The Master of Science in Chemistry programme aims to train and produce graduates with highly marketable research skills and experiences in a wide variety of advanced chemistry disciplines, such as catalysis; synthetic chemistry; materials & biomaterials chemistry; analytical & bio-analytical science; computational chemistry; environmental chemistry and chemical biology, to meet local, regional and global demands for R&D specialists in the industrial, commercial, and government sectors. Graduates are also eligible for pursuing higher research degrees in local and overseas universities and research institutes.

Applicants must satisfy the University's General Entrance Requirements and the following programme entrance requirements:

• a degree in a relevant science discipline such as Chemistry, Materials Science, Molecular Biology or equivalent;
  OR
• evidence of academic and professional attainments acceptable for this purpose by the University and the Department.

Note:

Preference will be given to applicants who are currently working in areas related to testing and certification services.

Applicants whose entrance qualification is obtained from an institution where the medium of instruction is NOT English should also fulfill the following minimum English proficiency requirement:

• a score of 79 (Internet-based test) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)^@#; or
• an overall band score of 6.0 in International English Language Testing System (IELTS)^@##; or
• a score of 450 in the Chinese Mainland’s College English Test Band 6 (CET-6); or
• other equivalent qualifications.

^@ TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years. Applicants are required to provide their English test results obtained within the two years preceding the start of the University's application period.

^# Applicants are required to arrange with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send their TOEFL results directly to the University. The TOEFL institution code for CityUHK is 3401.

^## Applicants are required to arrange for sending their IELTS result(s) via the IELTS Results Service e-delivery to the University. Please note that applicants with an overall band score of 6.0 will be required to pass an interview for English proficiency conducted by the concerned academic unit. Interviews for other applicants may not be required.

New Electives from 2026/27

CHEM6134 AI for Chemistry (3 credit units)

1. Core Courses (15 credit units)

2. Elective Courses (15 credit units)

Group A (at least 6 credit units)

Group B

Programme Structure

• Students may obtain the MSc degree by completing 30 credit units:
   
• 5 Core courses (15 credit units), to be taken in Semester A, provide training for the essential graduate-level chemistry, communication and research skills:
   
  • The course learning outcomes of "Academic and Industrial Research, Development and Innovation" focus on research project design and management, which cover various topics including ethics in scientific research; research and uncertainty; hypothesis development; experiments design; data analysis; evaluation of research work; project management and communication skills.
     
  • The courses "Advanced Chemical Instrumentation", "Frontiers in Chemical Biology" and "Selected Topics in Chemistry & Molecular Sciences" are designed for enhancing students' understanding on graduate-level chemistry and its applications in different areas including research and development, analytical chemistry, biological, medical and materials applications.
     
  • The course "Advanced Seminar Series" enables students to develop skills in communication and presentation of scientific results in a professional manner as well as evaluate and apply research methodologies in their chosen specialized areas.

• Elective courses (15 credit units), to be taken in Semester B, provide essential graduate-level training in various subject matters in modern chemistry.

CHEM6127 Dissertation (14 credit units)

• CHEM6127 Dissertation is offered to provide opportunities for students to strengthen and apply their knowledge for tackling research challenges in chosen areas such as catalysis, synthetic chemistry, materials & biomaterials chemistry, analytical & bio-analytical science, computational chemistry, environmental chemistry, chemical biology, etc.
• CHEM6127 Dissertation will be taken in Semester B and the Summer Term for full-time students.
• Students enrolling in CHEM6127 must meet a minimum CGPA requirement in Semester A and obtain prior approval from the course committee and Programme Leader. If the CGPA requirements in Semester A are not met or if the quota is full, students will be assigned to CHEM6129.

CHEM6129 Advanced Directed Studies (6 credit units)

• There are three possible durations:

1. Semester A and B
2. Semester B and the Summer Term
3. Semester B only (with approval and a CGPA of 3.4 or above in Semester A)

• Broad-spectrum R&D training in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences;
• Heavy research component, which aims to enable students to produce potentially publishable research results;
• Opportunity to participate in highly competitive research works;
• Participation in postgraduate research symposium.

Department of Chemistry
College of Science
Course Descriptions