Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Chemistry is experimenting, researching and analysing. Do you want to make sure diseases are no longer life-threatening or do you solve murder cases based on DNA analysis? Do you want to create a better world? Then choose the Chemistry degree programme.

From wastewater to medicines and plastics

You research the composition of substances and products and can analyse them down to the last molecule. From wastewater to medicines and plastics. For example, when suspicion arises that the groundwater has been contaminated, you can investigate whether this is actually the case.

Contributing to a better world

In addition to your investigative attitude, you are curious and like to come up with new plans. Would you like to work as a chemical researcher in industry, education or a research institute? The HZ Chemistry study programme will train you to become an analytical and accurate researcher who is able to contribute to a better world.

Study tracks

This programme offers 2 different study tracks:

Life Sciences

Understanding human diseases such as cancer, metabolic disorders, autoimmunity and infectious diseases at the level of cells and their molecules seems more important than ever. This knowledge enables researchers to develop new drugs, vaccines and other treatment strategies. And ensures that they can thoroughly cover technical principles such as recombinant DNA technology, bioinformatics and cell culture. You will gain practical experience in the laboratory with important techniques such as immunological tests, biochemical analyses and genetic screening. You will also become acquainted with the ethical and technical challenges that this type of research faces.

Applied Chemistry

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), drawn up by the UN, are guidelines for a sustainable world in which we make better use of scarce resources. These goals can only be achieved if we fully improve the process from raw material to product and vice versa. In this study route, you will learn to conduct practice-oriented research. You will use advanced analytical techniques to answer your research questions. Consider, for example, making biodegradable plastics that can be easily recycled. Experts from large multinationals and market leaders in their respective fields, share their experience with you by providing guest lectures. You work with other students on regional projects related to the marine environment that benefit the province of Zeeland.

HZ University of Applied Sciences is located in the South-West of the Netherlands. With a population of some 4,800 national and international students, we are a small university with a personal approach. HZ offers high-quality study programs. Since 2011 - so for the past eleven years - HZ has been in the top three Dutch multidisciplinary universities of applied sciences.

As a university of applied sciences, we focus on practice-based education and research opportunities. Our close cooperation with the business world, various research centers, and our global network of partner universities are of paramount importance.

About us

HZ has around 4,800 students divided over four study years and some 25 bachelor's degree programs, eight of which are taught in English. Some 500 students come from outside the Netherlands, so we have a great mix of Dutch and international students. Easy mathematics will tell you that with such numbers, classes are going to be small.

Where students matter

Teachers and staff put great emphasis on individual coaching. Your study coach will help you choose courses and explore your career possibilities. Ask any international student and they will tell you the lecturers and tutors are readily available to assist you when needed. HZ also has facilities and individual services for students with a disability or chronic illness.

Our professional expertise

As a university of applied sciences, we have positioned ourselves as experts in Water, Energy, and Vitality. Our programs are fully in line with these spearheads.

At the top

Every year the ‘Keuzegids Hoger Onderwijs’ (Guide to Higher Education) holds a survey of higher education in the Netherlands. Since 2011 the guide has ranked HZ in the top 3 multidisciplinary Dutch universities of applied sciences. The quality and accessibility of our lecturers and the small student groups are among HZ’s assets. But also the classrooms, workspaces, and computer facilities were rated as excellent.

Quality & Accreditation

HZ in the top 3

The Netherlands consistently ranks among the best education systems in the world. Every year the ‘Keuzegids Hoger Onderwijs’ (Guide to Higher Education) holds a survey of higher education in the Netherlands. HZ has ranked in the top three multidisciplinary universities of applied sciences since 2011.

Accreditation

HZ is a government-funded University of Applied Sciences (HBO). To obtain government funding in the Netherlands, institutes must continually meet a number of quality requirements. The quality of the departments and programs is regularly evaluated by acknowledged VBI’s (Visiting Assessment Organisations) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science.

The Bachelor's programs, including the English-language programs, taught at HZ have been accredited by the NVAO (Netherlands-Flemish Accreditation Organisation) based on international agreements.

Mission statement

We are a knowledge institute with a worldwide orientation, with a specific orientation within durability & water, safety, innovation & enterprise knowledge domains.

The various target groups can master their chosen competencies via custom-made education, for a lifelong career in a multicultural and multiform society. We want to be a partner to companies, institutes, and authorities, in order to look after their every knowledge and innovation need. We, therefore, focus on a number of spearheads, which makes us attractive to a market that goes way beyond the regional and even the national borders. These spearheads are durability and water, safety and innovation & enterprise. This is also re-emphasized by the existence of lecturers in these specific areas.

Every person counts

A mission is also constantly embedded in a set of ‘values’, which provides direction for thoughts and actions. Our core values are quality, personal development, mutual respect, and professional orientation. Various HZ places and documents also emphasize the required attention for ethnic and interpretation issues, both in general and in professional situations. We want to be a community where every person counts and where every person is seen as an individual, where working together is high on the list of priorities, and where there is mutual respect for the development possibilities of all involved.