Master of Chemistry
The Master's degree in Chemistry at Sorbonne University is a rich and modular programme that is both generalist, in-depth and cross-disciplinary. The distinctive features of our Master's degree are the breadth of disciplinary areas covered and the modularity of the individual pathways available. In addition to a wide choice of courses in all areas of chemistry, the Master's programme is open to interfaces with other scientific fields. In particular, it offers a programme at the intersection of chemistry and physics, and a programme at the intersection of chemistry and biology. It is also possible to pursue the Master's programme as an apprenticeship.
The Master's programme builds on the knowledge acquired during a generalist Bachelor's degree in chemistry (dual discipline for chemistry/physics and chemistry/biology programmes) and aims to broaden this foundation in order to develop the skills and creativity of students, who are the actors and actresses of tomorrow's science.
Back to school 2025/26
M1 :
September 1th, 2025- 9h30 - Amphi 44
Campus Pierre et Marie Curie
Place Jussieu – Paris 5e
M2 :
September 3th, 2025 - 10h - Amphi A3
Campus Pierre et Marie Curie
Place Jussieu – Paris 5e
Overview
Given the increasing complexity and constant developments in the world of chemistry, particular attention is paid to a broad and cross-disciplinary approach to the subject. All Master's graduates will be expected to understand the concepts and methods that underpin current developments in all areas of chemistry and to familiarise themselves with the necessary tools. Subsequently, increasing specialisation and focus during the two years of the Master's programme will provide each student with cutting-edge skills in line with their chosen career path.
The programme covers all areas of chemistry:
- Analytical, theoretical, spectroscopic and electrochemical chemistry (CATSE)
- Materials chemistry (MAT)
- Molecular chemistry (MOL)
- Chemical engineering (IC)
- External agrégation in physics and chemistry, chemistry option (Agreg)
In addition, the Master's programme offers programmes at the intersection of:
- chemistry and physics, in conjunction with the Master's in Fundamental Physics and Applications at Sorbonne University: Physics and Chemistry of Materials (PCMAT)
- chemistry and biology, in conjunction with the Master's in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Sorbonne University: Molecular Engineering for Life Sciences (iMov).
The programme is available in the following formats:
- traditional programme
- apprenticeship programme. It is possible to enrol in the apprenticeship programme from the first year, which is based on the same core curriculum as the traditional programme, with certain adjustments to allow students to spend part of the week in a company. (see below: apprenticeship programme)
- continuing education
The breadth of the educational offering and the wide choice of specialisation modules allow for a variety of personalised study paths and ensure diversity within each year group of students, covering all career opportunities within the discipline.
Objectives
Our project consists of training students to a very high scientific level in the field of chemistry. Upon completing our programme, graduates will have mastered the concepts and procedures derived from current research; they will be able to work independently and as part of a team, and to adapt their actions to professional situations in the fields of research and development, production, services, or teaching. Our aim is to help each graduate achieve excellence in their speciality while also being able to understand related disciplines, through personalised study programmes and learner-centred teaching.
Target audience
The Master's degree in Chemistry is open to students, whether in initial or continuing education, who wish to obtain a high-level education in all areas of chemistry in order to pursue careers as researchers, project managers, consultants, teachers, etc. in the fields of research and development, higher education, quality, safety and the environment, manufacturing, logistics, marketing, and more.
Admission requirements and prerequisites
The two-year Master's programme is aimed at students with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Physical Chemistry or Biological Chemistry. The latter two are essential for the specific Chemistry/Physics and Chemistry/Biology programmes.
Students who have completed the first year of a Master's degree in Chemistry or an equivalent degree from another institution may be admitted directly to the second year (M2).
Some students admitted on the basis of their academic record may prepare for the external physics-chemistry agrégation, chemistry option, during the M2 year in order to enter secondary education.
Admission through Validation of Acquired Experience is possible subject to the opinion of the relevant selection boards. Please contact the continuing education department for further information.
The assessment of applications verifies the acquisition of prerequisite skills:
Prerequisite subject-specific skills:
- Mobilise the appropriate knowledge, concepts and technologies to address and solve problems in the fields of materials chemistry, molecular chemistry and physical chemistry.
- Apply essential tools from other disciplines (including mathematics and physics) to chemistry problems.
- Identify and independently carry out the various stages of an experimental process, use experimental equipment and techniques, identify specific regulations and implement key health and safety precautions.
- Use scientific information: I) Identify and select various specialised resources to document a subject; II) Analyse and interpret data in accordance with the principles of ethics and professional conduct in science; III) Validate the model used with a critical mind.
