MSc Chemistry Syllabus

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MSc Chemistry Syllabus

Generally offered as a one or two-year program, MSc Chemistry is a postgraduate-level course that encompasses a diverse range of interdisciplinary subjects and branches of chemistry like Quantum Chemistry, Surface Chemistry, Thermodynamics and Equilibria, and Polymer Chemistry, amongst others. It is generally opted by those wanting to explore opportunities in the fields of Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Molecular Biology, and Nanotechnology, to name a few. If you are interested in pursuing this master’s degree, you must familiarise yourself with the syllabus and subjects covered during the course. Here’s a blog that aims to provide you with an MSc Chemistry syllabus, key subjects as well and career scope.

CourseMSc Chemistry
Full-Form Master’s in Science in Chemistry 
Education LevelPostgraduate
Duration1-2 years
Minimum EligibilityBSc degree with 50% or more with Chemistry as one of the main subjects.
Average FeesINR 30,000 to INR 3 lakhs (more if opting for study abroad)
Major SubjectsInorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Quantum Chemistry, Inorganic Reaction Mechanism, Thermodynamics, etc.
Career ProspectsChemist, Toxicologist, Chemical Research Assistant, Pharmacy Assistant, Lab Scientist, etc.

MSc Chemistry Syllabus Overview

MSc Chemsitry Syllabus

Though the actual course offerings might differ from one program to another, MSc Chemistry mainly focuses on providing students with advanced-level knowledge of subjects covered under the BSc Chemistry syllabus like Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Physical Chemistry, amongst others. Furthermore, it also includes extensive laboratory work as students are taught about chemical structures, experiments, etc.

The syllabus for MSc Chemistry is designed in such a unique way that learners get a chance to explore its theoretical and practical knowledge. Evidently, it is quite a popular course among students who have completed their Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry.

Semester Wise MSc Chemistry Syllabus

Take a look at the major subjects included in the MSc Chemistry syllabus during a 2-year program.

Year 1

Semester I Semester II
Introduction to Nanoscience and NanotechnologyOrganic Chemistry -II
Heterocyclic Chemistry And Chemistry Of BiomoleculesPhysical Chemistry -II
Surface, Interfaces, and CatalysisAnalytical Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry -IChemistry of Life
Physical Chemistry -ISupramolecular and Medicinal Chemistry II
Analytical ChemistrySurface, Interfaces, and Catalysis
Advanced Instrumental Methods of AnalysisSeparation Techniques
Organic Chemistry -IInorganic Chemistry II
Physical Chemistry -I

Year 2

Semester IIISemester IV
Organic chemistry IIIMajor Project
Advanced Organic Chemistry -IIIFunctional Inorganic materials
Advanced Organic Synthesis -IIIAdvanced functional organic materials
Green Chemistry IIIAdvanced spectroscopy and applications in structural analysis
Inorganic Chemistry Advanced electroanalytical techniques
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry IIIAdvances in surface, interface, and catalysis
Organometallics-IIIAdvanced materials energy storage and conversion devices
Solid-state Chemistry and Advanced Materials -IIIAdvanced polymer science and technology
Water Chemistry and Treatment Technology-IIIPracticals
Environmental Chemistry and Applied Analysis

Note: The aforementioned semester-wise syllabus is only for indicative purposes. The actual syllabus and course offerings might differ as per the program and university.

MSc Chemistry Important Topics

Generally, MSc Chemistry Subjects are of two categories including core and elective. While the first semester offers introductory concepts, it gets more detailed and extensive as students gradually learn over the months.

Core Subjects

The core subjects lay the learning foundations by covering essential concepts such as:

1. Organic Chemistry

  • Organic Reaction Mechanisms
  • Stereochemistry
  • Organometallic Chemistry
  • Natural Products Chemistry

2. Inorganic Chemistry

  • Organometallic Chemistry
  • Coordination Chemistry
  • Bioinorganic Chemistry
  • Spectroscopy In Inorganic Chemistry

3. Physical Chemistry

  • Electrochemistry
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Thermodynamics
  • Kinetics

4. Computational Chemistry

  • Nanoscience
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Chemistry Of Advanced Materials
  • Polymer Chemistry

MSc Chemistry Common Subjects

Students who are interested in pursuing MSc Chemistry must know about the common subjects in the course.

