Chemistry, Master of Education

Chemistry

... looks into questions such as ...

How can so many different materials originate from a handful of elements?
How do life processes work at the micro level?
How can energy-saving processes be optimised – regardless whether in the car or in the mobile phone?
How does one develop new drugs?
How can new materials be discovered that would make power plant turbines or microchips more efficient?

„
With the degree, you have quite a few options later on.
“

Anna Mensing, Bachelor read more ...
„
Being able to provide scientific explanations for everyday phenomena – the Chemistry degree course shows you how!
“

Lukas Tillmann, Bachelor's degree read more ...
„
The lightbulb moments are something very special: when you realise that what you have just learned is being implemented even now on a million-ton scale somewhere in the world.
“

Nick Trapp, Bachelor of Science read more ...

What made you choose this degree programme?

I originally studied chemistry "only" for a teaching degree, but because I was so interested in the subject, I decided to study it.

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

The change has definitely given me the in-depth knowledge of the subject that I had hoped for beforehand.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

Lab practicals, in which what I have learned can be directly implemented or applied. This develops a different understanding of things than if you just learn them dully by heart.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

Successfully completing the basic studies (1st-4th semester). The basic studies are more or less completed by the organic chemistry basic internship, which is quite a challenge in terms of time and mentally.

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

I don't have an exact career goal yet; originally I wanted to become a teacher. But with this degree, you have a lot of options later on.

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

Don't take the first semesters (math, physics) lightly!

What made you choose this degree programme?

Because the subject interested me. I did not have one specific career in mind.

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

It provides a broad knowledge base. However, the bachelor's degree programme leaves little room for optional courses, such as language courses.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

Being able to provide scientific explanations for everyday phenomena, being able to apply the acquired knowledge.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

Sitting six written exams in five days whilst at the same time spending ten hours a day in the lab.

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

This will become clear during the Master's degree programme, I hope.

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

You need a lot of time and passion for chemistry – then, the Bachelor's degree won't be a problem.

Nick Trapp is a second-year student of Chemistry. He is pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree, 1-subject programme.

What made you choose this degree programme?

In chemistry lessons at school, the question “Why are things the way they are?” is usually only superficially touched upon. That was never good enough for me. I wanted a satisfying answer to this question. And so you can say, it was my interest in this question that led me to chemistry. At the same time, I recognised that the diverse specialisation options provided by the chemistry degree would give me enough time to settle for a professional career after graduation.

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

I didn’t really have any great expectations. But I did hope to find questions to the “Why?”, to meet many people and to make new friends. For me, it was also important to gain knowledge that I could use to make the world a slightly better place. The lectures have indeed provided many answers to the “Why?” already, even though I’m only in my fourth semester. You do get to meet many people; with fewer than 200 students, the degree course is smaller than degree programmes such as law – that makes it easy to navigate and makes you feel at home at the faculty. Sooner or later, you’ll get to meet everyone.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

Studying truly scientific and fundamental matters that affect everybody’s lives. The lightbulb moments are something very special: when you realise that what you have just learned is being implemented even now in large enterprises such as Bayer or Evonik or on a million-ton scale somewhere in the world. The internships, all of which are completed at the faculty, are huge fun, as you get to apply what you’ve learned in the lectures and get to synthesise substances.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

By the 3rd semester, my motivation had dwindled, as it is not at all easy to find your perfect study and revision pace. Due to the many modules and lectures in each semester, excellent time management is vital. Without it, you soon won’t be able to follow the lectures anymore. The 4th semester is the most time-consuming one so far; but even though there is more to do than it is possible to handle, it is also a lot of fun again. For me, this is because of the internship in organic chemistry

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

After completing my Master’s and PhD degrees, I’d like to work in executive positions in the industry, working my way from lab manager, through department head, to manager at a large chemical company. I’d like to find applications for what I’ve learned and found out through research that are really useful. At a later stage, I can also imagine returning to university as a professor in order to share my knowledge with the new generation of chemists

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

You mustn’t underestimate the workload and the requirements you will face in your degree course. Teamwork, good time management, considerable motivation, and continuous revisions are key. Even though you’ll soon find you have no leisure time, you will still feel like you didn’t get anything done. Join a study group and revise the material covered in the lectures, starting in the very first week. Help each other. Bulimic learning is not cool! Draw up a revision timetable. You study in a different way for each subject. But make sure to have enough downtime and draw clear lines – it’s always possible to study even more. Anyone who is doing an internship after two years at university and only feels like complaining about it should question their motivation for studying this subject. Talk to students in higher semesters, who have already experienced what is still ahead of you. And never lose sight of the fact that you’ve invested a lot of time into this degree course: make sure you have fun with it.

Degree programmes

Profile

Degree:	Master of Education
Start:	Winter- and summer semester
Duration:	4 semesters
Classroom language:	German

Detailed information for international applicants

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What's it all about?

This degree programme is unique, because ...

it provides students with both an insight into current didactic research issues and comprehensive hands-on training.

It provides the opportunity to specialise in the following fields

Didactic Methodology, e.g. basic didactic terminology
Media in chemistry classes
Chemistry experiments in class
Teaching-learning processes
Specific scientific disciplines, e.g. technical chemistry
Analytical chemistry
Biochemistry

Course schedule

Module handbook

Who is suited?

Those who wish to enrol in this degree programme,

have:

an excellent understanding of chemistry
pleasure in conducting experiments
social skills

enjoy:

interacting with students
conducting experiments
transferring knowledge

struggle through:

organising lesson plans for two different subjects as well as pedagogy

This degree programme is suited for graduates in the following subjects

Chemistry, B.A. (2)

Graduates from this degree programme frequently work

as secondary-school teachers
as vocational-school teachers
at universities
as editors in the publishing industry
in the PR industry

And else?

An internship ...

is mandatory. It is done in the 3rd semester.
Duration: Basic internship (obsolete Teacher Training Act)/internship semester (current Teacher Training Act), 2 weeks subject-specific internship

Studying abroad ...

is recommended.
Duration: prior to the 1st semester in Master's programme / during school internship

Where do I find help?

Academic advisory office

Prof. Katrin Sommer
Building, Room: NCDF 05/589
Phone: +49 (0)234 / 32-27522
Email: katrin.sommer@rub.de
Website academic advisory office

Contact students

Fachschaft Chemie / Biochemie
Building, Room: NC 03/34
Phone: +49 (0)234 / 32-25287
Email: frchemie@rub.de
Website Fachschaft