How can you increase the sustainability of a chemical process? How can you make useful products from biomass waste?
How can you design a catalyst to convert the greenhouse gas CO2 into a biodegradable polymer? How can you use electricity to generate hydrogen from water? How can you recycle used car tyres into a waterproof rubber coating? How can you develop a new polymer that helps oil recovery from underground reservoirs?
These are some of the interesting questions you will be able to answer once you have completed the Master's degree programme in Chemical Engineering in Groningen. The two-year programme offers a core programme and then the choice between four specialisations: Advanced Process Technology, Bio-based Products, Industrial Catalysis and Polymeric Products.
Your research project will take place in one of our research groups in the field of Green Chemical Reaction Engineering and Chemical Product Technology. The Green Chemical Reaction Engineering group investigates the development of highly intensified catalytic technology for biomass conversion to biofuels and biobased chemicals. The Chemical Product Technology group performs research for the design of new or improved chemical products. Particular attention is devoted to the development of new catalytic systems and of polymeric products for specific applications. These activities are generally framed in a comprehensive sustainability context.
The unique feature of studying this Master programme at the University of Groningen is the combination of a wide range of Chemical Engineering topics with a solid background in Chemistry and a focus on Sustainability, which will allow you to become a modern chemical engineer that is well versed in both Product and Process Technology.
Read moreWhat I find remarkable about this degree programme is the relationship between lecturers and students
I have already almost finished the first year of my Master's degree programme, and I hope I've passed all my exams! I am following the Catalysis track.
After the summer, I will continue by conducting a study. This study will revolve around how to extract aviation fuel from CO2 and carbon monoxide using a catalyst, and above all, how this can be done more efficiently and on a larger scale. My Bachelor’s research was on a similar topic, and I asked my supervisor whether I could be involved in another research study in this area.
I wanted to stay in Groningen upon obtaining my Bachelor’s degree. The degree programme suits me well and I have a lot of friends here. What I find remarkable about this degree programme is the relationship between lecturers and students. It is surprisingly enjoyable; the lecturers are very approachable. You can easily ask them questions or perhaps even ask them whether they know of any interesting student assistant jobs.
I also value that the degree programme is continuously working on improvement, that there are annual feedback sessions, and that they actually want to know what students think of it. I couldn’t attend the feedback session this year, and the lecturer made a separate appointment with me to hear my thoughts.
Innovation makes waste water treatment more sustainable and cheaper
