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¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Catalog 2025-2026

Textile Chemistry

The program emphasizes the fundamental principles of polymer science, dyeing and finishing technology, color science, dye chemistry, fiber formation, analytical chemistry and forensics. While learning these principles, these master’s students also develop their research, technical and analytical skills.

Alumni who head into industry after graduation find work in a wide variety of fields ranging from the chemical, environmental science, medical and forensic science industries to the retail, textile and apparel industries.Ìý

Focus areas of this program include: 

  • Dyeing and finishing chemistry.
  • Forensic and analytical chemistry.
  • Polymer science.
  • Sustainability.
  • Smart fibers and e-textiles.
  • ±·´Ç²Ô·É´Ç±¹±ð²Ô²õ.Ìý
  • Product development.

This program is available in both thesis and non-thesis options.ÌýThe non-thesis option can be completed entirely .Ìý

More Information

Applicant Information

  • Delivery Method: On-Campus, Online, Hybrid
  • Entrance Exam: None
  • Interview Required: None

Application Deadlines

  • Fall: March 1 (International); June 25 (U.S.)
  • Spring: July 15 (International): November 25 (U.S.)

Faculty

Full Professor

  • Roger Barker
  • Philip Bradford
  • Laura Clarke
  • Emiel DenHartog
  • Ahmed El-Shafei
  • Raoul Farer
  • David Hinks
  • Warren Jasper
  • Jeff Joines
  • Martin King
  • Amy M. Knab
  • Jerome Lavelle
  • Karen Leonas
  • Melissa Pasquinelli
  • Behnam Pourdeyhimi
  • Renzo Shamey
  • Richard Spontak
  • Nelson Vinueza
  • Xiangwu Zhang

Associate Professors

  • Ericka Ford
  • Wei Gao
  • Wendy Krause
  • Bryan Ormond
  • Sonja Salmon
  • Eunkyoung Shim

Assistant Professors

  • Januka Budhathoki-Uprety
  • Xiaomeng Fang
  • Jessica Gluck
  • Amanda Mills
  • Md Abdul Quddus
  • Tom Schroeder
  • Tova Williams
  • Rong Yin
  • Yang Zhang
  • Mengmeng Zhu

Research Faculty

  • Genevieve Garland
  • Dieter Griffis
  • Benoit Maze
  • Jialong Shen

Adjunct Faculty

  • Gerardo Montero
  • Riikka Raeisaenen
  • Gisela de Aragao Umbuzeiro
  • Julie Willoughby

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°Õ°äÌý530ÌýÌýThe Chemistry Of Textile AuxiliariesÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Industrially important textile chemicals used for enhancing fiber and fabric properties such as durable press, water repellency, anti-soiling, flame retardancy, softness, stiffness, lubricity and other uses. Correlation of effect with structure, end-use influences, interaction with fabric and fibers, sources and synthetic routes, economic and environmental considerations.

Prerequisite: One yr. of organic chemistry

Typically offered in Spring only

°Õ°äÌý560ÌýÌýFiber Manufacturing TechnologyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

TE/TC 598 is a 3-credit, intermediate course on fiber manufacturing technologies for the major classes of polymeric and inorganic fibers. The course explores innovations in fiber spinning that were necessitated by advances in polymer chemistry, the need for advanced material properties, as well as socio-economic concerns. The chemistry of polymers is discussed in terms of its role on fiber manufacturing by melt and solution spinning technologies. The microstructure and performance properties of fibers are discussed in context of the manufacturing technology.

R: Senior or Gradate Student Standing

Typically offered in Fall only

°Õ°äÌý561/²Ñ³§·¡Ìý561ÌýÌýOrganic Chemistry Of PolymersÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Principles of step reaction and addition polymerizations; copolymerization; emulsion polymerization; ionic polymerization; characterization of polymers; molecular structure and properties.

Prerequisite: TC 461 and CH 231 or °ä±áÌý431

Typically offered in Fall only

°Õ°äÌý565ÌýÌýPolymer Applications and TechnologyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Poly(olefins), poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), poly(urethanes), epoxies, silicones, styrene copolymers used as textile finishes, nonwoven binders, fabric coatings, composites, adhesives, foams, carpet backing adhesives. Emphasis upon synthesis, industrial processes, properties and products.

Prerequisite: One yr. of organic chemistry, TC 461

Typically offered in Spring only

°Õ°äÌý567ÌýÌýBiobased Textile Materials and ProcessesÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Advances in biotechnology allow us to: better understand the biosynthetic origins of textile materials from agricultural, animal and microbial sources; apply biotechnology, such as enzyme treatment, for textile modification and waste management; and, develop new types of biobased textiles using biocatalytic and fermentation technologies. In the context of this course, biobased textile materials include materials of biological origin used as textiles (e.g. fibers, monomers and fiber-forming biopolymers) or used during the production of textiles (e.g. enzymes, microorganisms, dyes and chemicals). The origins and properties of biobased textile materials are explored in a manner that bridges the fields of polymer chemistry, biochemistry and fiber science, with emphasis on chemical composition, properties, processes, analytics and mechanisms important to using these materials for textile applications. Sustainability attributes of biobased materials are discussed throughout the course.

