Sustainable Chemistry

Are you interested in science? Do you enjoy doing exciting lab experiments and do you already have a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related subject? Do you want to play an active role in shaping a better future for our planet and all its inhabitants? Are you passionate about sustainability issues? Then the MSc Sustainable Chemistry programme at Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) is the right choice for you. The international Master's programme combines all of the above. You will learn how to design chemical processes, products and methods so that they meet the requirements of sustainability. This means that environmental and social aspects such as resource consumption, energy efficiency, climate protection, health and safety are considered in the development and use of chemical products and processes. The MSc Sustainable Chemistry is taught by internationally renowned experts in various areas of sustainable chemistry. The programme provides you with both theoretical and practical in-depth knowledge of chemical concepts of synthesis, analysis, and evaluation from a sustainability perspective. In addition to lectures and seminars, you will be involved in cutting-edge research projects at an early stage. On completion of the programme, graduates will have learned the following: fundamentals of sustainability and sustainable chemistry, advanced topics in inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry such as heavy metal-free synthesis and catalysis, photochemistry, electrochemistry, circular economy for chemical processes, chemical research in the context of sustainability. Through the network of "DigiChem – creating a digital study environment for sustainable chemistry", together with the Universities of Padua (Italy), Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Zagreb (Croatia), the study programme also offers various opportunities for international exchange. Due to its international focus, the programme also offers national and global career opportunities. These are facilitated through international networking with partner universities and experts in the field. The programme has a duration of two years and comprises 120 ECTS credit points. It starts in the first year with taught modules (comprising lectures, seminars, exercises) including compulsory and elective modules. Students can choose the elective modules according to their interests (Energy Materials, Sustainable Water Treat­ment, Sustainable Materials Chemistry, etc.). Likewise, soft skills (e.g. Scientific Writing and Data Dissemination) and professional skills (Innovation Management for Natural Scientists) can be enhanced. The second year of the programme is entirely devoted to research work. Students are directly involved in the current research of the chemistry working groups. They learn about the latest developments in sustainable synthesis and materials development, right through to the recovery of critical resources. At the end of the programme, students complete the Master’s thesis. Modules of the first year – taught modules Introduction to Principles of Sustainability MSc seminar: New Frontiers in Chemical Sustainability Chemical Concepts of Sustainability Sustainable Inorganic Chemistry: Criticality, Synthesis, Substitution and Recovery Sustainable Energy Technologies Circular Economy Sustainability of Organic Reactions: Principles of Green Chemistry Three elective modules – from chemistry or other subjects (see below) Examples for elective modules Sustainable Water Treatment Sustainable Materials Chemistry: Energy Materials Innovation Management for Natural Scientists Risk and Quality Management and more Modules of the second year – research modules Two research modules with lab work in a research group One laboratory project in sustainable chemistry Master's thesis