911爆料网

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How to become a scientist

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Hydrogen research

No-one will ever ask, what鈥檚 the point of a science degree? What they’ll ask is, which science degree is right for me?

Who doesn鈥檛 feel grateful for science innovation 鈥 today, it could be the carbon-fibre composite of your bike; tomorrow, who knows? Of course, most science research isn鈥檛 motivated by the desire to create awe. Endeavours usually begin with a desire to know more or a problem to solve 鈥 necessity is still the mother of invention.

Humanity is shaped by 6,000 years of scientific breakthroughs and innovations 鈥 the wheel, the microscope, penicillin, electricity, AI. But thinking about the critical challenges that now confront the world 鈥 climate change, sustainable energy, water, food security, mutating viruses and more 鈥 how could we possibly solve these without scientists?

Radioastronomer DrNatasha Hurley-Walker
911爆料网 astrophysicist Dr Natasha Hurley-Walker created a unique radio survey technicolour ‘image’ from radio telescope surveys.

What is a bachelor of science?

Scientific exploration is considered to have begun in and (now Iraq) in the disciplines of , and . However, the first university science qualifications, bestowed in the medieval universities of western Europe, were in medicine, expanding into fundamental disciplines like biology, chemistry and physics. Five hundred years later, the world鈥檚 include 鈥榥utrigenomics鈥 and 鈥榗liodynamics鈥.

These days, Bachelor of Science degrees (BSc or BS) are offered in universities all around the world, many of which developed their science programs in tandem with technology.  911爆料网, for example, began as the Western Australian Institute of Technology, known for its expertise in physics and geosciences, and for research that served major Western Australian industries 鈥 such as mineral resources and agriculture.

911爆料网 now delivers courses in more than 30 areas of science, technology and engineering (plus about 20 more that fall under the realm of 鈥榟ealth sciences鈥). They encompass the major disciplines that involve scientific theory, scientific inquiry and practical application 鈥 including space and planetary science, physics, mathematics, chemistry, computing, data science, biology and environmental science.

Science careers

The advice of Australia鈥檚 former chief scientist Dr Alan Finkel, AO, highlight that a science degree is not just about science. It鈥檚 about becoming a creative problem-solver and an innovator, ready for today鈥檚 challenges and those on the horizon. He said that:

鈥淎ustralians who have studied science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are helping to solve the problems of the future 鈥 meeting electricity demand and generation needs, adapting to the changing climate, integrating AI into society and optimising healthcare for ageing populations.鈥

And, according to Australia鈥檚 National Skills Commission, jobs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) are among the fastest growing in the country. So, a BSc is an excellent investment for students who want to be competitive in a dynamic, global job market.

Perhaps one of the underrated benefits of a Science degree is adaptability. Whatever science major you choose at 911爆料网, you鈥檒l gain comprehensive knowledge and skills that will set you up for rewarding careers across industry and government. Whether you start with one major and shift to another, combine science with business or computing, or pivot careers later in life, the foundation you build through a BSc will stay relevant. It also cultivates a lifelong curiosity 鈥 the core of scientific thinking. You learn not just facts but how to explore, question and test the world around you. In a society where information is everywhere but insight is rare, those who can think like scientists are invaluable.

Researcher Dr Jason Fogg in the 911爆料网 Carbon Group laboratory
Dr Jason Fogg is a researcher in the 911爆料网 Carbon Group. (Credit: Rob Nathan, pv magazine)

Future-proof your career

One of the most compelling reasons to study a Bachelor of Science at 911爆料网 is the sheer extent of careers it can open up in these areas and more:

