Chemistry Leiden University

Overview

Are you interested in fundamental chemistry and applied research and looking for a programme with ample opportunities to assemble your own study path? Then our Chemistry programme is the right choice for you. The MSc Chemistry programme is highly flexible: you can tailor your programme to your ambitions and interests within the research areas Chemistry for Health or Chemistry for Sustainability. During your studies, you will be part of a multidisciplinary research team of internationally renowned researchers in which you will carry out your MSc research project. Join our world-class electrochemistry group to contribute to sustainable energy, or our leading interdisciplinary research teams in chemical biology, using chemical tools to study disease-related problems.

Our programme combines a solid theoretical basis with getting hands-on in practice. You can also choose a specialisation in which you combine one year of specialised Chemistry schooling with one year of multidisciplinairy training in the field of High-Tech Innovation, or specialised training in business studies, communication or education.

The MSc Chemistry is open for students with a BSc degree in Molecular Science & Technology, an internationally recognised BSc degree in chemistry, or a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in chemistry.

What you will learn

Graduates of the programme have achieved the below learning outcomes:

• Knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts of Chemistry from textbooks and primary literature pertaining to the research theme “Chemistry for Health” or “Chemistry for Sustainability”.

• The ability to plan chemical research, perform experiments within an appropriate time frame, and collect and store data in a logical way, in such a way that colleagues can easily find and access the data (data management).

• The ability to make an independent analysis of scientific problems, analysis of relevant specialist literature, and to formulate verifiable hypotheses.

• An appropriate critical scientific attitude, i.e. the ability to analyse own results as well as scientific literature and critically evaluate their validity and accuracy.

• Insight into the social and ethical responsibility of academics in chemistry.

• The skill to communicate chemical research progress and results to colleagues, supervisors and experts.

• The ability to write independently a structured and accurate report on performed chemical research.

• The learning skills to embark on a follow-up study with a largely self-directed or autonomous character.

Career prospects

With an MSc in Chemistry you are well prepared for a wide range of career opportunities. The chemical industry is one of the largest contributors to economic prosperity worldwide.

All students are trained as a chemist, with a strong focus on independent academic and analytical thinking. The set of compulsory components ensures that all MSc Chemistry students acquire a set of common learning outcomes, regardless of their chosen specialisation. Students have developed an appropriate critical scientific attitude, i.e. the ability to analyse results and critically evaluate their validity and accuracy, as well as the ability to communicate the progress and results of chemical research to colleagues, supervisors and experts.

Students with a Master of Science degree in Chemistry are admissible to a PhD programme. If you have a desire to apply your knowledge of chemistry outside the university, there are excellent job opportunities in Research & Development departments in industry, business, public utility companies, education, consultancy and government agencies. Many students eventually reach senior management positions.

Examples of jobs

• Science communicator
• Museum educator
• Science journalist
• Science editor
• Information officer
• Communication officer
• Consultant
• Manager
• Research Engineer
• Research Analyst
• Chemist

Accreditation

Accredited by NVAO, the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.