Polymer synthesis, structure, and characterization. Mechanisms of step-growth and chain-growth          polymerizations (radical, ionic, group transfer, metathesis, copolymerization, suspension, and emulsion). Introduction to polymers of different composition, topology and functionality, and their characterization. Survey of “modern” polymer chemistry (dendrimers, supramolecular, conducting, self-healing, depolymerizable, and bio-polymers, etc.). Rheological and viscoelastic behavior: relaxations and transitions, rubber elasticity. Applications of polymers and colloidal particles in diverse fields.