Master of Science in Chemistry

MScPostgraduateNatural Sciences

Part Time Available

About This Programme

The curriculum of the MSc program in Chemistry provides advanced courses in essential science disciplines, including: organic synthesis, polymer synthesis and characterization, catalysts, corrosion, electroanalytical chemistry, Nano-chemistry, Spectroscopy, biochemistry, proteomics, environmental, petrochemical, natural products, and education. The students will also be introduced to more specialized fields in Chemistry such as advanced analytical, organic, inorganic, and physical Chemistry. Students taking the MSc degree by research (Thesis) will carry out their research in laboratories which are supported by up-to-date instrumentation and professional staff.

Course Highlights

34 credit hours
Taught in English
College of Sciences
Study system: Courses and Theses
Full-time and part-time study
AED 3,200 per credit hour

What You'll Study

Program Structure The MSc program follows a thesis and courses track. That is, the students must complete a required number of courses and submit a thesis in the final year of their study. As shown in the table below, a satisfactory completion of 34 credits is required to obtain the degree. The coursework includes 13 credit hours of compulsory courses, 9 credit hours of elective courses, and 9 credit hours for the Master thesis. The program also requires a satisfactory completion of a 3 credit Technical Elective Course. Components of MSc Program in Chemistry (credit hours) Compulsory Courses: 13 Elective Courses: 9 Technical Elective Course: 3 M.Sc. Thesis: 9 Total: 34 Study plan document (adopted Fall 2019-2020, Sharjah Main Campus): 2 years, 4 semesters, 64 weeks; 10 courses, 34 credit hours.

Year 1, Fall semester

10 credit hours

1420525Advanced Analytical Chemistry3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: Two semesters of undergraduate analytical chemistry
Advanced treatment of acid-base equilibria in aqueous and non-aqueous systems; complex action equilibria; electrochemical analysis with emphasis on potentiometry, and polarography; atomic absorption and emission spectrometry; separation methods; and mass spectrometry.
1420515Advanced Organic Chemistry3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: Two semesters of undergraduate organic chemistry
Organic reaction types; less common functional groups; reaction mechanisms; basic synthetic methods and structure determination.
Chemistry Elective Course3 credits
1420590Research Methodology1 credit (1-0-1)
Prerequisite: Approval of the academic advisor; Consent of the instructor
General introduction to postgraduate research, its methodologies, its challenges and its organization, including in creative practice. Students will be introduced to a range of research tools and will be equipped to plan and organize their research, as well as to communicate their findings.

The page's course list gives Advanced Analytical Chemistry's prerequisite as successfully completing one semester in Analytical Chemistry during the student's undergraduate studies; the course descriptions on the page and in the study plan document say two semesters.

Year 1, Spring semester

9 credit hours

1420535Advanced Inorganic Chemistry3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: Successfully completing two semesters in Inorganic Chemistry during the student's undergraduate studies
Review of the chemistry of transition and inner transition elements; theories of bonding in coordination compounds; applications of the ligand field theory to the interpretation of spectra and magnetochemistry; structure and reactivity; and coordination compounds in biological systems and industry.
1420545Advanced Physical Chemistry3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: Two semesters of undergraduate physical chemistry
Classical and statistical thermodynamic concepts with emphasis on application to chemical species in solution; consideration of theories of chemical reaction rates; kinetic studies of simple and complex systems; and basic principles and procedures of quantum chemistry with applications to atomic and molecular systems will be covered.
Chemistry Elective Course3 credits

Year 2, Fall semester

9 credit hours

Chemistry Elective Course3 credits
Chemistry Elective Course3 credits
1420595Thesis3 credits
Prerequisite: Approval of the academic advisor
The student pursues an individual investigation, which is carried out under the supervision of a Faculty member. In order to complete the MSc work, the student must pass his/her thesis defense.

Year 2, Spring semester

6 credit hours (programme total: 34)

1420595Thesis6 credits
Prerequisite: Approval of the academic advisor

The study plan and the course descriptions number the thesis 1420595. The page's course list gives it as 1420591 MSc. Thesis, 9 credit hours, and its course description as (0-0-6). In both sets of course descriptions, 1420591 is the Research Project.

