Objectives and competences

The master's degree in Analytical Chemistry provides specialized training through which students will learn to tackle specific analytical problems in a range of specific fields (the environment, pharmacy, nutrition, clinical settings, biomedicine, etc.), placing special emphasis on experimental work complemented by advanced theoretical training.

This master's degree has a study load of 60 credits and reflects the growing demand for graduates with specialized knowledge of analytical chemistry, as well as preparing students for access to doctoral studies.

Graduates will have the training to work in chemical analysis laboratories dedicated to routine testing, basic research or advanced research. Most employment opportunities for graduates are in the chemical or pharmaceutical industries, in public or private laboratories involved in health and environmental control, food analyses, clinical analyses, and quality control, and other fields related to analytical chemistry.

Basic information

TypeMaster's degree
Faculty or schoolFaculty of Chemistry
Branch of knowledge
  • Chemistry
Mode of delivery
  • Face-to-face
Credits60
Number of places available33
Length of course1 academic year
Language(s) of instruction80% Catalan - Spanish 15% - English 5%
Approximate price per credit27.67 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2023-2024
CoordinationELISABET FUGUET JORDA
Course detailsIndicators
Open pre-enrolmentYes
Open enrolmentNo
Lead to doctoral studiesYes
Admission for applicants not holding a degree qualificationNo
Bridging coursesNo

Objectives and competences

Objectives

The objective of the master's degree in Analytical Chemistry is to build upon the education of graduates in chemistry and similar disciplines, strengthening their experimental experience and complementing it with advanced theoretical training. Therefore, it is designed to develop qualities such as rigour, initiative and a critical spirit in laboratory work, to stimulate the interest needed to approach research projects in new environments and to become familiar with the tools available. Finally, students will acquire the training to join R&D+i work groups in the public or private sectors in fields related to analytical chemistry.

Competences

  • Capacity to address complex problems with diverse strands using the systematic approach to problem-solving found in analytical chemistry.

  • Capacity to identify the potential of different advanced analytical techniques and select the most suitable option for solving a specific analytical problem.

  • Capacity to identify and optimize the variables that affect the analytical techniques used to solve a specific problem.

  • Capacity to work within the necessary technical requirements to ensure the quality of an analytical process.

  • Capacity to interact in current fields and research activities of major impact in analytical chemistry, both in Spain and abroad.

  • Capacity to identify the different stages in an experimental work plan, carry out and report on the tasks corresponding to each stage, coordinate the overall execution of the plan, and present it to the work group.

  • Critical skills for interpreting results, establishing correlations with the variables and methodological factors that may have had a bearing on experimental work, and extracting relevant conclusions.

  • Ability to modify an experimental work plan in the event of unexpected results.

  • Acquisition of the habits corresponding to good practices in analytical laboratory work, both individually and as a team.

  • Capacity to retrieve and analyse scientific and technical information written in English.

  • Capacity to work as part of a team and adapt to international and multicultural working environments.

  • Capacity to recognize innovations in the field and anticipate future trends.

Access and admission

Applicant profile and access requirements

Recommended applicant profile

The master's degree in Analytical Chemistry is intended for university graduates interested in gaining a deeper knowledge of analytical chemistry in order to direct their career paths towards professions involving research, innovation and development, and problem-solving in new settings within the fields of the environment, the pharmaceutical and food industries and bioanalysis. Applicants must have a solid educational background in chemistry and, in particular, a good understanding of matters related to analytical chemistry taught in the EHEA bachelor's degree in Chemistry, as well as B1-level English proficiency or the equivalent.

Access requirements and conditions

General requirements
In accordance with Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, students wishing to be admitted to a university master's degree must hold one of the following qualifications:

  • Official Spanish university degree.

  • A degree issued by a higher education institution within the European Higher Education Area framework that authorizes the holder to access university master's degree courses in the country of issue.

  • A qualification issued by an institution outside the framework of the European Higher Education Area. In this case, applicants must request homologation of the degree to its equivalent official Spanish university qualification or obtain express approval from the University of Barcelona, which will conduct a study of equivalence to ensure that the degree is of a comparable level to an official Spanish university qualification and that it grants access to university master's degree study in the country of issue. Admission shall not, in any case, imply that prior qualifications have been recognized as equivalent to a Spanish master's degree and does not confer recognition for any purposes other than that of admission to the master's degree course.

Specific requirements
The official degree courses granting direct admission to this master's degree are the EHEA bachelor's degree and llicenciatura degree in Chemistry. Graduates in other related subjects such as pharmacy, biochemistry, engineering, chemistry, materials sciences, etc. can access this master's degree program providing that they have an adequate background in analytical chemistry in accordance with the criteria of the Coordination Committee. An adequate level in analytical chemistry is needed to fully benefit from the course, equivalent to that provided in the compulsory subjects for the EHEA bachelor's degree in Chemistry.

Pre-enrolment

Calendar

1 March - 14 July 2024.

Notes:

  • Pre-enrolment fee: A pre-enrolment fee of 30,21 euros is charged. Students who apply to more than one master's degree must pay the fee for each pre-enrolment request. Pre-enrolment requests cannot be processed until this fee has been paid.Fees will only be refunded if the master's degree in question is suspended.
  • Reserved places: A maximum of 5% of the new places of the master's degree are reserved for students who meet the general and specific access requirements and accredit the recognition of a degree of disability equal to or greater than 33%.

Required documentation

Selection criteria

Whenever the number of students who meet the profile requirements and apply to be admitted to the Master's Degree in Analytical Chemistry exceeds the number of places offered, the Committee will draw up a list of priority order according to the following selection criteria:
  • Student's curricular pathway (45%).
  • Academic record (40%).
  • Statement of interest showing the student's willingness to take the master's degree (10%).
  • Other proofs of merit such as work experience, participation in other training programs, mobility during their undergraduate studies, etc. (5%)

Notification

The Committee will publish the list of accepted candidates, taking into account the previously established priority order and the maximum number of places offered.

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Enrolment

As a general rule, at the UB you will be required to enrol online. Remember that you can lose your place if you do not enrol on the day you have been assigned

Specific information about the faculty

Course curriculum

Placements

Placements in a company or another type of organization are an integral part of university studies, providing first-hand experience of working methodologies in students' chosen professional fields. They offer invaluable practical experience for the transition into work after graduation.

There is an option to complete non-curricular placements of up to 750 hours, which can be extended to 900 hours. An educational cooperation agreement is signed between the UB and the company, institution or other organization at which the placement will be carried out.

Career opportunities

What can you work on ?

Graduates of this master's degree will have the training required to work in laboratories of chemical analysis dedicated to routine testing, basic or advanced research. Most employment opportunities for graduates are in the chemical or pharmaceutical industries, in public or private laboratories involved in health and environmental control, food analyses, clinical analyses and quality control, and other fields related to analytical chemistry.

Access to the labour market

Data from the university system in Catalonia

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