This module will introduce the learner to the different types of plastics materials and their common applications. The processing techniques for plastics will be reviewed including extrusion and injection moulding. Finally the learners will be introduced to the different testing techniques for plastics and carry out a number of labs in this area.

1. The student is expected to be able to know the definition of polymers and to classify and describe polymers according to respective groups.
2. Determine and calculate the average molecular weight of the polymer and to describe the implications that arise from molecular weight differences with respect to properties and processing in general.
3. Describe and identify the various polymerisation system for conducting polymerisation reactions and to compare and contrast the advantages and the disadvantages of the various systems.
4. Determine the solubility parameter based on the molecular structure of the polymer and to identify and distinguish the factors affecting the polymer solubility
5. Describe the properties of the crystalline polymers and to explain the formation of crystals in polymers and the factors affecting it.
6. Identify the processing techniques used to plastics processing (e.g. injection moulding) including the various testing methods employed to test plastic materials.

The purpose of this module is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to select plastic materials for use in a given commercial application.

1. Explain the nature of thermoplastic and thermoset polymer materials
2. Analyse polymer technical property data sheets supplied by material manufacturers
3. Compile a basic plastic material requirement specification for a given service application
4. Undertake a basic plastic materials selection based upon the compiled requirement specification
5. Identify commodity, engineering and high performance thermoplastic/thermosets and principal commercial uses and applications
6. Identify why, where and when engineering, thermoset and high performance polymers are selected instead of commodity thermoplastics for commercial applications
7. Apply knowledge and skills to encourage sustainable design and use applications of polymers

This module prepares the student for progression onto the degree level 7 mathematics. It reintroduces the ideas of differentiation from the basics up to partial differentiation and integration from the basics up to integration by parts. It also covers formula manipulation, the factor theorem, partial fractions and complex numbers. The course is designed so that real life situations are used to demonstrate where the techniques are used.

1. Be able to manipulate mathematical equations

2. Be able to graph linear, quadratic, exponential, log and trig functions

3. Use the factor theorem and remainder theorem

4. Find partial fractions

5. Differentiate using the chain rule, product rule and quotient rule, find the maxima and minima of functions

6. perform parametric, implicit differentiation and partial differentiation

7. perform integration by substitution and by parts

8. Calculate areas using integration

9. Apply De Moivre’s theorem to find the powers of complex numbers