Master in Chemical Engineering: Global Innovation

Program Overview

Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering

Programme Overview

The Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering is designed to prepare students for a career in the chemistry sector and related industries. The program focuses on the development, research, and preparation of products, processes, and services, as well as industrial management and cost optimization skills.

Key Information

• Duration: 1 ½ years
• Credits: 90 ECTS credits
• Start: September 2025
• Timetable: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 2:30 pm
• Languages: English
• Degree: Official degree
• Hours of laboratory work: More than 50% of credit hours are dedicated to laboratory work

Why Study the Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering at IQS?

• Possibility of carrying out projects with leading companies in the sector such as Covestro, Repsol, and BASF.
• Subjects such as Process Simulation and Optimization, Industrial Safety, and Process Control Systems are taught by leading industry professionals.
• Possibility of completing your Master Thesis with international companies or universities.
• More than 50% of the teaching content takes place in the laboratory.

Facilities

• More than 8,700 m2 of laboratories and workshops
• Specific laboratories for the Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering

Objectives and Competences

• Objectives:
  • Become a professional at the forefront of the chemical industry
  • Gain access to the best job opportunities in the sector, both in industry and research
• Competences:
  • Advanced application of mathematics, chemistry, physics, and engineering
  • Identify and solve complex, unfamiliar, or uncertain problems
  • Lead and supervise all types of facilities, processes, systems, and services
  • Master the technical and management tools for the research and development of processes, products, and services
  • Ability to responsibly work in the profession
  • Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with both specialist and non-specialist audiences

Curriculum

• Process Engineering and Product:
  • Chemical Engineering Lab (9 ECTS)
  • Process & Separation Unit Design (6 ECTS)
  • Process Simulation, Optimization and Control (6 ECTS)
  • Advanced Reaction Engineering (3 ECTS)
  • Fluid Dynamics (3 ECTS)
• Project Management and Sustainability:
  • Project and Innovation Management (6 ECTS)
  • Sustainable Engineering (6 ECTS)
• Industry-based Projects:
  • Industry-based Projects (9 ECTS)
• Optional Subjects:
  • Data analysis (3 ECTS)
  • Design of Experiments (3 ECTS)
  • Formulation Science and Technology (3 ECTS)
  • Project Management & Intellectual Property (3 ECTS)
  • Corrosion Science for Industrial and Bioengineering Applications (3 ECTS)
  • Leadership & Power Skills (3 ECTS)
  • Practicum (12 ECTS)
• Master Thesis:
  • Master Thesis (30 ECTS)

Research Lines

• Study of biotechnological processes with microorganisms
• Adjustment of controllers
• Application of finite elements to the simulation of complex vascular and neurological environments
• Simulation of complex processes using object-oriented software
• Development of software for computer-assisted teaching
• Development of non-polluting industrial processes
• Minimization, recycling, and recovery of by-products and waste from the chemical industry
• Risk assessment in industrial processes
• Thermal analysis and calorimetry applications
• Intensification of processes for Fine Chemistry and Specialties
• Numerical simulation of processes
• Waste recovery, with a special focus on the generation of energy from agro-industrial waste

Career Opportunities

• Become a professional in the chemistry sector and related industries
• Join a wide variety of industries
• Laboratory Manager
• Independent professional conducting audits and certifications
• Head of Operations

In-Company Internship

• Optional internships with research centres or paid internships with companies in the sector
• IQS Career Services

Leadership Team

• Jordi Díaz Ferrero, PhD
• Xavier Berzosa Rodríguez, PhD

Faculty

• Daniel Vázquez Vázquez, PhD
• Esther Bernadó
• Gisela Domínguez Picart, PhD
• Ibuki Kusano, PhD
• Javier Fernández García, PhD
• Jordi Cuadros Margarit, PhD
• Josep Oriol Pou Ibar, PhD
• Rafael González Olmos, PhD
• Raúl Calvo Serrano, PhD
• Sergi Colominas Fuster, PhD
• Xavier Berzosa Rodríguez, PhD
• Yeray Asensio Ramírez, PhD

External Faculty

• Santiago Grijalvo Torrijo

Admissions Process

• Supplementary Training
• Bridging courses based on the student’s academic background
• Master’s Admission Committee evaluation

Type of Aid

• Academic Excellence
• Financial need
• International Students

Quality and Accreditations

• VSMA Report and Statements
• Internal Quality Guarantee System Manual (SGIC)
• Degree Report
• Degree review reports produced by AQU Catalunya
• Degree Monitoring Report (IST)
• Program Educational Objectives and Outcomes

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering at IQS is a 1.5-year program designed to prepare students for careers as professionals, researchers, managers, and entrepreneurs in the chemical industry. The program focuses on developing knowledge and skills in the development, research, and preparation of products, processes, and services, as well as industrial management and cost optimization. The program emphasizes a hands-on approach, with more than 50% of the teaching content taking place in the laboratory.

