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Module Catalogue

CH170-15 Plastics: the good, the bad, and the future

Department
Chemistry
Level
Undergraduate Level 1
Module leader
Stefan Bon
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

In the 20th century polymer science gave us materials with remarkable and durable properties to the great benefit of humanity. Plastics were fantastic. Now, a green polymer (r)evolution is urgently needed so that plastics will be the material that rebalances the needs and prosperity of humanity with the environmental and sustainable needs of our planet. This module places polymer production and use into a societal context. We will introduce different types of polymers, how they are made, what they are used for, and why they are the current material of choice. We will discuss the environmental and societal sustainability challenges that we face and how we can find an environmentally sustainable way forward to live in harmony with a healthier planet.

Module aims

The overall module aim is to provide participants with the knowledge on what polymers are, how they are made, why they are used, and why they will play a key role in the challenge of this generation of humanity to provide for a greener and environmentally sustainable planet.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This is an indicative module outline only, giving an indication of the topics that may be covered.

  1. A Concise History of Polymer Science (by prof. dr. ir. Stefan Bon)
  2. Can we live without Polymers? (by prof. David Haddleton)
  3. The Plastics Problem (Movie, coordinated by prof. David Haddleton)
  4. Legislation (by prof. dr. ir. Stefan Bon)
    5-6) DEBATE: The United Nations: UNEP/EA.5/Res.14 (2-hour session coordinated by prof. dr. ir. Stefan Bon)
  5. Global Polymer Production (by prof. dr. ir. Stefan Bon)
    8-9) PolyOlefins (by prof. David Haddleton)
  6. Fibres and composites of polyolefins (by prof. dr. ir. Stefan Bon)
    11-12) Polymer Bank Notes (by dr. Hannes Houck)
  7. PVC (by prof. David Haddleton)
  8. PET and Polystyrene (by prof. David Haddleton)
    15-16) DEBATE: How do we drive society to be circular/sustainable? (2-hour session coordinated by prof. David Haddleton)
  9. Mechanical Recycling (by prof. David Haddleton)
  10. Chemical Recycling (by prof. David Haddleton)
  11. Green Feedstocks and Recycling of Polyolefins (by prof. dr. ir. Stefan Bon)
  12. PET products: production, green feedstocks, and recycling (by prof. dr. ir. Stefan Bon).
    21-22) Sustainable Polymer Dispersions: paper, paint, and stickers (by prof. dr. ir. Stefan Bon).
    23-24) Natural Polymers/Renewables (by prof. David Haddleton).
    25-26) DEBATE: Are we sustainable with our new products (2-hour session, coordinated by dr. Hannes Houck)?

In addition:

2 trips to collect and analyse plastic waste (coordinated by all teachers).

2 plastic waste experimental analysis slots (coordinated by dr. Owen Tooley)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Understand some key concepts of polymer science and how these have a place in nowadays society.
  • Evaluate diverse points of view on technological/scientific contexts, societal and environmental impact, temporal and trending contexts.
  • Engage in inquiry and build a skill set to process, understand, and communicate/explain and evaluate scientific principles and their impact.
  • Apply and integrate concepts introduced during the module in an interactive discussion format.
  • Effectively verbally communicate and present their ideas.
  • Think about the reason for the use (or not) of polymer materials in contemporary society.

Subject specific skills

The students will have developed the skills to:
Evaluate scientific principles and their impact.
Assess the social and environmental impact of plastics.
Evaluate designs and assess the pros and cons for the use of polymer materials.
Communicate clearly their understanding of current scientific principles relating to polymers and their impact.

Transferable skills

Numeracy
Problem solving
Critical thinking
Teamwork

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 20 sessions of 1 hour (13%)
Practical classes 2 sessions of 15 minutes (0%)
Fieldwork 2 sessions of 2 hours (3%)
Other activity 6 hours (4%)
Private study 19 hours 30 minutes (13%)
Assessment 100 hours (67%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

Read study material, prepare for discussion classes

Other activity description

DEBATE sessions: 3x 2 hours.

Costs

Category Description Funded by Cost to student
Field trips, placements and study abroad

Coaches and lunch for the 1 day external field trip

 Department £0.00

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Group project: 180 seconds industrial case study 30% 30 hours No

Throughout the module, the students will undertake a group project, which will be presented on the seminar day (1 full day, 8-10 hours in Term 3)
Your group will design a 3-minute (180 s) movie about a specific polymer/plastic product. You will discuss how it was discovered, how it is made, and what challenges there are and what vision there is to make it circular/sustainable. You will be given a movie genre (e.g. horror, comedy, sci-fi, documentary, thriller,...) to set the scene for your video.
Reassessment component
No reassessment No
Assessment component
Individual Poster Presentation 50% 50 hours No

Each student will be provided with the name of an object that contains polymers/plastics. Your task is to make a poster discussing how the polymer was discovered, why this particular polymer is used in the product, how it is made, and what challenges there are to make the product (or a similar product) circular and environmentally sustainable. You will present your poster on the seminar day (1 full day, 8-10 hours in Term 3), where it will be judged.
Reassessment component
No reassessment No
Assessment component
Polymer Litter Project 20% 20 hours No

Each week a group task is set to complete the Polymer Litter Project. 2 trips to collect and analyse plastic waste (2x 2 h) . As a group, you will collect and analyse polymer litter. You will analyse the type of polymer by FTIR in the teaching laboratories (2x 15 mins).
Reassessment component
No reassessment No
Feedback on assessment

Group feedback, cohort feedback

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • UCHA-4 Undergraduate Chemistry (with Intercalated Year) Variants
    • Year 1 of F101 Chemistry (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 1 of F122 Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry (with Intercalated Year)
  • UCHA-3 Undergraduate Chemistry 3 Year Variants
    • Year 1 of F100 Chemistry
    • Year 1 of F121 Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry
  • UCHA-F110 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry (with Industrial Placement)
    • Year 1 of F100 Chemistry
    • Year 1 of F110 MChem Chemistry (with Industrial Placement)
    • Year 1 of F112 MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry with Industrial Placement
  • Year 1 of UCHA-F107 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry (with Intercalated Year)
  • UCHA-F109 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry (with International Placement)
    • Year 1 of F109 MChem Chemistry (with International Placement)
    • Year 1 of F111 MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry (with International Placement)
  • UCHA-4M Undergraduate Master of Chemistry Variants
    • Year 1 of F100 Chemistry
    • Year 1 of F105 Chemistry
    • Year 1 of F110 MChem Chemistry (with Industrial Placement)
    • Year 1 of F109 MChem Chemistry (with International Placement)
    • Year 1 of F125 MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry
  • Year 1 of UCHA-F127 Undergraduate Master of Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry(with Intercalated Year)