Chemistry
Specializations
Chemistry offers the following specializations:
Analytical Sciences
For the development of new pharmaceuticals, the unravelling of complex biological systems or the design of new sustainable materials and chemical processes, methods and techniques are required to identify and quantify chemical compounds in a variety of materials and environments. In analytical sciences, you will gain insight in modern analytical technologies. You will learn to apply various analytical techniques in this specialization track, including chromatography, mass spectrometry, spectroscopy as well as laser-based approaches. Major topics in the research at VU University Amsterdam include the development of analytical screening and characterization techniques for biologically active compounds.
More information on Analytical Sciences
Molecular Design, Synthesis and Catalysis
Organic, organometallic and coordination compounds are at the heart of this track. You will be involved in designing novel structures with desirable properties using molecular design, often with the aid of computational methods. You will do research into new methods for synthesizing these compounds, which will then be studied to enhance our knowledge of the relationship between structure and properties. From a practical point of view, the research is directed at devising efficient methods for synthesizing molecules with desirable properties, the development of novel catalysts to enable clean and selective transformations, and the design of new bioactive molecules for use as drugs and agrochemicals.
More information on Molecular Design, Synthesis and CatalysisMolecular Simulation and Photonics
The specialization in Molecular Simulation and Photonics focuses on state-of-the-art computational and photonic research of structure, dynamics and function in atomic, (bio)molecular and multiscale systems. The programme is closely linked to leading international research programmes in the Amsterdam area, allowing the integration of teaching and research in:
- Molecular Photoscience
- Computational Physics and Chemistry
- Theoretical Chemistry
- Biophysics
- Biomedical Physics
- Quantum Atom Optics
