Educational goals

The Master's degree course in Chemistry is intended to equip specialist graduates with highly qualified scientific and professional skills in the various areas of chemical sciences. Graduates of this programme will qualify as chemistry professionals with a high level of proficiency in the techniques used to study, purify and characterise inorganic and organic chemicals. They also have in-depth knowledge of the structure, properties and applications of these chemicals. They will also gain adequate knowledge of the various fields of application of the chemical sciences and have the ability to hold key positions in the research and development of chemical processes and in the design and management of industrial chemical systems. In addition, master's degree graduates in Chemistry will acquire all the knowledge they need to successfully pursue higher education, such as second-level Master's and PhD courses. To achieve these results, the programme provides a solid scientific and theoretical background, which is complemented by practical experience in teaching and research laboratories, as well as in various business contexts. The course of study in Chemistry relies on the contribution of lecturers from various departments of the University (Department of Chemistry, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences). The course of study includes different curricula covering the basic subject areas of chemistry: Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry. Thanks to the programme's structure, students will acquire in-depth scientific knowledge of all aspects of chemistry, which they can apply to specific areas by selecting from a range of courses. The different distribution of core subjects across the curricula is designed to enable the achievement of the following specific objectives: - Enable students to develop the ability to conduct basic and applied research and study on chemical systems of any kind, improving their understanding of the structure and reactivity of the substances that comprise these systems; - Provide students with the necessary skills to manage industrial chemical processes for the production of both organic and inorganic substances and materials; - Enable students to understand how to optimise and validate the efficacy and environmental compatibility of chemical industry products, thanks to purification and analysis techniques gained in theoretical courses and technical/practical activities carried out in the various course subjects; - Enable students to develop chemical IT skills through specific course subjects that specifically deal with computational chemistry and provide important information on database management; Ensure that students are knowledgeable with the fundamental aspects of the operational processes that follow the industrial design of chemical products and formulations; - Provide students with the means to operate independently in different industrial and professional contexts, holding key positions, as well as developing the ability to communicate results efficiently, including in foreign languages. The educational pathway is divided into four semesters. In the first two semesters, compulsory theoretical and laboratory courses are taught alongside specialised option courses in various subject areas. These courses are designed to enhance skills in the main subject of the chosen curriculum without neglecting other areas of study. During the third and fourth semesters, students can choose supplementary courses related to their field of study. These courses will allow them to specialise in strictly chemical subjects, as well as biochemical, geomineralogical and pharmacological subjects. Over the course of the four semesters, students will also be able to select course subjects of their own choice to hone their skills in the various application areas of the chemical sciences. The third and fourth semesters are characterised by extensive work on preparing the experimental thesis in university laboratories or chemical companies. This effort is pivotal in completing the profile of graduates holding a Master's degree in Chemistry.

Career opportunities

Senior chemist and related professions. The professional areas in which Master's degree graduates in Chemistry will be able to fined employment are related to: - Fundamental and applied research activities in public or private laboratories, either as employees or freelance consultants; - Quality analysis, control and certification activities in public or private laboratories, either as employees or freelance consultants; - Educational and outreach activities aimed at disseminating knowledge about chemical phenomena and their potential applications, such as science journalism and publishing in the media and on the web, or collaborating with museums; - Management activities related to the drafting and financial management of national and international chemical projects; - Teaching in schools, subject to completion of the teaching qualification process and successful outcome of the qualifying exams laid down by the regulations in force; - Research and teaching activities in universities; - Any other activity set out in the current legislation in relation to the chemistry profession.

Admission requirements

For admission to the Master’s programme, students must hold a bachelor’s degree (which may be a bachelor’s degree obtained according to the regulations in force prior to Ministerial Decree 509/1999 and subsequent amendments and supplements) or a three-year university degree, or another academic title obtained abroad, recognised as suitable by the competent offices of the University. The meeting of curricular requirements and the adequacy of the student's initial preparation is also needed for admission. Specifically, the curricular requirements are a degree in Class 21 (Chemical Sciences and Technology) according to Ministerial Decree 509/1999 and Class L- 27 (Chemical Sciences and Technology) according to Ministerial Decree 270/2004. Candidates who have obtained a degree in subjects other than those indicated above are also eligible, provided their studies have enabled them to acquire at least 60 ECTS credits in the CHIM SSDs/*, as specified in the Teaching Regulations of the course. The latter also sets out the procedures for verifying the adequacy of the student's initial preparation.