Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

You may not always be aware of it, but chemistry is omnipresent. As you are reading this, for instance, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids are hard at work in each part of your body. Every object in your immediate surroundings can be reduced to a chemical composition: the pen you use has a plastic case, the glasses you wear probably consist of special alloy, your scooter’s engine needs fuel, ... All of the examples above are the work of chemists who have been able to crack the secret code of molecules. And if that does not win you over, allow us to point out that chemistry is also the bedrock of many other scientific disciplines. Disciplines such as medicine, biology, agriculture, materials studies, ... all make use of the chemist’s basic diagrams. Even archaeologists and art historians have increasingly come to rely on chemistry as one of the fundamental building blocks of matter. As a field of study, chemistry is the focus of many study programmes at university, and beyond. Our Master’s programme, however, is the only one with chemistry an sich as its principle objective. Upon graduation you will have gained an insight into the fundamental principles and models of chemistry, which will in turn enable you to set up your own research.

Bachelor

The first-year curriculum consists of a general introduction to chemistry as an exact science and as an important player in society. It also contains other exact sciences such as mathematics, informatics, physics, and biochemistry. This is the bedrock you will need to move on to the second and third year, which offer an in-depth study of various subdisciplines of chemistry. In addition to a comprehensive overview of theoretical, inorganic, physical, organic and analytical chemistry, we also offer experimental chemistry and an introduction to entrepreneurship and chemistry. Shaping the second part of the third-year curriculum is entirely up to you. First of all, you will have to complete your Bachelor’s project, which consists of a brief research work placement of your choice. In addition, you choose one of four minors: research and development, a multidisciplinary broadening, education, or a study abroad. Choosing the Education minor will grant you direct access to the ensuing Master’s programme in Teaching (in Dutch: Educatieve Master).

Master

The Master of Science in Chemistry completes your training as a chemist. It is an English-taught programme, containing a choice of three main subjects which each allow for specific academic and professional profiles. The main subjects all follow the same curricular structure. Content-wise, they focus on state-of-the evolutions in chemistry in terms of molecules, materials, or chemical analysis. As the Master’s programme is fully English-taught, it at once familiarizes you with the English chemistry jargon and prepares you for the international dimension of the professional field. It also brings you in touch with the international students in the programme, and with researchers actively involved with world players in academia and the industry.

In addition to the (domain) Master’s programme described above, you can also choose a Master’s Programme in Teaching (in Dutch: educatieve master (120 sp).

The stereotypical image of lab-coated, test tube juggling chemists is largely one of bygone days. In large companies, especially, with their far-reaching specialization and diversity, it is very difficult nowadays to determine where a chemist’s job starts and where it ends. Depending on the company, you may just as well end up in a research department, as in an R&D department, where you will e.g. contribute to product design. Chemists can be involved in production, but also in sales or customer services. Just as easily, they can take up positions in analysis and quality control. Options beyond the industry include positions as a chemistry teacher or a city ecologist. Another option is to go on to do a PhD. Some positions are still exclusively open to holders of a PhD in Chemistry. Be that as it may, there is a shortage of chemists on the labour market, and no immediate signs that this shortage will resolve itself in the near future.