Master Degree in Chemical Analyses and Characterisation Techniques

Chemical analyses and characterisation techniques have an important role in the advance of science and technology in areas as diverse as food quality control, environment, research and in several industries, not only in the field of chemistry, but also in biochemistry and materials science.

This master degree provides a solid theoretical background in analytical and in advanced characterisation techniques with a strong laboratorial component and training in the area of quality control.

The acquired expertise gained in the 1st year is complemented by the Individual Project which can be developed either in companies or in research laboratories.

The graduates are able to solve analysis and characterisation problems from a wide range of areas (forensic, industrial and food chemistry) and develop skills in the scope of validation and implementation of analytical methods. A PhD degree can be pursued.

Fees (non-refundable)

Number of vacancies

Access requirements

Ranking criteria

The ranking of candidates will be based on the ranking resulting from the application of the following algorithm:

Final classification [0-20] = 0.10 A + 0.70 B + 0.20 C

where components A, B and C are defined below.

It is also considered the following table 1, which defines the P weight given to the candidate's previous type of training:

	P
Bachelor in Chemistry or similar	1
Bachelor in Biochemistry or similar	1
Bachelor in Pharmacy or similar	0,8
Bachelor in Chemical Engineering or similar	0,8
Bachelor in Materials Engineering or Science, or similar	0.7
Bachelor in Applied Biology ou Biological Engineering, or similar	0.6
Bachelor in Environmental Sciences or similar	0.4
Bachelors in other related areas	0.2

Component A:

Component A is calculated by the formula:

A=20*P

where P is defined in table 1, according to the previous training of the candidate.

Component B:

Component B is given by the formula:

B=Med*0.8*P + OA*0.2

where P is defined in table 1, and Med and OA correspond to:

• Med: Final classification of degree, from 0 to 20;

• OA: Other relevant aspects in the scientific area of the cycle of studies such as presentations at scientific events, authorship of published works, participation in research projects, conducting internships, etc., whose ratings are assigned, from 0 to 20, by the Master's Course Steering Committee.

Component C:

Component C, valued from 0 to 20, is calculated as the sum of the ratings attributed by the Master's Course Steering Committee to the various dimensions of the candidate's technical and professional curriculum, in the area of the cycle of studies, as relevant professional activity, coordination and participation in projects, professional training, participation in workshops, etc.

Applications 2024/2025 »»

2023/2024

General

Academic degree:

Master's degree

ECTS:

120

Duration:

4 curricular semesters

Regime:

Daytime

Place:

Gualtar Campus, Braga (UM)

Main Scientific area:

Chemistry

Contacts

Course Director

Maria Manuela Silva Pires Silva

nini@quimica.uminho.pt

604058

Mobility Academic Coordinator

Inês Pereira Silva Cunha Sousa

isousa@math.uminho.pt

+351 253510427

School of Sciences

Campus de Gualtar
4710 - 057 Braga

+351 253604390

+351 253604398

cpedagogico@ecum.uminho.pt; sec@ecum.uminho.pt

http://www.ecum.uminho.pt

Description

The Master's Degree in Techniques of Characterization and Chemical Analysis provides specialized training in the areas of characterization methods and chemical analysis. The course is organized according to the credit system (ECTS) and lasts for four semesters with a total of 120 ECTS.
The first and second semesters each include five courses worth 6 ECTS. In the second year, the student develops a dissertation worth 60 ECTS.
The number of working hours corresponding to each course is divided, depending on the course, among the various components of the teaching/learning process: activities that involve contact with the teacher (lectures, group and individual assignments, seminars, and tutorials) and independent work (individual study, group work, and project work) and, finally, evaluation activities.
The programmatic contents of the various courses in the first year address current and emerging techniques, in addition to classical topics, so that students understand their importance and application in research and technological development. The courses Seminar in Techniques of Characterization and Chemical Analysis I and Seminar in Techniques of Characterization and Chemical Analysis II focus on the practices/methodologies inherent in scientific research, namely:
i) literature review;
ii) collection of empirical data;
iii) treatment and analysis of results;
iv) presentation and discussion of the results obtained.
The Dissertation is carried out in R&D laboratories and companies, within the network of collaborations that the master's direction seeks to energize and update, in various locations in the country and abroad, under mobility programs.
Students have the opportunity to participate in lectures, workshops, study visits, and Meetings in Techniques of Characterization and Chemical Analysis, where specialists in the field of analytical techniques participate.

