Programme structure
New programme structure for students attending this study programme from fall 2018
Programme structure 2017
The Master’s programme in Chemistry consists of three parts: The Master’s thesis (research project), theoretical curriculum related to your project and other courses (interdisciplinary courses, non-scientific activities and methodical training).
The Master thesis
The Master’s thesis can be of either 60 or 30 ECTS credits. All supervisors at the Department of Chemistry offer theses of 60 ECTS credits, but in most of the experimental parts of the field (organic chemistry, analytical chemistry and inorganic chemistry) it may be difficult to find a research project suitable for a 30 ECTS credits thesis.
Apart from the extent of the research project, the two different master projects have a different time frame.
- 30 ECTS credit thesis: The topic of the research project is presented at a given date in the beginning of the final semester. Deadline for hand-in is 17 weeks after this date.
- 60 ECTS credit thesis: The topic of the research project is known from the start, and the work may be divided over several semesters. However. The last semester of the master program should be used exclusively for the final 30 ECTS of the thesis project. Hand-in date is on a fixed date in the final semester, usually November 15th for those who start in the fall and May 15th for those who start in the spring.
Interdisciplinary courses
All master students at the chemistry programme have to complete the following courses in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) during the first semester:
- HMS0501 – Safety and Physical Environment
- HMS0502 – Positive Learning Environment
- HMS0503 – Laboratory Safety
- HMS0505 – Electricity Safety
- HMS0507 – Fire Safety
All the courses are individual online courses, except for the course on fire safety where participation is compulsory.
You are exempted from these course requirements if you have already completed the equivalent HSE courses in relation to a bachelor programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at UiO.
The course KJM-MENA4010 - Experimental methods (10 ECTS credits) is mandatory for all and is built up as a matrix course where you choose 5 subject areas which are taken after each other during the first or second semester of the programme. Module 30 on HSE is mandatory and must be taken in the first semester.
We recommend that you choose KJM4020 – Scientific communication (discontinued) ( 5 ECTS credits). The course involves an extensive search using advanced search instruments for material about the subject you have chosen for your Master’s thesis and includes a written report based on your findings. You will therefore have a flying start on the thesis work (a specific topic for a 30 ECTS credit thesis is not given on beforehand, the course KJM4020 - Scientific communication will be more generally linked to the topic area). In addition, we recommend our students to take KJM-MENA4030 – Scientific presentation techniques (discontinued) (5 ECTS credits) in the fall semester.
Theoretical curriculum
You choose your theoretical curriculum in collaboration with your supervisor. These courses will give you a solid theoretical background for your research project, and familiarize with you with your field of study.
The table below gives a general illustration of how a Master’s programme in chemistry with a 60 ECTS credits thesis project can be organized. You can structure the programme differently, for example by starting your thesis work already in the first semester. All courses must be completed and passed before the last semester of the master programme. For a 30 ECTS credits thesis this means the research theisis is placed in the last semester in its entirety.
| 4. semester | Master's thesis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. semester | Master's thesis | master course | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. semester | Master's thesis | master course | master course | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. semester | KJM-MENA4010 – Experimental methods (discontinued) + 3 HSE courses | KJM4020 – Scientific communication (discontinued) | KJM-MENA4030 – Scientific presentation techniques (discontinued) | Specialized syllabus selected by student. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
There are no specific programme options in the Master’s programme in chemistry, but the specialization you have in your bachelor's degree is essential to which research areas you can find a topic for your master's thesis. The different research areas and potential master projects will be presented in the beginning of the first semester and we will help you With the course selection before the classes start
It is advisable to fdecide on a research field and find a supervisor as soon as possible in the first semester. You will recive a lot of help in this process, but you must be prepared to knock on some door to talk with potential supervisors and take some time to orient yourself at the department's research pages.
Within the 1.th of december you and your supervisor must agree upon the courses for the theoretical curriculum and a project description for the master thesis. This plan, called the study plan agreement, must be approved by the Programme Board. Application form and information can be found here.
Recognition of Master courses from former education
If you are admitted to the Masters Programme and you have completed Master courses outside the University of Oslo, you may apply to have these courses recognised as part of your degree. Please contact the Department of Chemistry for more information.
Diploma and degree
This programme leads to the following degree: Master of Science in Chemistry