Chemistry
The Institute of Chemistry, University of Silesia, is a recognized research and didactic centre. It cooperates with numerous domestic and international institutions to do research on issues which constitute key problems of contemporary chemistry. Findings are published in prestigious international scientific journals. The fact that many of the institute’s researchers are members of editorial boards of chemistry journals confirms the significance of this research. The institute has the latest testing instruments. Students may join the Chemistry Club and carry out their own research projects. The institute also participates in the Lifelong Learning Programme/Erasmus, under which our students (undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral) study at universities in EU member states (Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Holland), and we receive students from abroad. Since 1992 the institute has been issuing Acta Chromatographica, an international journal of chemistry listed on the ISI Master Journal List.
We offer full-time undergraduate (3 years, 6 semesters) and postgraduate (2 years, 4 semesters) programmes in the field of Chemistry. Students may choose one of the following specializations: General Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry or Computer Chemistry, Green Chemistry and Clean Technologies, and Inorganic and Organic Technology.
Career opportunities
Modern instrumental techniques, which students get familiarized with in the course of study, will turn them into specialists sought after in highly-specialized laboratories. Thorough knowledge of chemistry, supplemented with elements of computer science, biochemistry and foundations of physics and mathematics, provides graduates a wide range of employment opportunities in both biochemical and physicochemical laboratories. Knowledge and skills of graduates are also used, e.g. in forensic tests and environmental research. Our alumni usually work as analysts, organic and inorganic synthesis specialists, and technologists in many sectors of the contemporary and advanced chemical industry. They are also hired as specialists in pharmaceutical companies or companies which deal with reagents or specialist laboratory apparatus. If they complete a pedagogy course, they are qualified to work as chemistry teachers. Moreover, they find employment in institutions which specialize in the broadly-defined field of ecology, and monitoring and protection of the environment. Chemists who have received exceptional education, and who additionally have IT-related knowledge and skills, are employed in institutions which conduct research in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, biology, pharmacy and medicine.
Graduates will have acquired a comprehensive knowledge of chemical composition and nomenclature of medicines, the interrelation between their biological activity and chemical composition, drug metabolism, and chemical aspects of the working mechanism of medicines. This will enable them to find employment in the chemical industry and related industries as controllers of technological processes, specialists in organization and planning of production, designers of technological processes or chemical analysts in industrial laboratories dealing with process control and quality control. Additionally, if they supplement their qualifications, they will be able to work in technical and chemical rescue units.
Location
Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry
ul. Bankowa 14, 40-007 Katowice