Prerequisite: One semester of undergraduate organic chemistry (°ä±áÌý220 or °ä±áÌý221 or °ä±áÌý225 or similar) or permission of instructor

Typically offered in Fall only

°Õ°äÌý589/°Õ·¡Ìý589/°Õ²Ñ³§Ìý589ÌýÌýSpecial Studies In Textile Engineering and ScienceÌýÌý(1-4 credit hours)ÌýÌý

New or special course on developments in textile engineering and science. Specific topics and prerequisites identified vary. Generally used for first offering of a new course.

Prerequisite: Senior standing or Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

°Õ°äÌý601ÌýÌýSeminarÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Discussion of scientific articles and presentations; review and discussion of student papers and research problems.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

°Õ°äÌý630ÌýÌýIndependent StudyÌýÌý(1-3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

°Õ°äÌý685ÌýÌýMaster's Supervised TeachingÌýÌý(1-3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall only

°Õ°äÌý689ÌýÌýNon-Thesis Master Continuous Registration - Full Time RegistrationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain full-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc. Students may register for this course a maximum of one semester.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

°Õ°äÌý690ÌýÌýMaster's ExaminationÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

For students in non thesis master's programs who have completed all other requirements of the degree except preparing for and taking the final master's exam.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

°Õ°äÌý693ÌýÌýMaster's Supervised ResearchÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

°Õ°äÌý695ÌýÌýMaster's Thesis ResearchÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Thesis Research

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

°Õ°äÌý696ÌýÌýSummer Thesis ResearchÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Summer only

°Õ°äÌý699ÌýÌýMaster's Thesis PreparationÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

For students who have completed all credit hour requirements and full-time enrollment for the master's degree and are writing and defending their thesis. Credits arranged

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall only

°Õ°äÌý704ÌýÌýFiber Formation--Theory and PracticeÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Practical and theoretical analysis of the chemical and physical principles underlying conventional methods of converting bulk polymer to fiber; rheology; melt, dry and wet polymer extrusion; fiber drawing; heat setting; general theory applied to unit processes.

Typically offered in Spring only

°Õ°äÌý705ÌýÌýTheory Of DyeingÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Mechanisms of dyeing. Application of thermodynamics to dyeing systems. Kinetics of diffusion in dyeing processes.

Prerequisite: °ä±áÌý433

Typically offered in Spring only

°Õ°äÌý706ÌýÌýColor ScienceÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Basis of modern techniques for color specification, measurement, control and communication. Applications of color science to textiles, plastics, color reproduction, computer-based imaging and display systems. Basic concepts taught by computer color graphics.

Prerequisite: Senior standing or Graduate standing in TC, Corequisite: °Õ°äÌý707

Typically offered in Fall only

°Õ°äÌý707ÌýÌýColor LaboratoryÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Exercises with modern methods and equipment to aid in understanding color perception, color science and color measurement. Computer color graphics exercises for comprehension of basic concepts. Independent projects in color science. Limited enrollment.

Prerequisite: Senior standing or Graduate standing in TC, Corequisite: °Õ°äÌý706

Typically offered in Fall only

°Õ°äÌý710/¹ó±Ê³§Ìý710ÌýÌýScience of Dye Chemistry, Dyeing, Printing and FinishingÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

The primary course purpose is to gain a strong fundamental understanding of the chemistry and technology of preparation, dyes, dyeing and finishes. Emphasis will be on the chemistry of different bleach activators, surfactants, photophysics and photochemistry of FWAs, modulations of dyes structures to influence color, tinctorial strength, light fastness, wash fastness and aggregation. Chemistry of different dye classes will be studied with emphasis on structure-property relationships and dye-fiber interactions. Dyeing isotherms (Nernst and Langmuir), kinetics of dyeing with emphasis on derivation of Nernst and Langmuir based on thermodynamics and kinetics principles will be covered with practical examples of dyeing at different temperature and how to calculate thermodynamic parameters of dyeing (entropy, standard affinity and isotherm constants of Nernst and Langmuir). Chemistry of different finishes, including soil release, chemistry of flame retardants and mechanisms of flame retardancy, antimicrobial and water and oil repellency, will be covered with emphasis on structure-property relationships.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing and C or better in CH221 or CH225 and CH223 or CH227

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

°Õ°äÌý720ÌýÌýChemistry Of Dyes and ColorÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Correlation of color and chemical constitution, synthetic routes for popular dyes of all important types; electronic mechanisms for reactive dyes; chemistry of dye interactions with light, washing and other in-use influences; economic and environmental considerations.

Typically offered in Spring only

°Õ°äÌý771ÌýÌýPolymer Microstructures, Conformations and PropertiesÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Exploration of connections between microstructures and properties of polymers afforded by analysis of their conformational characteristics. Analysis of NMR spectroscopy and conformational energy estimates to establish polymer microstructures and resultant sizes and shapes of polymer chains, which then related to their unique and rich variety of physical properties.

Prerequisite: °ä±áÌý220

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate even years

°Õ°äÌý791ÌýÌýSpecial Topics In Textile ScienceÌýÌý(1-6 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Intensive treatments of selected topics in textile, polymer and fiber science.

Prerequisite: Senior standing or Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

°Õ°äÌý792ÌýÌýSpecial Topics In Fiber ScienceÌýÌý(1-6 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Study of selected topics of particular interest in various advanced phases of fiber science.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

°Õ°äÌý896ÌýÌýSummer Dissert ResÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý