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 MSc program with a major in Chemistry 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 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, German