Elective courses

9 credit hours of elective courses and a 3-credit Technical Elective Course; the study plan schedules them as four Chemistry Elective Courses. The page lists these electives:

1420510Special Topics in Organic Chemistry3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: 1420515 Advanced Organic Chemistry & consent of the instructor
This course will be offered to graduate chemistry students. The course should explore selected area(s) of organic chemistry fields through updated discussion of lecture material or research articles and students are expected to write a report and present it in an acceptable format as part of the course evaluation.
1420511Physical Organic Chemistry3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: 1420515 Advanced Organic Chemistry or consent of the instructor
This course covers structure of reactivity of organic molecules; energetic, kinetics, and investigation of reaction mechanisms; reaction rates and equilibria; acids and bases mechanisms and reactivity in nucleophilic substitution; elimination reactions; electrophilic and free radical addition to multiple bonds; and chemistry of carbonium ions, carbanions, free radicals, and molecular rearrangements.
1420512Advanced Organometallics3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: 1420535 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of organometallic compounds of transition metals; industrial applications; organometallic clusters, free and supported homogeneous catalysis; organic synthesis using organometallic compounds; structure and reactivity of main-group organometallic compounds, industrial application.
1420516Heterocyclic Chemistry3 credits
Prerequisite: 1420515 Advanced Organic Chemistry
1420520Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: 1420525 Advanced Analytical Chemistry and consent of the instructor
Selected topics of contemporary interest in analytical and instrumental chemistry.
1420521Electrochemistry Techniques3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: 1420525 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
Advanced treatment of the analytical techniques and methodology with emphasis on the modern methods; basic principles, kinetics; and mechanisms of electrode reactions and surface phenomena, and analytical applications of potentiometry; voltammetry, coulometry, and conductometry.
1420530Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: 1420535 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry & consent of the instructor
Selected topics of contemporary interest in inorganic chemistry.
1420531Physical Methods in Inorganic Chemistry3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: 1420535 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Theoretical principles and applications of the common physical methods used in the characterization of inorganic and organometallic compounds; introduction to group theory leading to the understanding of symmetry in chemistry, application of symmetry considerations to theories of bonding in coordination compounds, electron absorption, vibration, and Raman spectroscopy; nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, nuclear quadrupole resonance, Mössbauer effect, optical rotary dispersion and circular dichorism and photoelectron spectroscopy.
1420540Special Topics in Physical Chemistry3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: 1420545 Advanced Physical Chemistry & consent of the instructor
Selected topics of contemporary interest in physical chemistry.
1420541Advanced Spectroscopy3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: 1420545 Advanced Physical Chemistry & 1420525 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
An introduction to modern molecular spectroscopy with emphasis on the concepts and methods needed to understand the interaction of radiation with matter will be covered. Topics including atomic, rotational, vibrational, and electronic spectra of molecules, and radio frequency spectroscopy.
1420550Special Topics in Applied Chemistry3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: 1420515 Advanced Organic Chemistry & 1420535 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
The course should explore selected area(s) of Applied Chemistry fields through updated discussion of lecture material or research articles and students are expected to write a report and present it in an acceptable format as part of the course evaluation. Topics of current applied chemistry are offered reflecting new developments in any area of chemistry and the changing needs of students and faculty.
1420551Advanced Polymer Science3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: 1420515 Advanced Organic Chemistry & 1420535 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Types of polymerization reactions; kinetic and mechanistic studies of addition and condensation polymerization by ionic; free radical and coordination initiators and catalysts; ring opening polymerization; Stereochemistry of polymerization.
1420554Green Chemistry3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: 1420525 Advanced Analytical Chemistry & 1420535 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Understanding basic environmental chemistry and biology; the effect of humans lays the groundwork for applying the Green; Principles of designing safer chemicals and less hazardous chemical synthesis; using catalysis to avoid unnecessary waste; using safer solvents and auxiliaries, reducing unnecessary chemical derivatives; designing for energy efficiency; designing for degradation; developing real-time analysis for pollution prevention; and using renewable feed stocks.
1420555Advanced Biochemistry3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: 1420515 Advanced Organic Chemistry
Biochemical functions of biomolecules including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. Proteins structure, folding/misfolding. Role of enzymes and coenzymes in metabolism and biosynthesis. Membrane structure and function. Photosynthesis and bioenergetics.
1420556Advanced Material Science3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: 1420535 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry and 1420515 Advanced Organic Chemistry
This course introduces the properties, structures, and uses of engineering materials; and the impact of material selection and material performance on the performance of a structure or mechanism due to the relationship between macroscopic properties and microscopic causes.

