Master in Chemistry
Helsinki, Finland
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English, Finnish, Swedish
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 15,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-EU/EEA countries
Key Summary
About: The Master's Programme in Chemistry at The University of Helsinki is 120 ECTS credits, completed in two years of full-time study. It's taught in English; you may take courses or write your Master's thesis in Finnish or Swedish. You learn experimental research methods in analytical, synthetic and radiochemistry, spectroscopy and molecular research through lectures, exams, labs, presentations and seminars. The degree complies with national legislation and is recognised globally.
Career Outcomes: You can work in industry, research, education or the business sector, including environmental analysis, pharmaceuticals, materials development and energy solutions; roles include R&D scientist, analytical chemist, quality manager.
How to detect illnesses from breath?
Do you want to build new compounds and materials, develop new energy solutions or make use of carbon dioxide? Are you interested in researching pharmaceuticals and diagnostic methods? Does analysing environmental samples, drinking water or forensic samples sound interesting? Would you like to explore new possibilities in the circular economy and the use of biomaterials?
Studying
In the Master's Programme in Chemistry*, you will become profoundly familiar with experimental research methods in one or more fields of chemistry, such as analytical and synthetic chemistry, radiochemistry, molecular research, and spectroscopy. The studies include lecture courses, examinations and contact teaching, laboratory courses, presentations and seminars.
Language of instruction
The language of instruction is English: all courses given by the programme will be taught in English. However, you can also complete courses in Finnish or Swedish if you wish, and you can write your Master’s thesis in either English, Finnish or Swedish.
In the Master’s Programme in Chemistry, the studies include lecture courses, examinations and contact teaching, laboratory courses, presentations and seminars. Compared to a Bachelor's degree, the studies require more independent work. The Master’s degree culminates in an extensive Master's thesis that includes practical research.
You may select courses from different special fields of chemistry according to your interests and career goals. You can complete a broad-ranging degree by selecting studies from several course packages or specialise in a specific branch of chemistry, e.g. analytical chemistry, synthesis, radiochemistry, molecular research and spectroscopy.
The scope of the degree is 120 credits and is intended to be completed in two academic years. The 120 credits are divided into two parts:
- Advanced studies in Chemistry (100-120 cr), including a Master’s thesis of 30 credits
- Other elective studies (0-20 cr)
Advanced studies in Chemistry (100-120 cr)
In the Master’s programme, you must select
- at least one-course package (25 credits) in
- radiochemistry,
- synthetic chemistry,
- analysis and separation methods,
- molecular science or
- polymer chemistry
- courses from different special fields of chemistry according to your interests and career goals (at least 25 cr).
You can either complete a broad-ranging degree by selecting studies from several packages or specialise in a specific branch of chemistry. Additionally, advanced studies include
- one mandatory course (Chemicals and legislation)
- the Master's thesis and
- a research project which further expands the experimental part of the thesis.
The remaining other elective studies (0-20 cr) may include:
- More advanced chemistry courses
- Relevant other courses from other degree programmes (either Bachelor's or Master's level courses)
- Supplementary chemistry courses required by the Master's Programme
- Finnish courses for International courses.
Master's Thesis
Your final project is the Master's thesis, the scope of which is 30 credits. It includes a literature review and an experimental or theoretical/computational research component. The scope of the research component is extended by completing an additional research project (KEM412) which is 15 credits.
You can complete the research as
- a member of a research group at the University
- outside the University in a research institute or company, or
- during a student exchange.
You must demonstrably complete part of the research yourself and write the entire thesis independently (but under supervision and guidance).
International environment
An international learning environment: The Master’s Programme in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences accepts students through an international admissions procedure. Students of the international Master’s Programme in Advanced Spectroscopy in Chemistry, as well as several exchange students, further increase the international scope. In addition, the Department has several international teachers and researchers. Chemical research is an international effort, and research groups at the University of Helsinki have several international partners.
Student exchange: The University of Helsinki has student exchange agreements with several foreign universities, so you can complete part of your degree abroad. Once you have completed your Master’s degree, you can pursue doctoral studies at a foreign university.
Language studies: The University of Helsinki offers a wide range of opportunities for improving your language skills.
Co-operation and International Scope
As a student at the University of Helsinki, you have extensive opportunities to study in different faculties. The Faculty of Science also has bilateral agreements with Aalto University and the University of Jyväskylä, allowing you to take certain complementary chemistry courses taught in those universities.
Research in the natural sciences is broad and multidisciplinary. Researchers at the Department of Chemistry have joint projects with units, research institutes and companies inside and outside the University. These connections allow you to network with various parties within chemistry and related disciplines.
In addition, the department has close connections with several organisations in the field of chemistry, helping you to acquaint yourself with professional chemists and the job market. Key partners include, for example:
- Finnish Chemical Society
- Chemical Industry Federation of Finland
- various trade organisations and
- Finnish Association for Teachers of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Informatics.
It is possible to complete part of your degree abroad as the University of Helsinki has student exchange agreements with several universities abroad. The Language Centre of the University of Helsinki also offers a wide range of opportunities for improving your language skills.
Why Chemistry and Molecular Sciences?
After completing the Master’s Programme in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, you will:
- Be profoundly familiar with experimental research methods in one or more fields of chemistry, such as analytical and synthetic chemistry, radiochemistry, molecular research, and spectroscopy.
- Have an in-depth knowledge of the theoretical basis of your field and be able to apply this knowledge to broader topics.
- Know how to search for and manage chemical research data and use them to plan and perform demanding duties in chemical laboratories.
- Be able to act as a chemical expert in project planning and management, both independently and as a member of a team.
- Be able to present your results accurately in accordance with the practices of the field, both orally and in writing
- Be able to prepare extensive papers and reports.
Our scholarship program is for students who are applying to the University of Helsinki. These scholarships are intended for excellent students from outside the EU/EEA, who wish to complete a Master's program at the University of Helsinki. Grants can be applied while applying to the University of Helsinki’s Master’s programs.
For more information about scholarships, please visit the university website.
As a chemical expert, you can embark on a career in industry, research or education, or in the business sector. Your work might also involve:
- applications of environmental or biological sciences
- the manufacture of pharmaceutical products, or
- the development of technological materials or new energy solutions.
The chemical industry is a major employer and one of the largest export industries in Finland. Potential employers include private companies, research and educational institutes, public agencies and supervisory authorities in Finland and abroad. You can also apply for postgraduate study in a doctoral programme.
Career
A Master’s degree in Chemistry qualifies you for expert positions in a wide range of fields, such as industry, research or education. The chemicals industry is a major employer and one of the largest export industries in Finland. Your work could also involve applications of environmental or biological sciences, the manufacture of pharmaceutical products, or the development of technological materials or new energy solutions.
In the private sector, your duties might include research and development, quality management, training or commerce. Customs and forensic chemists, and chemists working in environmental control analyse samples as part of their duties. Chemical research often requires interdisciplinary and international cooperation. As a chemist, you can be a part of developing new inventions and serve as an expert in your field and as a connoisseur of natural phenomena.