University of Oulu Chemistry of Sustainable Processes and Materials Master's Thesis Guide: Research Project, Thesis, Seminar and Laturi

Quick answer: the exact chemistry thesis model

The University of Oulu Chemistry of Sustainable Processes and Materials programme is a two-year 120-credit Master of Science. The exact 2026-2027 Peppi programme is 53384 / IMP2026CHEM_MSC. Unlike many programmes where one thesis course carries most of the research load, Chemistry separates the work into a 30 ECTS Research Project and a 20 ECTS Master’s Thesis. The thesis is a literature survey; the Research Project is the experimental or research component.

1. Public degree size versus raw Peppi range

The official programme page states 120 credits. The raw Peppi programme root reports 100-190 ECTS because it aggregates optional language studies, optional studies and other-study categories. That catalogue range must not be presented as the degree size. For publication purposes, the correct degree statement is 120 credits, while the Peppi range is useful only for understanding how broad optional branches are represented internally.

2. The Chemistry module

The main Chemistry study module is 53385 / IMP2026CHEM_MSC-1001, with a raw Peppi range of 95-120 ECTS. Within it, the common advanced chemistry category includes 780601S Project work, 12 ECTS, 780690S Seminar for the Degree of M.Sc, 3 ECTS, and 780699S Maturity Test, 0 ECTS. These common components sit alongside the major-specific 50 ECTS Research Project and thesis block.

3. Five major fields, five thesis codes

The 2026-2027 structure contains five major fields: Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Applied Chemistry. Each major has its own 30 ECTS Research Project code and its own 20 ECTS Master’s Thesis code. Students should therefore check their actual major before registering. There is no single universal chemistry thesis code for the programme.

4. Analytical Chemistry route

Analytical Chemistry uses 781660S Research Project in Analytical Chemistry, 30 ECTS, plus 781635S Master’s Thesis in Analytical Chemistry, 20 ECTS. The current thesis realization is 781635S-3006, and the current Research Project realization is 781660S-3005. Both belong to the 2026-2027 academic year.

5. Inorganic Chemistry route

Inorganic Chemistry uses 781607S Research Project in Inorganic Chemistry, 30 ECTS, plus 781602S Master’s Thesis in Inorganic Chemistry, 20 ECTS. The current thesis realization is 781602S-3005, while the Research Project realization is 781607S-3006.

6. Physical Chemistry route

Physical Chemistry uses 782607S Research Project in Physical Chemistry, 30 ECTS, plus 782602S Master’s Thesis in Physical Chemistry, 20 ECTS. The current thesis realization is 782602S-3005, and the Research Project realization is 782607S-3006.

7. Organic Chemistry route

Organic Chemistry uses 783607S Research Project in Organic Chemistry, 30 ECTS, plus 783602S Master’s Thesis in Organic Chemistry, 20 ECTS. The current thesis realization is 783602S-3005, while the Research Project realization is 783607S-3005.

8. Applied Chemistry route

Applied Chemistry uses 780685S Research Project in Applied Chemistry, 30 ECTS, plus 780682S Master’s Thesis in Applied Chemistry, 20 ECTS. The current thesis realization is 780682S-3005, and the Research Project realization is 780685S-3007.

9. Current realization period

The five current Master’s Thesis realizations and the five current Research Project realizations all run within 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027. This gives students a broad academic-year window, but the actual research schedule still depends on supervisor agreement, laboratory access, instrument availability and project planning.

10. The Research Project is the experimental research component

The 30 ECTS Research Project is where the student solves a research problem agreed with the supervisor. In Analytical, Inorganic, Physical and Applied Chemistry, the course wording expects about four months of full-time laboratory work plus a written report. Organic Chemistry similarly includes laboratory work but explicitly adds literature searching and analysis. This is the component that most closely resembles a conventional experimental research project.

11. The Master’s Thesis is a literature survey

The 20 ECTS Master’s Thesis is not described as the laboratory project. Across all five majors, the current course wording requires a survey of literature, developed with the supervisor. The expected length is 40-60 pages with approximately 50 references. This distinction is essential when planning workload, structure and evidence because experimental results belong primarily to the Research Project, while the thesis course is centred on scholarly synthesis.