The study plan document numbers nine of these electives differently: 1420517 (Special Topics in Organic Chemistry), 1420519 (Physical Organic Chemistry), 1420536 (Advanced Organometallics), 1420526 (Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry), 1420527 (Electrochemistry Techniques, also the code in the page's course descriptions), 1420537 (Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry), 1420538 (Physical Methods in Inorganic Chemistry), 1420546 (Special Topics in Physical Chemistry) and 1420547 (Advanced Spectroscopy). It calls 1420516 Advanced Heterocyclic Chemistry, which has no course description on the page. For Advanced Polymer Science the page's course list gives the prerequisites 1420515 and 1420545; both sets of course descriptions give 1420515 & 1420535.

Also described on the page

These two courses appear in the page's course descriptions but not in its course lists or the study plan.

1420591Research Project3 credits (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: Approval of the academic advisor; Consent of the instructor
The research project in Chemistry is carried out under the supervision of one academic staff. Student undertaking original lab-based research in an area of their liking. The Chemistry staff supervisor is responsible for approving the writing and submission of a thesis.
1420599Comprehensive Exam0 credits (0-0-0)
Prerequisite: Approval of the academic advisor
Graduate students must take a comprehensive exam which covers the four chemistry compulsory core courses according to the College of Graduate Studies and Research by-laws.

Course descriptions in the study plan document

The study plan document linked on the page describes the courses in its own words and numbering.

