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Master's studies at the Department of Chemistry

Here you will find practical information about your master studies from beginning to end, and important deadlines and forms.

Start of studies

Here you will find information about, and a programme for, the start of term, autumn 2023.

Practical information for new Master`s students

Remaining courses in your Bachelor`s degree?

Have you got a conditional admission to your Master`s programme? Then you have courses in your Bachelor`s degree you must complete. You will get an extension on your study time on your Master`s programme, equivalent to the number of study points you are required to take to complete your Bachelor`s degree. In order to get an extension, this must be recorded in your Master's agreement. Note that all remaining courses on your Bachelor's degree must be completed within the first 12 months after admission to the programme. When you have completed your Bachelor's degree, you must contact Knutepunktet to register the degree and remove the condition on your admission 

Have you completed master courses before admission?

If you have completed courses before admission to the master's program, which you want to be part of the theoretical syllabus, this will normally give a deduction in time for the length of the master's program. All applications must be processed by the program council and delivered to the program coordinator for your program. Application is done by filling in the master agreement form in consultation with the supervisor. The master agreement form must be completed with a project description if you are going to write a long thesis.

 

The absolute deadline for semester registration and course registrations is February 1st / September 1st. Read more about course registration deadlines at the UiO central webpage.

You complete the semester registration and register for courses in Studentweb.

Within December 1st in your first semester, you must hand in your Master's agreement plan. This applies to all Master's students, also part-time students. Check out the points "Forms and deadlines" and "How to fill in the master`s agreement plan" below. 

E-mail: All students at UiO have their own student e-mail account. It is expected that you check this e-mail regularly, as important information is mainly sent to your UiO account, not your personal e-mail. It is possible to forward your student e-mail to your private e-mail if you want to. Read about this and more on the web page using your UiO e-mail account.

Mandatory HSE-courses: Students admitted to a Master's programme at the Department of Chemistry must complete the following HSE-courses:

Mandatory HSE-courses and seminars in Generic competence: Students at Master`s programme at the Department of Chemistry must attend the HSE-courses given at Department of Chemistry in week 33, and attend to three seminars in Generic competence in each of the four semesters in the Master`s studies. During the three first semesters the seminars are mandatory. 

Supervisor and masters thesis

An important part of the master's program is the master's project. You can choose a long or short project (60 or 30 ECTS). The thesis subject is chosen in cooperation with your supervisor. The first semester of the master's program will be used to take courses, and find a supervisor and master's project. All master's students must have a main supervisor at the Department of Chemistry.  If you are studying for a master's degree in materials science for energy- and nanotechnology your supervisor can belong to the Department of Physics. All permanent scientific staff can be supervisors.

In each programme option, under programme structure, there are links to the research sections where it is natural to search for master's projects and supervisors. The different research sections have their own web pages where you can look for master projects and supervisors.

As a new master student at the department we recommend you visit the poster session held every semester for more information about the research groups at the Department of Chemistry.

Forms and deadlines

Below we have collected some useful information that we recommend everyone to read before filling out the master's agreement.

  • It is important that you read the relevant information for your study program before submitting the master's agreement.
  • You should prepare all necessary documentation before you start filling out the agreement. As far as it is possible, we recommend that you upload text files, project descriptions etc. as a pdf-file.
  • Contact your local studies administration if you have questions about filling of the agreement. 

Deadline for submission of the master`s thesis

Deadline for submission of the master`s thesis is normally 15th of May. Submission must take place by 12.00 on the submission date. You can find your deadline for submission in Studentweb. The deadline is absolute. If the deadline is not met, it will have consequences for the assessment of the assignment.

The examination will normally be held 3-6 weeks after submission of your thesis. It is your main supervisor who will find an external examiner and make an appointment for the exam with you and the examiner.                                                                                                                                                                 

Form Deadline
Master agreement plan December 1st in the first semester of your master studies.           

Risk assessment

Risk assessment matrix

December 1st in the first semester of your master studies.         
Approval of special curriculum December 1st in the first semester of your master studies, as a part of your master agreement plan.  
Project description (free text) December 1st in the first semester of your master studies
                    
Form for sending in changes to your study plan agreement  

Master agreement plan

The master`s programme consists of a master`s thesis and theoretical subject syllabus, and it must be completed within established limits.

All master`s students must have an individual education plan approved by the Program Council.

The education plan is an agreement between you as a student, your supervisor(s), and the program board, and concerns rights and duties in terms of carrying out and completing your study.

The deadline for submitting the education plan is 1st December in your first semester as a master student.  Failure to hand in the education plan by the deadline might lead to losing your right to study. 

