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School of Molecular and Life Sciences

curtin chemistry student in the lab

The School, comprising of the Disciplines of Agriculture & Food, Chemistry, and Ecology, delivers outstanding education programs in these and related topics such as Agribusiness, Environmental Science, Coastal and Marine Science, and Biochemistry.

Developing the knowledge and practical, real-world skills of curious minds to make tomorrow better, the School of Molecular and Life Sciences at Curtin delivers educational programs across regional WA locations, as well as at Muresk Institute (Northam) and Curtin Malaysia campus. The extensive range of educational offerings include pre-bachelor, bachelor and masters courses along with a suite of postgraduate research degree courses.

The School strives to act as a source of independent and expert advice to industry, government, and society, and to carry out research and development with particular relevance to the regional community.

In the Australian Government’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2018 assessment, Curtin University ranked well above the world standard for Chemical Sciences, Macromolecular and Material Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Environmental Science and Management, Ecology, Plant Biology, Zoology, and Crop and Pasture Production.

Our facilities

The School of Molecular and Life Sciences have established an enviable suite of facilities to conduct research and teaching, allowing staff and students to access world-class facilities for their work and study, including the Resources and Chemistry Precinct.

Our people

Contact information for the staff of the School of Molecular and Life Sciences

Our discipline areas

Ecology

Ecology

Agriculture and Food Science

Man using tablet computer while walking through an agriculture field

Chemistry

Chemistry

Our research

We have a particular focus on agribusiness and agricultural science, environmental biology and marine science including hydrodynamics, sonar imaging and marine bioacoustics.

Learn more about our research
Diver exploring coral underwater

Ecology

Our Coastal and Marine Science course and our Environmental Science course are supported by research-led teaching and delivered by academics with industry experience and the dedication to creating a better world. Within our main areas of research we have significant government collaborations and strong industry links and we create an impact both at a regional, national and international levels.

Curtin ranks #3 in Australia for Earth and Marine Sciences (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025).

Our undergraduate courses

Food Science

If you like working with food and you enjoy science, then a career as a food scientist may be for you. Food scientists develop and improve ways to process raw ingredients, such as grains, meats, milk, fruit and vegetables to safe, tasty and nutritious foods. A career in food science and technology is diverse and challenging, one day you may be developing a new food product and the next you may be solving technical problems on a processing line. The study of food science and technology is multi-disciplinary, involving application of the life sciences; biology, chemistry, nutrition, engineering, microbiology and the latest research developments in the handling, processing and packaging of foods from the farm to the consumer’s plate.

With its unique facilities, such as the only sensory evaluation facility in WA, and access to one of the few small pilot scale high temperature high pressure food extruders in Australia, Food Science and Technology researchers are playing a vital role in the development of the food industry in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.

Curtin’s overarching emphasis is on developing food products with improved functional, nutritional and health quality attributes that match the global markets demand – healthy land, healthy people, improving food security.

Find out more about our Food Science major.

Our undergraduate courses

Our postgraduate courses

Chemistry

Curtin Chemistry degrees equip our graduates with the knowledge to become a skilled chemist, teaching problem solving, teamwork and critical analysis which may open the door for other careers within science. Through the study of theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry, including synthesis, analysis and molecular modelling, learning is largely laboratory-based at our Resources and Chemistry Precinct and can lead to further specialisation in a number of streams:

Find out more about Chemistry major and Chemistry (Advanced Science) major.

Our above world standard attracts high calibre research result and researchers, solving industry demand-driven real-world issues and collaborating with other global experts to devise new materials, analytical tools, and solutions at the applied end of the research spectrum. In the Australian Government’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2018 assessment, Curtin University ranked well above world standard for Macromolecular and Material Chemistry and Physical Chemistry.

Our undergraduate courses

Agriculture and Food Science

Our planet needs highly educated and informed people to sustainably manage our farmed environment, while still providing the necessary food resources for an increasing human population.

Agriculture and Food Science are two closely aligned areas that enable skills to be developed from paddock to plate utilising emerging digital technologies. Overarching issues including food security, sustainability, and climate change are considered whilst also investigating innovative farming systems and methods of producing raw ingredients to create safe and nutritious food for the population.

If you have a passion for agriculture, food, science and technology, a career in Agribusiness, Agriculture or Food Science may be for you. Curtin offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees that can help you start your journey into the field.

Our undergraduate courses

Our postgraduate courses