Organic chemistry is everywhere in today’s world. Mastering organic chemistry is crucial for the design of a wide range of everyday products, novel products and processes. Design of materials with tailor-made properties requires an enhanced understanding of their synthesis, physico-chemical characteristics, and characterization and structure-property relationships at the molecular level.

The MSc in Applied Organic Chemistry Program provides a broad background in organic chemistry both at theoretical and experimental level. This is accomplished via courses/practical classes covering different areas related to organic chemistry.

An historic change was made on October 24, 2009 when two courses of the program were offered on-line, enabling the busy postgraduate students to access the lessons from home. The department envisages offering this program via dual mode and more courses will be offered on-line in the future.

Application for admission to the course will be entertained from candidates who have passed the BSc Degree with Chemistry as a subject from a recognized university

OR

an equivalent qualification acceptable to the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo.

The candidates will be selected based on academic merits, and an interview.

* Links for information on UGC recognized Universities/Higher Educational Institutes:

• Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (http://www.ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-and-institutes/universities.html )
• University Grant Commission (UGC) recognized foreign Universities (http://www.ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-andinstitutes/recognized-foreign-universities.html )
• UGC recognized other Universities (http://www.ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-and-institutes/other-recognizeddegrees.html)

Call for Applications : 01st March 2025
Closing date of Applications : 30th March 2025
Tentative date of commencement : July 2025

The brochure of the MSc program – 2025 intake can be downloaded from the following link :

Program e-brochure download link

Complete the online application form and submit with a paying-in-voucher for Rs. 2500/- paid to the credit of the University of Colombo, 314025300000 at the Thimbirigasyaya Branch of the People’s Bank (payment can be made at any branch).

Completed online application forms should be submitted on or before 30th March 2025.

• To provide students with an advanced knowledge of areas of organic chemistry relevant to Sri Lankan industry, including industries based on natural products, pharmaceuticals, food & beverages etc. in order to improve productivity and enhance development in industry.
• To expose graduates to soft skills necessary for an industrial environment.

Part I & Part II: 18 – 24 months

Part III: 1 year for a full time student. The duration for part-time students is longer, depending on the time they devote for research.

A candidates studentship will expire at the end of 48 months from the date of registration.

Course structure is designed according to the guidelines issued by the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council of the UGC, SL to fulfil criteria of M.Sc. programs, SLQL 8, 9 & 10.

M.Sc. in Applied Organic Chemistry program consists of 3 parts.

PART I : Lectures and Laboratory sessions (25 Credits)

Successful completion of Part I with a GPA of 3.00 is required to proceed to Part II. Candidates who maintain a GPA of greater than 2.70 but less than 3.00 have the option of being awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Organic Chemistry (SLQL 8).

PART II: Research project of three months duration (full time) (5 credits) 

Successful completion of Part II with a GPA of 3.00 or above have the option being awarded M.Sc. in Applied Organic Chemistry (SLQL 9).

Candidates who maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 or greater have the option to proceed to Part III.

PART III: Research project of one year duration (full time) (30 credits)

Students who obtain a GPA of 3.00 or above for Part III of the programme are eligible for the award of the Degree of Master of Science in Applied Organic Chemistry (Research) (SLQL10).

PART I : Lectures and Laboratory sessions (25 Credits)

Theory module will be tested by a written examination at the end of each semester. Students will also be assessed both on continuous basis as well as by periodical tests on the laboratory work carried out during the course. Candidates will be eligible to proceed to Part II when he/ she has obtained a minimum GPA of 3.00. 

Minimum GPA of 2.70 is required for the award of Postgraduate Diploma (SLQF 8).  

PART II: Research project of three months duration (full time) (5 credits) 

The report submitted by the candidate at the end of the study will be evaluated and an oral examination will be held. The candidate will be eligible to proceed to part III when she/he has obtained minimum GPA of 3.00. 

Successful completion of Part II with an overall GPA of 3.00 (Part I + Part II) have the option being awarded  the of Master of Science (SLQF 9). 

PART III: Research project of one year duration (full time) (30 credits)

The research dissertation submitted by the candidate at the end of the research project will be evaluated. Presentation and oral examination will be held on the submitted dissertation. Successful completion of Part III with an overall GPA of 3.00 (Part I + Part II + Part III) have the option being awarded  the Master of Science (Research) (SLQF 10).

Part I consists of theory modules and practical modules conducted on Friday evenings (5–7 pm onsite or 7–9 pm online) and Saturdays (8 am to 6 pm onsite). The duration of part I is for two semesters (each having 20 weeks). Students who have achieved the minimum requirements in part I will be allowed to proceed to part II. This consists of a full-time guided study of 3-month duration. The duration for part-time students is longer, depending on the time they devote to research.

Lectures are conducted by the academic staff members of the Department of Chemistry, University of Colombo and visiting lecturers from other universities and industries/ institutes with relevant teaching experience.

Further information regarding the MSc Program can be obtained by contacting the program coordinator.

Contact details of the program coordinators are as follows.