Pre-professional, cross-disciplinary and linguistic prerequisites
- Be able to integrate into a work team and understand one's role and mission within an organisation in order to adapt and take initiative.
- Adopt an effective work methodology, self-assess and question oneself in order to learn.
- Master the language of instruction: I) Use the different registers of written and spoken French; II) Understand scientific communication in written and spoken English.
- Be able to explain how your career plans are in line with the Master's programme in Chemistry.
General criteria for reviewing applications:
- Content of previous courses: list of course units and number of credits obtained
- Overall averages for previous years (post-baccalaureate)
- Progression of averages during previous course
- Results obtained in subjects related to the field of materials chemistry, physical chemistry and molecular chemistry (solid results in course units in at least two of these fields)
- Results in related course units: English, mathematics, other subjects if studied (post-baccalaureate)
- Number of years to obtain a bachelor's degree or equivalent
- Ranking in the class, if available
- Relevance of previous education to the requirements of the Master's degree in Chemistry
- Required elements in the CV and cover letter: consistency between the education provided by the Master's degree in Chemistry and the applicant's career plans, professional experience and extra-curricular activities, research internships or laboratory work, international mobility, academic and extra-curricular commitments. Where applicable, a reasoned presentation of an atypical academic background (change of direction, dual degree, high-level athletes and artists, etc.).
Career opportunities
The Master's degree allows students to continue their studies at PhD level. The Chemistry major opens the door to doctoral schools and programmes related to the subjects taught in this Master's degree: for example, Molecular Chemistry at Paris-Centre; Physics and Chemistry of Materials; Physical Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry at Paris-Centre; Interfaces for Life Sciences; Systems Engineering, Materials, Mechanics, Energy, etc.
The Master's degree in Chemistry also offers career opportunities at management level in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, energy, automotive, materials, raw materials, agri-food, paints, environment and consulting sectors.
Organization
The Master's degree in Chemistry has a tree-like structure with a common core in M1-S1, followed by a specialisation in M1-S2, and then a further specialisation in M2-S3. Two long internships are completed in M1-S2 and M2-S4.
This programme is divided into skill blocks. Each block consists of several teaching units (UE):
- Block 1: Common core (M1-S1, 24 ECTS). The fundamental teaching units of the common core in physical chemistry, molecular chemistry and materials chemistry (18 ECTS) are supplemented by optional teaching units (6 ECTS) offering a cross-disciplinary view of chemistry (health, energy, environment) or industrial issues (processes).
- Block 2: Specialisation (M1-S2 and M2-S3, 48 ECTS). The wide range of courses covering the fields of Analytical Chemistry, Theory, Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry (CATSE), Molecular Chemistry (MOL), Materials Chemistry (MAT) and Chemical Engineering (IC) allows students to fully customise their professional profile in one field or across several fields.
- Block 3: Generic courses (M1-S1 and M1-S2, 9 ECTS). The courses in this block are designed to help students acquire essential cross-disciplinary and language skills: Professional integration, Bibliographic methods and Modern languages.
- Block 4: Internships (M1-S2 and M2-S4, 39 ECTS). Two internships (minimum 3 months in M1 and 5 months in M2), either in a university laboratory in France or abroad, or in an industrial setting, complete the professional training.
The specialisation profiles in the ‘specialisation’ block are constructed by combining the teaching units chosen in the M1S2 and M2S3 semesters. Profiles comprising a predefined selection of M2-S3 teaching units are offered to enable students to choose their teaching units according to their preferences and expectations.
The specific chemistry/physics (PCMAT) and chemistry/biology (IMOV) programmes have the same structure in terms of skill blocks, with a choice of teaching units geared towards the interface between the Master's in Fundamental Physics and the Master's in Molecular and Cellular Biology. They lead to a Master's in Chemistry.
The programme is available as an apprenticeship, with the same blocks and choice of teaching units as the traditional programme. It is designed to allow students to train in a company alongside their academic studies
For details of these specific courses, see below.
The fully revised course offering starting in September 2025 is presented below.
Overview
This block comprises three 6 ECTS core modules to ensure a solid foundation in the three areas of physical chemistry, molecular chemistry and materials chemistry. For the remaining 6 ECTS credits, two 3-ECTS course units are to be chosen from among the four offered. These optional course units address a societal challenge involving cross-disciplinary areas of chemistry (health, energy, environment) or an industrial issue (processes).
Teaching period: early September to late December
Detailed descriptions of the core teaching units are available on the Master's Moodle site (click on ‘access as anonymous’).
