Master's in Molecular Chemistry and Homogeneous Catalysis 2024–2025

Access

Access to official University Master's courses at the University of Zaragoza is achieved by meeting certain of the following requirements:

a) Having an official Spanish university degree or another Spanish Master's Degree.

b) Having an official Spanish university degree obtained under curricula previous to the current organization of university education: Bachelor, Architect, Engineer, Diploma, Technical Architect or Technical Engineer.

c) Having a foreign tertiary education qualification analogous to an official Spanish university degree or declared equivalent to a Bachelor's or Master's Degree by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.

d) Having a Bachelor's or Master's degree from universities or higher education institutions from a country in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), which allows access to Master's studies in that country.

e) Having a foreign higher education qualification obtained from an education system outside the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) that is equivalent to the Bachelor's degree, without the need for approval or declaration of equivalence, and having obtained the corresponding resolution of "authorised access" to official University of Zaragoza Master's courses - following a check to ensure the level of training implied by this qualification - provided that the qualification allows access to postgraduate university studies in the country where it is issued.

Admission

In addition to meeting the general access requirements, applicants must meet the specific requirements detailed in the verification report for each Master's Degree.

This information can be found on the website for each Master's Degree: https://estudios.unizar.es/estudio/lista-ramas?tipo_id=6

Calidad => Documentos => Memoria de verificación 

Language requirements

If applying for admission to a Master's Degree taught in Spanish at the University of Zaragoza and your mother tongue is not Spanish, you must present documents attesting to sufficient knowledge of the Spanish language to follow the classes. An interview may be held to verify your Spanish language ability. When a check of specific Spanish language ability is required for the Master's degree requested, this level is assessed in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Application for admission to University Master's studies will be made through the Internet, filling out the online form and following the instructions in:

At each admission stage, people who meet the general access and specific admission requirements may be admitted to a Master's Degree in accordance with the assessment criteria established in the verification report for that Master's degree.

The Master's advisory committee or, where applicable, the organisation mentioned in the verification report will review the applications received based on the relevant assessment criteria, considering the documents provided by the applicants, and shall submit an admission proposal to the head of the corresponding centre.

Preference of applications

Application for registration to University Master's studies will be made through the Internet, filling out the online form and following the instructions in:

http://www.unizar.es → Secretaría virtual

More information about access and admission: https://academico.unizar.es/grado-y-master-master/acceso-y-admision/acceso-master-universitario

More information about registration:  https://academico.unizar.es/grado-y-master/matricula/matricula-home

The Master aims to facilitate the acquisition of advanced knowledge and scientific skills which allow the incorporation of the Master students in research and development (R&D) departments, both in public or private research centers, as well as in the chemical industry. The Master’s contents and developed competences guarantee the acquisition of the specialization and updated training necessary to access, among others, the PhD Programs of the Inorganic and Organic Chemistry departments. In addition, it provides an ideal training for potential technologists and researchers of public R&D&I centers and chemical companies related to the fields of fine chemistry, pharmacology, agri-food, or in the more general areas of green chemistry, new materials and energy.

Chemistry is the science that has contributed most to the well-being and quality of life that we currently enjoy. The chemical industry is in charge of the production, transformation and large-scale development of new chemical compounds that contribute to a higher quality of life. For decades, these processes have been carried out without taking into account the exhaustible character of many natural resources and their environmental impact. Giving these facts, public opinion and competent organisms promote an increasingly demanding legislation that compel chemical industry to innovate production processes. The combination of all these factors suggests that it is crucial to change the industrial philosophy of work, seeking for less polluting industrial activities, and considering a sustainable use of raw materials.

The chemical sector has a strong commitment to sustainable development and the solution to environmental problems necessarily involves chemistry. In this context, it should be noted that of all industrial sectors, the only sector that, on a voluntary basis, has taken a responsible initiative for continuous safety and environmental protection improvement in the development of its activities, is the chemical sector

The success of the chemical industry is largely a merit of the discovery of new synthetic routes, many of which have required the development of specific catalytic processes. Catalysis is one of the keys to sustainability since it allows more efficient production methods, as it promotes the use of scarce natural resources in a much more efficient way, reduces the waste production and allows the efficient use of energy. It is estimated that at least one catalytic process is involved in the production of 85% of industrial products. The main sectors are the refining of petroleum crude, the production of raw materials and the control of emissions. However, an increasingly important part of the chemical industry is currently devoted to the production of high added-value compounds, such as active ingredients or synthetic intermediates for use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food additives and fragrance industries (fine chemistry) in which catalysis plays a fundamental role.

To face the challenge of sustainable production scientists with advanced knowledge at the molecular level, with creative ideas both in the design of catalysts and new compounds, and in the search for better properties, and with ability to imagine and develop new efficient and sustainable synthetic strategies are required. The integral training of these scientists is the aim of the “Master on Molecular Synthesis and Homogeneous Catalysis” that is based on the potential of the Institute of Chemical Synthesis and Homogeneous Catalysis (ISQCH) and on the teaching and research experience of its members. In addition, a part of the research carried out in the Aragon Material Science Institute (ICMA) is closely related to that of the ISQCH, so this Master's program is also adequate for the training requirements of students who wish to continue a PhD program in the research groups integrated in both institutes or to incorporate to the R&D&I sector of industrial companies.

