Learning Chemistry f r o m the Macromolecule
Introduction The group of papers that follows arose from the ahove symposium, whose main ohjective was to explore and demonstrate methods whereby the college undergraduate student of chemistry could be introduced to the field of macromolecules a t an early stage. This statement may, of course, and probably will, raise questions as to the validity of such an ohjective. Some of us, a t least, feel that we can provide some convincing arguments on this point. Hence the symposium. The first argument that might come up is based on the technological importance of macromolecules today, since the synthesis and production of polymers now dominates the chemical industry. And, after all, most of the students of chemistry (and chemical engineering) as a discipline eventually find themselves working in industrial laboratories and plants. A prior exposure to the chemical reactions and properties of monomers and polymers would provide some useful "training" for such a career. Furthermore, such an exposure must begin early in the undergraduate program so as to fully acquaint the potential graduate student with this area of chemical and physical science. However, this argument, per se, leaves something to he desired, since the objectives of most programs of higher learning in science are to provide the basic, intellectual foundations in the appropriate discipline, and leave the "practical" training to the industrial laboratories and plants. Assuming that this philosophy is valid, it provides an even more telling argument for the serious consideration of macromolecules throughout the chemical curriculum, since its omission must leave a jagged hole in the fabric of chemistry. After all, the science of chemistry is concerned with the molecular structure, properties, and transformations of substances in our universe-how can the very basis of our plant and animal life not be included?
This generally hrings up the argument that macromolecules are "too difficult" to understand and discuss a t an early stage in the chemistry curriculum. Nothing could be further from the truth, since our present-day understanding of macromolecular structure makes this topic not only a simple but a most stimulating one to present to undergraduates (yes, even to high school students). If interest and curiosity is the driving force of learning, then surely rubber, plastics, and the nucleic acids are far more relevant in the study of chemistry than hydrogen and sulfnr
This symposium, therefore, was intended to show bow macromolecules can even better demonstrate the principles of chemistry than the usual small molecules. This can make it possible to "accept" the macromolecule as a full-fledged member in the family of molecules (even outweighing (!) its tiny counterparts). Many who attended the symposium have been asking for textual material to use in their curriculum for this purpose-hence it is hoped that this publication can act in lieu of the badly-needed new textbooks of chemistry in this regard. The writer wishes to take this opportunity to express his sincere gratitude to the contributors for their time and effort expended on behalf of the symposium and its publication. Maurice Morton This Symposium was sponsored jointly by the Divisions of Chemical Education and Polymer Chemistry of the American Chemical Society at the 164th National Meeting in New York City, August 29, 1972. Reprints of this Symposium may be obtained by writing to: Dr. Eli M. Pearee, Allied Chemical Corporation,. P.O. Box 1021R, Morristown, New Jersey 07960.
Volume 50, Number
11, November 1973
/
731
