A chemistry degree gives you sought-after scientific, analytic and problem solving skills.
This is an exciting and challenging time for chemistry. Solutions to global challenges such as sustainability, energy supply and health and medicine will all require new materials and molecules. These will be developed by chemists.
The study of chemistry is fun and interesting and the topics you will cover are stimulating and relevant. Your lecturers are passionate, engaging and internationally recognised researchers.
Learn the fundamentals
The Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Massey University will provide you with a foundation in chemistry’s fundamental principles. You’ll learn theories of structure of molecules and materials and how structure determines their properties and reactivity. You’ll also learn how to synthesise new compounds and analytical methods.
We have slightly different applications on our different campuses. For instance, fundamental principles are applied to modern research and applications in chemical biology, chemical synthesis and materials/nanoscience if you study at Manawatū. On our Auckland campus, they are applied more to computational, environmental and biological chemistry.
Real-world problem solving
You’ll be able to carry out experiments and projects applying fundamental chemistry knowledge to solve real-world problems. Previous students have:
- developed new porous materials that can capture carbon dioxide to combat global warming
- worked with veterinarians to develop new materials for controlled anaesthetic release
- applied machine-learning methods for fast and accurate spectroscopic analysis of forage feeds and pasture types
- built their own scientific instrumentation.
Get connected
You’ll gain connections and experience within industry while studying including summer internships with Crown Research Institutes.
State-of-the-art equipment
You’ll receive training and learn techniques for instruments. These include:
- molecular analysis
- x-ray crystallography
- nuclear magnetic resonance
- FTIR
- Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy
- mass spectrometry
- ultra high performance liquid chromatography
- gas absorption and membrane testing.
Careers
Upon graduating you’ll be able to apply your fundamental knowledge to challenging global issues. You will develop critical thinking skills which, combined with analytical and problem solving skills and your understanding of the principles of chemistry will allow you to make valuable contributions to public debates. These include climate change, water quality and sustainable use of resources.
For example chemists are developing materials to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They are developing batteries that use earth-abundant elements. And they are investigating magnetic molecules for sustainable computing and quantum computing applications. Chemists work with biologists, physicists and biochemists to design and synthesise new pharmaceuticals for treating cancer and other diseases.