Finally, the University of Zaragoza is endowed with a high national and international strategic value, being a point of confluence of universities from contiguous communities such as, for example, Madrid, Catalonia and the Basque Country, or in the French regions of Limusin-Aquitaine or Midi-Pirinees -Languedoc. In fact, at present, the University of Zaragoza together with the Public Universities of Navarre, La Rioja and Lleida have created the Campus del Valle del Ebro (Campus Iberus) distinguished with the mention of the Campus of International Excellence. The Master is expected to be especially attractive for the students of these Universities.

The Master's in Molecular Chemistry and Homogeneous Catalysis is aimed at satisfying the training requirements of students who wish to develop a career as researchers and professionals in the field of molecular chemistry and its applications. The purpose of the Master is to transmit the most current knowledge in these fields and facilitate the use of the most advanced structural characterization techniques with the overall objective of training highly qualified researchers.

In this context, the Master:

1.- Provides advanced, rigorous and highly specialized scientific training in the field of chemical synthesis, reactivity and properties of new molecular substances and catalysis.

2.- Provides advanced training in experimental and structural characterization techniques in Molecular Chemistry.

3.- Introduce graduate students into scientific research by providing the level of skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to join research teams or R&D departments of innovation and technology-based companies.

Detailed description of the competences acquired in the Master degree:

Basic skills

1. To demonstrate advanced knowledge on the essential facts, principles and theories involved in chemical synthesis and catalytic processes, with special emphasis on current research topics.

2. To be able to develop and apply ideas, in a research context, in order to make original contributions in Chemistry transferable to the social environment.

3.- To be able to judge and discriminate data and results.

Specific Competences

1. To be able to expand and use appropriate vocabulary and specific terminology within the framework of Inorganic, Organometallic, Organic Chemistry and Catalysis.

2. To be able to design and synthesize new organic, inorganic or organometallic molecules of industrial and technological interest.

3. To be able to apply protocols, procedures and advanced experimental techniques of synthesis.

4. To be able to get relevant information and to evaluate the degree of risk, toxicity and environmental impact of chemical products, to manage them safely and responsibly.

5. To be able to select and use autonomously different instrumental and structural determination techniques, including the handling of key scientific instruments as well as the interpretation and validation of the obtained results.

6. To understand the fundamental principles, the most important catalytic processes from the industrial and technological point of view, and the new trends in catalysis.

7. To understand, interpret and investigate the mechanisms of stoichiometric and catalytic reactions.

8. To be able to assimilate and objectively evaluate research results in Molecular Chemistry and Catalysis, as well as to interpret them critically and relate them to theoretical knowledge.

9. To prepare a clear and concise report of the results and conclusions derived from a research project in the fields of Inorganic, Organometallic, Organic Chemistry or Catalysis.

10. To be competent to publicly expose and defend the development, results and conclusions of a research project in the fields of Inorganic, Organometallic, Organic or Catalytic Chemistry.

The Master on Molecular Chemistry and Homogeneous Catalysis is obtained after passing 60 ECTS, distributed as follows:

• 24 compulsory ECTS credits

• 24 ECTS credits for Master's Dissertation (based on an experimental research project)

• 12 optional and complementary ECTS credits

The Master's degree is designed to be completed in a full-time academic course, but it can also be done as a part-time student. The training offer of optional/complementary courses is 24 ECTS.

The Master's degree is structured in modules that group several courses. The modules are as follows:

Molecular Chemistry and Catalysis

Compulsory module that provides advanced knowledge in Organic and Organometallic Chemistry, and Catalysis.

Structural Characterization

The objective of this module is to address the principles and applications of diverse characterization techniques of molecular structures and materials.

Horizons in Molecular Chemistry and Catalysis

Optional module where the concepts and knowledge that stand out for their novelty and current interest are addressed.

Master's Dissertation

This compulsory module involves the development of an original research project in a research topic related to the contents of the Master. The research projects will be conducted in any of the research groups of the University Research Institutes ISQCH, ICMA, or in any other public or private research center related to the Master contents.

The course coordinator is the key figure for any query, clarification or problem that may arise during the academic year. The coordinator is in regular contact with the students and their representatives and provides support and set up the necessary actions to support the student’s learning process. In all degree courses, per the directives of the Academic Guidance Programmes at the University of Zaragoza, each student is assigned an individual lecturer-tutor, who will be responsible for offering the student academic advice on aspects related to the student’s integration and adaptation to the work expected to be completed in each degree. The academic tutor will also provide advice on the most suitable academic options as well as guidance on the student’s personal or professional academic interests, the resources and services available to them at the University and on the general workings of the University in its administrative and academic facets and for participation in its governing structures.

The University of Zaragoza has a University Centre for Modern Languages where international languages classes are offered. The language instruction offer includes German, Arabic, French, Modern Greek, English, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese and Japanese. The courses offered include: year-long General & Specific Courses, Intensive Summer Courses in July & September, and single-term Self-Study & Conversation Courses (English, French & German).

