, from 8-5, at 405-325-3546) or OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013).
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth-Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in the innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional information about severe weather preparedness is available through the Department of Campus Safety's Emergency Management Division.
OU-Norman Campus: Tornado Refuge Protocol
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits.
- Assist those who may need help.
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area.
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone who may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|