Master of Science in business chemistry

• Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.)

• Standard period of study: 3 semesters (= 1.5 years)

• ECTS credits: 90 (of which 30 ECTS in the field of chemistry, 40 ECTS in the field of economics and 20 ECTS freely selectable in the field of the Master thesis)

• Size of the programme: approx. 30 students per semester; there are no capacity restrictions

• Course language: All courses are offered in German, but individual modules can also be taken in English on request. A good understanding of the English language is helpful for certain specialist literature, but is not a prerequisite for study.

• Start: Summer or winter semester

• Supervising faculty: Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Faculty of Business Administration and Economics

• Semester fee: 314,41€ (as of  summer semester 2022)

Building on a basic knowledge of economics and chemistry, the master programme in business chemistry leads to a second professional qualification in three semesters. Students are enabled to work on questions in a scientifically appropriate manner and to critically evaluate results at a high scientific level.

In addition to the basic modules with advanced aspects of the core subjects inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, business administration and economics, a significant number of specialized elective modules make the course of study largely project-oriented and research-related, always keeping in mind the relation to professional practice. 

The training is closely related to the current orientation of chemical and economic research at HHU. The master programme is not designed to provide training in just one special field, but rather to enable graduates to familiarize themselves quickly and efficiently with each special field on the basis of a solid foundation.

• Module catalogue: The module catalogue provides an overview of the courses and learning contents.

• Course overview: compact overview of the course plan:
  • Starting winter semester 2019/2020
  • Before winter semester 2019/2020

• Examination regulations: You will find the most recent versions in the Official Notices of HHU:
  • Examination regulations 2019: Announcement No. 47/2019 + Amendment of the examination regulations
  • Examination regulations 2013: Announcement No. 13/2013 (relevant for students starting their M.Sc. before the winter semester 2019/20)

• Profile orientation: Within the scope of the master's degree in business chemistry, individual interests of the students can be deepened in the field of economics. The generation of defined profile orientations is possible through concrete combinations of modules. For more information click here.

• Examinations: The oral or written exams are taken during the course of study and justify the module grade. Important information and dates can be found here. 

• Internships: As part of the chemical education, several chemical internships are completed in the laboratory. The master programme does not include compulsory internships in companies, but it is highly recommended to use the lecture-free time for this. This allows students to gain their first professional experience and gives them a clearer picture of the area in which they would like to work in the future.

• Project thesis (MQ-WiC): The project thesis in economics which has to be completed in the Master's program enables students to independently develop, structure and evaluate a scientific topic in a limited amount of time and to acquire related interdisciplinary key qualifications. For more information click here. 

• Final theses: The course of study is completed with a final thesis, which can be purely chemical or economic in nature or deal with topics at the interface between business administration and chemistry. Important thesis information and deadlines can be found here. 

• Studying abroad: Master and bachelor students of business chemistry have the possibility to realize a stay abroad via the Erasmus programme of  HHU Düsseldorf. Further information can be found here. In the Master programme, students have the opportunity to replace up to three elective modules of the type MW-WiWi with modules of the type MW-EXT, i.e. study credits earned at the foreign university. Further details are given in the module description of MB-EXT of the module handbook.

The M.Sc. program in business chemistry has no capacity restrictions. However, as part of the application process for admission to the M.Sc. program in business chemistry, all applicants must have their suitability for the program determined - including students who have completed a bachelor's program in business chemistry at HHU. 

The application for the master's program in business chemistry takes place via the central HHU application portal. Applications submitted there will be reviewed by the selection committee. The application deadline for the suitability determination for the summer semester 2022 is 15 March  2022.

The most recent version of the aptitude assessment regulations published here is binding for the aptitude assessment. 

As soon as the suitability has been determined, the HHU Student and Examination Administration (SPV) will send out a notice of admission. With this admission notice, enrollment in the program must be actively applied for at the SPV.
Students who have already completed their bachelor's degree at HHU do not have to re-enroll. However, these individuals must apply to the SPV for a change of degree program. 

Graduates of the study course business chemistry combine both business and chemical expertise and are therefore well suited to work in companies in interface positions. In addition to the key qualifications and skills possessed by "pure" business economists and "pure" chemists, they develop the competence of transfer thinking, coordination and the ability to look beyond their own field of expertise. Graduates of the study course business chemistry are thus in great demand both in the business management field and in the chemical environment.

The skills acquired in the master's degree qualify students to pursue a doctorate in the field of chemistry or in the field of economics. They also open up interesting career fields at the interface between chemistry and business in the chemical-related industries.