Master of Science in Chemistry

Transcription

1 Master of Science in Chemistry Majors: Quantum Chemistry and Physical Chemistry Molecular Design and Synthesis Molecular Imaging and Photonics Polymer Chemistry and Materials Faculty of Science Rubik's Cube used with permission from Seven Towns Ltd.

2 The Faculty of Science The Faculty of Science is one of KU Leuven s oldest faculties. Its departments collaborate closely and foster a stimulating, researchoriented atmosphere. The faculty promotes high-quality teaching based on its interdisciplinary research tradition. Upwards of 90 PhD dissertations are defended at the faculty each year. The faculty offers 8 Bachelor s programmes and 19 Master s programmes (8 of which are offered in English), all of which are firmly grounded in research carried out at the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy. The faculty also maintains strong relationships with its alumni through the Science@Leuven Alumni Association. The faculty offers research-based teaching in the natural and mathematical sciences, combining established fields such as mathematics, physics, computer science, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, geology, and geography with fields emerging at the intersections of traditional disciplines, such as biophysics, medical radiation physics and environmental sciences. In the faculty s Bachelor's programmes, students are required to choose a secondary field of study in addition to their chosen specialisation. This enables them to broaden their understanding of the natural sciences. In the Dutch-language Master s program mes, students choose between three tracks a research track, an educational track or a professional track leading towards a career in research, secondary education, or business and industry, respectively. Our English-language Master's programmes are largely researchoriented.

3 The Department of Chemistry The Department of Chemistry consists of four divisions, all of which conduct highquality research embedded in well-established collaborations with other universities, research institutes and companies around the world. Its academic staff is committed to excellence in teaching and research. Although the department's primary goal is to obtain insight into the composition, structure and properties of chemical compounds and the design, synthesis and development of new (bio)molecular materials, this knowledge often leads to applications with important economic or societal benefits. The department aims to develop and maintain leading, internationally renowned research programmes dedicated to solving fundamental and applied problems in the fields of: The design, synthesis and characterisation of new compounds (organic-inorganic, polymers) The simulation of the properties and reactivity of (bio)molecules, polymers and clusters by quantum chemical and molecular modelling methods The determination of the chemical and physical properties of (bio)molecules, and polymers on the molecular as well as on the material level by spectroscopy, microscopy and other characterisation tools as related to their structure Selected research key words Synthetic chemistry - combinatorial chemistry - green chemistry - bio-organic chemistry - polymer architecture - computational chemistry - quantum chemistry - rare earths - ionic liquids - hydrometallurgy - coordination chemistry - microwave assisted organic synthesis - microflow chemistry - kinetics - chemical reaction pathways - biosensors - signal transduction - crystallography - biomolecular modelling - docking - fluorescence correlation spectroscopy - single molecule spectroscopy - polymer synthesis - functional and bio-based polymers - nanophotonics and plasmonics - magnetic nanoparticles - (photo)catalysis - photophysics - organic solar cells and light emitting dodes - spintronics - nonlinear optics - photoswitchable proteins

4 Objectives The overall aim of this programme is to train students to conduct research in an academic or industrial setting. Hence, it does not provide preparation for a teaching career. Upon completion of the programme, students should be able to explore specific and advanced chemistry topics, formulate research questions, report on their findings and collaborate with fellow students. Students apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the Master s thesis by identifying a research question, situating it in its proper chemical and social context and designing a study that addresses this research question. Graduates pursuing a career in the chemical industry should be able to apply their knowledge in a global, economically and techno - logically driven environ ment, while graduates embarking on a research career should have acquired sufficient knowledge of a specialised subfield of chemistry, including modern chemical instrumen tation, and be up to date with recent findings in order to function effectively in a challenging research environment either within or outside the university.

