Chemistry

Diving into the synthesis and functioning of molecules in a pioneering and multidisciplinary environment.

As a Chemistry student in Nijmegen, you’ll be trained to design and carry out chemical experiments that will enhance our knowledge of materials at the molecular level. Topics range from solid state molecular chemistry to spectroscopy and to chemical biology, depending on the specialisation you choose. In each specialisation, you’ll also get the chance to explore your future career opportunities: there’s 24 EC of advanced course electives or an extra internship at a research department, a company or a governmental organisation. This will help you develop your unique expertise and distinguish yourself from other Chemistry students.

The Master’s in Chemistry is inseparably linked to the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM). Unlike most other institutes, IMM combines the fields of chemistry, biology and physics to examine the properties of molecules. This interdisciplinary approach results in cutting-edge research: think of nanocapsules for targeted drug transport, liquid crystals for flexible displays or NMR and laser experiments showing exact 3D molecular structures. In your Master’s, you’ll take part in one of the IMM research groups, under the personal guidance of a top-level researcher.

As a Chemistry student, you'll choose one of the following specialisations. With electives and internships, you can fit the programme exactly to your specific interests.

• Molecular Chemistry
  Molecular chemistry is a creative science, where chemists synthesise molecules with new biological or physical properties to address scientific or societal challenges. Think of new catalytic conversions, lead compounds for future medicines or the next generation of conducting polymers.
   
• Chemistry for Life
  In this specialisation, you’ll learn how to use organic chemistry in order to understand life at the molecular level and interact with it. This involves the design and synthesis of complex molecular systems, addressing challenging problems, such as wound healing and drug delivery.
   
• Physical Chemistry
  Physical chemistry goes beyond synthesising and characterising new molecules: it aims at fundamentally unravelling the properties of molecules and materials. We do that by applying physical set-ups, like high magnetic fields, free-electron lasers and nuclear magnetic resonance.
   
• Science in Society
  This specialisation will equip you with the tools and skills to become a professional intermediary between science and society. You’ll learn to analyse (governmental) science communication and connect scientific knowledge with divergent perspectives and interests of various stakeholders.
   
• Science, Management and Innovation
  This specialisation will teach you what is happening in the world of business and public administration, how innovation is managed in company strategies, how government designs policy and how that interacts with societal challenges.
   
• Science and Education
  Do you want to become a secondary school teacher in the Netherlands? In this Dutch-taught specialisation you’ll get the necessary didactic background and extensive experience in the classroom.

Why study Chemistry at Radboud University?

• You’ll spend at least one year on research, and thus get an extensive experience in scientific methods.
• With a 24 EC elective programme – containing choice courses and/or an extra (external) internship – you can fit the programme to your future career.
• We have a multidisciplinary approach: you can not only specialise in chemistry, but also in biochemisty, physical chemistry, or materials science.
• Radboud University hosts multiple state-of-the-art research facilities, such as the NMR facility, FELIX laser laboratory and the Nanolab.
• On average, chemistry students find a job within three months after graduating. A majority of these jobs are PhD positions at universities in the Netherlands and abroad.