Chemical Science and Engineering International Profile (300 credits)

Job opportunities and the future

The primary objective of this programme is for students to acquire the preconditions for working internationally as Master of Science in Chemical Science in a Swedish or foreign company. Chemical science is a broad area of operations as such competence is vital to many different business areas. The production of pharmaceuticals, materials development and environmental issues are some exciting examples. After a few years in the profession Development Manager, Production Manager, Quality Manager or Sales Consultant are some possible positions for graduates. Professionally graduates will cooperate with people from many different technical area, as well as other professional groups such as economists and marketers.

The programme

In this programme students also have the opportunity to study languages. Students may choose between Spanish, German, French, Japanese or Chinese. Students are guaranteed two terms of studies at one of the KTH partner universities in the relevant language area. Studying for a longer period of time at a foreign university provides knowledge in a foreign language and opens doors to other cultures as well as broadening perspectives. Studies abroad also help to establish an international contact network. In addition to language and culture courses students take many of the compulsory courses on the Master of Science in Chemical Science 300 credits programme and the programme is concluded with a specialisation into one of its Master course in which the relevant language knowledge is a part.

In the European languages (Spanish, German, French) courses cover language and culture 45 credits and in the Asian languages (Japanese and Chinese) 60 credits. Consequently most of the credits available to elective courses within the programme are used for language and culture. The course organisation differs somewhat between the European and the Asian languages.

European languages
In Years 1-3 students study at KTH. In addition to the programme's ordinary courses students take 25.5 credits in language and culture. In Year 4 studies are located abroad with 15 credits language and 45 credits courses within the specialisation selected. Students conclude their studies with a degree project in Sweden.

Asian languages
For the first four years students study at KTH. In addition to the programme's ordinary courses students take 30 credits in language and culture. Year 5 is studied abroad with 30 credits language + 30 credits degree project. If students so wish they may, during their year abroad, participate in a course that is given in Japanese or Chinese, however this is not compulsory.

Year 1

Year 1 is dominated by mathematical/natural scientific subjects but students do take some courses specific to Chemical Science. For the first two weeks, voluntary courses are held in chemistry and mathematics in which school courses are reviewed.

Introductory Chemistry is the first chemistry course students meet with exciting examples from different parts of chemistry. In the lab students learn to carry out simpler syntheses and analyses in order to gain some laboratory routine for future courses and for their future professional lives. This course is intended to provide an overall orientation on the various parts of chemistry and the links between the different chemical science areas. Chemical Equilibria will provide basic knowledge in chemical equilibria theory and also practical experience of using computers for calculations. Organic Chemistry 1 is an introduction to organic chemistry when students learn the answers to such questions as "When does a reaction occur and when does it not occur?” In the lab section, basic techniques and the connections between theory and practice are covered.

Introduction to Chemical Engineering provides an overview of this field and of the tasks of a chemical engineer. Through a project students gain insight into the role of a graduate of this course in this professional field, as well as training in the independent analysis of problems and evaluation of results.

The Mathematics courses in Year 1 Numbers and Functions, One-variable Analysis, Linear Algebra and Multi-variable Analysis. These provide an introduction to the rest of the mathematics courses as well as knowledge within linear equation systems, vectors, matrix calculation, derivation and integration of one or several variables.

This course provides knowledge on the basic, classical mechanical laws and makes the segway between natural sciences and engineering extremely clear. Why do bodies move as they do and what is necessary for them to be in equilibrium?

Year 2

Year 2 is still dominated by basic courses in chemistry together with other natural scientific subjects and mathematics. Students study Chemistry and Mathematics and Data.

The first chemistry course students meet is Chemical Thermodynamics which brings basic knowledge of thermodynamics and its applications within chemistry, chemical engineering and biological systems. In Molecular Structure experimental and theoretical methods for determining the structure and characteristics of molecules are covered. Chemical Dynamics explains time-dependent phenomena within chemistry. Much of what the students study in these three courses will be useful in later chemical engineering courses. Organic Chemistry 2 is a direct continuation of the course in Year 1 and deals with the chemical reactions and subject classes that were not covered there.

In Mathematics students learn different methods of solving differential equations. These are used in all real chemical engineering calculations, including when calculating the speed of different chemical reactions. The Programming Technique and Numerical Methods courses are aimed at providing computer skills so that computers and an understanding of programming becomes a natural part of working. Students also gain knowledge on how computers can be used to formulate and solve different calculation problems.

The Physics course is entitled Electromagnetism and Wave Theory and deals with electrical and magnetic fields, waves and optics.