12. Research Project and thesis can use different topics

The thesis course explicitly says the Master’s Thesis can be, but does not necessarily have to be, on the same topic as the Research Project. This gives flexibility. A student may use the Research Project to investigate one chemistry problem experimentally and write the thesis literature survey around the same problem, a broader context, or another approved topic. The final choice should be agreed with the supervisor.

13. Thesis workload and Laturi

Each major-specific Master’s Thesis course assigns 530 hours of independent literature research. The course also states that the entire thesis process is controlled with the help of the Laturi system. Students should therefore treat Laturi as part of the full thesis workflow, not merely a final upload location.

14. Thesis learning outcomes

The common thesis learning outcomes include independently searching, absorbing, interpreting and organising chemistry literature; critically investigating chemistry-related data and information; drawing conclusions; reporting with chemistry-specific scientific terminology; and responsibly evaluating digital solutions and AI technologies. These outcomes make the literature thesis analytical rather than descriptive.

15. Generative AI declaration is explicitly part of the thesis wording

The current thesis course states that a declaration of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process is excluded from the 40-60 page count. That wording makes AI disclosure a concrete thesis-format consideration. Students should follow the current University rules, verify AI-assisted outputs and keep confidential or unpublished research information out of external systems unless an approved basis exists.

16. Project work: 780601S, 12 ECTS

Before the Research Project and Master’s Thesis, the common advanced studies include 780601S Project work, 12 ECTS. It consists of laboratory research and a written report. The current realization is 780601S-3006, running across the 2026-2027 academic year. Completion of BSc studies and Project work is part of the stated prerequisite for starting the later Research Project and thesis.

17. Seminar: 780690S, 3 ECTS

The common seminar is 780690S Seminar for the Degree of M.Sc, 3 ECTS. Students deliver two 20-minute presentations, each structured as about 15 minutes of presentation plus 5 minutes for questions, on scientific topics related to the Master’s Thesis or Research Project. Completion also includes an abstract and self-evaluation for both talks.

18. Current seminar realizations

For 2026-2027, Peppi exposes two seminar realizations: 780690S-3013 and 780690S-3014. They split the academic year into two teaching periods. Because seminar scheduling can change by academic year, students should use the realization attached to their own registration rather than relying on an old timetable.

19. Maturity Test: 780699S, 0 ECTS

The exact maturity course is 780699S Maturity Test, 0 ECTS. The current realization is 780699S-3006, covering 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027. The course is compulsory and follows the Master’s Thesis.

20. The thesis abstract can be accepted as maturity

The current 780699S wording states that the maturity test is agreed with the responsible person of the Master’s Thesis and that the abstract from the Master’s Thesis can be accepted as the maturity test. This programme-specific mechanism should not be replaced with another programme’s Exam-system procedure. Students should still confirm their own language-history obligations under the wider University maturity rules.

21. Analytical Chemistry research design

Analytical Chemistry projects may focus on measurement, method development, validation, sample preparation or interpretation of complex chemical data. A strong method section should specify the analyte, matrix, instrument, calibration strategy, detection or quantification limits, controls, replicates and uncertainty. Method performance should be evaluated against the claim being made, not only against a visually clean chromatogram or spectrum.

22. NMR-supported organic chemistry research

783608S NMR as an analytical tool in organic synthesis supports independent NMR measurement, computer-based processing and interpretation, including one-dimensional and two-dimensional spectra. NMR is therefore a programme-supported analytical route for relevant projects, but it is not mandatory for every chemistry thesis. Report sample conditions, acquisition settings, processing choices and assignment logic when NMR evidence is central.

23. Inorganic and materials chemistry

Inorganic Chemistry projects may involve solid-state materials, catalysts, surfaces, battery materials or other functional inorganic systems. The 2026-2027 optional studies also include battery, electrochemistry, hydrometallurgy and surface-analysis routes. A thesis should define material composition, synthesis or preparation history, phase or surface characterisation and the property being linked to structure.

