Chemistry * (Master)

If chemistry is to meet the needs of today – to respond to the wishes, challenges, and problems of an energy and environment-conscious society – chemists require not only an understanding of its complex subject matter but also the capacity to develop new, creative, and scientifically sound solutions and concepts. For that, they need the individual choice and freedoms that the chemistry master’s program at TU Clausthal provides.

The program delves into the synthesis, detailed analysis, and structure-property relationships of new organic and inorganic materials, as well as examining new energy and recycling strategies and more environment-friendly polymers.

Chemistry is a vital and cross-cutting science, relevant to multiple sectors of the economy and many parts of our lives. The broad spectrum of expertise provided by the master’s program at TU Clausthal gives our chemistry alumni excellent career prospects. Next to the chemistry industry itself, they find jobs in marketing, consulting, administration, and of course research and development. Recognized throughout Europe, the M.Sc. in chemistry also provides the ideal conditions for doctorate studies in chemistry, or indeed in materials science, process engineering, or the life sciences.

Possible fields

• Head of a laboratory in the chemical industry
• Production management
• Research and development
• Quality control and quality management
• Consulting
• Marketing
• Expert in an association or a public body
• Science editor
• Appraisal

In line with TU Clausthal’s profile, our master’s program in chemistry is focused less on fundamental research as such and more on materials and processes. Building on the sound understanding of chemistry taught during the bachelor’s degree, the master’s program offers two different focuses for students to develop their knowledge further. It is chiefly designed around enabling them to undertake interdisciplinary scientific research independently, which is achieved by means of research projects and an extensive master’s thesis. This program is superbly well-suited for a period of study abroad, whether through the Erasmus program or arranged independently by students or their teachers.

The chemistry master’s program at TU Clausthal is structured in three parts:

• Consolidation of chemical knowledge
• Development of core skills
• Hands-on scientific application of core skills

If they focus on applied chemistry, students can select an individual combination of courses in chemistry, environmental chemistry, materials science, and/or physics. If they choose instead to pursue polymer chemistry, modules on macromolecular chemistry, physical chemistry of polymers, and synthetics processing will give them a focus on synthetic chemicals.

Focus Applied Chemistry

• Compulsory modules in inorganic, analytical, organic, physical, and technical chemistry plus electrochemistry
• Two advanced modules chosen from the chemistry, environmental chemistry, materials science, and physics catalogues
• Two research projects related to the chosen modules
• One interdisciplinary team research project open to individual design
• One module from the catalogue on overarching themes of modern chemistry
• One experiment-based final project (six months)

Focus Polymer Chemistry

• Compulsory modules in inorganic, analytical, organic, physical, and technical chemistry plus electrochemistry
• Three advanced modules: Macromolecular chemistry, physical chemistry of polymers, Synthetics processing
• Two research projects related to the advanced modules
• One interdisciplinary team research project open to individual design
• One module from the catalogue on overarching themes of modern chemistry
• One experiment-based final project (six months)

German: Der Masterstudiengang Chemie kann auch in Teilzeit studiert werden. Näheres zu den Voraussetzungen, Ausgestaltung und Rechtsfolgen eines Teilzeitstudiums regelt die "Ordnung zur Regelung des Teilzeitstudiums (TzO)" der Technischen Universität Clausthal in der aktuell geltenden Fassung.

English: The Master's degree programme in Chemistry can also be studied part-time. Further details on the requirements, structure and legal consequences of part-time studies are regulated by the "Regulations governing part-time study (TzO)" of Clausthal University of Technology in the currently valid version.

Before applying for and taking up part-time studies, it is compulsory to have a counselling interview with the responsible part-time study coordinator. During this counselling interview, the part-time study coordinator agrees on an individual study plan (learning agreement) for the part-time study in consultation with the student.

The form for applying for part-time study (incl. Learning Agreement) can be found here.