Theoretical curriculum

The theoretical curriculum consists of 60 or 90 ECTS, depending on the length of your master's thesis (30 or 60 ECTS).
You are also able to set up a special curriculum together with your supervisor(s) if the courses you are taking do not cover all of the curriculum you are interested in.
The special curriculum must be documented with a reading list, referring to books/articles (including page numbers). 

Project description and risk assessment

You must hand in a a project description/plan for your master thesis on a separate sheet and and must be attached to the education plan. You must also hand in a risk assessment.
All papers must be signed by you and your supervisor(s).

Semester and course registration

You must register and apply for courses in Studentweb every semester, by the deadlines 1 February and 1 September (autumn and spring semesters respectively) and pay the semester fee. 
When working on your thesis full time, you only need register and confirm your education plan in Studentweb, and pay the semester fee.   
The student administration at the department will register you for the master's thesis in Studentweb when the education plan is approved by the programme board.

Changes along the way - application for part-time/ leave and postponed submission

You can apply to study part time when filling out the application for approval of your education plan.
The application for part time study must be signed by you and your supervisor(s), and must include a progress plan.

You must apply for any changes to the education plan; the deadlines are 1 February and 1 September.
You are able to change the theoretical curriculum while studying.  A new curriculum must be approved by your principal supervisor, and a written application, with signature form your principal supervisor, must be sent to studieinfo@kjemi.uio.no.

 

Deadlines for submission of the master`s thesis for conditional admission/ deferred course/ courses taken prior to admission

The deadlines differ if you have a conditional admission offer, need certain courses to fulfill any requirements, or have passed necessary courses before starting your master studies:  

  • May 15 (ordinary submission deadline)    
  • June 30 (deferred 10 credits/passed 50 credits in advance)
  • September 15 (deferred 20 credits/passed 40 credits in advance, summer holidays included)
  • November 15 (passed 30 credits in advance)
  • February 1 (passed 20 credits in advance)
  • April 1 (passed10 credits in advance)

HSE and Generic competence

As a master student at the Department of Chemistry, you participate in three seminars/workshops in each of the four semesters of the master`s degree programme. The seminars in the first three semesters are mandatory.

The topics covered are important for the completion of the master`s programme, and we want to give you the knowledge you need, when you need it.

 

 

Progression of studies

Studying part time?

If you plan study part-time, you must apply to the program council for this as soon as possible after admission (by September 1st), or as soon as you know that your study progression has changed. Applications for part-time studies after this date will not be granted. Applications for part-time is only granted for the first semester. For the rest of the study, an application is made in connection with the submission of the education plan. Documentation of work, including progression percentage must accompany the application and be sent by e-mail to studieinfo@kjemi.uio.no

 

Study reduced/ postponement due to illness?

If you need to study reduced due to illness for a period of time, you can apply for it. The deadline is September 1st or February  1st (autumn/spring semester respectively) or immediately after receiving documentation. The application is sent to the study administration by e-mail to studieinfo@kjemi.uio.no, and must contain the following:    

  • period you are seeking reduced study progression for
  • plan for the rest of the study (shift of courses and work on the master`s thesis)
  • medical certificate or other documentation

The documentation must confirm the period of illness by dates and state to what extent (in per cent) you are unable to study. Note that only statements about time period and degree of disability are used as a basis for postponement.

Reduced progression can only be granted for the current and future semesters, not for completed semesters.

 

Are you a group teacher or a lab supervisor?

If you are a group teacher or lab assistant at the Department of Chemistry, you will get a postponement corresponding to hours on your employment contract if you apply for this. Send application for postponement by e-mail to studieinfo@kjemi.uio.no.

 

Postponement due to unforeseen problems?

Delayed submission of the master`s thesis may be granted in the event of unforeseen problems with the project, or in the event of short-term illness for the candidate or the candidate`s children. It must be applied for as soon as illness or problems occur. Unforeseen problems with the project must documented. Examples of documentation for technical problems can be documentation from a repairer. In the event of illness, this must be documented by a medical certificate which must be submitted together with the application for postponement of the submission deadline.

Applications for postponement must be signed by you and your supervisor and sent by e-mail to studieinfo@kjemi.uio.no for approval by the program council. A new submission deadline is set by the department.

 

Completion of the master`s programme

The final exam of your master's study consists of handing in your master's thesis, a public oral presentation, followed by an oral exam.   
The main deadline is 15 May.
Your supervisor must hand in the announcement of master's degree exam (online form) to the student administration at least 3 weeks before your thesis is due to be handed in.