Key learning outcomes

1. Provide updated theoretical knowledge of various advanced methods of chemical analysis and characterization.
2. Provide extensive practical training in the main areas of Analytical and Structural Chemistry.
3. Contribute to understanding the functioning of current analytical instrumentation and its application in various aspects of chemical analysis and structural characterization.
4. Develop skills in solving various analysis problems in real samples in recognized areas of importance.
5. Develop skills in the structural determination of molecules with varying degrees of complexity through the application of appropriate structural analysis techniques.
6. Acquire skills in data analysis, validation, and implementation of analytical methods.
7. Solve problems in complex and unfamiliar situations by deepening and integrating their knowledge.
8. Develop the ability to communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Access to higher education

This course provides the technical-scientific capacity to access 3rd cycle courses (PhD).

Careers

Masters in Techniques of Characterization and Chemical Analysis are qualified to work in the following sectors of the labor market:
- specialist technician in quality control and analytical laboratories in entities and companies in the environmental, food, pharmaceutical, textile, agrochemical, forensic, and industrial chemistry sectors, among others;
- perform coordination/management functions in the area of laboratory systems management and quality control involving an intense analytical component;
- integrated researcher in research projects and product or process development projects requiring knowledge and skills in advanced analytical techniques.
They also possess the skills and qualifications to pursue postgraduate studies, namely for obtaining a doctoral degree.

Access

28

Vacancies

12

Minimum

Access forms

The access to this Cycle of Study can be done at the Students Portal of the University of Minho
https://alunos.uminho.pt/EN/candidates/MastersDegrees/Pages/default.aspx

This information does not replace consultation of the Academic Regulations of the University of Minho and other official documents.

Formal requirements

Can be candidates to the Study Program holders of a first degree (or legally equivalent qualification) in Chemistry, Biochemistry or other degrees considered adequate.
Other conditions mentioned in Article nº 7 of the bylaws of the Study Program (RT-08/2007, 23 January 2007) are applied.
During the process of classification of candidates, the final classification of the previous degree (i.e. bachelor, etc), and the affinity of the degree with the study cycle are considered. Other aspects that are also considered include scientific publications, previous research activities, participation in conferences, among other.

Application deadlines

Information on Application Deadlines can be found at:
https://www.ecum.uminho.pt/en/Ensino/Pages/Applications-for-Master-Programmes-.aspx

Registration deadlines

Information on Registration Deadlines can be found at:
https://www.ecum.uminho.pt/en/Ensino/Pages/Applications-for-Master-Programmes-.aspx

Aditional Information

Study Plan

When applicable, the elective curricular units available as well as the registration conditions and the number of vacancies will be indicated annually.

Regime	Curricular Unit	Scientific Area	ECTS
Year 1			60
S1	Materials and Surface Analysis	QUI	6
S1	Sampling and Sample Preparation	QUI	6
S1	Seminar on Chemical Analysis and Characterization Techniques I	QUI	6
S1	Separation and Analysis Techniques	QUI	6
S1	Structural Analysis	QUI	6
S2	Chemical Sensors	QUI	6
S2	Chemometric Methods	QUI	6
S2	Complements of Structural Analysis	QUI	6
S2	Quality Control and Validation of Analytical Methods	QUI	6
S2	Seminar on Chemical Analysis and Characterization Techniques II	QUI	6
Year 2			60
A	Dissertation	QUI	60

Assessment/Accreditation

A3ES Accreditation status:

Accredited

Resolution publication date:

17-11-2022

A3ES deliberation:

https://a3es.pt/pt/resultados-acreditacao/tecnicas-de-caracterizacao-e-analise-quimica-1

A3ES submited report:

download pdf file

Registry number at Ministry:

R/A-Ef 2553/2011/AL01

Registry Date:

29-01-2023

Accreditation validity:

30-07-2026

Master Degree in Chemical Analyses and Characterisation Techniques

Fees (non-refundable)

Number of vacancies

Access requirements

Ranking criteria

General

Contacts

Description

Key learning outcomes

Access to higher education

Careers

Access

28

Vacancies

12

Minimum

Access forms

Formal requirements

Application deadlines

Registration deadlines

Aditional Information

Study Plan

Assessment/Accreditation

Useful links

School of Sciences

Campus de Gualtar

Information

Social Media

Master Degree in Chemical Analyses and Characterisation Techniques

Fees (non-refundable)

Number of vacancies

Access requirements​

Ranking criteria

General

Contacts

Description

Key learning outcomes

Access to higher education

Careers

Access

28

Vacancies

12

Minimum

Access forms

Formal requirements

Application deadlines

Registration deadlines

Aditional Information

Study Plan

Assessment/Accreditation

Access requirements