Studying chemistry at RPTU: “We live and breathe the link between research and teaching”

“Studying chemistry is fun, but it's more time-consuming than I initially thought,” reports Master's student Vanessa Hofmann, who appreciates having received such comprehensive training in her Bachelor's degree - both in theory and in practice.Now in her Master's degree, exciting laboratory internships and cutting-edge research questions await her.

Combining laboratory practice and theory appealed to her: “You don't find that in other subjects,” says Vanessa Hofmann when asked why she decided to study chemistry. She found out in advance about the study conditions at the Pupils' Day and the Study Info Day - at that time still at TU Kaiserslautern. She also took a look at the module handbook and examination regulations. “I already knew people from the higher semesters. I ultimately decided to study in Kaiserslautern because the campus university appealed to me.” She likes the additional support offered to students by the chemistry student council: “There is a first-year program and introductory events at the beginning of the course.” Vanessa Hofmann herself volunteered in the student council for three years: “The student council organizes events for the students and is available as a point of contact.”

After completing her Bachelor's degree, the 23-year-old is now in her first Master's semester - and says: “It's still a lot of fun, even if studying chemistry is different to what I initially imagined.” This is because the academic course is more time-consuming than expected: “We have theory in the mornings and labs in the afternoons.” A day-filling program - but one that has its justification: “For example, equipment that we need for laboratory practice was explained to us very well in theory.”

Foundation course provides a broad-based education

Organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry and physical chemistry are on the curriculum of the Bachelor's degree course. “Among other things, we deal with the synthesis and purification of products.” The Bachelor's degree provides a broad-based foundation course. “Everyone has at least one basic and one advanced practical course in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.” In addition, students can individually choose further specializations in biochemistry, theoretical chemistry and technical chemistry. “You then have a further work placement in one of these subjects,” reports Vanessa Hofmann.

Very good results in the CHE university ranking

The fact that students are satisfied with the courses offered by the Department of Chemistry at RPTU is once again underlined by the latest university ranking by the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE). The department's Bachelor's degree courses score very well in terms of course organization (4.6 out of a possible 5 stars). They also score well in terms of teaching academic and methodological skills. Andrea Langenstein, course manager at the Department of Chemistry, is satisfied with these survey results: “We are happy that our students rate the teaching so highly. It is important that we can compare ourselves with other universities. And the feedback gives us the opportunity to continue working on our performance.”

Andrea Langenstein, who is a graduate chemist herself, adds that the Bachelor's and Master's degree courses in Chemistry have recently been reaccredited, meaning they have undergone quality assurance and have been revamped in some areas. For example, independent scientific work and the topic of digitalization are now given even more importance in the Bachelor's degree course. Vanessa Hofmann, together with other students, was also intensively involved in this process on a voluntary basis - in particular as a member of the Study and Teaching Committee and the Faculty Council.

Research for the Bachelor's thesis in the field of inorganics

And what is the greatest difficulty in studying chemistry? Vanessa Hofmann: “The theory isn't always easy. You have to want to get to grips with it. When it comes to lab work, you have to be willing to grow.” Laboratory work also increases in terms of difficulty and effort: “The time you spend in the lab increases in the higher semesters.”

Vanessa Hofmann wrote her Bachelor's thesis in inorganic chemistry. The subject was a copper complex that is catalytically active: “It accelerates certain reactions. But it is unstable in air.” As part of her Bachelor's thesis, the task was to modify the copper complex so that it remains stable in air - and does not decompose in air.

“We live and breathe the link between research and teaching”

Once they have completed their Bachelor's degree, chemistry students at Master's level can choose from three specializations: “Reactivity, Catalysis and Sustainability”, “Spectroscopy, Magnetism and Materials” and “Life Science and Bioanalytics”. The special thing about the Master's degree: “Unlike the Bachelor's degree, you have a higher proportion of courses taught in English,” reports Andrea Langenstein. “And you complete research internships in which you are already directly involved in one of our research groups at the department.” Research at the department is at the cutting edge, contributes to the issues of the future, “it's about sustainability or energy systems”, and much more. Research topics are incorporated into the lectures and seminars - and in the research internships and Master's theses, Master's students are involved in scientific projects: “We are a place where the link between research and teaching is put into practice.”

Master's student Vanessa Hofmann has chosen to focus on “Reactivity, Catalysis and Sustainability” and “Life Science and Bioanalytics”. She is not yet sure what she will do after her Master's degree. “You often hear that you should do a doctorate after studying chemistry. But I've also heard about other careers.” Nevertheless, she can well imagine doing a doctorate: “I would be interested in working on a topic for a longer period of time.”

Industry, sales, research and development: many career options later on

And after that? What career direction should she take later? “Maybe into industry as a laboratory manager.” But she would also like to work at a university: “I would like to help train the next generation of students.” In general, a degree in chemistry opens up many opportunities: “You can easily work your way into many areas.” In addition to industry, research and development, for example, you could also go into sales.

You should have fun, curiosity and enjoy experimenting

And what should prospective students know in advance? What should you bring with you to study chemistry? “A good understanding of mathematics and, above all, science, fun, curiosity and a love of experimentation,” says Andrea Langenstein - and adds: ”You can find more information on our page for prospective students.”

“Studying chemistry can be a lot of fun if you stay on the ball,” says Vanessa Hofmann, describing her experiences. “You should be interested in learning lots of new things, even independently, and you should enjoy laboratory work.” An advanced chemistry course - or even mathematics and physics - in the upper school is not absolutely necessary: There are good courses on offer at the university that can help you close gaps in your knowledge, such as the math pre-courses. “You can achieve a lot through hard work,” says Vanessa Hofmann, who knows how to master her challenging studies: ”You grow into a lot of things quite well during your studies. You are supported and not alone.”

Text:Christine Pauli