Our society is facing major transitions in energy, resources and materials. These transitions will lead us towards a more sustainable society relying on circular product chains. In addition to the skills and knowledge in molecular chemistry, you will acquire skills and tools to understand chemical processes in the broader context of health, environment, and society and apply this to the design of new, safer chemicals and materials.

‘In the past, resources were thought to be abundant, meaning that our material well-being was primarily dependent on our ability to efficiently harvest and transform them. However, we are now confronted with the fact that our planet has finite resources and a limited capacity to absorb our various waste streams. The world has suddenly become much smaller. Therefore, society needs us to incorporate new dimensions in our thinking. Not only do chemicals need tailored properties, but they should be produced, consumed, and disposed of in a sustainable way. Even better, current waste streams may become useful raw materials in a more and more circular economy’ says our programme director dr. Marc-Etienne Moret. These transitions cannot be solved by chemists alone.

‘One of my motivations for studying chemistry was to be able to contribute to sustainable research’ is what we hear a lot from chemistry students and alumni. With this new programme, we aim to train the chemists of the future, who are able to contribute to broader sustainability issues with a strong molecular chemistry basis and a broadened view on the more systemic challenges of sustainability. This is highly appreciated by our students: ‘What I really like about this master’s programme is that the mandatory courses have a lot of group projects, this way you come in contact with all your colleague students.’

We cater for a tailored and flexible study programme to fit the sustainable chemistry interests of the student. Our courses offer a strong foundation in molecular chemistry, catalysis and energy materials, connected to the real world by crossing disciplinary boundaries and including aspects of systems thinking and courses in ‘safe and sustainable-by-design’, environmental science, data analysis, life-cycle analysis, and circularity and sustainability. This highly relevant knowledge and future-proof skillset will allow our students to make an impactful contribution to the transitions towards a more sustainable and circular society. The programme actively prepares you for a research-based career in a multidisciplinary environment, either in academia or industry.

Find us during the Next Step Master Day on 13^th of January or on the Master Open Day of Utrecht University on 7^th of February!