Chemistry – (M.Sc.)

How can I make a flexible and cheap solar cell out of organic molecules? Can I build a car engine on a molecular level? How do I make a colour television that can be folded up? These are a few of the fascinating questions you will encounter as a chemist in Groningen.

Following the Master´s degree programme in Chemistry at the University of Groningen means studying in an internationally highly respected research environment, usually with a cross-disciplinary approach. The research programme of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Groningen is embedded in the Zernike Institute of Advanced Materials, which is an officially recognized national centre of leading research in materials science in the Netherlands.

The department offers a Master´s degree programme for students who already have a solid background in chemistry, and who are eager to expand their knowledge and experience in one of the following fields of chemistry: Molecular Science, Chemical Physics and Polymer Science. The Molecular Science specialization develops the understanding of molecular aspects and applies this understanding to the fields of nanotechnology, supramolecular chemistry, synthetic chemistry, catalysis and the chemistry of life sciences.

Chemical Physics studies the physical and chemical properties of atoms, molecules and condensed matter by means of experimental techniques and theoretical methods. Within the fields of Chemical Physics, you can choose between theoretical chemistry and solid state chemistry. Polymer Science helps you gain a deeper understanding of the physical and chemical structure and properties of polymers, and focuses on the development of thin films and surfaces and biomaterials.

This degree programme in Chemistry is primarily meant for students who want to become researchers. Some graduates will, after obtaining their Master´s degree, continue with a PhD project, either in Groningen or elsewhere. Some find jobs all over Europe in major companies, including DSM, Akzo Nobel, Corus or Philips. Nevertheless, many chemists who are trained as researchers find jobs that are less research-oriented.

This is because the programme also pays attention to communication skills, teamwork, presentation techniques and IT skills. During their training as researchers in chemistry, students develop general competences that make them highly versatile and widely employable. In practice chemistry graduates can be found in consulting agencies, commercial functions, product research and development, product management or teaching.