Programme Overview:
- Duration:
- 2 Years
- Attendance:
- Part Time
- Mode of Delivery:
- Face-to-Face
- Next Intake:
- 2023/2024 September
- Contact Name:
- Paul Evans
- Contact Number:
- +353(0)1 716 2291/2425
- Fees:
- Fee Information
This MSc in Synthetic Chemistry is designed for Chemistry graduates who are interested in deepening their knowledge of synthetic chemistry with a view to pursuing a career in either the fine chemical or pharmaceutical industries. There is a strong demand for these synthetic chemistry skills, e.g. nine of the top ten largest pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the world have major facilities in Ireland, and seven of the ten top best-selling pharmaceutical products are made in Ireland. This programme can be taken as a full-time (1 year), or a part-time (2 yrs).
Download the UCD Science Graduate Taught Courses brochure (pdf)
Students will take 60 credits in taught modules focusing on areas such as the synthesis of organic compounds and drug-like substances, techniques for structure determination, and methods for drug discovery. In addition, there is a 30 credit research project and students will be able to choose research topics in relevant areas, including catalysis, carbohydrate chemistry and asymmetric synthesis. The UCD School of Chemistry has vibrant research in catalysis and the synthesis of biologically active compounds, and it has strong links with pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies in Ireland and globally.
According to the 2015 QS World University Rankings by Subject, Chemistry at UCD is ranked 2nd in Ireland and in the world top 150.
Curricular information is subject to change
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes
Students will take 60 credits in taught modules focusing on areas such as the synthesis of organic compounds and drug-like substances, techniques for structure determination, and methods for drug discovery. These taught modules have a particular focus on synthetic chemistry. They include modules on core principles of the design of synthetic routes to simple structures, progressing to more advanced modules on catalysis and asymmetric catalysis, a module on carbohydrate chemistry and a module on the synthesis of drug-like targets on a laboratory and on a commercial scale. These are supported by courses on the use of spectroscopic techniques for structure elucidation and analysis, covering techniques such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS), infrared (IR), near infrared (NIR), Raman, UV-visible, Circular Dichroism and Emission spectroscopy. Two modules focus on medicinal and biological chemistry, and another addresses the process of protecting and commercialising ideas and inventions.
In addition, there is a 30 credit research project and students will be able to choose research topics in relevant areas, including catalysis, carbohydrate chemistry and asymmetric synthesis. Students can select the research area from our vibrant research programme in catalysis and the synthesis of biologically active compounds, which is informed by strong links with pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies in Ireland and globally. Relevant research topics in the School include:
This programme is aimed at students that have completed a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and wish to broaden or deepen their knowledge and skills in synthetic chemistry with a view to pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical or fine chemicals sectors. Students choose a suite of modules from our graduate school offering, which cover a wide range of topics in drug discovery and the synthesis and characterisation of target molecules. Immersed in a research-intensive environment, located in state-of-the-art facilities, students will work individually and in teams, and engage in projects that will hone their critical thinking, communications, autonomous learning, and technical skills. In addition to lectures, laboratory classes and tutorials, we use a range of student-centred, active-learning activities, including workshops, case studies, seminars, and team-based projects, culminating in research projects in which students are embedded in academic research teams to work on cutting-edge problems. Students can select the research area from our vibrant research programme in catalysis and the synthesis of biologically active compounds, which is informed by strong links with pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies in Ireland and globally. Both the core material and the transferable skills acquired in the programme are assessed, using a range of authentic techniques, including assessment of critical reviews, of presentations, and of a research thesis, as well as an oral thesis defense and written examinations.
The structure of the programme is as follows:
90 credits taught masters: 60 credits taught modules and 30 credits research project
OPTION MODULES:*
CHEM40160 Chemistry Seminar Programme I
CHEM40370 Advanced NMR Spectroscopy
CHEM40750 Org Synthesis 1
CHEM40760 Org Synthesis 2
CHEM40790 Modern Catalysis
CHEM40810 Topics in MCCB
CHEM40830 Metals in Biology
CHEM41210 Professional Career Development
CHEM4010 Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis
CHEM40350 Comm of Chem Research
CHEM40360 Synthesis of Pharm Compounds
CHEM40930 Proc Dev & Scale Up (NUIG)
CHEM40940 Advanced Synthetic Chem
CHEM40950 Advanced Inorganic Synthesis
CHEM41300 Mass Spectrometry for Chemical
CHEM40880 Research Project**
*Note, students taking this programme on a part-time basis the same suite of modules will be available, however they will be spread over a two-year period. The precise timing (i.e. year 1 or 2) of the modules taken will be discussed with the course coordinator when the student enrols.
**Please note, the Research Project (CHEM40880) must be taken in trimester 3 of the second year.
MSc Synthetic Chemistry (F210) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 4520
nonEU fee per year - € 13860
***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees & Grants website. Please note that UCD offers a number of postgraduate scholarships for full-time, selffunding international students, holding an offer of a place on masters programmes. Please visit International Scholarships for further details.
This programme is intended for applicants with a Chemistry degree, or a degree with a significant component of Chemistry. An upper second class honours or international equivalent is required. Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes
The following entry routes are available:
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised