Chemistry
MJRH-ADCHE

Chemistry (Advanced)

Undergraduate major

The Chemistry major (BAdvSci) (Honours) provides a flexible and personalised approach to studying Chemistry with students able to explore the field through for-credit immersive research experiences, industry placement and/or interdisciplinary team-based projects.

Course outline
  • ATAR

    ATAR

    Guaranteed ATAR 95
  • Qualification
    Chemistry Major (BAdvSci) (Honours)
  • Credit

    Credit

    800
Course outline

Check the application deadline for the parent course

Course outline

Outline

Outline

This major is part of the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours), a course designed for high performing students to pursue their interest in Science through a core of research, leadership and entrepreneurship. It provides a flexible and personalised approach to studying Chemistry with students able to explore the field through for-credit immersive research experiences, industry placement and/or interdisciplinary team-based projects. The major culminates in a capstone experience in which students will have the opportunity to pursue Chemistry projects that may be based anywhere from pure research right through to translational (entrepreneurial) science.

This major trains you to become a skilled chemist. It also teaches you problem solving, teamwork and critical analysis skills, which may open the door for many careers within and outside science. You will study theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry, including synthesis, analysis and molecular modelling. Your learning will be largely laboratory-based, in Curtin’s Resources and Chemistry Precinct.

You can take units to develop a specialisation in:

Analytical and Forensic Chemistry

You will learn how to use sophisticated scientific instrumentation in combination with chemical knowledge to solve complex, real-world analytical problems.

You will develop effective problem-solving and decision-making skills within the ethical and professional context of analytical and forensic science, as there are often regulatory or legislative requirements for chemical measurements to be taken.

Biological Chemistry

You will study the essential processes of life on the molecular level. You will use complex equipment and procedures to understand the bio-molecular world, explore applications in biosensors and drug design, and monitor what effects new substances like food additives and medicines have on living organisms.

Biological chemists, play a part in diagnosing diseases and investigating potential cures for illnesses such as cancer and HIV/AIDS, through to the design and synthesis of new and improved medicines.

Geochemistry

You will study the chemical make-up of the Earth and other planets. You will focus on the chemical reactions and processes that show how various soils and rocks are created.

Materials Science

Materials scientists examine materials from a unified point of view; they look for connections between the underlying structure of a material, its properties, how processing changes it and what the material can do.

You will study a range of materials, including metals, semiconductors, glasses, ceramics and polymers. You will also learn about analytical instruments and different forms of radiation that materials scientists use to investigate the microstructure of samples.

Students in this course gain a practical laboratory chemistry experience throughout their discipline-based units. Work-based learning is ensured through the requirement to engage in immersive industry and/or research experience.

The Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) provides opportunities through second and third year to undertake internal and external internships and immersive work experience, sourced by the student, which can be used for course credit.

This major sits within the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) degree. To apply for this major, you will apply for the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours). 

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information. 

How this course will make you industry ready

You will have the opportunity to undertake research projects with industry at the Resources and Chemistry Precinct, which accommodates organisations such as ChemCentre – the foremost commercial chemical analysis organisation in Western Australia.

What jobs can the Chemistry (Advanced) course lead to?

Careers

  • Environmental chemist
  • Forensic scientist
  • Medicinal chemist
  • Synthetic chemist

Industries

  • Environment
  • Forensics
  • Health
  • Manufacturing
  • Petrochemical engineering

What you'll learn

  • Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the nature of science, its methods and processes, and an advanced knowledge of chemical principles and concepts; contribute new knowledge in a range of chemical disciplines.
  • Critically analyse challenging and multi-faceted problems in chemistry, generate innovative scientific solutions through research using practical and theoretical tools; critically evaluate findings within the current body of disciplinary knowledge.
  • Access and make judgements on the value of available knowledge using a variety of tools, and incorporate them into the planning, conduct and communication of their own work.
  • Communicate approaches and solutions, ideas and findings to an audience of chemical professionals through written word and by oral presentation.
  • Use established and emerging technologies within the context of the chemical professions and apply them to address complex research questions.
  • Demonstrate intellectual independence and engage in self-driven continuous discipline and professional education and training in the chemical sciences.
  • Participate in the generation and application of science in addressing global problems while recognising the international and cultural issues in chemistry, understand compliance with international ethical and professional standards.
  • Work collaboratively and respectfully with scientists from a range of cultural backgrounds and understand the importance of cultural diversity and individual human rights that impact research in the chemical sciences or the broader profession.
  • Be able to work as an independent chemical scientist and collaboratively within teams either as a professional leader or collaborator using effective problem solving and decision making skills within the professional context of the chemical sciences.

Professional recognition

Graduates from this course may be eligible for membership of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 95

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 95

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Methods ATAR and Chemistry ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    Mathematics Specialist ATAR, Physics ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • Indigenous applicant

    If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT is not accepted for this course

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7.0

Speaking

7.0

Reading

7.0

Listening

7.0

Overall band score

7.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT is not accepted for this course

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 95

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 95

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Methods ATAR and Chemistry ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    Mathematics Specialist ATAR, Physics ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7.0

Speaking

7.0

Reading

7.0

Listening

7.0

Overall band score

7.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

  • TAFE entry

    Not accepted. VET study cannot meet the equivalent ATAR requirement.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT is not accepted for this course

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 95

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 95

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Methods ATAR and Chemistry ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    Mathematics Specialist ATAR, Physics ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7.0

Speaking

7.0

Reading

7.0

Listening

7.0

Overall band score

7.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

To switch into this course, you need to have:

  • Attained an ATAR of 95; or
  • Completed 200 credits over one year, with a course weighted average (CWA) of 80% or higher; and
  • Met the prerequisites.

Maths Methods prerequisites can be met with:

  • Maths Methods ATAR or equivalent; or
  • MATH1014 Foundations of Calculus
  • MATH1015 Linear Algebra 1 with a final mark of at least 70; or
  • MATH1016 Calculus 1 or
  • MATH1017 Accelerated Mathematics 1

The Chemistry prerequisite can be met with:

  • Chemistry ATAR or equivalent; or
  • CHEM1003 Introduction to Chemistry and CHEM1005 Introduction to Biological Chemistry.

Higher education course switcher criteria

This course has a semester one intake only. Please refer to the TISC website for more information.

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 95

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 95

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Methods ATAR and Chemistry ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    Mathematics Specialist ATAR, Physics ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7.0

Speaking

7.0

Reading

7.0

Listening

7.0

Overall band score

7.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool
Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and charges

Please view the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) degree for indicative fees.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Apply now

Frequently asked questions

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  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

    View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: MJRH-ADCHE
  • Last updated on: 5 October 2024

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