New Master's degree program in Business Chemistry: This is what awaits you in Rostock!

New Master's degree program in Business Chemistry: This is what awaits you in Rostock!

A new interdisciplinary master's degree program in business chemistry will be introduced at the Institute of Chemistry at the University of Rostock in the winter semester 2025/2026. This innovative course of study, which adapts to the needs of a changing economic landscape, combines chemical subjects with business and economics content. Enrollments are now possible.

The increasing importance of sustainability, circular economy, climate change, environmental awareness, resource conservation and energy efficiency is reflected in the new master's curriculum. “Business chemistry is available at a few German universities, but demand is high,” explains Professor Peter Langer, who led the development of the bachelor’s and master’s programs.

Structure and content of the course

The master's degree program is organized in a pyramid-like structure. At the base are the basic modules, which consist of 24 credit points in business administration and 36 credit points in various chemical disciplines. In addition, students can choose two elective modules (6 credits each) from different areas of business administration and chemistry, with the following focus areas available:

• Wirtschaftswissenschaften:
  • Management und Führung
  • Finanzierung
  • Industrielles Management
  • Marketing
  • Wirtschaftsinformatik
• Chemie:
  • Anorganische Chemie
  • Organische Chemie
  • Physikalische Chemie
  • Bioanalytische Chemie

The middle level of the program includes advanced modules, including a chemical research internship and an economics seminar. These modules are designed to teach scientific research methodology using case studies and enable students to pursue their own interests in choosing a specialization.

Focus on interdisciplinary perspectives

A central feature of the new degree program is the interdisciplinary advanced module in business chemistry, which deals with aspects of sustainable business in chemistry. Here, students learn to consider the economic and ecological challenges along the value chain.

The highlight of the course is the interdisciplinary thesis, which is worth 30 credit points. This work combines the two sub-disciplines and leaves room for individual research topics from the working groups of the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy.

In recent years, the University of Rostock has recorded a significant increase in the number of students in the Bachelor's degree program in Business Chemistry, which has almost tripled in the first year. This trend emphasizes the growing need for graduates with interdisciplinary knowledge, which also leads to promising career opportunities for future industrial chemists.

Master's graduates are prepared for a dynamic professional world in which economic and chemical skills are equally in demand. Supported by large affiliated institutes such as the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis and the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, the university offers a well-founded research landscape that enriches learning and research. Professor Langer is optimistic about the development of the new master's degree program and thanks everyone involved for the successful collaboration.