Summer courses. Students may also wish to participate in any of the summer course programmes on offer every year in July, August and September in various locations in Aragon, albeit most of them take place in the following locations: Teruel & Jaca.

The University of Zaragoza has its own Guidance and Employment Office: UNIVERSA. The main goal of this University Employment Observatory is to provide specific information, guidance and training to facilitate professional integration among university students, in addition to overseeing voluntary work placement for final year students. Courses are offered to both students and recent graduates to improve their training in professional skills, job seeking strategies, etc.

Furthermore, there is a Job Fair (EMPZAR) every year, which provides students with the possibility to contact directly with companies, as well as gain first-hand knowledge of the labour market demand, get advice on how to prepare a CV, and so on.

Library staff supports first-year students. Staff offers an online course on Information and ICT skills. This course is offered as a practical activity within one of the subjects imparted in year one.  The students are also offered other training courses on information skills, at various levels, chief among which are the Guide to Tools and Guidelines for preparing the undergraduate/master’s dissertation.

Halls of Residence. The University of Zaragoza has two main Halls of Residence located in the San Francisco Campus: The Pedro Cerbuna University Hall of Residence (CMU) (250 rooms) and the Santa Isabel CMU (192 rooms), plus another one located in the Río Ebro Campus (102 places) and two other halls in the cities of Huesca (Ramón Acin CMU – 125 rooms) and Teruel (Pablo Serrano CMU – 96 single rooms). There are also other university halls of residence in the city of Zaragoza run by private companies. Furthermore, there is a University web service that helps students to find a room or rent a flat. 

Accommodation can also be found using the Zaragoza Council programmes for young people and students.

Counselling. The University of Zaragoza has four free and anonymous counselling services for youngsters, which are run by a team of professionals who provide advice on academic, legal, sexual and psychological areas.

The University of Zaragoza international relations Office will provide international students with all the necessary support in the registration process. It also provides students with practical information about the city, transport, flats on offer, rooms, halls of residence, medical assistance, courses for international students, etc.

Student diversity. The main role of the University of Zaragoza Student Diversity Office (OUAD) (pertaining to the Vice-Chancellor for Students & Employment) is to ensure equal opportunities through inclusion of all university students in university academic life. In addition, it encourages awareness of student diversity within the university community. This office is particularly committed to providing attention to any university student with special educational needs or disabilities.

University information centre. The University Information & Appeals Centre offers general information about the University of Zaragoza: access, offer of undergraduate/master’s study programmes, doctoral programmes, as well as information on non-official degrees, registration process, grants, summer courses, administrative information, and so on. Equally, they manage appeals of any situations that are not subject to the established regulated procedures.

Information and Communications Service. All computers on campus are connected to the Internet. WiFi is available in all the buildings. Any student may use the University of Zaragoza IT services.

Vehicle management service. A permit is required so that a member of the university community can park their vehicles in the car parks available in the different campuses.

Cultural activities. The 'Cultural Agenda' provides a monthly programme of the events in the areas of Cinema & Animation, Music, Theatre, Exhibitions, Cycles, Conferences, Literary Activities and Courses. It also offers cultural association activities and those of the Cultural Committees in Zaragoza, Huesca and Teruel.

Sports activities. The University of Zaragoza sports complex is located in the San Francisco Campus and features a leisure centre, gym, outdoor basketball, handball and 5-a-side football facilities, a certified athletics track and a football pitch. Every academic year, over a hundred activities are organised.

The University of Zaragoza Student House ('Casa del Estudiante') (inaugurated in 2005) is home to the University Student Council, the student groups represented on the Cloisters and Governing Board, and the multinational student associations. The Student House supervises activities pertaining to student representation and, additionally, work meetings, presentations, conferences and other events of interest to the students at our University. These activities are promoted and run by the student groups and coordinated by the Vice-Chancellor of Students: vrestu@unizar.es

Information Feelers. Voluntary student members of the University of Zaragoza faculties and centres act as 'information feelers' to counsel, inform and help their own peers. 

University Ombudsman. This person defends the rights and freedoms of the university community and attends to complaints and requests from students.

The courses of the Master's Degree on Molecular Chemistry and Homogeneous Catalysis are imparted by the academic staff of the Inorganic Chemistry (http://inorganica.unizar.es) and Organic Chemistry (http://www.unizar.es/organica) Departments of the University of Zaragoza. Additionally, research staff of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) of the Chemical Synthesis and Homogeneous Catalysis Institute (ISQCH, http://www.isqch.unizar-csic.es), and to a lesser extent, of the Aragon Material Science Institute (ICMA, http://www.icma.unizar-csic.es) also collaborates as teachers.

The Master's degree is based on the research and training potential of the ISQCH researchers who have an accredited teaching and research experience. The academic staff in charge of the courses are experts in the different Master's subjects, which guarantees a high level of teaching quality. Also a part of the research carried out in the ICMA involves several synthetic aspects, consequently this Master's Degree is adequated to the training requirements of the students who will continue their doctorate in the research groups integrated in both institutes.