Educational Process

The Master’s programme in Green Chemistry equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to develop clean technologies and innovative solutions in green chemistry aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Graduates are prepared to contribute to a future circular economy and to compete successfully in an international scientific and industrial environment.

The programme comprises 120 ECTS credits, corresponding to a standard duration of four semesters of full-time study.

ECTS credits measure the student workload required to complete academic studies. One academic year corresponds to 60 ECTS credits.

The curriculum is structured into compulsory modules, elective modules, transferable skills, and the master’s thesis.

 

  • Programme Structure

    Basics of Green Chemistry – compulsory modules (36 ECTS)

    The following five compulsory modules form the foundation of the programme:

    • Concepts of Green Chemistry (6 ECTS)
    • Feedstocks and Renewables (6 ECTS)
    • Environmental Analytical Chemistry and Toxicology (6 ECTS)
    • Sustainable Development (6 ECTS)
    • Green Chemistry Laboratory (12 ECTS)

    All five modules are mandatory.

    Bound Electives (minimum 36 ECTS)

    Students must complete at least 36 ECTS credits from elective modules, selecting courses from at least three of the following four areas:

    • Design (minimum 12 ECTS)
    • Synthesis (minimum 12 ECTS)
    • Reagents and Feedstocks (minimum 12 ECTS)
    • Processes and Utilization (minimum 12 ECTS)

    Elective requirements:

    • At least 12 ECTS must be selected from three different elective modules
    • Within each selected module, at least 6 ECTS must come from lectures or seminars
    • Across the three modules, at least 9 ECTS must come from laboratory work, tutorials, internships, or projects
    • At least 9 ECTS of elective courses must be completed at each participating university

    If students complete more than 36 ECTS within the elective modules, the excess credits may reduce the workload in the Free Electives and Transferable Skills module accordingly. However, at least 6 ECTS in transferable skills remain mandatory.

    Free Electives and Transferable Skills (18 ECTS)

    This module allows students to broaden their academic profile through courses chosen freely from scientific, artistic, or interdisciplinary offerings at recognised national and international post-secondary institutions.

    These courses may serve to deepen subject knowledge or to develop additional competencies beyond the core discipline.

    Requirement:

    • At least 6 ECTS must be completed in transferable skills
  • Course Registration and Information

    Detailed course information offered by TU Wien is available in TISS.

    Please note that advance registration is required for some courses. Students are advised to carefully review prerequisites, mandatory requirements, and expected prior knowledge before enrolment.

  • Recommended Study Progression

    Recommended Start: Winter Semester

    Starting in the winter semester is strongly recommended, as many elective courses build upon compulsory modules offered in the first semester.

    Semester Plan (Winter Start)

    1st Semester (Winter) – 30 ECTS

    • Concepts of Green Chemistry (6 ECTS)
    • Feedstocks and Renewables (6 ECTS)
    • Elective courses (12 ECTS)
    • Free electives and transferable skills (6 ECTS)

    2nd Semester (Summer) – 30 ECTS

    • Environmental Analytical Chemistry and Toxicology (6 ECTS)
    • Sustainable Development (6 ECTS)
    • Elective courses (6 ECTS)
    • Green Chemistry Laboratory I (6 ECTS)
    • Free electives and transferable skills (6 ECTS)

    3rd Semester (Winter) – 30 ECTS

    • Elective courses (18 ECTS)
    • Green Chemistry Laboratory II (6 ECTS)
    • Free electives and transferable skills (6 ECTS)

    4th Semester (Summer) – 30 ECTS

    • Master’s Thesis (27 ECTS)
    • Final Oral Examination (3 ECTS)

    Semester Plan (Summer Start)

    Students beginning in the summer semester are advised to follow this sequence:

    1st Semester (Summer) – 30 ECTS

    • Environmental Analytical Chemistry and Toxicology (6 ECTS)
    • Sustainable Development (6 ECTS)
    • Elective courses (12 ECTS)
    • Free electives and transferable skills (6 ECTS)

    2nd Semester (Winter) – 30 ECTS

    • Concepts of Green Chemistry (6 ECTS)
    • Feedstocks and Renewables (6 ECTS)
    • Elective courses (6 ECTS)
    • Green Chemistry Laboratory II (6 ECTS)
    • Free electives and transferable skills (6 ECTS)

    3rd Semester (Summer) – 30 ECTS

    • Elective courses (18 ECTS)
    • Green Chemistry Laboratory I (6 ECTS)
    • Free electives and transferable skills (6 ECTS)

    4th Semester (Winter) – 30 ECTS

    • Master’s Thesis (27 ECTS)
    • Final Oral Examination (3 ECTS)
  • Course Types

    The programme offers the following course formats across all participating universities:

    • VO (Lecture): Presentation of subject content and methods.
    • UE (Exercise): Practical application of theoretical knowledge through supervised individual or group work.
    • VU (Lecture with Integrated Tutorial): Combines lecture and exercise elements in one course.
    • SE (Seminar): Scientific work on a defined topic or project, including presentation, discussion, and reflection.
    • EX (Excursion): Teaching activities outside the university environment to deepen subject understanding in a practical context.
  • Degree Award and Graduation Requirements

    Graduates of the programme are awarded the academic degree Master of Science (MSc)

    To complete the degree successfully, students must:

    1. Successfully complete all required modules according to the curriculum
    2. Submit a positively assessed master’s thesis
    3. Pass the final oral examination before an examination board

    The final examination includes:

    • Presentation and defence (Defensio) of the master’s thesis
    • Demonstration of understanding of the wider scientific context of the thesis topic

    Registration for the final examination is possible once all modules and the master’s thesis have been successfully completed.