General description

The Master’s degree program follows the Bachelor’s degree; it usually takes
three semesters and requires students to earn 90 credits. The Master’s program
provides students with an extensive education in chemistry and related fields
and furnishes them with the ability to carry out independent scientific work.
The Master’s thesis is the key element of the Master’s degree; it is an independently written work on a specified issue in the general field of chemistry. Students can reduce the length of the Master’s degree program to two
semesters by taking certain modules from the program during the Bachelor’s
program. A small number of compulsory modules are complemented by a wide range
of electives which students can select from to round off their profile. Chemical biology, medicinal chemistry and biophysical chemistry are added to
the core subjects in chemistry. Students are awarded a Master of Science in
Chemistry on successful completion of the program and are ideally prepared for
a career in science. After earning a Master’s degree, most chemists pursue
doctoral studies which last between three and four years.

Admission requirements

The following academic degrees exempt the holder from having to pass any further examinations for admission to the a Master’s degree course: -A Bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Science of the University of Zurich,
whereby the Faculty determines which types of the Bachelor's degree are required for admission to the respective Master's degree courses. - Corresponding degrees of Swiss and foreign universities which are generally
recognized by the Faculty, or recognized by subject. In terms of paragraph 1,
such degrees are reviewed according to the stipulations of § 3 of the Bologna
guideline of the Swiss University Conference. Further possibilities for admission to a Master’s degree course: the Faculty assesses all other qualifications, in particular those from universities of applied sciences,
according to its own criteria, whereby. The principle of equal treatment applies to assessing the equivalence of Bachelor's degrees The Faculty can
require the fulfillment of additional conditions in form of evidence of academic achievement. The Faculty decides about the acceptance of academic
achievements and credit points which were obtained elsewhere.

Branch of studies

Chemistry

Educational goals

Graduates from a single major study program Chemistry at the Master's level
have

• an in depth theoretical understanding of concepts in Chemistry, which enables
  

them to understand complex chemical systems.

• experimental skills acquired during their largely independently conducted
  

master’s thesis.

• a deepened understanding of the current forefront of research in one
  

specific field of chemistry.

• competencies in a specialized area of research and are able to conduct
  

independent research such as would be required for a PhD

• the subject-specific qualifications necessary to work as a chemist MSc or to
  

teach Chemistry as their first teaching subject at Upper Secondary Schools (Sekundarstufe II)

Career possibilities

A Master’s degree in Chemistry is an ideal basis for fascinating future employment both in research and industry. As a result of its comprehensive
approach, chemistry forms the basis of numerous other disciplines, including
pharmacy, biology, medicine, agronomy, food sciences and earth sciences.
Chemists are therefore well-suited for a wide range of occupations, and a large
variety of careers and professions in diverse fields are open to graduates,
depending on their interests and area of specialization:
Research and Development: A Master’s degree can lead to a career in research,
generally via
a doctorate.
Education: The Master’s degree in Chemistry is a qualification for careers in chemistry and forms the academic basis for a teaching qualification.

• Process and Applications Engineering
  
• Sales and Marketing
  
• Analytical Chemistry
  
• Start-up Companies
  
• Patents
  
• Knowledge Management
  
• Media
  

ECTS credits

90 ECTS Credits

Degree

Master of Science UZH in Chemistry

Program structure

In the Master's study program students earn 35 ECTS credits from core elective
and elective modules (lectures, exercises, seminars, laboratory courses, and
special lectures). The Master's research project, combined with a research
lecture and the Master's exam are the final components of the program.

Part-time studies

Part-time study is possible thanks to the modular structure of the program.
However, this will increase the length of studies. A precise, individual model
for part-time study must be discussed in advance with the academic advisor
responsible.

Major/minor subject combinations

The Master's study program in Chemistry 90 can be taken as a single major or be
combined with a minor study program 30 at Master's level.

Examination and assessment regulations

The student's achievement is assessed at the end of each module.
Achievements are graded on a scale from 1 to 6, whereby 6 denotes the highest
grade of achievement and 1 the lowest. A grade below 4 is insufficient.
Achievements can also be graded with 'passed' or 'failed'.

Language of instruction

English