Is a good fit for you?
Chemists are curious people. They want to understand a process in detail, up to the molecular or even atomic level. Moreover, they are creative: always looking for ways to improve the properties of molecules or even design one from scratch. To be able to do that, you need to understand the demands from the users of the material. This requires a flexible mindset and communicative skills. Do you identify with this description? Then chemistry can be the right programme for you.
As the world at the nanometer scale can only be studied by doing experiments, you?ll get an extensive training in the practical aspects of Chemistry. You?ll also get physics courses, for a thorough understanding of the techniques that make use of light or magnetic fields. This makes an excellent preparation for a career in science. Most of our students ultimately end up in large chemical, pharma or food companies.
Why study Chemistry at ?
- Besides a thorough background in chemistry, you?ll also become familiar with the cross-links with biology and physics.
- You?ll do lots of lab courses, where you can put the theory you have learned into practice and where you work closely with other students.
- Excellent supervision: all first-year students have a tutor and a student advisor who will answer all of your questions.
- You?ll have personal contact with your lecturers, who are very approachable.
- It is possible to switch to Molecular Life Sciences or Science after one year, without any delay.
- During your internship, you?ll have access to unique research facilities at the Institute for Molecules and Materials: NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), FEL (free-electron laser) and HFML (High Field Magnet Laboratory).
- You?ll work in a very stimulating research environment, as our facilities hosts top scientists like Nobel Prize winners Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov.
Career prospects
Chemical research increasingly addresses social issues in order to answer such questions as: Is it possible to make a car paint that makes scratches disappear automatically but is also biodegradable? Or to develop a gel that heals wounds but is also affordable? Or to develop a chemical process that is carbon neutral?
After graduating as a chemist, you can continue doing research at a company or a university. You could also go in another direction, such as obtaining your first-level teaching qualification. Do you have an entrepreneurial streak? If so, you could take Chemistry management courses during your Bachelor?s and Master?s programmes and use what you have learned to start your own business.
Employment opportunities
As a Chemistry graduate you can get straight down to work after finishing your studies as there is virtually no unemployment among chemists. Companies are constantly seeking young talent and the education sector is in desperate need of teachers.
Want to know more?
Would you like to learn more about this programme and Radboud University? Join us for our Bachelor's Open Day on 30 March 2019! To learn more and register for this exciting event, visit www.ru.nl/bachelors/openday.
