Master in Life Sciences - Analytical Chemistry

School of Life Sciences

Do you want to understand biological systems at the molecular level and work with the latest analytical methods? Then the Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry at our university is your next step.

Factsheet

Degree: Master of Science in Life Sciences
Study mode: Full-time and Part-time
Learning environment: Online and Onsite
ECTS points: 90 / 120 (Double Degree)
Next start: 14.9.2026
Duration: 3 semesters (full‑time)/6 semesters (part‑time)
Language: English
Place: FHNW Campus Muttenz, Hofackerstrasse 30, 4132 Muttenz
Staying abroad: Possible
Application fee: CHF 200
Semester fee: CHF 750 / CHF 1 000 / CHF 5 000

At a glance

Specialised training in Analytical Chemistry: Gain in-depth knowledge of modern analytical methods such as high-resolution mass spectrometry and 2D NMR spectroscopy to investigate and characterise complex biological systems.
Practice-oriented master thesis: Complete an eight-month master thesis, often carried out in collaboration with industry partners, to gain practical experience in real projects.
Individual study design: Choose from a wide range of modules and tailor your studies to your interests and career plans.
International opportunities: Spend an exchange semester abroad or do your thesis at one of our partner universities.
Career opportunities in research and industry: Prepare yourself for challenging tasks in the pharmaceutical industry, analytical chemistry and related fields.

Why study this?

What career opportunities are open to you?

Analytical chemistry underpins almost all life science disciplines and plays a central role in studying drugs, formulations, metabolites, foodstuffs, natural products, materials and medical products. Demand for specialists is growing steadily as technological developments and the need for deeper molecular insights drive research. This degree prepares you for challenging roles in both industry and academia.

The demand for experts in the field of analytical chemistry is steadily increasing as technological developments and the demand for deeper insights at the molecular level drive research activities in life sciences.

Typical areas of employment for graduates are:

Pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies: medicine development and quality control.
Research and development laboratories: analysis and characterisation of biological systems.
Regulatory authorities and certification bodies: Monitoring and evaluation of analytical methods.
Food and environmental analysis: Examination of constituents and pollutants.

Structure and programme contents

The programme provides in‑depth knowledge of modern analytical methods and their applications. The focus is on strategies for investigating, identifying and characterising metabolites, biomarkers, proteins, formulations and biological tissues.

ðCore modules are dedicated to mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy and their impact on life sciences applications, including studies of state of the art technologies like MS/MS 2D NMR techniques.

Other topics include structural protein analysis, characterisation of solids and biological systems imaging.

You can also choose modules from related fields such as Organic Chemistry, Bioanalytics, Biotechnology or Pharma Technology. This allows you to structure your studies in a flexible and practical way – tailored to your interests and professional goals.

Details of the degree programme

Programme structure

The master’s degree programme consists of three key components: core competences, specialised training and the thesis. In the first part of your degree programme, you will complete modules totalling 50 ECTS. These include your chosen core competences modules (at least 12 ECTS) and specialised training, allowing for individual specialisation. This is followed in the final semester by the thesis, completed over eight months and worth 40 ECTS.

The following is an example of a programme structure for a full-time course (three semesters); part-time students generally take the modules in four semesters.

Full-time course

The master’s degree can be started in the spring or autumn semester and is designed as a full-time programme over three semesters. In the first two semesters, the focus is on lectures and expanding specialist skills.

From the third semester onwards, you will devote yourself to your eight-month MSc thesis, which concludes your studies.

The following is an example of the full-time course starting in the autumn semester:

Part-time study

The master’s degree programme can also be done part-time starting in the spring or autumn semester on a work-study basis. This generally takes six semesters.

Experience has shown that a workload of 50 to 60% is easily compatible with part-time studies.

As a part-time student, you attend lectures over several semesters and usually start your thesis after the fourth semester.

The following is an example of the part-time course starting in the autumn semester:

A total of 50 ECTS credits (i.e. 17 modules each worth 3 ECTS credits) must be earned. Other modules can be selected: Module overview (English)

You can also plan your studies in advance with our MSc Life Sciences planning tool.

Module Groups for the Analytical Chemistry specialisation

Analytical Chemistry

choose 4 of 5

Advanced NMR Spectroscopy
Advanced Mass Spectrometry
Biostructures and Solid State Sciences
Molecular & Translational Imaging
Proteomics and Protein Analysis

Electives

choose 4 of 8

Genomics
Biomarkers
Bioorganic and Bioconjugate Chemistry
From Supramolecular Chemistry to Drug Discovery
Cellular Imaging
Modern Technologies in Organic Synthesis
Laboratory Automation in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Process Analytical Technology

Cluster-specific modules

choose 3 of 7

Surface Characterisation
Chemistry and Energy
Bioanalytics in a Regulated Environment
Green Chemistry
Compound Profiling in Pharmaceutical Drug Discovery
Foodomics
Physicochemical Principles of Pharmaceutics

Core competence modules

choose 4 of 8

Handling and Visualizing Data
Business Administration for Life Sciences
Design and Analysis of Experiments
Management and Leadership for Life Sciences
Modelling and Exploration of Multivariate Data
Innovation and Project Management
Data and Ethics
Politics and Society

Thesis

The eight-month thesis is the core module of the MSc programme and comprises 40 ECTS. You will work on a challenging, application-oriented project with a direct link to current issues in research or practice. You may work in a company, university, a research institute in Switzerland or abroad, or at an institute of the FHNW School of Life Sciences.

International

Our master's programme opens up global horizons: whether aiming for a double degree, planning your master's thesis overseas or coming to us from abroad, we will support you every step of the way!

Outgoing Students: Doing your Master's thesis abroad: Information

Incoming Students: Studying with us as an international student: Information

Requirements and admission

Direct admission requires:

a Bachelor’s degree in a related field from a university of applied sciences or university with a good grade (Switzerland: A, B or ≥ 5; Germany/Austria: at least “good”),

sufficient English proficiency.

If you do not fully meet the requirements, you may be invited to a personal interview.

Proof of sufficient English skills must be provided with one of the following certificates:

Type of certificate	Required level
CE (Cambridge English)	B2/FCE
IELTS (English Language Testing System)	5.5
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)	IBT 72
Spoken or Written Academic English (module in the bachelor’s degree programme at the FHNW School of Life Sciences)	4.5

If you are unable to provide evidence of the required command of English, you are obliged to improve it during your master’s degree programme. You can either attend the advanced English course offered by the FHNW School of Life Sciences or other suitable language courses. At the end of the programme, proof must be provided that the required level of English has been achieved (see table above).

Organisational matters

The international Master of Science in Life Sciences is conducted in collaboration with other Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences: Berner Fachhochschule BFH, Haute Ecole Spécialisée de la Suisse Occidentale HES-SO and Zürcher Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften ZHAW.

Course start

The Master's programme starts in the autumn semester (calendar week 38). It is also possible to start the programme in the spring semester (calendar week 8).

Tuition fees

The following semester and registration fees are charged in accordance with FHNW regulations. Further details can be found in the FHNW fee schedule, valid from academic year 2025/26.

Tuition fees per semester:

CHF 750

Swiss citizens
Students legally resident in Switzerland at the start of their studies
Students whose parents are legally resident in Switzerland at the start of their studies
Recognised refugees and stateless persons who are legally resident in Switzerland.

CHF 1 000