Objectives:

• To prepare students as professionals, researchers, managers, and high-level entrepreneurs for the chemistry and chemical-based industry.
• To provide students with knowledge about the development, research, and preparation of products, processes, and services, as well as industrial management and cost optimization skills.
• To equip students with the ability to conduct real projects for large companies.

Competences:

• Advanced application of mathematics, chemistry, physics, and engineering for the professional practice of Chemical Engineering.
• Ability to lead and supervise all types of facilities, processes, systems, and services within the different industrial areas related to Chemical Engineering.
• Mastery of the technical and management tools for the research and development of processes, products, and services in the chemical and related industries, including skills in knowledge management and the ability to develop and apply original ideas and lead projects.
• Ability to work responsibly in the profession, incorporating the ethical reasoning necessary to work in a professional environment in a responsible manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with both specialist and non-specialist audiences, including the use of English as a working language.
• Understanding of all contemporary aspects related to the exercise of the profession, as well as the need to incorporate new knowledge throughout your professional life.

Outline:

The Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering program is structured into four main modules:

• Process Engineering and Product: This module covers topics such as process engineering, product design, production management, optimization, and sustainability.
• Production management, optimization, and sustainability: This module focuses on the management, optimization, and sustainability of production processes.
• Optional subjects: Students can choose from a variety of optional subjects to tailor their studies to their specific interests.
• Master Thesis: Students complete a research-based Master Thesis project.

Individual Modules:

Process Engineering and Product:

• Project I: 6 ECTS
• Processes and products: 3 ECTS
• Functional design: 3 ECTS
• Simulation and optimisation of processes: 3 ECTS
• Fluid dynamics: 3 ECTS
• Industrial safety: 8 ECTS
• Project II: 3 ECTS
• Materials and Corrosion: 3 ECTS
• Process Control Systems: 3 ECTS
• Structures and industrial buildings: 3 ECTS
• Electrical technology: 3 ECTS
• Energy and environment: 3 ECTS
• Optional subject 1: 3 ECTS
• Optional subject 2: 3 ECTS

Production management, optimization, and sustainability:

• Project Management: 3 ECTS
• Innovation and Information Management: 3 ECTS
• Costs and Business Economy: 3 ECTS
• Optional subject 1: 3 ECTS
• Optional subject 2: 3 ECTS

Optional Subjects:

• Sustainable Engineering: 3 ECTS
• Design of Experiments: 3 ECTS
• Nanotechnology: 3 ECTS
• Scale-up: 3 ECTS
• Formulation Science and Technology: 3 ECTS
• Data Analysis: 3 ECTS
• Facility Management: 3 ECTS
• Materials Management and Logistics: 3 ECTS

Master Thesis:

Teaching:

• The program utilizes a hands-on approach, with more than 50% of the teaching content taking place in the laboratory.
• The program is taught by leading industry professionals.
• The program offers the possibility of completing the Master Thesis with international companies or universities.

Careers:

• The Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering prepares students for a wide range of careers in the chemistry sector and related industries.
• Potential career paths include:
• Basic engineering
• Facilities maintenance
• General management
• R&D leadership
• Production management
• Students may also choose to form their own company or join academia as a professor or researcher.
• The program provides opportunities to work in a variety of industries, including:
• Food and consumer products
• Coatings and paints
• Textiles
• Lubricants
• Paper
• Active pharmaceutical ingredients
• Polymers and transformations
• Environment
• Fuel and energy treatments
• Potential job titles include:
• Laboratory Manager
• Independent professional conducting audits and certifications
• Head of Operations

Other:

• The program offers the possibility of carrying out projects with leading companies in the sector such as Covestro, Repsol, and BASF.
• The program provides access to more than 8,700 m2 of laboratories and workshops equipped with the latest technologies.
• The program offers optional internships with research centres or paid internships with companies in the sector between the second and third semesters.
• The program is accredited by AQU Catalunya.