Welcome to the Center for Polymer  Science and Engineering (CPSE) at Lehigh University Home Page.

Our Mission

The Center's primary missions are the preparation of first rate scientists and engineers with proficiency in polymers; fostering of cross-disciplinary polymer research; and dissemination of research findings through publications, continuing education short courses in areas of interest to the polymer industry, and campus wide seminars. 

A Message from the Director

Dear Applicant,

The Center for Polymer Science and Engineering (CPSE) was formally established at Lehigh University in July 1988. The Center provides a unique opportunity for seventeen faculty and fifty students from traditional departments of chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering and mechanics, and physics, to perform interdisciplinary research in polymers. Lehigh University has been awarding interdisciplinary M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Polymer Science and Engineering since 1975. A new M.E. degree program option has now been added in 1999. Graduate students conducting polymer research may also earn the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in the classical fields of chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, physics, or mechanical engineering and mechanics. Both advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in polymer science and engineering are offered through the participating departments. Current course offerings include polymer synthesis and characterization, physical polymer science and organic polymer science, engineering behavior of polymers, rheology, polymer processing, emulsion polymers, biopolymers, polymer blends and composites, fatigue and fracture of engineering materials, and colloid science.

Please be advised that since our polymer science program at Lehigh is interdisciplinary, you must first apply through an academic department and meet their admissions criteria. After being admitted by a department, a student then petitions to enter the polymer program. As mentioned above, the typical departments are: Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

Sincerely,

Contact Information

For further information please contact :

Dr. Ray Pearson, Director;  (610) 758-3590; E-Mail: rp02@lehigh.edu

Dr. Jim Roberts, Chairman, Polymer Education Committee; (610) 758-4841; e-mail: jer1@lehigh.edu

Ms. Leanne Adamcik, Secretary;  (610) 758-3590; e-mail: leg4@lehigh.edu

FAX  (610) 758-5880

Webmaster (Eric Daniels): esd0@lehigh.edu