Polymeric Biomaterials Course: Structure, Properties & Applications | IIT Hyderabad
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 356 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Chemical Engineering, Biological Sciences & Bioengineering, Multidisciplinary, Polymers and Colloidal Materials, Bioengineering |
| 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 | 17 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Polymeric Biomaterials: A 12-Week Journey from Molecular Structure to Clinical Performance
Polymers are the unsung heroes of modern medicine. From the resorbable sutures that dissolve after healing to the sophisticated drug-eluting stents that keep arteries open, polymeric biomaterials form the backbone of countless life-saving and life-enhancing technologies. Understanding the intricate link between their molecular design and their final performance in the human body is the key to driving the next generation of medical innovations.
This detailed blog outlines a comprehensive 12-week course, "Polymeric Biomaterials: Structure, Properties, Function and Performance," offered by Prof. Satyavrata Samavedi of IIT Hyderabad. Designed for students and professionals, the course provides a deep dive into the science and engineering that make polymers indispensable in healthcare.
Meet the Instructor: Prof. Satyavrata Samavedi
The course is led by Prof. Satyavrata Samavedi, a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Hyderabad. With a B.Tech. from NIT Trichy and a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech, Prof. Samavedi brings a robust foundation in chemical engineering to the interdisciplinary field of biomaterials. His post-doctoral research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute further honed his expertise in biomedical applications.
An inducted member of the Indian National Young Academy of Science, his research group focuses on establishing processing-structure-property relationships for designing advanced polymeric drug carriers. His work spans electrospinning, controlled release systems, amorphous solid dispersions, and technologies for combination therapy. For more on his research, visit samavedi.weebly.com.
Course Overview: Bridging Fundamentals and Clinical Applications
This course is built on a powerful premise: despite the vast diversity of biomedical polymers, their design follows a universal structure-property-function framework. Over 12 weeks, participants will connect core principles of polymer science with real-world clinical challenges, exploring concepts like hierarchical organization and multi-scale functionality.
Intended Audience: Undergraduate, Masters, and Doctoral students, as well as researchers and industry practitioners in chemical, biomaterial, pharmaceutical, biomedical, and healthcare sectors.
Prerequisites: College-level first-year courses in physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
Industry Support: The course is highly relevant for pharmaceutical companies, polymer processors for healthcare, implant and medical device manufacturers, biotech firms, and FMCG companies with healthcare verticals.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introductory Concepts: History, Biocompatibility, Biomimicry, Implants, Clinical Case Studies. |
| Week 2 | Structure-Property Relationships I: Molecular Structure, Molar Mass, Polydispersity. |
| Week 3 | Structure-Property Relationships II: Chain Conformation, Polymer Architecture, Synthesis. |
| Week 4 | Temperature & Solvent Effects I: Crystalline/Amorphous States, Phase Transitions, Tg. |
| Week 5 | Temperature & Solvent Effects II: Solution Thermodynamics, Viscosity, Flory-Huggins Theory. |
| Week 6 | Biomedical Polymers I: Synthetic Polymers (Sutures, Implants, Dental Resins, Drug Release). |
| Week 7 | Biomedical Polymers II: Natural Polymers, Proteins, Polysaccharides, Hydrogel Science. |
| Week 8 | Bulk Behavior I: Mechanical Testing, Stress-Strain Curves, Failure Mechanisms. |
| Week 9 | Bulk Behavior II: Viscoelasticity, Degradation Routes, Real-world examples (Tendons, Ligaments). |
| Week 10 | Biomaterial Processing: Scaffold Prep, Sterilization, Electrospinning, 3D Printing. |
| Week 11 | Surfaces & Interactions: Protein Adsorption, Hemocompatibility, Anti-thrombotic Surfaces. |
| Week 12 | Biomaterial Performance: Immune Response, Device Testing, Translation, Regulation, Case Studies. |
Key Learning Outcomes and Applications
By the end of this course, participants will gain a conceptual toolkit to:
- Decode the Link: Understand how monomer choice, polymer architecture, and processing dictate final material properties.
- Design for Function: Apply engineering principles to design polymers for specific applications like controlled drug release, load-bearing implants, or hemostatic dressings.
- Navigate Complexity: Grasp critical phenomena like biodegradation, surface-protein interactions, and the foreign body response.
- Connect Lab to Clinic: Appreciate the pathway from material discovery through testing, regulation, and final clinical deployment.
The course uses engaging case studies—from hip implants and vascular grafts to stimuli-responsive hydrogels—to bring the science to life, often drawing inspiration from the stories of pioneering scientists in the field.
Recommended Textbooks
- Biomaterials Science: An Introduction to Materials in Medicine (4th Ed.) - Wagner et al.
- Biomaterials: The Intersection of Biology and Materials Science - Temenoff & Mikos.
- Introduction to Physical Polymer Science (4th Ed.) - L.H. Sperling.
- Polymer Chemistry (3rd Ed.) - Lodge & Hiemenz.
- Polymer Science (4th Ed.) - Gowariker, Vishwanathan & Sreedhar.
This course is a unique opportunity to gain a holistic, application-oriented understanding of polymeric biomaterials from an expert at the forefront of research. Whether you're a student aspiring to enter the field or a professional looking to deepen your knowledge, this structured journey from molecular structure to clinical performance is an invaluable resource.
Enroll Now →