1420515Advanced Organic Chemistry
Prerequisite: Two semesters of undergraduate organic chemistry
This advanced course introduces students to reactions, mechanisms, applications, and retrosynthetic analyses in synthesizing target organic molecules. The course explains the theoretical aspects of logical analysis and retrosynthetic methodologies. The framework's mechanisms, scope, and limitations for the target compounds will be investigated. This includes analysis, mechanisms, and reactions used to synthesize simple, complex organic compounds, some natural products, and selected drugs. Propose and write logical, reasonable schemes of synthesis for diverse organic compounds.
1420516Advanced Heterocyclic Chemistry
Prerequisite: 1420515 Advanced Organic Chemistry
This course introduces students to the nomenclature systems used for naming heterocyclic compounds. The students will be familiar with standard heterocyclic systems, Chemistry, reactions, and synthesis methods of heterocyclic ring systems. The course will relate the heterocyclic system and its diversity to biological activity studies and application in medicine.
1420517Special Topics in Organic Chemistry
Prerequisite: 1420515 Advanced Organic Chemistry & consent of the instructor
This course covers selected topics of contemporary organic chemistry.
1420519Physical Organic Chemistry
Prerequisite: 1420515 Advanced Organic Chemistry or consent of the instructor
This course covers modern physical organic chemistry, fundamental theories for binding intramolecular and intermolecular bonding, complexes' strain and stability, and complexation thermodynamic parameters. Molecular recognition and supramolecular chemistry, self-assembly. Examples from biological systems and soft materials will be used to link the knowledge that students acquired with applications in real life.
1420525Advanced Analytical Chemistry
Prerequisite: Two semesters of undergraduate analytical chemistry
This course surveys selected principles and techniques of modern analytical chemistry, focusing on significant areas, including spectroscopy, separations sciences, and electroanalytical chemistry. Includes material on molecular and atomic spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, classical and thermal methods, chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis.
1420526Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry
Prerequisite: 1420525 Advanced Analytical Chemistry and consent of the instructor
This course covers selected topics of contemporary analytical and instrumental chemistry.
1420527Electrochemistry Techniques
Prerequisite: 1420525 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
This course covers the advanced treatment of analytical techniques and methodology, emphasizing modern methods, basic principles, kinetics, and mechanisms of electrode reactions and surface phenomena, and analytical applications of potentiometry, voltammetry, coulometry, and conductometry.
1420535Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Prerequisite: Two semesters of undergraduate inorganic chemistry.
This course covers the chemistry of transition and inner transition elements, theories of bonding in coordination compounds, applications of the ligand field theory to the interpretation of spectra and magnetochemistry, structure and reactivity, and coordination compounds in biological systems and industry.
1420536Advanced Organometallics
Prerequisite: 1420535 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
The course explores selected area(s) of organometallics through updated discussion of lecture material and research articles. Topics of current organometallic chemistry are offered, reflecting new developments in various areas of chemistry and the changing needs of students and faculty.
1420537Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry
Prerequisite: 1420535 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry & consent of the instructor
This course covers selected topics of contemporary inorganic chemistry.
1420538Physical Methods in Inorganic Chemistry
Prerequisite: 1420535 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
This course covers theoretical principles and applications of the standard physical methods used in the characterization of inorganic and organometallic compounds, introduction to group theory leading to the understanding of symmetry in chemistry, application of symmetry considerations to theories of bonding in coordination compounds, electron absorption, vibration, and Raman spectroscopy; nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, nuclear quadrupole resonance, Mössbauer effect, optical rotary dispersion and circular dichorism and photoelectron spectroscopy.
1420545Advanced Physical Chemistry
Prerequisite: Two semesters of undergraduate physical chemistry
This course covers classical and statistical thermodynamic concepts with emphasis on application to chemical species in solution, consideration of theories of chemical reaction rates, kinetic studies of simple and complex systems, and fundamental principles and procedures of quantum chemistry with applications to atomic and molecular systems.
1420546Special Topics in Physical Chemistry
Prerequisite: 1420545 Advanced Physical Chemistry & consent of the instructor
This course covers selected topics of contemporary physical chemistry.
1420547Advanced Spectroscopy
Prerequisite: 1420545 Advanced Physical Chemistry & 1420525 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
This course introduces modern molecular spectroscopy with an emphasis on the concepts and methods needed to understand the interaction of radiation with matter. Topics include atomic, rotational, vibrational, and electronic spectra of molecules and radio frequency spectroscopy.
1420550Special Topics in Applied Chemistry
Prerequisite: 1420515 Advanced Organic Chemistry & 1420535 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
This course covers selected topics of contemporary Applied Chemistry.
1420551Advanced Polymer Science
Prerequisite: 1420515 Advanced Organic Chemistry & 1420535 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
This course covers polymer synthesis, conformation, solution thermodynamics, and molecular-weight determination, solid-state and viscoelasticity properties, polymer degradation and the environment, additives, blends, and composites, naturally occurring polymers, commodity thermoplastics and fibres.
1420554Green Chemistry
Prerequisite: 1420525 Advanced Analytical Chemistry & 1420535 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
This course covers the principles of green chemistry and the effect of humans laying the groundwork for applying green. It covers the principles of designing safer chemicals and less hazardous chemical syntheses, using catalysis to avoid unnecessary waste, using safer solvents and auxiliaries, reducing unnecessary chemical derivatives, designing for energy efficiency, designing for degradation, developing real-time analysis for pollution prevention, and using renewable feedstocks.
1420555Advanced Biochemistry
Prerequisite: 1420515 Advanced Organic Chemistry
This course covers the biochemical functions of biomolecules, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. Protein’s structure, folding/miss-folding. Role of enzymes and coenzymes in metabolism and biosynthesis. Membrane structure and function. Photosynthesis and bioenergetics.
1420556Advanced Material Science
Prerequisite: 1420535 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry and 1420515 Advanced Organic Chemistry
This course introduces modern materials' properties, structures, and uses in various applications. Introduction to microstructure and physical properties of metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and amorphous materials. Also includes elementary mechanical behaviour and the impact of material selection on their performance. Establishes a foundation in materials science and nanoscience and how these fields are related to modern materials.
1420590Research Methodology
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor
This course introduces students to scientific project design, analysis, and presentation. It covers the main methods used in scientific research, including hypothesis testing, essential features of experimental design, and laboratory safety. Important concepts in statistics focus on standard error, and the use of elementary statistical tests are also covered. It covers accessing scientific literature, preparing papers, presentations, and ethical guidelines in chemical and scientific research.
1420591Research Project
Prerequisite: Approval of the academic advisor
This course is carried out under the supervision of a faculty. Student undertaking original lab-based research in an area of their interest. The supervisor is responsible for approving the writing and submission of a report.
1420595Thesis
Prerequisite: Approval of the academic advisor
The student pursues an individual investigation under a Faculty member's supervision. To complete the MSc work, the student must pass his/her Thesis defense.

