Chemistry B.Sc.

 

From pharmaceuticals to functional foods, smartphone displays, and biofuels: chemistry builds the foundation for many products of modern life. It imparts knowledge about the structure of all substances surrounding us – starting with the smallest particles, atoms and molecules, to daily substances, such as detergent, to large molecules, like human DNA.

Students learn not only what composes these substances, but they also acquire knowledge about how these are synthesized and how their structure and function can be determined.

This also includes predicting the structure of new substances in order to produce materials with specific properties.

At RWTH students learn early on about important aspects of industrial use, such as the implementation of reactions in commercial production or the manufacture and use of polymers.

In order to acquire the necessary knowledge, students study the three classic subdisciplines of chemistry: inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry – supplemented with an introduction into technical chemistry and macromolecular chemistry.

For this sake of this extraordinarily detailed core education there are no specialization opportunities during the Bachelor's course of study. In the Master's program students can select two concentrations from the four focuses of chemical research at RWTH:

• The research focuse bioactive compounds and synthetic methods concentrates on the development of new molecules with specific functions.
• Catalysis research provides the scientific foundation for key technologies and is indispensable for sustainable chemical processes and products. It provides access to complex biologically active molecules and makes a significant contribution to the solving problems in energy storage and conversion.
• The research focus materials and mescoscopic systems works on the development of hard and soft materials while taking suface and interface phenomena into consideration.
• Research and teaching in computer chemistry and spectroscopy obtain experimental and theoretical methods, which make chemical relationships understandable and contribute to the clarification of chemical structures and their dynamic processes.

 

Degree Content

Curriculum

Semester	Lectures and Internships
1 to 2	General Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics
3 to 5	Advanced studies in Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Technical Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Apply Spectroscopy and Instrumental Analytics, Theory of Chemical Bonding
6	Bachelor's Thesis (3-month research project), Chemistry in context of professional experience, Computational Chemistry, Modern Methods of Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, Statistical Thermodynamics

You can find a detailed outline of the curriculum on the Department of Chemistry website.

Electives

In a supplemental electives students acquire fundamental skills in another subject, for example engineering or economics or a foreign language.

Internships

A thorough fundamental education and a connection between theory and practice are important characteristics of the studies at RWTH. One of the focuses of the chemistry curriculum is experimentation, that is work in a laboratory. Students at RWTH have a total of ten laboratory classes and a research project, which put theory into practice. They may learn for example, to synthesize and analyze targeted substances. The link between theory and practice leads to a deeper understanding of the structure of molecules and substances, their reactions with each other, and causes and relationships in chemistry. Through practical training, students can independently work in the lab. As a result, they acquire the ability to develop research projects autonomously, conduct the project, and publish the knowledge gained.

All of the internships in the course of study are institute internships. An industry internship is not scheduled into the curriculum but it is recommended. During Master's studies there is the option of completing an industry internship or an internship abroad, for exam in an industry or research institution, instead of a research internship.

Programs Abroad

Chemistry students have diverse opportunities to conduct a research stay abroad or study abroad at internationally renowned universities. A total of 56 partner universities, intensive support during your study abroad period, and comprehensive crediting of the achievements obtained at the partner institution provide the best possible conditions for studying abroad. You can also gain practical experience in industry through collaborations with industry partners.

RWTH students profit not only from the Faculty's exchange programs but also from the University's strategic partnerships with international universities. You can, for example, complete short stays at one of the IDEA League universities while completing a term paper. The UROP Abroad program, the only one of its kind in Germay, offers the possibility to participate in research projects at international universities during Bachelor studies. These stays abroad are partially funded by RWTH-specific funding.

