Study programme

The Chemistry Bachelor’s programme takes three years and prepares you for a two-year Master's in Molecular Sciences. 

Every academic year in the Chemistry Bachelor's programme is divided into four periods of ten weeks each. Every period consists of lectures and lab classes, concluded by two weeks of exams. As a student of Chemistry you will experience different modes of instruction. In the first year you will do practicals and projects with your fellow students. Next to that, you will follow lectures and will work in small groups in tutorials and computer practicals. Tutorials involve about 20 students. The rest of the time you will devote to independent study. Considerable time is spent on developing experimental skills and learning how to carry out research, which means you will have plenty of contact with your fellow students.

Curriculum

  • Curriculum year 1

    In the first year of the Chemistry programme, you will be given a broad base in everything to do with molecules. You will also take various mathematics and physics subjects to give you a better understanding of chemical properties. Lab courses are a large part of the first-year study programme. Some of these are done individually, and others in pairs or with a project group. These lab courses follow the themes of the lectures.

    View curriculum year 1

  • Curriculum year 2

    Knowledge of molecules is extended in the second year. You are also introduced to the different branches within chemistry. You learn about organic and inorganic chemistry, broaden your knowledge on thermodynamics and are introduced to quantum mechanics. You also learn a lot about fundamental spectroscopy and take various practicals. As in the first year, the second year is mainly made up of compulsory courses.

    View curriculum year 2

  • Curriculum year 3

    The third year of the Bachelor's programme in Chemistry is made up almost entirely of electives. This gives you an opportunity to prepare effectively for your Master’s and to choose the direction in which you ultimately wish to take your Chemistry programme. You may choose to learn as much a possible within your field in Chemistry or you could opt for a minor programme (15 to 30 EC) with courses outside of Chemistry. Or you can choose to do an exchange semester abroad.

    View curriculum year 3

This programme has a binding study advice

Minimum ECTS
39
This study programme consists of 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) per year. At the end of the first year you will need to have accumulated a minimum of 39 ECTS in order to receive a positive BSA to continue your studies in the second year. Failing to meet this minimum requirement and receiving a negative BSA means that you are no longer allowed to continue with your studies. Of course, we will consider outstanding circumstances such as sickness or other personal factors. Your study advisor or mentor will regularly discuss your study results with you so that you are not faced with any surprises.

Study abroad

During your Bachelor's programme, you will have the opportunity to go abroad for your studies, internship and/or thesis. You will learn to look at things from the perspective of a different culture and you will meet new people; it is an experience that will enrich your life. What’s more, it will look great on your CV. Please see the Radboud International web page for information about meetings, scholarships, internships and other practical information.

Additional challenge

Do you want an extra challenge during your studies? Do you find it interesting to think about current, social themes from different academic perspectives? Discover what the Radboud Honours Academy has to offer to achieve your maximum potential during your time as a student.

Studying alongside students of Science and Molecular Life Sciences

The Chemistry, Science and Molecular Life Sciences programmes share a common foundation, which is why they have been brought together in a single cluster. During the first three periods of the first year you take most of your courses together with students of Molecular Life Sciences and Science. As a result, you can easily switch from Chemistry to the Molecular Life Sciences or Science programme during your first year or once you have successfully completed. You do not have to lose any time, so this is a useful option if you are not sure yet which programme you want to study. International students may only switch from Chemistry to Molecular Life Sciences.

Lab courses

Lab courses are a large part of the first-year study programme. Some of these are done individually, and others in pairs or with a project group. These lab courses follow the themes of the lectures.

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Minor

In the third year of the Bachelor's, you have the opportunity to do a minor, a coherent package of electives worth 15-30 EC that allows you to broaden your knowledge or prepare for a particular Master’s programme. By doing a minor, you fill in the elective space in your programme in a structured way. This can be within the field of your Bachelor's, but also outside it. Such as physics, computing science or  philosophy, or the educational minor with which you can obtain a (limited) second-degree teaching certificate for secondary education.

You can choose from predefined minor, or you can compose your own minor by choosing electives. See the minor guide for which predefined minors you can take as a student of Chemistry.