Chemistry

Short description

The chemistry master programme is intended to be a training with a flexible choice of courses, where students with different entry skills are able to acquire a standard knowledge of all fields in chemistry at the master level, a general experience in laboratory work, an advanced knowledge at least in one of the disciplines of chemistry, and the skill to develop and apply ideas within a research project. The programme contains only limited number of compulsory courses. The courses are divided into three parts. The primary-chemical part contains semi-optional theoretical and laboratory courses on all discipline of chemistry containing knowledge and skill termed as an expected minimum for a master degree. The second part of the master programme consists of a great number of specialized chemical courses extended with a 30 credit master thesis. The third part of the master programme contains optional courses in other sciences. The training is controlled via output requirements. For example, the theoretical knowledge of the students is tested in four comprehensive examinations and there are some credit minima on overall laboratory experience. Academic specializations can be obtained if the number of the specialized courses sums up to 30 credits in different grouping of the courses. Students with missing background in a particular field of chemistry are required to choose courses from the bridging module.

Structure of the program

The training is controlled via output requirements:

1. Students have to acquire at least 120 credits during the training. One credit reflects around 30 hours of student workload. The general amount is around 30 credits/semester. It means the programme can be finished in two years (4 semesters) if the applicant has good background in chemistry.
    
2. A thesis has to be prepared on an investigation realized by the graduate in research or development. The workload of the thesis is 30 credits.
    
3. The theoretical knowledge of the students is tested in four comprehensive examinations on the following fields: inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry. The exams are taken before committees. Three comprehensive exams are taken at a "minimum master" level. A final exam is taken at an advanced level in the fourth field.
    
4. There are some credit minima on overall laboratory experience. These credits might be obtained in earlier trainings. The limit for the laboratory credits (together with credits in previous trainings) is 14 for each of the four fields. In the case of students with non-chemical entry, the credit minima can be fulfilled also with bridging courses, where the choice is assisted by tutors.
    
5. 16 credits of semi-optional laboratory courses have to be obtained. At least 4 credits have to be chosen at each educational department: Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry.
    
6. Minima of other science credits have to be fulfilled during the MSc and the previous trainings: 12 credits for mathematics, 10 credits for physics, 4 credits for information technology and 4 credits for biology and earth sciences.
    
7. Students have to obtain a certificate on the medium-level written and oral knowledge of a language other than their mother tongue – this is a general Hungarian regulation.
    
8. 4-week summer industrial placement (internship)
    
9. An academic specialization can be obtained if the specialized courses completed within a given group sum up to 30 credits. Obtaining a specialization is optional. The available specializations are listed below:
   a) Analytical Chemist
   b) Material Researcher Chemist
   c) Pharmaceutical Chemist
   d) Material Structure Researcher Chemist
   e) Computer Chemist
   f) Preparative Chemist

The list of the courses can be found on the homepage of the Institute of Chemistry.

Strengths of the program

The strength of the program is the combination of acquiring solid background in chemistry and performing research activities at the internationally respected laboratories of the Institute of Chemistry. Another specialty of the program is its flexibility. It is open for applicants having a BSc degree in a field other than Chemistry or Chemical Engineering. The control is via output requirements, they demand solid basic knowledge at all fields of chemistry. Students without solid background from their BSc studies spend the four or even more semesters to get it, while students with good background are able to obtain specialized knowledge.

Career opportunities

After completing their studies and defending their thesis, students are awarded an MSc degree. If a student fulfils the requirements of a specialisation module, a certificate of the specialised qualification is also issued. The MSc degree qualifies its holder to take up positions in the relevant fields and to enlist for further studies, including the studies for a higher (PhD) degree.

Job examples

All jobs requiring a master degree in Chemistry, e.g.: analytical chemist, synthetic chemist, researcher, production manager, pharmaceutical chemist, food chemist, computational chemist, material science researcher, etc.

Admission requirements

The successful applicant should have, or, by the end of the academic year, will have fulfilled the requirements for, a BSc degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or any similar field including a reasonable amount (at least 40 ECTS) of chemistry in the curriculum. The application package should contain a short CV, a copy of the degree certificate (if already obtained), a transcript of results, and a language examination certificate. Certificates are accepted in most of the European languages, not just in English.

Applicants having reasonable GRE or EChemTest results might skip the entrance exam. Applicants having a GRE subject test in Chemistry (http://www.ets.org/gre) with a scaled score above 750 (around percent 66%) are likely to be exempted from the entrance exam. In case an EChemTest (http://www.echemtest.net) is taken before the application, a result of at least 50% at level 3 in minimum three areas (from among the following: analytical chemistry, biological chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry) should be reached so that exemption from the entrance exam could be considered.

Language requirement:

The successful applicant must have a good command of English. Several kinds of internationally recognised certificates of English language at advanced level are accepted.

Documents to submit with application:

• Bachelor-level degree (if already obtained)
• Transcript of records
• CV
• Online application form (https://registration.elte.hu/)
• Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid)
• Copy of application fee transfer
• Other: if present: international certificate of GRE

Application procedure (e.g.; entrance exam, Skype)

The application starts by completion of the online registration form (https://registration.elte.hu/) and by emailing all the required documents, including proof of the application fee payment, to the international coordinator of the faculty. Proper application packages will be forwarded to the program coordinator for consideration of previous achievements and certificates.

Within a few weeks, the applicant will be informed if he/she can be directly accepted due to the high quality of the previous studies, or if he/she should take an entrance exam, or if the application is rejected. For those taking an entrance exam, the details of a controlled environment in the home country will be arranged by emails.

General information about studying in Hungary can be obtained from the faculty coordinator.

More Information

Website: http://www.chem.elte.hu/en/msc

Contact

Program leader
Name: Prof. Zoltán Homonnay

Program coordinator
Name: Dr. Gergely Tóth

Other, namely (position): international coordinator of the faculty
Name: Ms. Nóra Demeter
E-mail: demeter.nora@ttk.elte.hu
TEL: +36 1 372 2612