Chemistry (MSc)
About the programme
An attractive feature of the MSc Chemistry programme at Leiden University is the great flexibility of the study programme, allowing students to put together a tailor-made programme following their personal interests. Within the limits set by the programme, students can make their own choices and adjust them during the course of the MSc study. Research in the Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC) covers a wide range of topics and expertise, ranging from physical and theoretical chemistry to organic synthesis and molecular cell biology.
Chemistry-specific components
Central to the MSc programme is the research training project. In the research training project, the student is part of a research group for at least five months and not only learns specific practical skills, but also grows into an independent researcher by learning to plan work, analyse data, report and discuss results with different audiences, troubleshoot and solve problems and act as a team member. The major research training project is carried out in an LIC research group in the chosen research area (Chemistry for Health or Chemistry for Sustainability). For students in the research specialisation, the major research project consists of a minimum of 40 EC and a maximum of 60 EC; students in the other three specialisations do a research project of at least 30 EC. Optional minor research projects are at least 20 EC. A minor training project can be carried out in a different LIC research group than the major research project, in a different research area, a different institute (within the Netherlands or abroad), or in a company.
The compulsory theoretical component of the MSc programme consists of 10 EC courses on academic and professional skills. Students choose at least four out of eight core courses in the chosen research area and have up to 30 EC of electives, depending on their specialisation.
Electives may consist of theoretical or practical courses or an extension of the duration of a research project with a maximum of 20 EC and within the limits set by the programme. Electives can be chosen from the core courses within or outside the chosen research area, approved elective MSc courses offered by the LIC or other MSc programmes in the Leiden University Faculty of Science, or MSc courses offered in a Science Faculty of any Dutch or foreign university.
- Chemical Biology
- Computational Techniques for Chemical Biology
- Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Discovery
- Modern Organic Chemistry
- Molecular Cell Biology
- Protein Structures for Drug Discovery
- Reactivity in Organic Chemistry
- Supramolecular Biomaterials
- Computational Chemistry and Molecular Simulations
- Density Functional Theory in Practice
- Electrochemistry
- Photochemistry
- Photosynthesis & Bioenergy
- Solid State Chemistry and Physics
- Spectroscopy for Chemistry and Materials Science
- Surface Science for Heterogeneous Catalysis
Specialisation-specific components
For students choosing this specialisation a minimum of 60 EC research training is required.
More information can be found in the Prospectus.
The education part of this specialisation is organised by the Leiden University Graduate School of Teaching (ICLON). The 60 EC education component can best be started in September. For students who have taken a minor in Education (“tweedegraadsbevoegdheid”) of 30 EC in the BSc programme, only 30 EC are necessary in the MSc programme to obtain the “eerstegraadsbevoegdheid”; then 30 EC electives are added to the programme of the MSc Chemistry. Students are required to finish all Chemistry components before the start of their education component. Exceptions to this obligatory sequence can only be granted by the Board of Examiners.
More information and the specialisation-specific components can be found on the ICLON website and in the Prospectus.
The specialisation-specific components consisting of both courses and an internship are offered by lecturers in Science Communication & Society (SCS). The primary focus in this specialisation is on science communication in the Netherlands, and students explore various aspects of professional science communication. A minimum of 40 EC and a maximum of 60 EC of SCS components is required to complete the SCS specialisation.
The internship will be in the field of science communication (e.g. science journalism, museology, new media, health communication). The total internship period may consist of one internship, or can be divided into 2 smaller internships. Each internship includes a written report and an oral presentation. The total internship period includes a minimum of 10 EC of research in science communication. The choice of internships should be approved beforehand by the coordinator of the specialisation. A plan for the optional SCS elective (e.g. book exam, product development) should be approved beforehand by the SCS coordinator.
More information and the specialisation-specific components can be found on the SCS website and in the Prospectus.
The Business Studies specialisation is offered by the department of Science-Based Business. The objective of the specialisation is to teach students basic analytical frameworks and skills to analyse business-related problems and to contribute to managerial decision making within the context of established knowledge-intensive organisations or new technology ventures. This specialisation is for science students who consider employment opportunities in industry, and who are looking to acquire knowledge of business principles and training in managerial skills. A minimum of 40 EC and a maximum of 60 EC of BS components is required to complete the BS specialisation.
More information, registration instructions and the specialisation-specific components for Business Studies are available on the BS website and in the Prospectus. The BS courses start twice a year in September and February.