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Perspectives

Graduate programs

Many paths are open to you. The Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) is an initial degree qualifying graduates for professional careers, which can be earned in just six semesters. However, a specific job market for B.Sc. chemists has not yet been established.

Master’s Program  
Most graduates choose to pursue the advanced, four-semester Master of Science program in chemistry or a closely related scientific field. The master’s degree, which requires earning 120 credit points (CP), offers extensive options for customization. The core curriculum includes, in addition to the six-month master’s thesis as the final requirement (30 CP), four four-week research internships in various research groups of your choice; one of these can be completed outside of chemistry or in industry. Research internships of up to 12 weeks can be credited toward a stay abroad. For the elective modules, students must successfully complete six modules across three core areas (at least one from each). The core areas are characterized by a content-related thematic structure. Additional courses can be selected based on individual interests, either from a broad range of subjects or a more focused study program.

Doctorate  
Given the research-intensive nature of the chemistry program, earning a doctorate plays an important role. Approximately 75% of all students work on their own research project during a three-to-four-year doctorate after completing their master’s degree.

Career Opportunities

Chemists often find their path leading to the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, public service, or other sectors. The roles they take on span a wide range of areas, including research and development, management, production, environmental protection, marketing and distribution, or consulting.

Job market prospects are better than those for graduates of other fields. The GDCh (German Chemical Society) predicts that "aspiring chemists can look forward to the completion of their studies with confidence."

The Career Service’s "What’s Next?" page offers a comprehensive overview of potential career paths and fields of work, along with interviews with alumni from Goethe University.