5 Admission requirements Holders of the following degrees are eligible for direct admission to the programme: Bachelor (of Science) in de chemie Bachelor (of Science) in de biochemie en biotechnologie, minor chemie Bachelor (of Science) in de biologie, minor chemie Bachelor (of Science) in de fysica, minor chemie Holders of the following degrees are eligible for admission to the programme after successful evaluation of a complete application file: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Bachelor of Science in Physics, minor Chemistry Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biotechnology, minor Chemistry Bachelor of Science in Biology, minor Chemistry Bachelor of Science in Bioscience Engineering, minor Catalytic Technology or Nutrients Technology Bachelor (of Science) in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: katalytische technologie/ levensmiddelentechnologie Each application received from an international candidate will be thoroughly examined and has to be approved by the programme director. Non-native English students are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS certificate. TOEFL (Computer-based test 233 pt., Internet-based test 90 pt., Paper-based test 575 pt.) or IELTS (7 pt.) Additional information In order to assess whether the expected entry level matches your curriculum, we require that you submit a complete transcript of your academic records. 1) A complete list of course titles for which you have obtained a credit should be part of this. Indicate the course size (in ECTS). 2) Also indicate the result you obtained, preferably according to the ECTS scale; if a different scale is used, please provide a summary explanation on the meaning of the scores. 3) For the courses that you deem most relevant as a preparation for the Master's that you are considering, provide a short (about one half to one page) description according to the standard guidelines for an ECTS-study guide.

6 Programme The full programme comprises 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System), including 18 ECTS for compulsory courses and 54 ECTS for electives. In addition, students develop advanced practical skills in an internal internship to the value of 18 ECTS, while the remaining 30 ECTS are allocated to the Master s thesis. MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CHEMISTRY 120 COURSE ECTS Common core (compulsory) 18 Advanced Organic Chemistry 6 Polymer Sciences: from Synthesis to Polymer Material 6 Dynamics of Chemical and Biochemical Systems 6 Specialised courses 54 Students select electives, to the value of 54 ECTS, in consultation with their supervisor. Physical Chemistry of Biological Systems 6 Lanthanides and Actinides 6 Quantum Chemistry 3 Chemistry and Characterization of Surfaces and Thin Films 6 Synthesis of Macromolecular Structures 6 Synthetic Strategies 6 Photophysics and Photochemistry of Molecular Materials 9 Chemical Applications of Group Theory 6 Biomolecular Interactions 6 Applied Soil and Aquatic Chemistry 5 Advanced NMR-Spectroscopy 6 Physical Chemistry and Properties of Polymers 6 Advanced Computational Chemistry 3 Electrochemical Methods of Inorganic Chemistry 6 Nanostructured Biomacromolecules 6 Chemistry at Nanometre Scale 6 Reactive Systems 6 Electronic Structure of Molecular Materials 3 Research internship 18 Master's thesis 30 Students conduct thesis research in one of the research divisions below, under the supervision of one or more members of the department: Quantum Chemistry and Physical Chemistry Molecular Design and Synthesis Molecular Imaging and Photonics Polymer Chemistry and Materials For detailed descriptions of this programme's courses and for the course timetable, please consult

7 Discover KU Leuven Situated in the heart of Western Europe, KU Leuven has been a centre of learning for nearly six centuries. Today, it is Belgium's largest university. Founded in 1425 it is one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Europe. As a leading European research university and co-founder of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), KU Leuven offers a wide variety of programmes in English, all supported by high-quality, innovative, interdisciplinary research. The university caters to more than 40,000 students, of which 16% are international students from more than 140 countries. KU Leuven's doctoral schools organise inter - nationally oriented PhD programmes for over 4,000 doctoral students. The university is located in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. Leuven is a modern, bustling and safe student city with a long and rich history. Cultural and recreational opportunities abound. KU Leuven's central location offers a truly international experience. Major European capitals such as Brussels, Paris, London and Amsterdam are only a (very) short train journey away. Career prospects The Master of Science in Chemistry offers a wide range of specialisations and, as such, many career options are available to our graduates. More than half of our alumni work in industry, while others work in education, training or government. Within industry, graduates can opt for a technical, a commercial, or research-oriented career. Since the chemical industry is also a major industrial sector throughout Europe and the rest of the world, employment opportunities are enhanced by obtaining a PhD. A few examples of professional domains where chemists are needed include education (secondary school as well as university), industry (chemistry, petrochemistry, medical sector, pharmaceutical industry, agrochemistry, food industry, etc.), government or public administration, and research institutes. Tuition fee 567,8 (regular fee)

8 COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE Oude Markt 13 box LEUVEN, Belgium tel fax onderwijscommunicatie@kuleuven.be Learn more General information International programmes: International Office: Faculty of Science Administrative Office tel info@wet.kuleuven.be This brochure provides the most complete and accurate information available concerning Master's programmes offered at KU Leuven. However, amendments to the composition of this programme may be approved at any time. Consequently, KU Leuven is in no way legally bound by the information provided in this brochure. The most recent information on all our academic programmes can be consulted on Last updated: February 2013 Copyright: D/2012/1082/114