Polymers (synthetic and biopolymers) are in second place after raw materials (ores and non-ore) in nature. This is an important but not the only factor that determines the need for in-depth research and study of polymers as substances and materials. Biopolymers make up more than 75% of the dry matter of the living cell and, by their function, make a decisive contribution to the existence and genesis of living matter. At the other pole are synthetic polymer semiconductors, superconductors, lightning diodes and batteries, thermal and solar cells, highselective membranes, gene and tissue engineering, plaster electronics, bioinformatics and polymeric nanomaterials. All of this against the background of the already classic polymeric foil, fibrous and composite materials, without which modern life is simply unthinkable. Together, the necessity of intensive research and applied activity in the field of polymer science and practice, as well as the training of qualified personnel for this purpose, is predetermined.
The aim of the Polymer Masters Course is to acquire knowledge and skills in the four main areas of polymer science and practice; polymer chemistry and polymer synthesis polymers physics and theory, biopolymers and polymer materials. To achieve this goal, the efforts of the most prominent specialists in the various fields of polymer science and teaching from the Faculty of Physics of the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski “Institute of Polymer Chemistry at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physical Chemistry at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy in Sofia. The ambition of the team is to give the students knowledge and skills for theoretical rationale and understanding the processes of obtaining and poly-directional application of polymers using modern mathematical methods, physical models and specialized software. The course has the ambition to meet at least two pronounced trends in the development of polymer science and practice: 1. Dominant penetration of stringent quantitative methods for analysis, modeling, optimization and prognosis of polymers properties and functions; 2. The probability nature of macromolecules and macromolecular associations as multi-part ensemble objects as well as their transformations predetermines the predominant use of probable apparatus and methods to achieve the defined goal.
Both tendencies dictate the widespread use of modern computing systems to solve almost any particular task. In this way the course aims to make a significant contribution to the development of specialists with adequate knowledge and skills adequate to the modern development of polymer science and practice.
For the master program, students who have graduated the bachelor programs of the Faculty of Chemisty and Pharmacy or Faculty of Biology of Sofia University, Plovdiv University or University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy can become candidates. Graduates of bachelor programs in physics or engineering specialties can be trained in the Polymer Masters, having previously completed within one semester training to obtain basic knowledge of chemistry.
Graduates of the Master Program in Polymers are preparing for successful competition on the labor market in Bulgaria and abroad as highly qualified executives and executives in all chemical and monomerization companies, polymers, polymers processing (most of which are enterprises in the chemical industry) as well as in the use of polymers in machine building, instrumentation, construction, textile industry, microelectronics and semiconductor engineering, household appliances and household chemicals (paints, lacquers, adhesives, wallpaper, bedding, linoleum, etc.), information technology, nanotechnology, application of intelligent materials, creation of new energy sources, agriculture, cosmetics and perfumery, pharmaceutical industry and medicine. They can also successfully compete for teaching positions in higher education institutions to become researchers in academia and industry units where, with their training and computer literacy, they are the initiators of original scientific developments in the latest trends in polymer science and the application of high-tech polymers. The above-mentioned production and scientific units exist in our country. However, it is important to note that with this training the graduates of this master’s degree will meet the requirements for young polymers specialists and in all other countries.
Graduates of the Polymer Magister acquire the Master’s degree with a Master’s degree in Chemistry. This provides them with the right to work in all scientific, educational (higher, college and secondary), application-research, production and commercial institutions and units in which higher chemical education is necessary for their successful functioning and development. This is especially true of those in which polymer science has a dominant role. In addition, graduates of this master’s degree are trained for doctoral studies in the field of polymer science in all prestigious educational institutions around the world. Last but not least, the training received by this Masters degree in the field of biopolymers and the application of high-tech polymers is of importance. This is a window to the most intensely developing areas of human knowledge and practice – life, information and nanotechnology.
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