1. INTRODUCTION

a) Reasons for proposing a course in Applied Chemistry

The Faculty of Chemical Engineering and technology at the University of Zagreb is proposing a modern, contemporary and forward-looking course in Applied Chemistry. The Applied Chemistry course is built upon the strong foundations and traditions of engineering (or applied) chemistry (German Technische Chemie) that have historically been integral to the Faculty's curriculum. The new course combines this tradition with the latest advances in chemical technologies and applications.
The need for applied chemists has always been recognised in Europe, and is examplified by Applied Chemisty courses at Technical (Engineering & Technology) Universities throughout the continent. This is especially true in the German speaking regions of Europe, and which is the model upon which the Croatian teaching tradition is built.
The University of Zagreb currently does not offer a specific course in Applied Chemisty. Hence, the Applied Chemistry Course is designed to address the needs of modern knowledge-based industries, where the need for applied scientific skills is being driven by expansion of high-technology industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, energy, environment and advanced manufacturing. Students, completing the undergraduate and masters degree courses in Applied Chemistry, will develop into professionals with wide-ranging technical and scientific skills, who are able to communicate effectively at all levels with engineers, scientists, industrialists and business leaders.
The course has been developed according to recommendations contained within the Bologna declaration [1] and also the recommendations of Tuning Educational Structures in Europe [2] and Chemistry Subject Area Group: The Chemistry "Eurobachelor" [3]. Additionally, specific needs of the Croatian Government [4], and the long-term strategy of the University of Zagreb [5] have been taken into account from reference policy documents.
The courses have the equivalent structure and the programe to a number of European courses in Applied Chemistry, including University of Strathclyde (Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry) Glasgow, UK and Vienna University of Technology, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Vienna, Austria.

b) Relevant experience of proposing institution

The teaching of applied chemistry (Technische Chemie or technical chemistry) and the development of chemical technologies began at the Technical Faculty in Zagreb in 1919. The Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology (FKIT) as it is today, was founded on the basis of this traditional school of "technical chemistry" and chemical engineering, and has been continuously teaching courses in these areas ever since. The Nobel prize winner, Vladimir Prelog, was a profesor of Organic Chemistry at the Faculty. FKIT has run a doctoral course in Engineering Chemistry since 1962.
1. http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/policies/educ/bologna/bologna_en.html
2. http://tuning.unideusto.org/tuningeu/
3. The Chemistry Eurobachelor
4. National Competitiveness Council Recommendations
5. Iskorak 2001 - Razvojna strategija Sveučilšta u Zagrebu

c) Potential Beneficiaries and Partners

The potential partners and beneficiaries of the course in Applied Chemistry are Croatian and EU-wide industries, as well as public sectors organisations. Interest in the course has been shown by several leading Croatian companies, including Pliva (Manufacturing), Pliva Research Ltd., IMI, INA, Petrokemija Kutina, Našice-Cement, as well as public sector organisations including the Institute Ruđer Bošković (IRB), the Crotian Water Company, and the Department for Public Health.

d) Student and staff mobility

Mobility of students is based on the ECTS model, which enables students to collect credits in any approved course. The University of Zagreb is currently preparing a Memorandum of Understanding for membership of The European Chemistry Exchange Network (ECEN), which will facilitate exchanges and cooperation in education, teaching, research and curriculum development. It is anticipated that graduates of the Applied Chemistry course will be able to move freely to related postgraduate courses in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Biotechnology both within the University system in Croatia, and throughout wider Europe.

2. GENERAL PART

2.1 Course Title
Applied Chemistry

2.2. Institution of higher education
Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology (FCET), University of Zagreb

2.3. Duration of the Courses
There are two components to the Applied Chemistry course; a 3-year undergraduate course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), and an additional 2-year full-time postgraduate level course leading to the Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree.

2.4. Enrolment Policy
Enrolment into the Undergraduate course will be assessed by an entrance exam, or from students' high school exit qualifications. Entrance to the Masters degree will be by successful completion of the undergraduate course in Applied Chemistry, or other compatible undergraduate science or engineering degree.

2.5 Undergraduate course (student competences and its relevance to the labour market)
The courses are developed according to the of The Chemistry Eurobachelor recommendations and they were observed in the following issues of the course content: Chemistry related cognitive abilities and skills, Chemistry related practical skills, "Transferable" or "soft" skills, Distribution of credits between compulsory, semi-optional and elective modules, Methods of Teaching and Learning, Assessment procedures and performance criteria, and Quality Assurance.
In general, the Applied Chemistry course is solidly founded in Chemistry, thus providing students with a grounding in fundamental science. However, engineering topics (such as heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics, unit operations for reaction and separation, electrochemical engineering, biochemical engineering) are included in the course together with laboratory practicals. Familiarity with engineering concepts will enable the graduates of Applied Chemistry to comfortably communicate with mechanical, chemical and electrical engineers and physicists. In addition to scientific and engineering study programs, the students will undertake taught courses in IT and Computers, with a focus on applications in chemistry. Transferable skills developed during the course will include practical laboratory skills, computer skills, team working, presentation skills, critical and analytical thinking, and the ability to self-motivate and study.
Since it is recommended that the majority of programs in chemistry should improve the employment prospects of graduate students3 we have introduced a lot of practical work to develop hands-on skills, including a 4 week industrial placement scheme.
Employment prospects for a graduate student involve industrial chemistry jobs, laboratory jobs, research scientist in R&D departments of institutes or companies, technology star up and SMEs, governmental departments and administration.

2.6 Master course Applied Chemistry (competences and its relevance to the labour market)
Graduates of the Masters degree will have specialst knowledge in applied chemistry gained from choosing electives from one of three modules: Environmental Chemistry and Green Technologies, Advanced Materials and Technologies or Applied Organic Chemistry.
Students on the Masters degree will also be able to choose a course module in Project Management and Technology Innovation which together with the specialist knowledge will assist them in finding employment in similar organisations as the graduates but in more senior positions.

2.7. Structure of the Bachelor's and Master's courses (3+2 years)
The following diagram shows the structure of the Applied Chemistry Courses.