Become part of something bigger
When you join the Master of Science (Chemistry) you will join a group of like-minded scientists, passionate about scientific discovery and the positive impact chemistry can have on the world.
Find out more about the Master of Science parent structure.
Massey University’s Master of Science (Chemistry) gives you the opportunity to use the latest advancements across a broad range of disciplines to make your own discoveries in the field of chemistry.
Let our experts help you develop your own expertise.
Massey’s chemistry lecturers have an extensive range of experience and expertise across both organic and inorganic chemistry. The department also has strong links to related areas like biological science and material science. No matter what your research interest, Massey’s focus on fundamental, natural and mathematical sciences means you will have access to a broad range of experts to assist you develop your own research and expertise.
Unlike some other institutions you will have easy access to a range of techniques and equipment, making it easier to progress your research in a timely and comprehensive fashion. From a fluorescent spectrometer to a 500 and 700 MHz NMR instruments, we have the specialist equipment to help your research meet global standards.
There is a well-established community of fundamental scientists and students at Massey. We have a large active student group – the Fundamental Science Students Association (FUSSTA) – where we work together to share discoveries and research and provide peer support.
Postgraduate study is hard work but hugely rewarding and empowering. The Master of Science will push you to produce your best creative, strategic and theoretical ideas. The workload replicates the high-pressure environment of senior workplace roles. Our experts are there to guide but if you have come from undergraduate study, you will find that postgraduate study demands more in-depth and independent study.
Postgraduate study is not just ‘more of the same’ undergraduate study. It takes you to a new level in knowledge and expertise especially in planning and undertaking research.
We have a 180 credit and 240 credit option for the Master of Science, but we do encourage those who are looking at a research project to consider the more in-depth 240 credit option. This takes two years to complete and will enable a more comprehensive project at a more detailed level.
Help improve human or animal health through creating new or more effective drugs and medicines. Learn the research processes used to identify drug targets and develop new therapeutics.
Your studies will combine the biological sciences with chemistry, giving you the skills to target, design, synthesise, create and assess new drugs. You'll also learn about protecting intellectual property, assessing the financial viability of drugs and the pre-clinical and clinical trial processes.
Tailor your studies to your strengths, interests and career goals. You'll learn a mix of academic and practical skills that are closely aligned to the needs of industry.
The Master of Drug Discovery and Development is best suited to very able students with backgrounds in chemistry or relevant life-science subjects such as biochemistry, biomedical science, pharmacy or pharmacology. It is an intensive one-year taught programme, unique in New Zealand.
Learn from academics and professionals who are leaders in the field and have experience in successfully taking drugs to market. Each course is taught by at least three academics so you'll be exposed to a wide range of expertise.
Drug Discovery and Development is taught by the Schools of Chemical and Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences in collaboration with the University's Ferrier Research Institute and the Centre for Biodiscovery.
You'll be able to take advantage of the research expertise of the Ferrier Research Institute in drug design and development, and if you're doing a Master's, you'll be working alongside the more than 30 scientists who make up the largest carbohydrate research team in the world. The Institute also has its own manufacturing facility so you'll have the opportunity to observe the drug development process from discovery to product.
You'll also benefit from the programme's links with the Centre for Biodiscovery where you will interact with the research teams that are actively discovering, designing and assessing novel bioactive compounds.
Get wise to the real-world issues facing pharmaceutical development and make the most of the hard-earned experiences of staff who have worked in the local and international biotech industry. Learn not only how to handle chemicals on a large scale, but to develop the mindset to do this in a way that is safe, reliable and robust—so you end up providing medicines that will change people’s lives.
Victoria offers three postgraduate qualifications in Drug Discovery and Development. Choose the one that suits your career goals, time constraints and financial situation.
If you begin by enrolling in the Certificate or Diploma programme you can continue on to complete your Master's. Or if you enrol in the Master's but can't complete it, for whatever reason, you may have completed enough points to be awarded a Certificate or Diploma.
Each qualification includes the core courses DRGD 401 Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, and a choice between DRDG 402 Drug Design or CHEM 421 Organic Chemistry and Bio-organic Chemistry.
After that you'll choose from selected courses from the study areas of Drug Discovery and Development, Biomedical Science, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Clinical Research and Microbiology.