SubjectTopics
Principals of Organic ChemistryReview of structure and bonding; Methods of resolution; Stereochemistry; Thero and erythroid isomers; Elements of Symmetry; Asymmetric Synthesis; Thermodynamics; The Hammett equation; Different Oxidation Processes; Different Reductive processes.
Inorganic Reaction Mechanism and OrganometallicsMarcus theory; Adamson’s rules; Substitution of Octahedral planar complexes; Inorganic photochemistry; Homogeneous catalysis; Organometallic Chemistry; Spectral and magnetic properties; Fluxional molecules; Metal arene complexes; Photoredox reactions.
Quantum ChemistryTunnelling; Rigid rotator; Inorganic Reaction Mechanism and Organometallics; Separation energies; Review of essential mathematics concepts; Hydrogen atom; Linear variation principle; Perturbation theory.
Classical and Statistical ThermodynamicsClassical Thermodynamics; Review of the laws of thermodynamics; Concept and determination of fugacity; coefficient of electrolytic solutions; Equilibrium conditions and constraints; Basic postulates; Statistical concepts and examples; Fermi-Dirac equation and statistics; Probability calculations.
Group Theory and SpectroscopyDefinition of a group, point groups, symmetry, character table, derivation of projection operator, Spectroscopy- Electromagnetic Radiation and its interaction with matter, Rigid Rotor Model. 
Organic Reactions & MechanismsAliphatic Nucleophilic Substitution; Classical and nonclassical carbocations; The SNi mechanism;  Reactivity effects of substrate structure, attaching nucleophile, leaving group and reaction medium; Nucleophilic substitution at an allylic, aliphatic trigonal and a vinyl carbon; Electrophilic; electrophilic substitution accompanied by double bond shifts.
Bio-organic ChemistrySelective Transport and Storage of Iron; Electron Transfer; Metalloproteins and Metalloenzymes; Fes Clusters, ionophores, etc.

Why Pursue MSc Chemistry?

Would you be interested in learning more about the smallest parts that make up the cosmos around us? You may go further into a variety of areas with an MSc in chemistry. Everything is possible, including the creation of new matter and materials, running experiments, looking into things, and doing analyses, as well as modelling and simulating chemical reactions and processes. You can respond to challenges numerically, conceptually, or empirically. Other elements might include:

  • An essential field.
  • Employment opportunities.
  • Experiential learning.

Top Courses and Universities

MSc Chemistry is offered by numerous universities across the globe. Further, as a postgraduate degree, it is also available in different specializations of chemistry that students can choose from. Here are the top universities for MSc Chemistry and its variants.

Courses Universities
MSc ChemistryTechnical University of Berlin
University of Leeds
University of Bayreuth
University of Victoria
National University of Singapore 
University of Calgary
Free University of Berlin
Rochester Institute of Technology
MSc in Chemistry and Advanced Chemical Methodologies
MSc in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology
University of Camerino
MA in Organic ChemistryStockholm University
Master of Applied Science (Chemistry)University of Tasmania
Master’s Degree in Theoretical Chemistry and Computational ModellingUniversidad Autonoma de Madrid
MSc Petroleum and GeoScienceAalto University

Also Read: Top 5 Countries to Study Chemistry

MSc Chemistry Important Books

Here are a few important resources that will help you not only get the foundational understanding of the entire MSc Chemistry course but also comprehend the concepts. Here are a few examples for your convenience.

Books Authors 
Inorganic ChemistryJames E Huheey
Quantum ChemistryRK Prasad
Advanced Organic ChemistryCarey and Sundberg
The Mechanism in Organic ChemistryPeter Sykes

MSc Chemistry Career Scope & Salary

Completing a master’s degree in Chemistry, graduates can explore a wide range of opportunities in academia, research as well as other sectors. Here are the key career prospects you must consider after completing MSc Chemistry:

The following are some of the most common MSc Chemistry careers accessible to successful MSc Chemistry graduates, along with the associated salary (average).

Job Prospects Average Annual Salary (in INR)
Chemist7-9 lakh
Clinical Research Associate7-9 lakh
Lab Assistant5-6 lakh
Toxicologist8 lakh
Pharmaceutical Sales Executive4-6 lakh

Must Read: How to Build a Successful Career in Chemistry?

FAQs

What are the important subjects in MSc Chemistry?

Some of the important and prominent subjects in MSc Chemistry are:
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Inorganic Reaction Mechanism and Organometallics
Organic Reactions Mechanisms
Principles of Spectroscopy
Organic Synthetic Methods

How many semesters are there in MSc chemistry?

The entire curriculum is divided into 4 semesters. 

What is the salary after an MSc in chemistry?

In general, someone with an MSc Chemistry degree would look for work in pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, medical schools, private clinics, research institutes, and so on. Postgraduates in chemistry earn between INR 3 and INR 6 lakh per year on average.

Can I join ISRO after my M? Sc Chemistry?

If you have an MSc Chemistry degree and want to work with ISRO, you should apply for positions such as Junior Research Fellow if you are a newcomer; if you have expertise in the same sector, you will have an edge. You can only apply if you have a grade point average of at least 60%.

We hope you liked our blog, where we comprehensively about the MSc Chemistry syllabus. Are you also looking for opportunities to study abroad? If the answer is yes, the experts at Leverage Edu can make your journey easier as they will guide you throughout the process. To take help from the experts simply register on our website or call us at 1800-572-000.

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