24. Surface analytical techniques

781658S Surface Analytical Techniques covers field-emission SEM, energy-filtered TEM, X-ray microanalysis and XPS, together with sample preparation and result interpretation. These methods probe different spatial, elemental and chemical-state information. A research report should explain why the selected technique is suitable for the question, how the sample was prepared and what limitations prevent over-interpretation.

25. Physical Chemistry and electrochemistry

782639S Electrochemistry supports electrochemical reactions, kinetics, electrolytes, thermodynamics, electrochemical cells, measurement methods and applications such as batteries, fuel cells, metal recovery and water purification. Electrochemical research should report electrode materials, electrolyte composition, cell geometry, reference system, scan or current conditions, temperature and appropriate normalisation.

26. Battery chemistry and components

782608S Battery chemistries and components covers Li-ion batteries, anode and cathode materials, electrolytes, cell assembly and emerging battery technologies, including green-chemistry perspectives. Battery-focused research should distinguish material synthesis, cell construction and electrochemical testing. Performance claims require clearly defined cycling conditions, capacity basis, voltage window, current rate and comparator.

27. Battery recycling chemistry

782644S Battery recycling chemistry and ecosystems covers mechanical, pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical recycling, sustainability challenges, legislation and industrial ecosystems. A recycling project should define the battery feed, pretreatment, recovery target, reagent or energy inputs, product purity and residue streams. High metal recovery alone does not prove environmental or economic superiority.

28. Hydrometallurgical chemistry

782640S Chemistry of Hydrometallurgical Processes covers concentrate pretreatment, leaching, solution purification, precipitation, crystallisation, cementation, extraction, ion exchange, electrowinning and electrorefining. Hydrometallurgical research should report feed composition, liquid-to-solid ratio, reagent concentrations, pH, temperature, residence time and selectivity. Recovery should be interpreted together with impurity behaviour and downstream requirements.

29. Catalysis

782641S Catalysis covers heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, reaction kinetics, catalyst preparation and characterisation. Catalytic research should separate conversion, selectivity, yield and stability, and should report catalyst mass, active material, temperature, pressure, residence time and feed composition where relevant. A single high-conversion point is not enough to establish a robust catalytic process.

30. Surface chemistry

782637S Surface Chemistry covers liquid-gas, liquid-liquid, solid-gas and solid-liquid interfaces, surface reactions, emulsions, foams, flotation, nucleation and surfactants. Surface phenomena are highly condition-dependent. A thesis should therefore report concentration, ionic strength, temperature, surface preparation, equilibration time and measurement protocol when those variables influence the observed behaviour.

31. Sustainable water-treatment chemistry

780660S Advanced water treatment chemistry covers municipal water and wastewater requirements and physical, chemical and biological treatment operations. Research in this area should connect treatment chemistry to influent characteristics, operational conditions and regulatory targets. Removal percentage alone can be misleading if starting concentrations, by-products, sludge production, reagent use or energy demand differ between alternatives.

32. Biomass-based platform chemicals

783666S Biomass-based platform chemicals and their organic analysis connects biomass conversion with thin-layer and liquid chromatography and requires scientific-style reporting. A biomass project should identify feedstock origin and composition, pretreatment, reaction conditions, analytical calibration and product-yield basis. Biomass variability can materially affect conversion, so representative feed characterisation is important.

33. Catalytic biomass conversion

NC00AU31 Catalytic processes for biomass conversion covers catalytic materials, thermocatalytic and photocatalytic conversion, graphitisation and platform-chemical production. When a project compares catalytic routes, keep feed, catalyst loading, reaction severity and analytical basis comparable. Claims about sustainability should identify energy and material inputs rather than assuming that biomass origin alone makes a route sustainable.

34. Industrial chemistry and circular economy

782638S Chemistry in Industrial Applications connects chemistry with mining, renewable energy, bioeconomy, energy storage, hydrogen, metal refining and circular use of wastes and side streams. This supports application-oriented thesis topics, but industrial relevance should not replace a clear scientific question. Define the chemical mechanism, material balance or evidence that supports the proposed industrial improvement.