All three qualifications give you the opportunity to do at least some research.
Postgraduate Certificate
You'll complete four courses worth 60 points made up of the two core courses and two further choices.
Postgraduate Diploma
You're likely to take seven courses that will include the two core courses, your elective options and the 30-point Research Preparation course.
Master's
You'll study for your Master's in two parts over three trimesters. In Part 1, the first two trimesters, you're likely to take seven courses that will include the core courses and a 30-point Research Preparation course.
In Part 2, you'll complete a full research project. Choose between DRDG 561 Applied Research Project, where you'll complete one or more problem-solving projects, or DRGD 590 Research Project, where you'll focus on medicinal chemistry and the formulation of active pharmaceutical products. In some cases you may be able to replace the research project with the thesis course DRGD 595.
Your Master's may be endorsed with a specialisation in either Drug Discovery, Drug Development or Chemical Biology. Check the requirements to find out what you need to do for these.
You can expect a workload of 40–45 hours a week for much of your studies.
The MDDD can be completed in 12 months full time, or in two years of part-time study but you'll need to discuss this option with the programme directorfirst. The Diploma will take you two trimesters and the Certificate one trimester.
You'll study at Wellington's Kelburn campus where you will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities. Students doing a research programme will also work in partnership the world-renowned Ferrier Research Institute in Lower Hutt.
Be part of a dynamic and collaborative scientific research community. Past students' research areas in drug discovery and development have included:
Become part of an active community of scientists. Postgraduate study at Victoria will help you build valuable relationships and networks with peers, university staff and future colleagues. You'll have unprecedented access to world industry leaders who visit as guest lecturers and run seminars with students.
You'll have the broad skills you need to work in drug discovery in companies, universities, research institutes or with drug regulatory authorities. You might work within the pharmaceutical, bioanalytical or chemical industries, or take your skills into nutraceuticals or agrichemicals.
The Master of Science (MSc) normally takes 12-18 months of full-time study to complete. The degree requires 180 points, which is made up of 90 points in taught papers and a 90-point thesis (research project). This balance of theses to taught papers may be changed subject to permission from the graduate co-ordinator in your chosen discipline.
Study a MSc at Waikato University and you will enjoy more lab and field work, more one-on-one time with top academics and access to world-class research equipment. Our great industry contacts will also mean exciting collaborations with local, national and international companies and organisations.
This is an ideal degree for students wanting to improve their career opportunities, and seeking a qualification that is potentially not so research-heavy.
This qualification is taught at a level significantly in advance of undergraduate study, providing you with the challenges and knowledge needed to prepare for a successful career.
The University of Waikato’s School of Science is home to a suite of well-equipped, world-class laboratories. You will have the opportunity to use complex research equipment and facilities such as NMR spectroscopy, DNA sequencing and the University of Waikato Herbarium (WAIK).
The computing facilities at the University of Waikato are among the best in New Zealand, ranging from phones and tablets for mobile application development to cluster computers for massively parallel processing. Students majoring in Computer Science, Mathematics or Statistics will have 24 hour access to computer labs equipped with all the latest computer software.
Students enrolling in an MSc via the Faculty of Science & Engineering can study Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Electronics, Materials and Processing, Physics, Psychology, and Science, Technology and Environmental Education.
Students taking Computer Science, Mathematics or Statistics will enrol through the Faculty of Computing & Mathematical Sciences.
An MSc is normally completed over 12-18 consecutive months, although it may be possible to study for the degree on a part-time basis. Each full-time student will normally enrol in the first year of the Masters programme in a minimum of 90 points’ worth of taught papers in addition to 30 points towards their thesis. These taught papers may be assessed exclusively on coursework, examination, or a mixture of both. In the second year each student will normally enrol in the remaining research and taught papers required to complete the degree. The degree may be awarded with First Class Honours, or Second Class Honours (first division), or Second Class Honours (second division), or without Honours.
You will spend more time putting theory into practice in the laboratories and out in the field. Smaller class sizes in taught papers mean more one-on-one time with renowned academics.
