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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.

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  • ATAR
    Minimum ATAR 95
  • Qualification
    Chemistry Major (BAdvSci) (Honours)
  • Credit
    800
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Check the application deadline for the parent course

See full course structure

Why study Chemistry (Advanced) at Curtin?

Cutting-edge

Graduate ready to work in environments where research and discovery abound.

Highly ranked course

Curtin is ranked first in Western Australia for Chemistry in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021.

Top 1 %

Curtin is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.

Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022.

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 Major (BAdvSci) (Honours) 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 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.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 95

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 95

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Methods ATAR and Chemistry ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Mathematics Specialist ATAR, Physics ATAR

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

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.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 95

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 95

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Methods ATAR and Chemistry ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Mathematics Specialist ATAR, Physics ATAR

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

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

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