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Dive deeper into the world of chemistry

Choose the path to your future in chemistry

To complete your Master’s, you will choose a specific track, according to your future ambitions: Analytical Sciences, Science for Energy and Sustainability, Molecular Sciences, or Chemistry of Life. Each track includes compulsory courses and optional courses.

1. Analytical Sciences focuses on finding and determining presence and compositions of chemical compounds in substrates. For example, for drug tests in hospital labs, blood-alcohol tests or blood-glucose sensors. But your skills are also in demand for industry work, making safer and more durable car paints, advancements in the petrochemical industry, etc.

2. Science for Energy and Sustainability focuses on creating a more resilient and sustainable world through chemistry. You will explore ways to capture phosphorus in the ground or CO2 in the air. This requires a look at climate, but also at how to create durable, biodegradable plastics that require much less energy to produce.

3. Molecular Sciences is the fundamental chemistry track, and is very broad. Here, you will immerse yourself in the topics that interest you, like synthesis and catalysis, or in theoretical chemistry, computational chemistry, new material creation, photonics and more.

4. Chemistry of Life is the track that focuses on the chemistry of living systems. In this track, you will learn about the roles of enzymes in chemistry, how simulations of proteins and other biological systems can help you to understand biomolecular processes, and how chemical tools can enhance biological studies.

If you’re interested in the theory and research, but also want to apply it in other areas, the Chemistry Master’s programme offers three specialisations ('major') in the second year: Teaching, Science in Society and Science Communication. Declaring a major is optional, not obligatory.

If you complete your Teaching major, you will be well prepared for a role as a top-notch high school chemistry teacher. The Science in Society major provides you with experience translating chemical knowledge into governmental and regional policies. So you’ll be prepared for careers in policy-making, politics or as a patent attorney. The Science Communication major will give you the skills to communicate chemical knowledge to larger audiences. Many students who finish this major work as journalists, reviewers, spokespeople or consultants.

Regardless of your choice, you will graduate with a Master Chemistry degree, which ensures a high level of chemistry knowledge and skills. These will be useful for either a career in science or elsewhere.

The start dates of this programme are September 1st and February 1st.

1st year

In your first year, you will choose a specific research track, according to your future ambitions:

  • Analytical Sciences
  • Molecular Sciences
  • Science for Energy and Sustainability
  • Chemistry of Life

If you don't want to continue doing research in your second year, you will complete your research in one of these areas with a small research project at the end of the first year. In this way, you can continue in one of the societal specialisations in your second year.

All the information about courses, you can find in the study guide of UvA.

Summary

Understanding how molecules function is one of the most important worldwide challenges in chemistry. Organic chemistry, biochemistry, organometallic chemistry and theoretical chemistry are the foundations for a fundamental understanding of the relationship between molecular structure and performance. This field offers society the molecules and materials we need for our health, transportation, energy, agriculture and communication. 

The Molecular Sciences track of the Chemistry Master’s programme covers areas that traditionally are associated with organic and inorganic chemistry, catalysis, physical chemistry and theoretical chemistry.

You should choose this track if you are interested in using the molecule as the starting point for gaining fundamental insights about materials and chemical, biological and physical processes. In Molecular Sciences, you will move from understanding chemical and physical processes to predicting and controlling them. You will apply your knowledge and skills in areas of fundamental importance to society, such as energy, sustainability, health and materials sciences.

This track allows you to become an expert in designing new compounds with specific properties, often with the aid of computational methods, devising efficient methods for the synthesis of new compounds, developing clean and selective catalysts using the interaction of light and matter to observe and control chemical and physical processes, and developing and applying methods in computational and theoretical chemistry in research of structure, dynamics and function in atomic, (bio)molecular and multi-scale systems.

The programme is embedded in various leading national and international research institutes, such as the Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences at the VU, the Research Priority Area Sustainable Chemistry at the University of Amsterdam, the Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling (ACMM, part of CECAM) and the LaserLab Amsterdam (part of LaserLab Europe). These collaborations provide you with direct access to a broad pool of experts in relevant fields of study.

