MSc Chemistry

Introduction

The main objective of the degree programme is to provide students with comprehensive training in all those aspects of chemistry which will enable them to work independently in this field. The programme qualifies its graduates to assume responsible positions in academia, industry and public services.

Subject-specific knowledge and understanding

Graduates with a Master’s degree in Chemistry

• possess in-depth knowledge of the various concepts, methods and goals of scientific research in chemistry and bordering areas of biology and materials science;
• possess in-depth knowledge of the methods and principles of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry and related areas;
• possess in-depth knowledge of chemical synthesis methods and strategies;
• possess in-depth knowledge of the most modern physical and analytical techniques in chemistry;
• are familiar with safety and environmental aspects and are able to implement approaches to them;
• are familiar with interdisciplinary approaches and able to deploy them in a targeted manner;
• are able to work independently, in a structured manner and according to scientific standards.

Skills

a. Analytical skills

Graduates with a Master’s degree in Chemistry are able to

• recognise, comprehensively analyse, and precisely and understandably document scientific and practical problems in the area of chemical research and development;
• statistically analyse, interpret and represent scientific data in a correct manner;
• understand the scientific literature, familiarise themselves with the latest developments, and critically evaluate the latter.

b. Development skills

Graduates with a Master's degree in Chemistry are able to

• formulate a hypothesis on the basis of their scientific understanding and an analysis of current data, and to propose and develop methods for experimental testing of this hypothesis;
• evaluate a practical problem in the area of chemical engineering research and development, to develop approaches for addressing it, and to implement these approaches;
• recognise and build upon important research developments in chemical research.

Personal and social competences

Graduates with a Master’s degree in Chemistry are able to

• clearly and precisely present and describe scientific data orally and in writing for both a specialist and a lay audience;
• collaborate with specialists from their own and from neighbouring disciplines in an open and constructive manner;
• recognise important environmental protection aspects and the social relevance and ethical dimensions of their activities, and act with consequent responsibility and care.

The total number of 90 credits necessary to obtain the Master’s degree must be acquired within three years.

Categories of course units

Students have to obtain credits in the following categories:

• Core subjects: 18 credits
  
• Compulsory elective subjects: 19 credits
  
• Research projects, industry internship and laboratory course: 26 credits
  
• Master's thesis: 25 credits
  
• Science in Perspective (SiP): 2 credits

Description of the categories

Core and compensatory subjects
Core subjects areas are «Inorganic Chemistry», «Organic Chemistry», and «Physical Chemistry». All students have to take at least one course from each of the three areas.

Compulsory elective subjects
Compulsory elective subjects include a broad spectrum of advanced topics in chemistry, as well as topics from related areas. Students may also take as compulsory elective subjects a) core and compensatory subjects as long as they have not taken them as such, b) elective subjects from the Bachelor’s programme.

Research projects, industry internship and laboratory course
Students have to carry out one research project plus either a second research project, an industry internship or the advanced laboratory course. Projects and internship has to be carried out in a core subject area or in an elective subject. Students are free to choose the area.

Master's thesis
The Master's thesis is carried out under the supervision of a professor in a core subject area, or in a elective subject. Students are free to choose the area. The duration of the Master's thesis is 20 weeks.

Electives in humanities, social and political sciences - Science in Perspective (SiP)
All students must collect credits in courses offered by the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences.

Subjects of the Master's programme in Chemistry

Autumn semester 2024

Spring semester 2024

The links take you to extracts from the ETH Course Catalogue.

• The Course catalogue is available in separate versions for the Autumn semester (1st semester) and for the Spring semester (2nd semester).
• Further links in blue colour
• The view «Course units» gives an overview of all courses
• The view «Catalogue data» shows detailed information
• Printout is possible in both views (Icon in top right corner)

The Master's programme uses a credit system which is based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Credits are a measure for the total labour required from the students to reach the educational goal. Calculations are based on a total of 1500 to 1800 working hours per year, equivalent to 60 credits. Therefore, 1 credit corresponds to 25 to 30 hours of total work.

Credits are allocated after the performance assessment intended for the course has been passed. Upon application by the student the Master's title is awarded when a total of 90 credits is reached.

ETH Zurich’s Grading System and ECTS Grades

Credits are allocated after the performance assessment has been passed. A performance assessment not passed can be repeated once. Exams and the Master's thesis are rated with a grade between one (lowest) and six (highest). In order to pass, a grade of four must be achieved. Other performance assessments may also be rated with passed/not passed. 

Forms of performance assessments

Performance assessments are in the form of exams, or of a semester performance. The course catalogue lists for each course the form and mode of the performance assessment. Exams are held in examination sessions during the last weeks of the semester breaks.

Admission to performance assessments

Admission to the performance assessments normally requires that Bachelor's studies are completed. Exceptions are specified individually for the various categories below.

