A Capstone Writing Experience in Polymer Chemistry: Writing a Proposal for an Instrument Purchase

A capstone writing experience for upper-level polymer chemistry is described in which students write a proposal to the management of a hypothetical company recommending for or against the purchase of a particular make and model of polymer characterization instrumentation. This project involves background research into the appropriate instrumental method, the collection of quotes and product information from instrumentation vendors, and the development of capital and operating budgets. The students evaluate this information and make value judgments as to whether any purchase is justified and, if so, they suggest which make and model should be purchased. The term papers are to be written for a nonspecialist audience, which forces the students to write the paper in terms that are accessible to the scientifically literate lay person. This exercise has value in its own right, produces an excellent assessment tool, and greatly helps the students once they proceed to permanent employment where such writing skills are highly valued.