Study tracks, content and courses

The scope of a degree from the Master’s Programme in Chemistry is 120 credits and is intended to be completed in two academic years.
Programme structure

The scope of the degree is 120 credits and it is divided into two parts:

  •  Advanced studies in Chemistry (85-120 cr), including a Master’s thesis (30 cr)
  • Other elective studies (0-35 cr)

The master's programme has two study tracks and it is possible to switch between the two depending on your developing interests. You may select courses from different special fields of chemistry according to your interests and career goals. You can complete a broad-ranging degree by selecting studies from several course packages or specialise in a specific branch of chemistry. 

In the Studies service, you can explore the degree structure, content and learning outcomes from the level of the degree programme to individual courses.
Study track: Chemistry

The ad­vanced stud­ies in chemistry in­clude:

  • KEM411 Chemicals and legislation, 5 cr
  • KEM416 Master's Seminar, 5 cr
  • KEM390 Master's thesis, 30 cr*
  • KEM412 Research project, 15 cr*
  • 50 cr of advanced chemistry studies, including at least one 25 cr course package (see below)

* Master's thesis can be completed in any research group based on the completed chemistry studies

** Research Project is usually an extension of the master's thesis. It is mandatory, unless the Master's Programme demands more than 15 cr of supplementary chemistry studies.

You need to complete at least one of the 25 cr course packages. .

Please note that you can check the course contents in by searching with the course code.
25 cr course packages
  • KEK225 Radiochemistry (5 cr), required unless a similar course is included in the Bachelor's degree
  • KEM311 Basic radiochemistry exercises (5 cr)
  • KEM313 Nuclear spectrometry (5 cr)
  • KEM314 Advanced radiochemistry exercises (5 cr)
  • KEM316 Chemistry and analysis of radionuclides (5 cr) or KEM317 Radiopharmaceutical chemistry (5 cr)
  • KEM321 Structure and reactivity - Organic reactions (5 cr)
  • KEM322 Synthesis methods (5 cr)
  • KEM323 Design of synthesis (5 cr)
  • KEM324 Organometallic chemistry (5 cr)
  • KEM325 Synthetic chemistry labworks (5 cr) or KEM326 Synthetic biocatalysis (5 cr)
  • KEM331 Separation techniques (5 cr)
  • KEM332 Sampling and sample preparation (5 cr)
  • KEM333 Analytical chemistry laboratory work (5 cr)
  • KEM334 Mass spectrometry (5 cr)
  • KEM358 Quality assurance in analytics (5 cr)

You can choose any physical chemistry courses below. 

  • KEM341 Molecular quantum mechanics (5 cr)
  • KEM343 Molecular spectroscopy (5 cr)
  • KEM375 Photochemistry (5 cr)
  • KEMS4180 Statistical Thermodynamics of Chemical Systems (5 cr)
  • KEM344 Reaction kinetics (5 cr)
  • KEM346 Experimental methods in physical chemistry (5 cr)
  • KEM371 Combustion chemistry (5 cr)
  • KEM365 Laser spectroscopy (5 cr)
  • KEM372 Laser spectroscopy laboratory practicum (5 cr)
  • ATM394 Advanced aerosol chemistry (5 cr)
  • ATM358 Atmospheric photochemistry and reaction kinetics (5 cr)
  • KEM342 Molecular modelling (5 cr)
  • KEM381 Programming projects in molecular modelling (5 cr)
  • KEM369 Molecular electronic structure (5 cr)
  • KEM368 Density functional theory (5 cr)
  • KEM378 Molecular symmetry and group theory (5 cr)
  • MATR345 Basics in Polymer Chemistry (5 cr)
  • MATR346 Polymer Physics (5 cr)
  • MATR347 Synthesis of Polymers; Polymer Materials (5 cr)
  • MATR348 Laboratory Practicum (5 cr)
  • MATR355 Functional polymers (5 cr) or MATR353 Polymer characterization: Spectroscopy and thermal methods (5 cr)

Other advanced studies in chemistry may include another course package, courses selected from other course packages, or elective advanced chemistry courses. A detailed list of courses can be found in (currently showing only 2025-2026 curriculum).
Study track: Circular economy and sustainable chemistry

There are two study paths available: Sustainable chemistry researcher and sustainable chemistry expert.
Sustainable chemistry researcher

The ad­vanced stud­ies in chemistry in­clude:

  • KEM411 Chemicals and legislation, 5 cr
  • KEM416 Master's Seminar, 5 cr
  • KEM390 Master's thesis, 30 cr*
  • KEM412 Research project, 15 cr**
  • 50 cr of advanced studies, including one 25 cr course package in chemistry (see above) and a 25 cr course package in Circular Economy and Sustainable Chemistry.

* Master's thesis can either be completed in a regular research group related to the chosen course package or in Timo Leskinen's research group.

** Research Project is usually an extension of the master's thesis. It is mandatory, unless the Master's Programme demands more than 15 cr of supplementary chemistry studies. 

Please note that you can check the course contents in by searching with the course code.
Sustainable chemistry expert

The ad­vanced stud­ies in chemistry in­clude:

  • KEM411 Chemicals and legislation, 5 cr
  • KEM416 Master's Seminar, 5 cr
  • KEM390 Master's thesis, 30 cr*
  • KEM412 Research project, 15 cr**
  • 25 cr course package in Circular Economy and Sustainable Chemistry

Additionally, you must complete the Sustainable chemistry expert -study module.

* Master's thesis can only be completed in Timo Leskinen's research group.

** Research Project is usually an extension of the master's thesis. It is mandatory, unless the Master's Programme demands more than 15 cr of supplementary chemistry studies. 

Please note that you can check the course contents in by searching with the course code.
Other elect­ive stud­ies (0-15 cr)

The re­main­ing other elect­ive stud­ies (0-15 cr) may in­clude:

  • More courses from the lists mentioned in the Advanced studies
  • Relevant other courses from other degree programmes, e.g.  
  • Relevant other supporting courses from bachelor's programmes.
  • Supplementary chemistry courses required by the Master's Programme.
  • KEM417 Laboratory safety -course must be completed before taking any other laboratory course. If you have previously passed the course KEK105 Basic labwork in chemistry or a corresponding course in Finland (which contains the corresponding Laboratory safety part), you do not need to take this course!
Online course catalogue

In the Master’s Programme in Chemistry, the studies include lecture courses, examinations and contact teaching, laboratory courses, presentations and seminars.

You can check out all the courses at the University of Helsinki in the online course catalogue. Finnish courses are offered for international students.
More about the programme