The University of Waikato also boasts excellent industry collaborations with organisations such as NIWA, AgResearch, Plant and Food Research and Landcare Research. These strong relationships generate numerous research projects for MSc students, who are able to work on real issues with a real client.
Depending on the major completed and your particular interests, graduates of this degree may find employment in a range of science-related industries.
Career opportunities
The Master of Science (Technology) (MSc(Tech)) degree will provide you with advanced technical abilities relevant to your area of specialisation. It will give you a great depth and breadth of knowledge of science and technology, particularly relating to technological issues in the industrial sector of the New Zealand economy.
Study an MSc(Tech) at Waikato University and you will enjoy more lab and field work, more one-on-one time with top academics and access to world-class research equipment. Our great industry contacts will also mean exciting collaborations with local, national and international companies and organisations.
The University of Waikato’s School of Science is home to a suite of well-equipped, world-class laboratories. You will have the opportunity to use complex research equipment and facilities such as NMR spectroscopy, DNA sequencing and the University of Waikato Herbarium (WAIK).
Students enrolling in an MSc(Tech) can study Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Electronics, Materials and Processing or Physics.
You will spend more time putting theory into practice in the laboratories and out in the field. Smaller class sizes in taught papers mean more one-on-one time with renowned academics.
The University of Waikato also boasts excellent industry collaborations with organisations such as NIWA, AgResearch, Plant and Food Research and Landcare Research. These strong relationships generate numerous research projects for MSc(Tech) students, who are able to work on real issues with a real client.
Graduates of this degree are well-prepared for a job in industry due to the combination of science and management papers studied. You can find employment in a wide range of science-related industries.
Get a degree that's recognised worldwide and contribute to knowledge in your field. A Master of Science (MSc) will develop your technical, laboratory and academic writing skills to prepare you for a career in science.
The MSc by thesis will take you between 12 and 15 months to complete. You'll carry out in-depth supervised research and write a thesis. During your studies you might also author publications for peer-reviewed journals.
To do an MSc by thesis you'll need an Honours degree or postgraduate diploma in an appropriate field, with an average grade of B+ or higher in your subject area.
If you are studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40–45 hours a week for much of the year. Part-time students will need to do around 20–23 hours of work a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working.
Get a degree that's recognised worldwide and contribute to knowledge in your field. A Master of Science (MSc) will develop your technical, laboratory and academic writing skills to prepare you for a career in science.
The MSc will take you between two and two and half years of full-time study or up to four years part time. In the first year of your MSc you'll take several courses related to your specialist subject area. Next, you'll carry out in-depth supervised research for 12–15 months and write a thesis. During your studies you might also author publications for peer-reviewed journals.
To do an MSc you'll need a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate field, with an average grade of B+ or higher in your subject area. You may also be able to qualify for entry if you have appropriate work or other experience.
Choose to complete this Master's programme or one of the specialist science Master's programmes. Most specialist programmes are 180 points and don't require a thesis.
If you have already done a BSc(Hons) you can apply to go directly into the 120-point MSc by thesis.
If you are studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40–45 hours a week for much of the year. Part-time students doing two courses per trimester will need to do around 20–23 hours of work a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working.
The Master of Applied Science (MAppSc) is a 180-point, coursework postgraduate degree. A candidate would normally be a graduate but the degree is also open to those with other relevant qualifications.
The MAppSc is designed for students who wish to pursue an interdisciplinary programme of study underpinned by science that delivers versatile skills relevant to multiple end-users. Optional paths are available that enphasize commercialisation, workplace-based projects or independent study.
The MAppSc can be completed in 12 months or in stages, providing flexibility for recent graduates and those currently employed.
View the list of subjects offered for the Master of Science (MSc) and the Master of Applied Science (MAppSc).
The programme of study:
-shall consist of approved papers at 400-level or higher worth at least 180 points, selected from the papers specified in Science Schedule D for the Master of Applied Science subject concerned, and including at least one of APPS 596-598
-shall normally include papers from more than one subject.
-may, with the approval of the Head of Department or Course Director concerned, include papers worth up to 60 points from 400- and 500-level papers other than those specified in Schedule D.
-A candidate who has completed the requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science shall be exempted from those papers in the programme for the degree which have previously been passed for the certificate or diploma.