What You'll Learn

Upon successful completion of the MSc Chemistry program, graduates will be able to: • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and applicable research principles and methods in chemistry. • Implement acquired Chemistry skills to operate effectively in a new learning or professional context such as higher education, specialized industrial labs, pharmaceuticals, and forensics. • Demonstrate advanced skills of scientific writing, and oral presentation to analyze research findings and conclusions. • Manage laboratory activities and engage in effective scientific work as individuals and as team members. • Carry out independently a research project in any Chemistry discipline. • Assess and critically evaluate ethical issues related to Chemistry implications.

Entry Requirements

Academic: Admission Requirements • Must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized university with a CGPA of 3.00 out of 4.00 or above. • A CGPA between 2.5 - 2.99 may be admitted conditionally provided that the student registers 6-9 credits hours in the first semester of his/her studies and obtains a "B" average or above. • Attendance in the bachelor's degree program must not be less than 75% of the total hours required for graduation. • Students in programs taught in English must obtain 550 in the TOEFL exam or 6 in IELTS (Academic). • Students must pass a Departmental Placement Test. Specializations that can be accepted in the program (study plan document): Chemistry Admission requirements for master programs: • The student must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized university with a CGPA of 3.00 out of 4.00. • Students with a CGPA between 2.5 and 2.99 may be admitted conditionally. • The degree must be in a major that qualifies the student to study the master's program. • Students must meet the English language proficiency requirement. • Attachment of ‘no objection of study certificate’ from the authorities responsible for national service for male Emirati students (ages from 18 to 30 years old). • Attachment of a letter of study approval from the Kuwait Embassy Cultural Office for Kuwaiti students only. • Attachment of People of Determination card (if applicable). • In case the student works in a certain place, please attach a letter from the employer stating that the student is working for this agency. • For individuals with foreign qualifications, it is necessary to provide a Certificate of Equivalency.

English: For programs taught in English, a score of 550 in TOEFL (ITP) (or its equivalence), or 6 in IELTS must be obtained. Native English speakers are exempt from the English proficiency requirement if the language of instruction for their undergraduate studies was English. Additionally, students who graduated from academic institutions where English is used as the primary medium of instruction for bachelor’s studies are also exempt. Equivalent scores (EmSAT / paper-based TOEFL ITP / IELTS academic): 950-1075 / 450 / 4.5; 1100-1225 / 500 / 5.0; 1250-1375 / 530 / 5.5; 1400-1525 / 550 / 6.0. The paper-based TOEFL ITP is offered only by the University of Sharjah, AMIDEAST Dubai, and Abu Dhabi head offices. The UoS reserves the right to require students to attend an interview in the Languages Institute. Students may be required to take a further in-house test to ensure their scores are consistent with their English Language proficiency.

Careers

Academia Career Path: • Ph.D. Student and Research Assistant, leading to academic positions or advanced research roles. • Lecturer, teaching at universities or colleges. Industry Career Path: • Research & Development: Working in pharmaceuticals, materials science, or consumer goods to develop new products or improve existing ones. • Quality Control/Assurance: Ensuring products meet regulatory and safety standards. • Process Chemistry: Designing and optimizing chemical processes for manufacturing. • Regulatory Affairs: Ensuring compliance with chemical safety and environmental regulations. Government & Public Sector Career Path: • Forensic Science: Working in Police and crime labs to analyze evidence. • Municipalities and Central Governmental Labs.: Environmental and Product quality, e.g., pollution monitoring, water and food quality, etc., and chemical safety. • Public Health: Studying chemical impacts on health and safety, Clinical labs in hospitals, etc. • Data Science & Chemoinformatics: Applying computational tools to chemical data.