1 - Display, to a high level, a systematic and in-depth knowledge of their chosen areas of the chemistry discipline.
2 - Demonstrate the standard and specialised technical skills required to safely operate in a research environment related to their chosen specialisms.
3 - Demonstrate an ability to take significant responsibility and work in a self-directed manner both alone and in groups and be able to act in a wide variety of professional levels and contexts both within and outside the discipline.
4 - Develop learning skills that allow them to self-evaluate and take responsibility for self-directed further study, within or outside the discipline, or in continuous professional development.
5 - Be aware of, and be able to manipulate, online resources for the collection and collation of literature.
6 - Demonstrate ability in critically analysing and communicating complex sets of data verbally and in written form and have the insight to be able to scrutinise and reflect on aspects of the discipline.
This course is available through the following application route(s)
MSc Chemistry (Negotiated Learning) is a flexible programme which offers a diverse array of modules in a variety of Chemistry topics. The programme is suitable for you if you wish to sample different sides of the discipline ranging from the mathematical, through the physical and materials disciplines to the biological ends of the scientific spectrum. Initial academic advice ensures that your module choices can match your career aspirations or areas of interest. If you wish to broaden your understanding of chemistry, you could choose a range of modules across the discipline. If you are interested in progressing to a PhD programme, or into particular industries, you may choose to concentrate on a specific area, e.g., chemical biology, nanochemistry, medicinal, sustainable or materials chemistry.
The UCD School of Chemistry has vibrant research in areas such as catalysis and new transformations, bionano interface, advanced spectroscopy, new materials for magnetic, medicinal, and electronic applications, and carbohydrate chemistry.
- Individualised programmes can be selected from a large suite of modules.
- A high-level research project will add significant value and lead to a qualification suited for career advancement in the chemical industry.
- Over 4000 m2 of high specification, modern laboratories within the recently refurbished UCD O'Brien Centre for Science.
Negotiated Learning: student and academic discuss goals, and tailor a suitable programme for the student. Modules are subject to change and are not guaranteed by UCD. The modules are examples of modules for 2024/2025 students.
Examples of modules include:
Autumn Trimester
- Organic Synthesis 2
- Electrochemistry
- Nanochemistry
- Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- Metals in Biology
- Modern Techniques to Monitor Biological Processes
- Green and Sustainable Chemistry
- Advanced Synthetic (Organic) Chemistry
- Computational biophysics
- Advanced Atomic Force Microscopy for Bionanoscience
- Physics of Nanomaterials
- Chemistry of Materials
- Spectroscopic Techniques
- Modern Mass Spectrometry
Spring Trimester
- Organic Synthesis 1
- Topics in Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry
- Bond Activation
- Modern Catalysis
- Advanced NMR Spectroscopy
- Biophysics at the Nanoscale and Nanodevices
- Advanced Characterisation Techniques
- Advanced Inorganic Synthesis
- Professional Career Development
Summer Trimester
- Synthesis of Pharmaceutical Compounds
- Research Project
- Research Integrity Training
- Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis
- Commercialisation of Chemical Research
- Chemistry MSc Internship
During the summer trimester students are placed within the research groups of a member of staff in the School to carry out a 30-credit three-month research project.
About This Course
The MSc Chemistry (Negotiated Learning) provides a basis for graduates to enter the chemical, pharmaceutical, bio-pharmaceutical and materials industries. Analytical services, environmental protection and primary and secondary school teaching present other possible opportunities.
Furthermore, through judicious choice of modules within one particular sub-discipline of chemistry, the programme is an attractive route for some students into a PhD programme.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
CHEM40880 | Research project (Taught MSc) | Summer | 30 |
Cillian O’Beirne
I chose to undertake the MSc Chemistry (Negotiated Learning) course as a pathway to both refreshing and improving my chemistry knowledge with hopes that it would lead to further career and postgraduate opportunities. In my time at UCD Chemistry, I was challenged by a broad range of topics in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, whilst interacting with lecturers and professors and gaining insight to the requirements of further postgraduate study in a PhD. The climate in UCD Chemistry was welcoming and supportive, with the ChemSoc society providing a way to meet peers and colleagues that are still in my life to this day. The final lab project is an important aspect of the course and helped to reintegrate me into a research environment and eventually led to undertaking a PhD in UCD Chemistry.
This has helped me in my career by allowing me to travel to France and Germany in a research capacity and find an exciting role as a Process Development Scientist here in Ireland.
EU fee per year - € 9530
nonEU fee per year - € 29100
Chemistry (Negotiated Learning) (F182) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 4840
nonEU fee per year - € 14550
***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please visit International Scholarships.
- This programme is intended for applicants with an honours undergraduate Chemistry degree, or a degree with a significant component of chemistry (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent). An upper second class honours or international equivalent is required. However all applicants will be assessed on a case by case basis and relevant or extensive work experience will be taken into account, so that in certain exceptional cases an award at a lower level or a 2.2 classification may be considered.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 ineach element), or equivalent. Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/
- These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Chemistry (Negotiated Learning):
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | F042 Chemistry (Negotiated Learning) Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | F182 Chemistry (Negotiated Learning) Master of Science Part-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |