MA in Excellence in Analytical Chemistry (Erasmus Mundus)

The programme provides strong knowledge and skills in both fundamental and applied aspects of modern analytical chemistry.

The programme is taught by a consortium of four universities: University of Tartu (UT, coordinator), Estonia; Uppsala University (UU), Sweden; University Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL), France; Åbo Akademi University (AAU), Finland.

Double degrees are awarded on completion of studies. The first degree will be from UT and the second from UU, UCBL or AAU.

The first year is spent at UT, while the second year is spent either at UCBL, UU or AAU. The selection of the second year study location is determined through a competitive process based on the student preference and the first semester’s academic performance.

Evidence suggests that a growing number of employers are looking for analytical chemists qualified to work with modern instruments and to solve problems ranging from determining the composition of hi-tech materials and trace levels of toxicants to unravelling the mysteries of life and forensic analysis. Graduates are welcome to work in both private and public sector: R&D departments of major companies, chemical industry labs, pharmaceutical industry labs, health and environmental protection agencies, food processing and manufacturing quality assurance labs, certification, standardization and accreditation authorities, national Centres and Institutes of Metrology, PhD studies and academic career.

The official language of the programme is English. Students will also have the possibility to learn Swedish, Finnish or French.

Why study Excellence in Analytical Chemistry?

• Study at two outstanding European universities: the first year is spent at UT, and then you can choose between UU, UCBL or AAU.
• Choose between high-profile international companies approved by the EACH Academic Board for mandatory internship placement.
• UT belongs to the top 1% most-cited universities and research institutions in Chemistry (ESI 2020).

Year 1: Fundamentals and Placement (60 ECTS)

University of Tartu - General analytical chemistry, metrology in chemistry, quality assurance, socio-economic aspects of analytical chemistry

Year 2: Specialisation 60 ECTS

Uppsala University - Organic and bioorganic analysis, advanced separation methods, mass spectrometry

The University of Lyon - Industrial analytical chemistry, process control and monitoring

Åbo Akademi - Sensors, advanced analytical instrumentation, electrochemistry, miniaturization

The University of Tartu belongs to the top 1.2% of the world's universities.

View our rankings.

Selection of the study track is determined through a competitive process based on the student preference and the first-semester academic performance (GPA-grade point average) in the obligatory corses. The student can express the study track preference twice: at the time of admission (in the application form) and at the end of semester I, during the Winter School held in January. The student is required to rank 2 choices out of 3 possible. Using (1) the information about student’s preference and (2) the student grades (GPA acquired during the first semester at UT), the Academic Board assigns the student to one of the study tracks. The decision as to which study track the Student will be assigned is made during the Winter School, in the second half of January.–

Modules and courses

Year 1 (60 ECTS)
During the first study year, all students study at University of Tartu.

University of Tartu

General analytical chemistry module (21 ECTS)

• Practical Chemical Analysis – 6 ECTS
• Practical Works in Chemical Analysis and Metrology – 6 ECTS
• Measurement Data Processing – 3 ECTS
• Master’s Seminar in Measurement Science – 6 ECTS

Metrology and quality management module (9 ECTS)

• Quality Systems – 3 ECTS
• Metrology in Chemistry – 6 ECTS

Socio-economical module (12 ECTS)

• Measurements and the Law – 3 ECTS
• Economic Aspects of Measurements – 3 ECTS
• Environment and Measurement – 3 ECTS
• Swedish Language – 6 ECTS
• French Language – 6 ECTS

Internship (6 ECTS)

Elective courses (9 ECTS)

• Measuring and Instrumentation – 3 ECTS
• Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry – 6 ECTS
• Practical Works on Physical Measurement and Calibration – 3 ECTS
• Chemometrics– 3 ECTS
• Atomic Spectroscopy – 3 ECTS
• Measurements in Biochemistry – 3 ECTS
• Chemical Analysis Lab for Beginners – 3 ECTS
• LC-MS Methods Validation – 2 ECTS
• Introduction to Forensic Analysis – 1 ECTS

Optional courses (3 ECTS)

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Year 2 (60 ECTS)
The second year is more application-oriented and is spent either at UCBL, UU or AAU (also referred to as 2nd year universities or host universities).

Uppsala University (UU)

Organic and bioorganic analysis and multimodal separation techniques (30 ECTS)
Student acquires theoretical background and practical skills in chromatographic and electrophoretic separation methods as well as mass spectrometry, especially applied to bioorganic analysis.

• Applied chemical analysis of complex samples – 15 ECTS
• Advanced Mass Spectrometry – 15 ECTS

University Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL)

Industrial analytical chemistry module (30 ECTS)
Student acquires the knowledge of the instrumentation for industrial analysis, sampling for industrial process, innovation and strategy for industrial analysis, communication and management, data transfer and data analysis.

Åbo Akademi University (AAU)

Electroanalysis module (30 ECTS)
Student acquires theoretical background and practical skills in electrochemistry and chemical sensors. Modern design and fabrication of electrochemical sensors are emphasized in laboratory exercises and seminars where student also becomes familiar with analytical chemistry research.

Obligatory courses:

• Applied Electrochemistry – 5 ECTS
• Chemical sensors and biosensors – 5 ECTS
• Special Project in Analytical Chemistry – 5 ECTS
• Swedish Language – 5 ECTS

Elective courses:

• Applied Analytical Chemistry – 5 ECTS
• Bioanalytical Techniques (University of Turku) – 5 ECTS
• Functional Materials (University of Turku) – 5 ECTS
• LC-MS and its Applications (University of Turku) – 5 ECTS

Our graduates are welcome at:

• R&D departments of major companies
• Chemical industry labs
• Pharmaceutical industry R&D, as well as quality control labs
• Plastics and advanced materials production
• Health, consumer and environmental protection agencies
• Food processing and manufacturing quality assurance labs
• Certification, standardization and accreditation authorities
• National Centers and Institutes of Metrology
• Academic career and PhD studies