Characterization of polymers by different methods, including spectroscopic (nuclear magnetic resonance, Raman, infrared), mechanical (tensile, dynamic mechanical, rheological), microscopic (electron and optical microscopy), physiochemical (intrinsic viscosity, differential scanning calorimetry, gel permeation chromatography) and scattering (light, x-rays). Molecular simulation techniques introduced. Preparation and characterization of the most important polymer types. Radical, cationic, anionic polymerization; copolymerization;