Polymer Reaction Engineering Course | IIT Roorkee | Prof. Shishir Sinha
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 86 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Chemical Engineering, Polymers and Colloidal Materials |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 19 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock the Science of Polymers: A Deep Dive into Polymer Reaction Engineering
Welcome to the definitive guide on Polymer Reaction Engineering, a cornerstone discipline for anyone involved in creating and improving polymeric materials. This detailed 12-week course, meticulously designed and taught by a leading expert from IIT Roorkee, offers an unparalleled journey from fundamental concepts to advanced industrial applications. Whether you're a student, a practicing engineer, or an industry professional, this course equips you with the knowledge to understand, design, and optimize polymerization processes that define product performance.
Your Instructor: Learn from an Industry-Academia Leader
This course is led by Prof. Shishir Sinha, Professor and Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee. With over 12 years of dedicated teaching and research experience in chemical engineering thermodynamics, process safety, and polymer science, Prof. Sinha brings a wealth of practical and theoretical knowledge. His expertise ensures the curriculum is not only academically rigorous but also directly relevant to real-world industrial challenges.
Who Should Enroll in This Course?
This comprehensive program is tailored for a wide audience seeking to solidify or expand their expertise in polymer science.
- Students: Undergraduate and Postgraduate students in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Polymer Technology, and Mechanical Engineering.
- Engineers & Researchers: Professionals working in R&D, process design, and production within polymer-related industries.
- Industry Professionals: Individuals in companies dealing with plastics, paints, rubber, resins, adhesives, and advanced polymeric materials.
Course Overview: What You Will Master
Polymer Reaction Engineering is the critical link between molecular chemistry and the final material properties. This course provides a complete overview, emphasizing how reaction conditions dictate polymer characteristics like molecular weight, microstructure, tensile strength, and morphology. You will gain a firm grasp of:
- The fundamentals of polymerization processes and polymer classification.
- Reaction kinetics, initiation, propagation, and termination mechanisms.
- Design and analysis of ideal reactors (Batch, CSTR, PFR) for polymerization.
- Detailed kinetics of Step-Growth and Radical Chain Polymerization.
- Industrial processes like Emulsion and Ionic Polymerization.
- Strategies for controlling molecular weight and distribution.
Detailed 12-Week Course Curriculum
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Introduction to polymers, classification, molecular weight, bonding forces, and control strategies in synthesis. |
| Week 3-5 | Fundamentals of reactor design, interpretation of kinetic data, design equations for ideal reactors (Batch, CSTR, PFR), and analysis of multiple reactor systems. |
| Week 6 | Reaction engineering of Step-Growth Polymerization: kinetics, molecular weight control, and distribution. |
| Week 7-9 | Deep dive into Radical Chain Polymerization: mechanisms, rate expressions, initiation techniques (thermal, redox, photo), and heterogeneous polymerization. |
| Week 10-11 | Emulsion Polymerization: mechanisms, kinetics, thermodynamics, particle nucleation, and reactor design. |
| Week 12 | Ionic Chain Polymerization: cationic systems, solvent effects, and the concept of living polymerization. |
Essential Reference Books
To complement the lectures, the course references seminal texts in the field, including:
- Odian G., “Principles of Polymerization” (John Wiley & Sons)
- Billmayer, F. W., “Text Book of Polymer Science”
- José M. Asua, “Polymer Reaction Engineering” (Blackwell Publishing)
- Beisenberger J. A. and Sebastian D.H.; “Principles of Polymerization Engineering” (John Wiley & Sons)
Industrial Relevance & Career Impact
This course is directly supported by and applicable to major industries. The principles taught are vital for companies like Reliance Industries Limited and GAIL India Limited, and are universally useful for sectors involving plastics, coatings, adhesives, and advanced materials. Mastering polymer reaction engineering opens doors to careers in process development, product innovation, quality control, and research leadership within the vast polymer manufacturing sector.
Enroll today to build a strong foundation in the engineering principles that turn simple monomers into the advanced materials that shape our modern world.
Enroll Now →