Skills targeted by this block
- Understand a scientific subject in context: research, memorise and use scientific information to understand how to solve a complex theoretical or experimental problem.
- Produce, process and interpret experimental results from highly technical experiments in the field of chemistry according to specified procedures.
- Establish links between different fields of chemistry and use their contributions to solve a problem.
- Mobilise multiple disciplinary knowledge to address societal challenges in the fields of energy, health or the environment.
Overview
Students build their own training profile by combining course units within a specific field (CATSE for Analytical Chemistry, Theory, Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry, MOL for Molecular Chemistry, MAT for Materials Chemistry, IC for Chemical Engineering) or across several fields. This specialisation begins in the second semester of M1 with the choice of 3 6-ECTS course units in M1S2 and continues in M2 with the choice of 5 6-ECTS course units from the wide range of course units on offer. The programme therefore allows for gradual personalised specialisation through an orientation stage in M1 followed by in-depth study in M2.
M1 Level: Orientation
In M1S2, students choose 3 teaching units from a selection of 11 (the field to which the teaching unit belongs is indicated in brackets):
- UM4CI321: Investigating the composition of matter (CATSE)
- UM4CI322: Investigating matter with digital tools (CATSE)
- UM4CI323: Investigating the reactivity of matter during electron transfers (CATSE)
- UM4CI521: Stereo/enantioselective synthesis and retrosynthetic analysis (MOL)
- UM4CI522: Biological organic chemistry (MOL)
- UM4CI523: Metal complexes: structure, properties and reactivity (MOL)
- UM4CI721: Inorganic materials (MAT)
- UM4CI722: Polymer materials: structures and properties (MAT)
- UM4CI723: Materials, surfaces and interfaces (MAT)
- UM4CI921: Transfer phenomena and process modelling (IC)
- UM4CI922: Designing a manufacturing unit (IC)
Teaching period: early January to late March (M1 course unit)
Detailed descriptions of the M1S2 teaching units are available on the Master's Moodle site (click on ‘access as anonymous’).
M2 Level: Specialisation
In M2S3, students choose 5 teaching units from a wide range of options, the contents of which are detailed here (under construction). To help students choose their course units, professional profiles have been identified, the disciplinary skills for which can be acquired through the appropriate combination of course units within this block. This list is not exhaustive and other profiles are possible. The typical field to which the course unit is linked is indicated in brackets. Some of the modules offered are linked to other master's programmes at Sorbonne University. Students will be affiliated with a typical field based on their choice of modules.
It is not possible to take two modules that take place on the same half-day.
Teaching period: early September to late January (M2 modules)
Detailed descriptions of the M2S1 teaching units are available on the Master's Moodle site (click on ‘access as anonymous’).
Below are some examples of possible profiles combining Master's course units. The combinations of course units corresponding to each of these profiles can be viewed on the Master's Moodle site (click on “access as anonymous”).
- Catalysis: synthesis, reactivity, and processes
- Analytical chemistry
- Heritage chemistry
- Industrial molecular chemistry
- Material durability and corrosion
- Electrochemistry
- Environment and sustainable development
- Formulation
- Chemical risk management
- Materials and energy
- Industrial materials
- Soft matter and polymers
- Molecular modeling and applications
- Nano-objects
- Elementary processes and reactivity
- Spectroscopy
- Surfaces, interfaces, thin films
- Inorganic synthesis
- Organic synthesis
- Energy transition
Common skills targeted by this block:
- Understanding a scientific subject in context: researching, memorizing, understanding, critiquing, and exploiting scientific information in depth to solve a complex theoretical or experimental problem.
- Independently produce, process, and interpret experimental results from highly technical experiments in the field of chemistry.
- Relate one's specialist knowledge to the needs of other professionals.
Overview
The courses in this block are designed to help students acquire essential cross-disciplinary and language skills. They include UE 4Ci123 ‘Professional Integration – Desirable Futures’, UE 4Ci122 ‘Knowledge Methodologies for Chemical Sciences’ and UE 4LV001 ‘Modern Language’, each worth 3 ECTS credits. The objective of the English course is to achieve at least CLES B2 level. The bibliographic project is prepared in groups of two students to teach them how to work as a team on a topic related to their choice of options. The professional integration course provides the methodology and support for building a career plan and gives students the space to reflect on their desired future as chemists in society.
Teaching period: early September to late December (English and career guidance modules) // early January to late March (bibliography module)
Detailed descriptions of the teaching units of the generic block are available on the Master's Moodle site (click on ‘access as anonymous’).