Core subjects

• Performance assessments in this category are in the form of exams.
• At least one exam must be taken in each of the three core subject areas «Inorganic Chemistry», «Organic Chemistry», and «Physical Chemistry».
• Students who do not pass an exam in a core subject in two attempts get one further chance with another core or compensatory subject offered in the same area.
• Students enrolled in the Bachelor's programme in chemistry of ETH are admitted to examinations in core and compensatory subjects of the Master's programme on condition that they have to acquire no more than 11 credits in the category 'elective subjects' for their bachelor's diploma.
• Students who were admitted to the Master's programme with the requirement to acquire credits from the ETH bachelor's programme are admitted to examinations in core and compensatory subjects on condition that they have to acquire no more than 11 of the required credits.

Compulsory elective subjects

• Performance assessments in this category are in the form of exams.
• Students enrolled in both the Bachelor's and Master's degree programme in chemistry of ETH are admitted to examinations in compulsory elective subjects of the Master's degree programme on condition that they have passed the examination block I and the compulsory lab courses of the ETH Bachelor's degree programme's second year.
• Students who were admitted to the Master's programme with the requirement to acquire credits from the corresponding ETH Bachelor's programme are admitted to examinations in compulsory elective subjects on condition that they have to acquire no more than 11 of the required credits.
  

Research projects, industry internship and laboratory course

• Performance assessments in these categories are based on semester performance. The specific requirements to pass are published by the Department.
• Students enrolled in the Bachelor's programme in chemistry of ETH are admitted to the research projects, the industry internship or the advanced laboratory course of the Master's programme on condition that they have to acquire less than 60 credits for their Bachelor's diploma. (see next section)

Master's thesis

Details on the Master's thesis are laid down in the «Directives for Master's theses». The Master's thesis cannot be started before the Bachelor's programme is completed. (see section Master's Thesis)

Early electronic enrolment in myStudies is mandatory

The programme includes a research project plus either an advanced laboratory course, an industry internship or a second research project.

Subjects and supervision

The research projects and the advanced laboratory course are carried out under the supervision of a professor in a core subject area, or in an elective subject. The director of studies is responsible for the industry internship. Exceptions will be clarified by the student's administrator.

More details are in the Download directives for research projects, industry internship and laboratory course. (PDF, 51 KB)

Research projects, industry internship and laboratory course done during the Bachelor's degree programme

Students enrolled in the Bachelor's programme in Chemistry of ETH are admitted to the research projects, the industry internship and the advanced laboratory course before graduation from the Bachelor's programme on condition that they have to acquire less than 60 credits for their Bachelor's degree.

Who must submit a request?

Students who wish to carry out an industry internship (always counts as external) or their research project

• in a subject area other than a core subject area or a compulsory elective subject, or/and
• externally (outside of the curriculum according to the course catalogue or of D-CHAB)

must submit a request at least four weeks ahead of the scheduled start using the official Download application form (PDF, 117 KB).

List of Download research areas (PDF, 382 KB) available for projects

When the number of credits in the individual categories as defined in the paragraph "Programme outline" has been acquired students can submit a request for degree conferral to the director of studies via the student administration. This has to be done no later than three years after the start of the Master's programme. The request must itemize the study achievements which should be listed in the final academic record. The maximum number of credits that can be taken into account is 100.

External academic achievements are those not acquired from the D-CHAB course offerings (LE 511-/529-/535-. Master´s thesis, projects, internship and lab courses have their one rules, see corresponding sections). The director of studies decides on their crediting.

Students with ETH Zurich Bachelor's degree:

Students may spend one semester during their Master‘s degree programme at another university. A study programme for this semester abroad has to be compiled in advance in cooperation with the mobility advisor of the department. Credits can be obtained externally in the categories laboratory courses, research projects and industry internship, compulsory elective subjects, and Master thesis up to a total maximum of 30 credits.

Students without ETH Zurich Bachelor's degree:

Students are not allowed to participate in exchange programmes of ETH Zurich. Individual mobility is possible but only with restricted recognition of examinations/credits. Only a Master's thesis carried out externally can be recognised. Or, if the thesis is done at D-CHAB a maximum of 13 credits in the category electives or research projects, industry internship and laboratory course can be recognised from outside of the curriculum (according to the course catalogue) or of D-CHAB.

Exceptionally talented and qualified students can directly apply for a doctoral position within the direct doctorate programme in chemistry.

The direct doctorate programme is always associated with a Master’s degree programme in chemistry. Application proceeds online via the application portal for Master’s degree studies.

For a successful application, a written confirmation of a D-CHAB professor for the financing of the Master's degree programme and subsequent doctoral studies in his or her research group is required in addition to the regular Master´s application.

The details regarding the direct doctorate are regulated in a directive of the rector and the appendix of the Master´s degree programme regulations (in German only).