Introduction
Start: August 2021
Place of study: Linköping
Level: Second cycle
As a skilled chemist, you can play a key role in solving the challenges we are facing concerning the environment and the health of an aging population. This new master’s program has a modern, molecule-centered approach that transcends the boundaries between traditional branches of chemistry.
Learn molecular structures in detail
Throughout the program, our experienced teachers, who are all active researchers, will explain how molecular properties are understood, designed, and used. You will study the details of the chemical bond, followed by synthesis and analysis of molecules and materials. Courses in nanotechnology, medicinal chemistry, and materials science will help you understand how chemistry is central to a wide range of applications, why molecules with certain structures are suited for particular tasks, and how molecular properties can be enhanced to suit the application even better.
Plenty of lab time
You will spend a lot of time in our labs getting hands-on experience of chemistry and applying theories covered in the lectures. Linköping University (LiU) has strong research in chemistry and related subjects, including computational studies of catalysis and surface chemistry, as well as the synthesis of hard and soft materials. We are also developing synthetic molecules for pharmaceutical and diagnostic purposes, and methods for forensic investigations. For your thesis, you can opt to work either with a research group at LiU or with the industry.
Webinar for prospective students
Do you want to learn more about the Chemistry program? Watch this webinar with Professor Henrik Pedersen from January 2019.
Syllabus
Purpose
The Master’s program in Chemistry aims to provide the students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for a professional in the field or for further postgraduate studies. The program meets both national and international needs from universities, industry, and society in general. The training intends to provide in-depth knowledge of chemical synthesis, chemical analysis, and materials chemistry.
Students graduating from the Master's program in Chemistry shall:
be well prepared for advanced scientific communication with different target groups
be able to contribute to the sustainable development of society
be well prepared for both further postgraduate studies and for the national and international labor market.
Aim
Disciplinary knowledge and reasoning
Graduates from the Master’s program in Chemistry demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the chemistry field, including a broad knowledge of the area and considerable in-depth knowledge in certain parts of the area. The graduates are also acquainted with current research in the field.
The program builds upon a Bachelor's education in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent, where fundamental knowledge in the area has been acquired.
The Master's program in Chemistry aims to provide in-depth knowledge of chemistry. A graduated student can:
analyze data and evaluate results from experiments and observational studies of chemical systems and critically evaluate statements about chemical relations.
apply mathematical and physical models to chemical systems of high complexity, in order to describe and understand them.
apply concepts and utilize techniques from other sciences to interpret chemical phenomena.
More specifically, a student graduated from the program can:
use knowledge of the relationship between the structure and properties of molecules to select suitable synthesis and analysis methods for a given molecule.
select a suitable molecular structure for a given area of application.
describe areas of application for a given molecular structure.
work in a sustainable way through so-called green chemistry.
The Master's program in Chemistry is conducted in close collaboration with strong research environments, which gives the students insight into current research and development within the areas of chemical synthesis, chemical analysis, and materials chemistry. During the Master thesis work, the student can work for a full year with a research group, a company, or a public authority, getting very well acquainted with research findings within one of the areas. The graduate student is also able to design a scientific study and is skilled in critically reading relevant research literature.
Personal and professional skills and attributes
Students who graduated from the Master's program in Chemistry have achieved the individual and professional skills and attitudes required to be able to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyze and evaluate complex issues even with limited information. The graduates can also take responsibility at work or during post-graduate studies concerning work ethics, reliability, and respect for the expertise of other professionals. Students from the program can make relevant judgments regarding scientific, social, and ethical aspects.
Interpersonal skills: Teamwork and communication
Students having graduated from the Master's program in Chemistry can collaborate with other people. This requires the ability to actively participate in a project with designated roles, tasks, and responsibilities. The graduates can also initiate, plan, lead, and evaluate larger projects. Students who graduated from the program are skilled in written and oral communication. The students can present information, problems, and solutions in a structured way with relevant techniques, in English or in their native language, to different target groups.
Planning, execution, and presentation of research or development projects with respect to scientific and societal needs and requirements
Students who graduated from the Master's program in Chemistry shall have knowledge about the natural scientist and the role of natural science in society. The graduates also understand the social and economic conditions in the field and in the related research area. They can initiate, conduct, and present advanced development projects with established methods.
Career opportunities
The job market for chemists is excellent. After graduation, you will understand chemistry from an integrated, molecular perspective and have the skill set to work in the pharmaceutical or the materials science industries, as well as for environmental agencies. The fundamental knowledge of chemistry acquired from the program will allow you to change direction during your career – different applications require molecules with different properties, but they are designed using the same principles. The program also makes you well prepared for further studies towards a doctoral degree.
Entry requirements
Bachelor's degree with a major in the field of chemistry or chemical biology. The Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen) shall be from an internationally recognized university.
English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (English 6/B). This is normally attested by means of an internationally recognized test.
The selection for the January application round is based on merit rating (grade tariff) at three levels. If necessary, applicants within the same merit group will be selected by lot.
Group 1: High
Group 2: Good
Group 3: Low