The courses in Transport Processes and Energy Transformation give an introduction to two basic areas of vital importance to chemical engineering: transport processes i.e. the transfer of impulses, heat and matter, and energy transformation, that deals with the application of the first and second laws of thermodynamics within chemical engineering.

Year 3

In Year 3 students take the last basic courses in the field: Biotechnology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Sustainable Development and a specific course in Polymer Technology as well as carrying out a Bachelor degree project.

Reaction and Separation Technology provides, together with the courses on Transport Processes and Energy transformation from Year 2, knowledge on how process systems are constructed. Issues discussed include: How long does the reaction take? Which catalysts to choose? How great will the heat loss be or is heat generated so that cooling is necessary? How is the system to be dimensioned for the best results? Last but not least are the essential environmental and economic aspects.

The Biotechnology course brings introductory knowledge of biochemistry, cell biology and an introduction to the role of biotechnology in industrial applications. Microorganisms play a major role in the environment and affect everything. Here students learn about the structure of cells and the chemical composition of living organisms. In addition students read about the structure and function of proteins and on how enzymes can be used as catalysts. Students gain insights into the tools and applications of genetics in, for example, the medical field.

Chemical Measurement Techniques is an integration of analytical-chemical measuring methods with statistical methods for the processing of data. In this course students learn how to plan experiments in order to be able to interpret results in the correct manner. As almost no measurements are totally secure, methods of careful calibration of instruments must be learned. No results can be used unless their level of insecurity is known; consequently knowledge within this area is vital to the work of chemists or chemical engineers. In the Inorganic Chemistry course students learn the most important principles of modern inorganic chemistry – how chemistry uses this knowledge in order to understand what is happening around us, or in our own bodies, where many metal ions carry out important functions.

Polymer Technology with Cellulose Technology is a course that provides knowledge on the characteristics of polymers and overview of paper and cellulose-based materials. It gives an orientation on polymer chemistry – materials characteristics and their connections with molecular structure and material construction and the factors that affect choice of materials in constructions, apparatus and facilities. In this course a great deal of what has been studied in previous years is now applied

Technology for sustainable development is a new course that further develops knowledge in chemistry and chemical engineering in order to be able to discuss alternatives aimed at promoting sustainable development. The principles of green chemistry will be used to reduce the use of, or formation of, hazardous substances when designing, manufacturing or using chemical products.

The Bachelor degree project is the final part of Year3. Included in this will be certain teaching hours concerning information searching or method design.

Year 4-5

In Years 4 and 5 students take the Master programme they have selected. At KTH in all Master of Science programmes it is possible to take out a Bachelor of Science degree of 180 credits after three years of study. Students may choose to continue to the Master of Science degree 300 credits within one of the programme's masters courses listed below or take another one or two-year Master degree.

Here students gain the opportunity to learn considerable amounts about molecules and their specific characteristics, everything from theoretical models to development and categorisation of specific molecules, functional material and surfaces. Students gain knowledge in the structure of chemical and biological subjects, for example how and why they function as they do. For specialists in this field there are fairly obvious examples of future employers within the pharmaceutical and medical industries, classical chemical companies as well as energy-related companies, especially those working with new methods of energy transformation.

Here students have the chance to develop their ability to select, design and optimise chemical and chemical engineering processes taking into consideration raw materials, quality, economics and, not least, their effects on the environment so that the final product will be the best possible. A chemical engineering process may be, for example, the manufacture of shampoo or of environmentally-friendly fuel for cars. Specialists within this field are of interest to energy-related companies, the vehicle industry, companies working with recycling, traditional chemical companies as well as government agencies working with extensive, environment-related issues. In addition a growing labour market within environmental technology is anticipated.

Here students learn all about the development and characterisation of macromolecular materials and products. Students also develop the ability to be able to see the connection between chemical structures and material characteristics. If a mobile telephone, the covering of a penicillin tablet or durable paper is to be developed than it is vital to select the correct material. Specialists within this area are extremely interesting to a broad spectrum of industries, both nationally and internationally: industries such as paper and forestry and the modern timber industry, the pharmaceutical and medical engineering industries as well as all types of specifically chemical companies.

Master programmes and the Erasmus Mundus

Degree project

The programme is completed with a degree project. This project works as proof positive that the student has fulfilled the requirements of the Master course. Students will apply all the knowledge they have acquired during their period of study at KTH. The degree project is carried out in connection to the Master Programme, most often during Year 5 and is aimed at providing experience of, under realistic conditions, independently planning, implementation and documentation of a task according to good engineering practice. This project may be carried out at KTH, at a company or abroad. Select your degree project carefully – it may be extremely useful when you are applying for your first job!