Polymer structure-property relations: thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, biopolymers, ionomers, polyelectrolytes and liquid crystalline polymers; molecular weight distribution; crystallinity. Polymer classes and applications. Polymer phase transitions. Polymer synthesis: free-radical, cationic, anionic, condensation, oxidative and ring-opening polymerisations, in bulk, solution and microemulsion media. Polymer characterization by thermal, spectroscopic, surface and imaging methods. Polymer degradation and stabilization.