The course will first review some basic concepts in polymer physics and polymer chemistry. The course focuses more in polymer and materials characterization and related fabrication toward applications of advanced and functional polymers. The characterization techniques include thermal analysis of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic thermal mechanical analysis (DTMA), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEC), optical microscopy, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, surface analysis, and mechanical properties and testing. MCPR's instrument demo will also be arranged.