Program Overview
Computational Chemistry Master's Program
The Master in Computational Chemistry at UiT The Arctic University of Norway is an internationally oriented, two-year program delivered entirely in English. This program explores chemistry at the molecular and quantum-mechanical level, using computers as laboratories to model and predict molecular structure, properties, and reactivity.
Program Description
Students acquire advanced knowledge and hands-on skills in theoretical foundations and computational methods used to model and predict molecular systems. The curriculum emphasizes quantum chemistry, molecular mechanics, and the use of modern scientific software, enabling students to analyze complex chemical systems and gain deep insight into phenomena at the atomic and molecular level.
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor's degree (180 ECTS credits) in one of the natural sciences; Chemistry, Molecular Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Informatics, or an equivalent degree following a program of study of minimum 3 years.
- The bachelor's degree must contain a minimum of 30 ECTS in chemistry courses on the bachelor level, and a minimum of 80 ECTS (or equivalent) specific to the master discipline.
- Applicants must have a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian "C" (3.0) in the ECTS scale.
- International students from non-Nordic countries (except students with English as their mother tongue) must meet the Department of Chemistry's English proficiency with a recommended minimum score of 6.5 on each part of the IELTS test, minimum scores of 22, 22, 22, and 25 (reading, listening, speaking, and writing, respectively) on the TOEFL test, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency level on Cambridge ESOL Examinations, or minimum C1 level on The European language certificate (telc).
Planned Number of Admissions
8 places for fall 2026.
Application Deadlines
- Nordic applicants: April 15th
- EU/EEA/Switzerland applicants: March 1st
- Non-EU/EEA applicants: November 15th
Application Codes
- Nordic applicants: 4009
- EU/EEA/Switzerland applicants: 7101
- Non-EU/EEA applicants: 2010
What You Will Learn
The program provides advanced knowledge and skills in:
- Theoretical chemistry and the underlying principles of quantum mechanics and molecular modeling.
- Modern methods used in computational chemistry, including wavefunction theory, density functional theory, and molecular mechanics.
- State-of-the-art software, algorithms, and computational strategies for modeling chemical systems.
- How computational chemistry contributes to analysis and innovation in areas such as catalysis, drug discovery, spectroscopy, and materials science.
- The role of high-performance computing in enabling advanced analysis in chemical research.
Skills
Upon completion, students can:
- Independently select and apply appropriate computational methods to analyze molecular structure, properties, reactivity, and dynamics.
- Perform quantum chemical and molecular simulations using modern computational tools.
- Critically assess computational results and evaluate convergence, accuracy, and reliability of the data.
- Interpret and explain the outcomes of simulations in terms of chemical theory and experimental relevance.
- Write reproducible scripts, manage simulations on local and high-performance computing platforms, and automate workflows.
General Competence
Graduates can:
- Communicate scientific ideas, problems, and solutions clearly in oral and written forms.
- Critically analyze scientific literature and integrate knowledge from multiple sources to solve complex chemical problems.
- Analyze and evaluate and reflect on the environmental, ethical, and societal implications of computational work in chemistry.
- Contribute to interdisciplinary collaborations and apply computational chemistry in broader contexts such as sustainable development and technological innovation.
Job Prospectives
Graduates are well-prepared for a wide range of career opportunities in both academia and industry, including:
- Research and development roles in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, materials science, and chemical industries.
- High-performance computing centers, software development for scientific applications, and consulting positions.
- Emerging areas such as sustainable chemistry, environmental technology, and rational drug design.
- Doctoral studies or research careers worldwide.
Degree Name
Master of Science in Computational Chemistry
Access to Further Studies
Completed Master's degree studies qualify for admission to PhD programs in chemistry or other natural sciences, provided grades from the Master's and Bachelor's degrees are sufficient.
Program Structure
The study plan includes courses and a research project, with the possibility of spending periods abroad, preferably in the third semester. Formal exchange programs with international universities exist, and visits abroad can be arranged individually.
Teaching and Assessment
This is a full-time campus-based study program with various assessment methods, including oral or written exams, laboratory or project reports, and combinations thereof. The master's thesis must be written in English.
Destinations for Studies Abroad
Partners include universities in Finland, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, Lithuania, Canada, and more, offering opportunities for formal courses or visits to learn new techniques.
Other Studies You Might Like
- Mathematical Sciences - master
- Physics - master
- Computer Science - master