Principles of Molecular Engineering

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The objective of this course, intended for both upper level undergraduate and graduate students, is to illustrate the emerging field of molecular engineering. By fusing concepts from chemistry and materials science, molecular engineering seeks rational design of chemical building blocks for organized systems and materials. Students will gain a fundamental perspective for how non-covalent interactions and designed molecular motifs can dictate the structure, function, and properties of resulting engineered systems. This will include an appreciation for the role on intermolecular forces in governing the behavior of these molecules as they interact with each other and with their environment (typically a solvent). Additionally, illustrative examples will point to the power of strategies rooted in principles of molecular engineering to create highly controlled and functional materials. topics will include: non-covalent interactions, molecular design, thermodynamic driving forces, solvent effects, molecular self-assembly, supramolecular chemistry, molecular & materials characterization techniques, and applications of molecular engineering for diverse uses in energy, medicine, computing, formulation science, industrial applications, and food sciences.