Skills targeted by this block:
- Communicate clearly in writing and orally, in French and English, adapting to your audience.
- Identify, select and use specialised resources in French and English to extract information related to your project.
- Respect the information needs and contributions of colleagues within a peer group.
- Integrate into a work group and contribute constructively to the achievement of objectives.
Overview
Immersion in a professional environment plays a very important role in the Master's degree in Chemistry, and internships are compulsory each year. The programme schedule is organised to allow for 3-5 months of internship in M1 and 5-6 months in M2.
From M1 onwards, each student must find an internship outside the university, in France or abroad, in a company or academic environment, in line with their career plans. The only exceptions are independent projects linked to the FabLab, interdisciplinary internships, and foreign students who can do their M1 internship at SU. Those with an academic research project are strongly encouraged to do an internship in a university laboratory abroad. Those who wish to pursue a career in industry do an internship in industry in France or abroad, choosing between R&D, production, marketing or a complementary field to gain dual skills. Teachers from the ‘IP-Futurs souhaitables’ EU programme and the Master's internship office support students throughout their internship search.
The M2 internship can be completed at SU or at one of the programme's partner institutions, another academic laboratory, or in a company, in France or abroad. Internship proposals received and approved by the programme coordinators are posted on the Master's intranet. Students may also submit an internship topic they have found themselves for approval.
The theme of the internship must be in line with the student's career plans and facilitate their professional integration after graduation. The internship topic must be consistent with the programme profile and may concern a research, technical or non-technical development theme, provided that the knowledge and skills of a chemist are required. The assessment, in the form of a report and oral defence, focuses on the chemistry knowledge and skills listed below.
Internship period for traditional training: minimum 3 months between early April and late August (M1) // 5 months between early February and late August (M2).
Skills covered by this block :
- Take technical responsibility for, implement and monitor scientific work in chemistry.
- Independently produce, process and interpret experimental results from highly technical experiments in the field of chemistry.
- Communicate clearly in written and oral forms, in French and English, adapting to your audience in all professional situations.
- Be an autonomous learner in a variety of professional situations.
- Respect the information needs and contributions of collaborators, including teams of professionals outside the discipline.
Specific master's programs
This program, developed and accredited by the Institute of Materials Science (IMat) of the Sorbonne University alliance, aims to develop skills in physics and chemistry in the field of condensed matter, including materials, interfaces, molecular solids, and liquids.
It is particularly suited to students who have completed a dual-discipline bachelor's degree in physics and chemistry, without excluding single-discipline degrees.
Two long internships (8 to 11 months in total) provide effective professional training in an industrial or academic setting, in France or abroad, on topics related to the PCMAT program.
Core module (M1S1):
Students take the compulsory core modules “From the microscopic to the macroscopic,” “Molecular chemistry,” and “Chemistry of inorganic materials and polymers” (18 ECTS credits) alongside other students in the Master's program in Chemistry.
This core block is supplemented by course unit 4PY103 “Quantum Mechanics” within the Master's program in Physics (6 ECTS credits).
Specialization block (M1S2 and M2):
In M1: 2 course units from a limited selection of chemistry course units related to the physical chemistry of materials (12 ECTS), and course unit 4PY205 “Solid State Physics” from the Master's in Physics (6 ECTS).
In M2: the course units are from the Master's in Chemistry, supplemented by a choice from the course units in the M2 Physics program. They are detailed on the “Materials Science and Nano-Objects (SMNO-nanomat)” website, where they are listed under the extension PCmat.
Descriptions (course unit sheets) are available on the Master's in Physics website.
Recruitment:
Recruitment for the chosen master's degree (Chemistry or Physics) is carried out via the MonMaster platform or the Campus France-Etudes en France procedure. Interested students are invited to express their wish to join the PCMat program in their cover letter.
Formally, selection for the specific PCMat program will take place at a later stage, during academic registration, when choosing options.
Responsable du programme pour la chimie :
This program, shared with Sorbonne University's Master's in Molecular and Cellular Biology (BMC), is intended for students who wish to continue their studies at the interface of the two disciplines. It is open to students who already have a background in biology, typically a bachelor's degree with a major in chemistry and a minor (or double major) in biology.
It is linked to the MOL field of the Master's in Chemistry.
During the M1 year, students take the three core courses “From Microscopic to Macroscopic,” “Molecular Chemistry,” and “Chemistry of Materials,” as well as generic courses, alongside other students in the Master's in Chemistry program. Students also take a course entitled “Biology for Chemists,” which allows them to deepen their knowledge of biology necessary for chemists at the M1 level.
