Master's Programme in Chemistry – Bio and Nano Materials

120 credits

Are you ready to dive into the exciting world where science meets innovation? Our specialisation in Bio and Nano Materials within the Master’s programme in Chemistry is your gateway to a world of endless possibilities in biomedicine, pharmaceuticals and materials. In this dynamic and interdisciplinary programme, you will explore both theory and practical applications, preparing you for a career at the forefront of science and new product development.

Autumn 2024 Autumn 2024, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, English

Autumn 2025 Autumn 2025, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, English

The specialisation in Bio and Nano Materials, has strong links to world-leading research. It is a unique specialisation with its blend of chemistry, biology and materials science. You will have leading experts in the respective areas as teachers, and the opportunity to do your degree project in a world-class research environment, either at the university or in a company. This can, e.g., mean developing gels for tissue engineering, systems for drug delivery, or nucleic acid therapeutics.

The programme includes the chemical and physical properties of soft functional materials applied to medical applications, but also, biodegradable materials for renewable energy, which are allmajor growth areas.

During the programme, you can expect to:

  • be offered a personal mentor to help you prepare for your future career,
  • have access to advanced research instruments,
  • study at a university with two Nobel prizes in chemistry,
  • work in a multidisciplinary environment in different projects.

A degree from Uppsala University will give you a connection to world-leading research and the opportunity to develop a personal contact network. Your personal mentor will invite you to seminars and group meetings, where you will meet professors, PhD-students and post-docs who have come to Uppsala to be part of our research environment. Our research groups have a well-developed cooperation with other institutions which is beneficial for you when choosing a project for the Master's thesis.

Uppsala University is also part of SciLifeLab which can offer suitable projects in bio- and nanomaterials. In the Uppsala region, there are also several companies having interesting projects, which will further add to your contact network.

Student profile

You are coming directly from your Bachelor's degree or had a relevant job to strengthen your analytical and experimental skills, possibly also with some background in biochemistry. You have an analytical mind and are extremely motivated to complete your studies.

Degree

The programme leads to the degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with Chemistry as the main field of study. After one year of study, it is possible to obtain a degree of Master of Science (60 credits).

In the first semester, you will study courses which will provide you with the theoretical and experimental skills needed for the subsequent semesters, some of which are common to other specialisations in the Master's Programme in Chemistry.

There is great flexibility in choosing courses according to your background and interests. During the first semester, you can choose to take courses related to biochemistry/chemical biology or more physical and colloid chemistry related courses, to complement your earlier studies. In the very first course, you will also meet many of the professors in the different fields of chemistry giving seminars about the current trends in their respective research fields.

The courses show the cross-disciplinary aspect of this highly active field. To give you more experience in working in a research group, you can choose a course in research training which also will further develop your theoretical knowledge and experimental skills.

During the second and third semesters you will take different courses in, for example, biomaterials, surface and colloid chemistry, soft materials, organic chemistry including polymer synthesis, nanotechnology for industrial applications, as well as nanobiotechnology and biosensors. All courses include a combination of theory and experimental training, which include characterization techniques such as light- and x-ray scattering.

The programme ends with a degree project of 30 credits during the fourth semester.

Some examples recent degree projects:

  • Q. Yang: An oxidized silicon nitride composite with enhanced antibacterial property.
  • A. Kocatürkmen: Development of a self-crosslinking hyaluronic acid hydrogel with anti-inflammatory properties for osteoarthritis treatment.
  • X. Wang: Dentin regeneration regulated by 3D-structure scaffolds.
  • A. Kontse: Design of biopolymer-ceramic composites for 3D-printed fabrication of bone implants.

Courses within the programme

See the programme outline for courses within the programme.

Instruction takes place in the form of lectures, laboratory work, problem-solving, seminars and projects.

Theory and practical work are always interwoven into the courses. In seminars, you present your ideas and discuss recent publications or work you have conducted with your classmates, while the teacher usually only moderates the discussion. The aim is to develop critical thinking and collaborative skills which will be required in your future professional development. All students are expected to be active participants in all forms of discussions.

You will also receive systematic training in both oral and written presentations as an integrated part of the courses. The ability to communicate well will be very important in your future career.

The lecturers are active researchers who will coach you to adopt a scientific approach in your work, where you will develop the necessary skills to solve problems, think critically and analytically, plan and formulate research problems, and independently carry out the necessary experiments and analysis as well as to interpret the results.

The language of instruction is English.

Surveys have shown that the labour market for chemists with a degree from Uppsala University is excellent. 97% of those who obtained their degree during the last ten years are either employed or undertaking doctoral studies.

Our former students work at for example:

  • Nouryon,
  • Galderma,
  • Mecordia AB,
  • Rontis Corporation,
  • Alfa Laval AB.

A Master of Science in Chemistry from Uppsala University will provide you with many opportunities to build an exciting future career in academia, industry, the public sector, or in entrepreneurship. Not only will you gain the knowledge and ability to perform special and advanced tasks in chemistry, you will also be qualified for positions in many other areas where problem-solving, abstract thinking and analytical ability are required.

Possible career paths can vary, you may work with:

  • research and development,
  • production processes,
  • analysis of materials,
  • management of safety and legal issues,
  • patenting of inventions,
  • marketing and sales,
  • environmental and sustainability issues,
  • developing new and improved methods for quality control.

The salary in Sweden can vary greatly depending on education level, work task, previous experience, location, sector, etc. According to one of the largest Swedish work unions, SACO, newly graduated students in chemistry earned around SEK 35 000 per month before tax in 2023.

Career support

During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career.

Contact

  • For questions about the programme, please contact the programme coordinator:
  • kemimaster@kemi.uu.se
  • For programme-specific information, please contact the study counsellor:
  • master@kemi.uu.se
  • For admissions-related or general information, please contact our applicant support team:
  • masterprogrammes@uu.se

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