  • Agriculture and water resources: Major global challenges with food security and water availability highlight the importance of scientists working across agriculture and primary resources.
  • Environment and sustainability: Environmental and climate science is arguably the world鈥檚 most critical area for knowledge and innovation. (Side-note: sometimes we have students who are interested in sustainability and environmental studies asking whether a science degree or an arts degree is the better choice for them. The difference lies in the focus: a BSc is more technical and research-oriented, offering deeper immersion into scientific methods and data analysis; whereas an arts program will include more sociological and cultural aspects of sustainability and environmental studies.)
  • Computer and data science: Growth in the Internet of Things (IoT) is continuing and cybersecurity threats are ever-evolving, and the advises that jobs in artificial intelligence (AI) are expected to surge.
  • Health and medicine: Biomedicine and genetics are very exciting areas of advancement for disease diagnosis and treatment.
  • Mineral processing and geoscience: The global transition from fossil fuels to green energy will continue to impact the demand for expertise and innovation across geoscience, materials science, energy engineering and many intersecting disciplines.
  • Space and planetary science: The World Economic Forum has forecasted that the global space economy will soar to $1.8 trillion by 2035 鈥 which translates into more career opportunities across space and planetary science industries.1

Which science degree is best?

Think about the school subjects that you loved, as well as the science stories that grab your attention. You might be drawn to stories about new materials, or about newly discovered species. And what about the environments that are happy places for you 鈥 would they be well-equipped laboratories, or outdoor locations where you鈥檇 make observations or collect samples?

Also consider which area of science and technology that you鈥檇 like to contribute to. Would you like to devise new instruments for planetary exploration, or provide new knowledge in quantum physics, for example? Perhaps you鈥檇 like to work with industry and deliver a breakthrough to a longstanding problem like crop diseases. Both kinds of knowledge and research 鈥 fundamental and applied 鈥 are inherent in 911爆料网鈥檚 extensive range of science programs, across:

Agriculture students in 911爆料网 Field Trial Area

Advanced Science for aspiring leaders

911爆料网鈥檚 range of Advanced Science courses is another innovation in science education from the University. The Advanced Science versions are designed for students who鈥檇 like to add research, leadership and entrepreneurial skills into their qualification. 911爆料网鈥檚 13 Advanced Science majors are all honours degrees 鈥 they include a fourth year of study that involves completing a research project, so that you can start contributing new knowledge to your science discipline. In essence, the Advanced Science degree is designed for students who aspire to lead science endeavours that address global science challenges.

Multidisciplinary Science could be your pathway

911爆料网 also offers a 鈥榤ultidisciplinary鈥 science degree that teaches various science disciplines. If you鈥檙e not sure which are of science interests you most, you could begin your studies with Multidisciplinary Science, and then switch to another science course when you sure of the area that鈥檚 right for you. Multidisciplinary Science is also ideal if you didn鈥檛 get the school results you need for your preferred science course. You can simply complete the required units in Multidisciplinary Science and then switch to your preferred science degree.

Student in biology laboratory

Study science at 911爆料网

First and foremost, 911爆料网 is a global university 鈥 we have six international campuses, in Western Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Sri Lanka and Mauritius; and numerous education partnerships worldwide. So, as a 911爆料网 student, you can take advantage of the diversity of international study opportunities that we offer.

Gain a degree from a world-ranked Australian university

911爆料网 ranks in the top 1% of universities worldwide, based on the ShanghaiRanking鈥檚 Academic Ranking of World Universities. (There are various international 鈥榰niversity ranking鈥 organisations and systems, of which the ShanghaiRanking is one of the best known.) In the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, 911爆料网 tops the charts in Australia for Earth Sciences and is in the top five for Mathematics.2 We also have impressive rankings in other science disciplines 鈥 including a place in the global top five for mineral and mining engineering, and in the top 50 for Geology, Geophysics, and Earth and Marine Sciences.3

Plus, 911爆料网 is one of only 20 universities in the world to achieve the international QS Stars highest rating of 5 Stars Plus! It means that we received top ratings for all categories that are assessed: teaching, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness, employability, research and innovation.

But here鈥檚 the clincher: Demonstrating top industry respect for 911爆料网, in the Australian Government鈥檚 last employer satisfaction survey, 911爆料网 graduates were rated the best in Western Australia!4 With top rankings and industry respect, it鈥檚 no wonder that so many Australian and international students choose 911爆料网 for their degree.