- Specialization block (M1):
In M1S2, students have two compulsory course units within the Master's in Chemistry and one course unit to be chosen from the Master's in BMC.
Teaching units of the master of chemistry
2 compulsory course units:
Teaching units of the master BMC
1 course unit from among:
4CI322 Investigating Matter with Digital Tools
4CI522 Biological Organic Chemistry
4BM150: Synthetic Biology and Genome Engineering
4BM119: Molecular Enzymology and Pharmacology
4BM134: Protein Structure, Assembly, and Engineering
- Specialization block (M2)
In M2, students are free to choose 4 course units, including 2 course units from the Master's in Chemistry related to their program, and 2 course units from the Master's in BMC. The course unit MU5CI091 “Scientific Project” at the interface between these two fields is mandatory.
Teaching units of the master of chemistry:
Teaching units of the master BMC:
MU5CI091 Scientific Projects at the Interface of Chemistry and Biology
(Compulsory course for Chemistry and Biology students)
2 course units from the following chemistry courses:
2 course units from the following BMC courses:
5CI406 Therapeutic Targets: Molecular Approaches
5CI427 Transition Metals in Living Organisms
5CI430 Advanced Molecular Characterization
5CI431 Living and Bio-inspired Chemical Systems
5CI432 Chemobiology for Investigating Living Organisms and Creating Drugs
5BM114 Therapeutic Strategies and Molecular Pharmacology
5BM124 Chemistry and Bioengineering of Natural Products
5BM125 Proteins: Synthetic Biology and Engineering
Recruitment:
Recruitment for the Master's in Chemistry is carried out via the MonMaster platform or the Campus France-Etudes en France procedure. Interested students are invited to express their desire to join the iMoV program in their cover letter.
Formally, selection for the specific iMoV program will take place at a later stage, and students who are not accepted into iMoV will be able to pursue the traditional Master's program in Chemistry. It is therefore strongly recommended that you contact the program director as soon as possible after being accepted into the Master's program.
Program director for Chemistry:
Apprenticeship training
Program
The objective is to train R&D engineers, project managers, and executives in the chemical and related industries through an intensive, specialized program under an apprenticeship contract with a partner company. The training is work-study based and covers four areas: Analytical Chemistry, Theory, Spectroscopy, and Electrochemistry (CATSE); Chemical Engineering (IC); Materials Chemistry (MAT); and Molecular Chemistry (MOL). Students take the same fundamental theoretical courses as students in traditional programs. The final degree is also the same. The admission requirements are therefore identical.
The partner apprentice training center (CFA) is AFI24.
First year:
The first semester includes courses from the common core curriculum: “From the Microscopic to the Macroscopic,” “Molecular Chemistry,” and “Chemistry of Materials,” as well as a course unit on “Project Management and Entrepreneurship.” Specialization in the second semester includes two elective teaching units and a project teaching unit on the company assignment. The annual program is supplemented by a block of generic courses (English, professional integration, knowledge methodology for chemical sciences) and a long period in a company from April to August.
Schedule:
During the teaching periods (September-December and January-March), students spend three days a week at the university and two days a week at a company, and work full-time at the company outside of teaching periods.
Second year:
During the first semester, students take four fundamental teaching units worth six ECTS credits each, chosen from among the units related to their chosen specialization and company assignment. Several thematic profiles are possible for each field. They will also be required to present an experimental specialization project (six ECTS credits) related to their work at the company.
The second semester is devoted almost entirely to learning in the workplace, supplemented by teaching the cross-disciplinary skills needed to take on responsibilities in a company (English, HSEQ, etc.).
Schedule:
During the teaching periods (September-January), students spend three days a week at the university and two days a week in a company, and work full-time in a company outside of teaching periods.
Target audience:
Students under the age of 30 at the time of signing the apprenticeship contract who have the same prerequisite skills as those in traditional training. Beyond that, contact AFI24. Required level for direct entry into M2: M1 Chemistry, M1 Materials Science, or other equivalent scientific M1.
Recruitment:
Recruitment takes place after online application to AFI24 and Sorbonne University, review of the application, and a motivational interview. Enrollment in the work-study program will only be final upon signing an apprenticeship contract. It is recommended to start looking for a host company as early as possible.
Discover contract offers at www.afi24.org.
Contact (for apprenticeships only):
Contact
Département du Master de Chimie
Campus Pierre et Marie Curie
Tour 54-55, 1er étage
Case courrier 38
4 place Jussieu
75005 Paris