35. Applied Chemistry is not one method

Applied Chemistry may combine water treatment, catalysis, hydrometallurgy, circular materials or industrial chemistry, depending on the supervisor and research problem. The label does not prescribe one instrument or experiment. The method should be built from the reaction, material, separation or environmental process being studied, with enough controls and analytical evidence to support the conclusion.

36. Literature search should be reproducible enough to audit

Because the 20 ECTS thesis is a literature survey, search quality is central. Record the main databases or search systems used, core terms, date limits, inclusion logic and how duplicate or irrelevant sources were handled. The current course specifies approximately 50 references, but reference count alone does not establish quality. Source relevance, recency, methodological strength and coverage of competing explanations matter.

37. Build a synthesis, not an annotated bibliography

A strong literature thesis should organise evidence around questions, mechanisms, materials, methods or competing interpretations. Avoid writing one paragraph per paper without synthesis. Compare study conditions and explain why results agree or conflict. In chemistry, differences in purity, concentration, temperature, catalyst preparation, analytical method or material history can explain apparent contradictions.

38. Use primary literature carefully

For mechanistic, analytical or materials claims, primary research articles often provide the experimental detail needed to judge evidence. Reviews are useful for orientation and terminology, but they can compress uncertainty and methodological differences. Trace important claims back to original studies where possible, especially when the thesis compares performance values or proposes a research gap.

39. Experimental reproducibility

The Research Project report should make experiments interpretable and repeatable within reasonable limits. Record reagent grades, concentrations, sample masses, preparation steps, instrument model, calibration or reference standards, temperature, time, atmosphere and data-processing rules where relevant. If a critical parameter was not measured, state the limitation rather than implying precision that the experiment did not provide.

40. Replicates, blanks and controls

Chemistry conclusions often depend on whether an observed change exceeds experimental variation or contamination. Use replicates, blanks, standards, positive or negative controls as appropriate to the method. Explain how outliers were handled and whether uncertainty reflects instrument precision, sample heterogeneity or both. A single measurement can be exploratory but rarely supports a strong general conclusion.

41. Calibration and quantitative analysis

Quantitative analytical work should document calibration range, model form, standards, quality checks and how values outside the calibrated range were treated. If matrix effects, baseline corrections or dilution steps matter, report them. Detection and quantification limits should be interpreted in relation to the actual sample and decision, not copied from an instrument brochure.

42. Safety, chemicals and waste

Laboratory chemistry involves chemical hazards, pressure, heat, electrical equipment, gases and waste streams. Follow current laboratory and University safety procedures, risk assessments and waste-segregation rules. The thesis method should mention safety-related constraints when they materially affect concentrations, scale, reaction conditions or sampling. Do not optimise performance by ignoring safe operating boundaries.

43. Sustainable chemistry claims need a comparison basis

Terms such as green, sustainable, circular or low-impact require a defined comparison. State which impact is being improved, against what baseline, and at what system boundary. A route can reduce toxic reagents while increasing energy use, or improve recovery while creating a difficult residue. Unless a full life-cycle assessment is performed, keep sustainability claims bounded to the measured indicators.

44. Company collaboration

The programme highlights strong collaboration with chemical industry and notes that students often complete master’s work with global companies. Company-connected work can provide relevant problems, equipment and data, but the academic requirements remain controlled by the University, supervisor and Laturi. Agree confidentiality, publication rights, data access and intellectual-property boundaries before the work becomes dependent on restricted information.

45. Confidential research and publication-safe writing

Unpublished formulations, process conditions, company datasets or patent-sensitive chemistry can conflict with public thesis requirements. Separate what is needed for academic evaluation from what is commercially restricted. Redaction, aggregation or publication-safe descriptions may be possible when scientifically defensible. Do not place sensitive details in appendices and assume they will remain private after Laturi handling.