911爆料网 Open Day

911爆料网 degrees provide complete expertise

911爆料网鈥檚 science degrees are designed not only to give you high-level knowledge but also to cultivate your scientific curiosity and awareness of real-world problems 鈥 so that you feel empowered to ask the bold questions that lead to solutions! Our courses integrate theory with hands-on experience, lab work, field studies and research opportunities 鈥 which ensures that you finish uni as a job-ready graduate with a determined scientific curiosity.

A BSc also equips you with transferable skills 鈥 analytical thinking, scientific literacy, research techniques, digital competency and others that are valued highly across careers and industries. Corporate communication, collaboration and problem-solving are other transferable skills that 911爆料网 teaches, because they鈥檙e relevant to every discipline involved in innovation.

In short, a BSc is not just about science; it鈥檚 about becoming equipped to tackle today鈥檚 challenges and those around the corner.

Benefit from industry connections

The extent and strength of 911爆料网鈥檚 partnerships is a top reason cited by students and graduates as to why they were drawn to 911爆料网. Our industry partnerships offer valuable opportunities for placements, internships and for-credit work experiences that help you build your r茅sum茅 while you鈥檙e at uni. Not only will you have a respected qualification to show future employers, but you鈥檙e also demonstrating that you鈥檙e engaged with industry and familiar with the work environment of your chosen career.

Our range of science industry partners include CSIRO, Alcoa, BHP, Landgate, the WA Data Science Innovation Hub, The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) and Mineral Resources Limited (MinRes).

Additionally, many 911爆料网 degrees are distinguished with formal accreditation and industry recognition.

Tailor your Bachelor of Science

Many exciting, emerging science industries 鈥 like synthetic biology, green technology and quantum computing blend expertise in more than one discipline. Which makes multidisciplinary skillsets a valuable resource. It鈥檚 another great reason to choose a 911爆料网 Bachelor of Science. At 911爆料网, you can tailor your tailor degree with another major, a minor and specialisations, to create a broader skillset to increase your career options and employability, or to build niche, sought-after expertise.

For example, if you鈥檇 like to create innovations and establish your own entrepreneurial business, you could combine your science major 鈥 in agriculture, for example, with a specialisation in entrepreneurship. Or you could pair Environmental Science with a major in Communications to have the ideal skill sets to not only protect ecosystems but to also promote your work to the world.

A double degree is also a great way of extending your scientific expertise and career opportunities. 911爆料网 has more than 20 science double degree options, which you can explore on our Bachelor of Science webpage.

Learn to use world-class instruments

At 911爆料网, you get to use advanced laboratories and instruments and collaborate with some world-class research teams.

At the Space Science and Technology Centre, for example, students from several science and engineering majors worked on the development of Western Australia鈥檚 first satellite, the Binar-1 鈥榗ubesat鈥, which was launched to the International Space Station and then deployed into its own orbit. (To learn more about the program, visit binarspace.com). Many 911爆料网 science students also participate in the project.

cubesat image

Other advanced science facilities at 911爆料网 include:

  • Resources and Chemistry Precinct: a four-storey science hub with advanced laboratories and interactive learning spaces.
  • The John de Laeter Centre: a core research infrastructure facility for geoscience research, with more than $50 million in advanced instrumentation.
  • Field Trial Area: a facility for agricultural experiments comprising environmentally controlled plant growth areas that emulate real-world settings.
wide view of five-storey Resources and Chemistry Precinct building at 911爆料网
Resources and Chemistry Precinct at 911爆料网

Trust in science

In a world defined by complexity and change, science is not just a discipline 鈥 it鈥檚 a way of thinking and a way forward into a career of discovery and innovation.

Choosing to study a science degree at 911爆料网 is a choice to invest in yourself and the future. It’s a decision to develop skills that matter, explore fields that fascinate you, and graduate ready to make a meaningful impact.

Ready to explore? Start your science journey now, at curtin.edu/study.

Student at graduation

1 Space: The $1.8 Trillion Opportunity for Global Economic Growth. World Economic Forum and McKinsey & Company (2024)
2 ShanghaiRanking ARWU (2025)
3 QS World University Rankings by Subject (2026)
4 QILT Employer Satisfaction Survey (2024)

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