 

Prerequisites

Personal Prerequisites

Beginning students should enjoy scientific problems and have fun when combining practice and theory. In addition to previous knowledge of chemistry, school-level knowledge of physics, mathematics, and English are also helpful. Prospective students can freshen up and expand their knowledge in mathematics, physics, and chemistry in the bridge courses before studies begin. High demands in lectures, exercises, and practical experiences, as well as organizational requirements in one's daily routine during lecture-periods, fill out the work week. Motivation for studies and good self-organization help students master these demands. Students spend about 50 percent of their time in the lab. Here they learn safety procedures, all relevant work procedures and methods, and the statistical processing and documentation of results. Lab work requires a great sense of responsibility and an extremely exact work method. Not all experiments work instantly! All natural scientists should possess a healthy amount of tolerance for frustration. Prospective students should consider whether or not they could develop possible health issues, that are already conceivable at the beginning of studies, from standing for a long time in the lab or working with chemical substances. The departmental advisors are a good contact in these cases.

Enrollment Prerequisite

RWTH "Mathematics and Natural Sciences" Self Assessment Proof of completion of this Self Assessment must be submitted at the time of enrollment, not application.

 

Decision Aids

Most prospective students discover their interest in chemistry in school. In contrast to school lessons, university studies offer the challenge to really get to the bottom of laws of nature. Starting in th first semester, the goal is not to just understand the lecture content but also to independently experiment in the lab. Individuals who enjoy always looking for the cause and relationships of material reactions will be at home in chemistry studies. Don't forget: Experimental results must be statistically evaluated and the relationships with mathematical formulas calculated and illustrated. Basic joy in mathematical work should also be presented. Students can gather an initial impression of the demands by visiting lectures, in the Schüleruni, or in the sample studies.

Individuals interested in chemistry and already interested in specific applications should consider special chemistry courses of study such as biochemistry, food chemistry, or pharmacy. The materials science course of study at RWTH Aachen could provide an interesting alternative in the cross-section of natural sciences and technology.

 

Media Library

Do you want more glances and insight? Use the diverse information available! You can find our recommendations in the media library.

 

Career Prospects

The career prospects for chemists are very good. Not just the chemical industry, but also the consumer goods industry, medicine, energy economy, pharmaceutical industry, suppliers – like car manufacturers –, and public service need well trained graduates.

The high percentage of practical training in the Bachelor's curriculum qualifies graduates for certain jobs in laboratories.

In order to conduct research, most natural scientists finish a Master's and doctoral degree, though. Basic knowledge from Bachelor's studies are expanded into comprehensive scientific expertise and research skills, that the job market promotes.

The website of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker provides glances at very different careers that started with chemistry studies.

 

Master's Degree Prospects

The modules of the Master's course of study in chemistry no longer reflect the classic subdisciplines of chemistry – inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry. Instead all of the chemical disciplines are linked and students focus on two of the four previously mentionend research focuses in Aachen. During the research internships students learn how to independently work on fundamental and application-oriented problems in international and interdisciplinary working groups, for example with engineers, doctors, or partner companies in industry. The problems include important future topics such as biomedical applications, fuel cells, catalysts for sustainable chemical processes, power supply, and energy storage. RWTH's typical inclusion of the natural sciences and engineering proves advantageous to students, showing positive effects later on for their career prospects.

 

Module Handbook and Examination Regulations

The module handbook provides a description of all modules of a degree program and offers a comprehensive insight into the program contents.

The examination regulations are comprised of legally binding provisions on learning objectives, prerequisites for study, the course structure and processes, and examination procedures.

Regulations that generally apply to all Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, including information on language proficiency requirements, can be found in RWTH's General Examination Regulations. These general regulations are further specified and complemented by the subject-specific examination regulations.

If two examination regulations are valid for a degree program during a transition phase, the most current version shall apply to students enrolling in the program for the first time.

Please note that only the German examination regulations are legally binding.

Module Handbook
Subject Specific Examination Regulations
RWTH's General Examination Regulations

 

Faculty

The Bachelor course of study in Chemistry is offered by the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Natural Sciences. With its focuses on asymmetrical synthesis and agents, catalysis, materials, and mesoscopic systems the deparment represents very current research fields. Further experimental and theoretical interdisciplinary skills supplement the subject spectrum, particularly in the field of computational chemistry and spectroscopy. The link between chemistry and the life, materials, and engineering sciences manifests itself in diverse collaborations with collaborative research areas, Excellence clusters, graduate schools, and other joint projects.