46. Human participants are not the default chemistry route

Most programme evidence concerns laboratory, materials, analytical and process research. If a project unusually includes interviews, surveys or user studies, personal-data and human-participant obligations arise. In that case, define consent, identifiers, retention and access before collection. Formal human-sciences ethics review is not an automatic requirement for every chemistry project, but the classification should be done early when people are involved.

47. Responsible AI use in analysis and writing

AI tools may support literature discovery, code, data organisation or writing only within current University rules and the scientific method. The thesis course explicitly references an AI declaration. Verify generated claims and calculations, preserve provenance for material outputs and never upload confidential company, patent-sensitive or personal data without an approved basis.

48. Graduation follows the thesis components

Completing the literature thesis alone does not complete the degree. Students must also complete the relevant Research Project, common Project work, seminar, maturity requirement and the rest of the approved curriculum, then follow the current graduation procedure. Allow time for supervisor review, Laturi, seminar completion and administrative handling instead of treating the thesis upload date as the graduation date.

49. Recheck the 2027-2030 curriculum

This guide is anchored to 53384 / IMP2026CHEM_MSC for 2026-2027. Later cohorts should recheck the major-field branches, thesis and Research Project codes, seminar realizations, maturity procedure and optional course list. The distinction between experimental Research Project and literature Master’s Thesis is current evidence, but administrative details can change in the next curriculum.

50. Final pre-submission checklist

Before submission, verify your major-specific Research Project and Master’s Thesis codes; confirm 780601S Project work, 780690S seminar, and 780699S maturity status; make sure the 20 ECTS thesis is structured as the required literature survey; document search strategy and critical synthesis; resolve AI declaration, confidentiality and publication issues; confirm the Research Project report has adequate experimental detail and quality control; then follow the current Laturi and graduation instructions.

51. Structure the Research Project report around the scientific problem

The 30 ECTS Research Project report should make the supervisor-agreed research problem visible from beginning to end. Introduce the problem and scientific context, explain materials and methods, present results with appropriate quality control, and discuss what the evidence supports. Where several experiments are linked, explain why each experiment was necessary and how its result influenced the next step. A long sequence of laboratory procedures without a clear decision logic is difficult to evaluate as scientific problem solving.

52. Give the literature thesis a question-driven structure

For the 20 ECTS literature thesis, organise the 40-60 pages around one or more clearly defined literature questions. A useful structure can move from background and scope to search logic, thematic or mechanistic synthesis, comparison of evidence, unresolved disagreements, limitations and conclusions. The exact chapter names can vary, but the reader should always understand what body of literature is being evaluated and how the final conclusions were derived from it.

53. Keep Research Project evidence and thesis synthesis connected but distinct

When the Research Project and Master’s Thesis use related topics, the two components can strengthen each other without becoming duplicates. Experimental observations may reveal which mechanisms or methods need deeper literature analysis, while the literature thesis can provide context for interpreting experimental choices. Still, the Research Project should stand as a documented scientific investigation and the thesis should stand as an independent literature synthesis. Do not copy the project report into the thesis and call it a literature review.

54. Preserve raw data and data-processing provenance

For laboratory or analytical work, preserve raw data and record the steps that transform it into reported values. This includes baseline correction, peak integration, calibration equations, exclusions, normalisation, smoothing, fitting, image processing or any other consequential transformation. If scripts or specialised software are used, save versions and material settings where possible. Good provenance makes supervisor review easier and protects the project against accidental or irreproducible changes.

55. Compare methods on fitness for purpose

A sustainable-chemistry project may have several plausible analytical or process methods. Method selection should consider sensitivity, selectivity, sample throughput, reagent use, waste generation, cost, instrument access and the actual decision the data must support. The most sophisticated instrument is not automatically the best method. Explain why the chosen technique is fit for the sample, concentration range, research question and practical constraints.

56. Use supervision milestones deliberately

Because Project work, Research Project, literature thesis, seminar and maturity are separate formal components, students benefit from explicit supervision milestones. Agree when the research question is frozen, when methods are approved, when enough data exist to stop experiments, when the literature-thesis scope is stable, and when a draft is ready for Laturi. Early agreement reduces the risk of producing more experiments or reading more literature without improving the final academic argument.