  • Molecular Sciences

    Summary

    Understanding how molecules function is one of the most important worldwide challenges in chemistry. Organic chemistry, biochemistry, organometallic chemistry and theoretical chemistry are the foundations for a fundamental understanding of the relationship between molecular structure and performance. This field offers society the molecules and materials we need for our health, transportation, energy, agriculture and communication. 

    The Molecular Sciences track of the Chemistry Master’s programme covers areas that traditionally are associated with organic and inorganic chemistry, catalysis, physical chemistry and theoretical chemistry.

    You should choose this track if you are interested in using the molecule as the starting point for gaining fundamental insights about materials and chemical, biological and physical processes. In Molecular Sciences, you will move from understanding chemical and physical processes to predicting and controlling them. You will apply your knowledge and skills in areas of fundamental importance to society, such as energy, sustainability, health and materials sciences.

    This track allows you to become an expert in designing new compounds with specific properties, often with the aid of computational methods, devising efficient methods for the synthesis of new compounds, developing clean and selective catalysts using the interaction of light and matter to observe and control chemical and physical processes, and developing and applying methods in computational and theoretical chemistry in research of structure, dynamics and function in atomic, (bio)molecular and multi-scale systems.

    The programme is embedded in various leading national and international research institutes, such as the Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences at the VU, the Research Priority Area Sustainable Chemistry at the University of Amsterdam, the Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling (ACMM, part of CECAM) and the LaserLab Amsterdam (part of LaserLab Europe). These collaborations provide you with direct access to a broad pool of experts in relevant fields of study.

HRSMC Class of Excellence

The HRSMC Class of Excellence is a two-year excellence Master's programme in all three areas of Sustainable Molecular Chemistry: synthesis, spectroscopy, and theory. This programme has been developed for talented chemistry students. It guides them to become an expert in synthesis, spectroscopy and chemistry theory. We aim for the top 10 percent of students - not only at the HRSMC universities but also from other institutions and abroad. Selected students are talented in various disciplines and have a broad vision.

Admission is granted based on a strict selection procedure which comprises a written application and an interview with the Board of the Graduate School and the Director of the Education Committee. All information on application and deadlines can be found on the HRSMC website. Make sure to not only apply for this excellence programme but also to follow the general application procedure of Molecular Sciences.

For more information please contact HRSMC coordinator Rachel Scheffelaar.

Molecular Sciences

Professor Jan van Maarseveen and student Jady de Rooij explain what the Master's track Molecular Sciences is all about.

Do you have questions about this specialisation?

Please contact the track coordinators Trevor Hamlin and Stefania Grecea

Send an email to: chemistry@uva.nl

Current research topics

New synthetic solutions
Our organic chemists synthetize complex molecules, focusing on both the development of new methodology for the synthesis of drug-like compounds and natural products, and the structural manipulation of peptides and proteins to address complex biological questions.

Predictive chemistry & design
Our theoretical chemists develop quantum chemical methods and tools to analyze and understand chemical bonding, and also the factors controlling the reactivity of chemical reactions. This leads to more streamlined syntheses, lower costs, and a reduction in chemical waste, all of which will make chemical research more economically and environmentally sustainable.

Designing fully automated methodologies
How do you determine low levels of bioactive molecules in complex (biological) samples? The BioAnalytical Chemistry research group designs fully automated methodologies that integrate the isolation of the target molecules and the high sensitivity analysis of these mixtures.

Change your future with the Chemistry programme

Change your future with the Chemistry programme

Your Master’s in Chemistry will lead to an exciting, well-paid career with extensive opportunities to pursue your ambitions and to have a meaningful contribution to society. Organisations and companies in the chemical sector are always on the lookout for talent. You will have your choice from a variety of career opportunities, depending on your specialisation.

Explore your future prospects
Chemist working in the lab

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