Introduction

The Department of Organic Chemistry within the Chemistry Section of the Faculty of Science of Charles University is engaged in teaching and scientific research in the fields of synthetic organic chemistry focused on catalysis, bioorganic and medicinal chemistry, materials chemistry and electrochemistry.

Organic chemistry is a fundamental chemical discipline that permeates many scientific areas. After graduating in organic chemistry, you can find employment in classical industrial chemistry and the pharmaceutical industry. You will also be prepared to work in analytical laboratories.

While studying in our department you will learn the basics of organic synthesis, which is an important skill for any chemist and hard to catch up on during further study or practice. Even if you change majors in the future, basic synthetic experience is important for a general overview and perspective of chemistry.

In addition to synthesis and its application to various fields of organic chemistry (catalysis, organocatalysis, bioorganic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, materials synthesis, synthetic electrochemistry), we offer a focus toward interdisciplinary collaboration, where you can learn some of the most important analytical methods - gas and liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry - as you investigate new organic reactions.

Study

The Department of Organic Chemistry of the Faculty of Science of the Charles University is involved in teaching in three types of study programmes, both in the form of full-time and combined. These programmes include a basic bachelor's programme, a follow-up master's programme and a doctoral programme.

The Department of Organic Chemistry offers two basic study programmes at Bachelor and Master level:

• Organic Chemistry (M.Sc.)
• study programme Medical Chemistry (B.Sc., M.Sc.)

The Department also offers the possibility of doctoral studies in the program Organic Chemistry (Ph.D.).

Research

Research activities cover a broad area of chemistry ranging from synthesis of compounds for use in multidisciplinary projects from theoretical, materials, to bioorganic, medicinal and electrochemical. By selecting optional courses and a research group for the preparation of a thesis, students at each level of study can further specialize in one of the research areas:

• Catalysis in Organic Synthesis (Kotora)
• Organic Chemistry, Catalysis and Electrochemistry (Navrátil)
• Asymmetric Synthesis (Veselý)
• Organometallic and synthetic chemistry (Rýček)
• Functionalization of organic compounds (Hrdina)
• Supramolecular chemistry (Jindřich)
• Synthesis & Bioactivity (Matoušová)
• Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry of Nucleic Acids (Hocek)
• Chemical Biology and Biocatalysis (Míšek)
• Medical Chemistry & Drug Delivery (Baszczynski)

We place great emphasis not only on the collaboration between individual research groups in the department and on joint projects within the faculty and with other universities, where we can mention the long-term collaboration with the University of Science and Technology or institutes of the Academy of Sciences such as the Institute of Chemical Chemistry, but also on collaboration with foreign institutions.