Objectives of Programme's Learning Outcomes

• Have acquired professional skills in relation to the objective defining the degree.
• Specialise in at least one sub-domain of chemistry.
• Learn about scientific research and the world of research.
• In the field of chemistry, possess highly specialised and integrated knowledge and a wide range of skills adding to those covered in the Bachelor's programme in chemistry.
• Help lead and complete a major development project, individually or in teams, related to chemistry.
• Mobilise, articulate and promote the knowledge and skills acquired.
• Manage research, development and innovation within chemistry and/or its applications.
• Understand unprecedented problems in chemistry.
• Possibly propose innovative solutions to targeted problems, which also requires attentiveness and mutual respect, as well as argue and establish constructive debates.
• Communicate clearly in the scientific domain.
• Communicate, both orally and in writing, their findings, original proposals, knowledge and underlying principles, in a clear, structured and justified manner.
• Adapt their communication to a variety of audiences.
• Develop and integrate a high degree of autonomy.
• Aquire new knowledge independently.
• Pursue further training and develop new skills independently.
• Develop and integrate a high degree of autonomy to evolve in new contexts.
• Apply high quality scientific methodology.
• Critically reflect on the impact of chemistry in general and projects to which they particularly contribute.

Learning Outcomes of UE

Unlike metals and ceramics, polymers - versatile in terms of structures, properties and functions - are excellent candidates for various medical applications depending on a specific need: biocompatibility, bioresorbability, functionality or inerty, flexible or rigid, dense or low-density materials, films, powders, fibers, gels, etc. And, it is no secret that responsible for all modulating characteristics is the chemistry of the polymers. This is why, downstream of the prerequisites for BACs 1 to 3 (Organic Chemistry and Chemistry of Polymers) and upstream of the other courses in Bio-inspired Chemistry and Living Chemistry of the Master's program with an in-depth focus, this learning unit offers knowledge of the chemistry of polymers for biomedical purposes via:
1. A brief history of the biomedical applications of polymers from prehistoric times to the present day;
2. Discussions on the routes of isolation, synthesis and modification of natural polymers, their derivatives as well as synthetic polymers.
Concerning the synthetic polymers, the routes towards vinyl polymers, polylactones, polysiloxanes, polyesters and polyamides will be seen in detail with a look at controlled and living syntheses (ATRP, RAFT, PISA, etc.). At each step, biocompatibility in terms of inert, biodegradable and bioassimilable materials will be reviewed without going into biochemical details.

UE Content: description and pedagogical relevance

Versatility in terms of plethora of structures, properties and functions makes polymers excellent candidates for various medical applications. Indeed, unlike metals and ceramics, polymers and their materials can be obtained in various forms depending on a specific need: biocompatible, bioresorbable or permanent, functional or inert, flexible or rigid, dense or low-density materials, films, powders, fibers, gels, etc. This is how naturally, over the past 30 years, an explosion of research around polymers for biomedical purposes has been observed.
It is no secret that responsible for all modulating characteristics is the chemistry of the polymers. This is why, downstream of the prerequisites for BACs 1 to 3 (Organic Chemistry and Chemistry of Polymers) and upstream of the other courses in Bio-inspired Chemistry and Living Chemistry of the Master's program with an in-depth focus, this learning unit offers in-depth knowledge of the chemistry of polymers for biomedical purposes. First, the discussion offers a brief history of the biomedical applications of polymers from prehistoric times to the present day, as a basis for more detailed discussions on the routes of isolation, synthesis and modification of natural polymers, their derivatives as well as synthetic polymers.
The 30-hour program is more precisely detailed in four chapters:
Chapter 1: The history of polymers in biomedical: from prehistory to the present day (2h)
Chapter 2: Natural polymers for biomedical (10h)
Various categories of biopolymers will be detailed, such as polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids with a focus on the chemistry of production and modification of polysaccharides (in addition to the Macromolecular Chemistry and Bio-inspired Chemistry courses). The methods of preparation of pharmaceutical formulations (forms for the controlled administration of drugs) and medical (temporary prostheses and matrices for tissue engineering), will be briefly introduced in order to facilitate their learning within the framework of the Bio Engineering course. -macromolecular.
Chapter 3: Derivatives of natural polymers in biomedical (8h)
The production pathways of chitosan, alginates carrying (meth)acrylate functions, etc. will be seen in detail as well as the chemistry (reactivity) and the medical forms of these derivatives of natural polymers.
Chapter 4: Synthetic polymers for biomedical (10h)
The synthesis routes of vinyl polymers, polylactones, polysiloxanes, polyesters and polyamides will be seen in detail with a look at controlled and living syntheses (ATRP, RAFT, PISA, etc.). Examples of various structures (block, branched, dendritic) will be given.
At each step, biocompatibility in terms of inert, biodegradable and bioassimilable materials will be reviewed without going into biochemical details, but ensuring the link with the Macromolecular Biochemistry course.

Prior Experience

Not applicable