 

Requirements before the exam

This must be in place prior to the delivery:

  • The bachelor`s degree or equivalent, including all academic requirements, must be passed the semester before you submit the thesis.
  • The semester fee must be paid and you must have registered for the semester.
  • The theoretical syllabus in the master`s degree must be completed and passed.

About the master`s thesis

The University library has a nice page with tips for writing the master`s thesis and a to-do list before you submit your thesis.

The cover template for the master`s thesis can be found here.

Deadline for submitting the master`s thesis

The deadline for submitting the master`s thesis is normally May 15th. You will find your deadline for submitting your master`s thesis in studentweb. The assignment must be submitted no later than three weeks before the final presentation and exam. It is your supervisor who will find an external examiner and make an appointment for the exam with you and the examiner.

 

Postponed deadline for submission

Delayed submission of the master`s thesis may be granted in the event of unforeseen problems with the project, or in the event of short-term illness for the candidate or the candidate`s children. It must be applied for as soon as illness or problems occur. Unforeseen problems with the project must documented. Examples of documentation for technical problems can be documentation from a repairer. In the event of illness, this must be documented by a medical certificate which must be submitted together with the application for postponement of the submission deadline.

Applications for postponement must be signed by you and your supervisor and sent by e-mail to studieinfo@kjemi.uio.no for approval by the program council. A new submission deadline is set by the department.

Submission of the master`s thesis

  1.  The master`s thesis must be submitted in Inspera before the end of your submission deadline. If the date for submission is on a Saturday/ Sunday/ public holiday, the deadline is extended to 12.00 the following working day. You will find information on procedures for submitting to Inspera on MN`s pages.
  2. You must upload your master`s thesis to the University of Oslo`s open research archive (DUO) within your deadline. Information on how to do this can be found on the University Library`s website. You determine accessibility after you have uploaded your thesis.

Printing of the master`s thesis

You can printing of your thesis from the University Print Centre, and have up to three copies or 600 NOK covered for you and supervisor at the Department`s expense.

Prior to the main submission, the Department of Chemistry will send out an e-mail to relevant candidates with information on which location code to use when ordering printing of the master`s thesis at the University Print Centre.

The Department of Chemistry covers up to NOK 600 for printing, including color pages.

If you have many pages with color in the thesis (more than 5 or 6), the printing costs can exceed 600 NOK, in which case you must cover this yourself. 

Read more about printing on the University Print Centre`s website.

The master`s program final presentation and exam

 

The master`s program is completed trough a presentation of the assignment and examination with the examination committee. The presentation should last approx. 30 minutes. You must give an overview of the assignment. The public presentation is followed by an oral examination/ conversation about the assignment with the examination committee.

Information about the time and place of the master`s examination will be sent to your e-mail, and also published on the website of the Department of Chemistry.

 

Grading of the master`s thesis

All master`s theses submitted at the MN Faculty after 1 April 2014 must be assessed and censored according to these grade descriptions.

Clearance form and master`s Diploma

Your diploma will be produced by the MN Faculty when the master`s exam is passed. it normally takes approx. four weeks before the diploma is completed. In order to receive the diploma, you must submit a clearance form to the study administration at the Department of Chemistry.

Students in the master`s program in Chemistry, submit this clearance form.

Students in the master`s program in MENA, submit this clearance form.

General information for master`s students at MN

Master's week 15.-17. August 2023

The master's week is comprised of three days of mandatory events. You will have to be present physically, starting with a welcome meeting on Tuesday. You will find a program at the study start page of you programme. 

Program
Date Time Place Event Contact person

Tuesday

15. August 

10.00 - 11.30 Seminar room Berzelius Information and welcome meeting - Chemistry programme Svein Tveit  og Thea Moen
10.00 - 11.30 Seminar room Avogadro Information and welcome meeting - Materials science for Energy and Nanotechnology (MENA) Henrik Hovde Sønsteby og Kirsti Ales Dalseth
11.30-12.00   Lunch - served by us  
12.15 - 14.00 Auditorium 3 HSE-handbook TBA
14.15 - 15.00 Auditorium 3 Introduction to generic competency Tone Charlotte Gadmar

Wednesday

16. August

09.15 - 12.00 Laboratory Ø153

Laboratory course- Chemistry programme

 

Massoud Kaboli
12.15 - 15.00 Laboratory Ø153

Laboratory course- MENA programme

Massoud Kaboli

Thursday

17. August

09.15- 15.00 Seminarroom Berzelius
  • Introduction to chemical safety
  • Chemical labeling /MiNaLab

Please bring your own laptop!

Svein Tveit

Master`s exam announcement

Contact

Student Administration

Email: studieinfo@kjemi.uio.no