Chemistry Major (BSc Science)

About offering

Chemistry is sometimes called the ‘central science’ because it connects other sciences, such as physics, biology and geology. It is science at a molecular level, where major advances are being made in many areas such as medicine, IT, nanotechnology, new materials and the environment.

This course 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.

Students will gain practical experience in the state-of-the-art undergraduate teaching laboratories as part of the Resources and Chemistry Precinct. Workbased learning may be taken as an elective unit.

You can specialise in the following streams:

Analytical and Forensic Chemistry

In this stream 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

In this crossover field of 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.

As a qualified biological chemist, you could 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

In this stream, 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

This stream examines materials from a unified point of view; it looks 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.

How to apply

This major sits within the Bachelor of Science degree. To apply for this major, you will apply for the Bachelor of Science. In step 3 of the application process, you will be asked to confirm the major you wish to study.

Applying as an undergraduate student is easy. For information tailored to your situation, visit our easy to follow instructions to get your application started.

Ready to apply?

APPLY NOW

What you'll learn

apply chemistry knowledge, principles and concepts
apply critical creative and reflective thinking to chemistry problems
access, evaluate and synthesise information relating to chemistry
effectively communicate chemistry ideas and concepts
use a range of technologies to collect and analyse data with appropriate regard to uncertainties
work as responsible self-directed and motivated learners
apply internationally accepted scientific conventions standards and protocols
demonstrate respect for cultural diversity in professional life
work safely effectively and ethically in a multifaceted scientific environment

Why study Chemistry Major (BSc Science)

The Chemistry and Resources Precinct on the Bentley Campus, supported by the Chemistry Centre (WA) and BHP Billiton, has an outstanding learning environment and exceptional facilities.
You will study undergraduate chemistry in the same building as up to 300 practising graduate chemists, maximising your exposure to industry, potential employers, and real-world applications of chemistry.
In your third year there are opportunities to undertake research projects within those organisations, or collaboratively with your staff.
You are encouraged to undertake at least two weeks of work experience in industry as a part of your study.
You will have the opportunity to undertake research projects with industry at the Resources and Chemistry Precinct, which accommodates organisations such as ChemCentre.

Student profile

View our student profile table to get an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students at Curtin University. This table provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and passed the census date in the most relevant recent intake period for which data are available. It includes those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

Professional recognition

Chemistry graduates may be eligible for membership of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Career information

Synthetic Chemist
Medicinal Chemist
Forensic Scientist
Geochemist

Roles may be in research and development, technical services, and education or quality control in a wide range of fields, including chemical manufacturing, petrochemical engineering and mining companies, environmental agencies, universities, forensic laboratories, hospitals, and toxicology laboratories.

Analytical Chemist
Environmental Scientist
Materials Scientist

Admission criteria for Australian and New Zealand students

English language proficiency

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are as outlined in the IELTS table below. Additional information on how you can meet the English requirement can be found on the English proficiency page.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)
Writing	6.0
Speaking	6.0
Reading	6.0
Listening	6.0
Overall band score	6.5

What kind of applicant are you?

Applicants with recent secondary education
(within the past two years)

Completed your secondary education in Australia within the past two years? Learn how you can apply to Curtin.

Applicants with higher education study

Undertaken higher education study before? Find out how you can apply for a Curtin course and what credit you may be eligible for.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Have you studied a VET course? Find out how you can get into Curtin using these qualifications.

Applicants with work and life experience

Spent time in the workforce, completed a pathway program or finished secondary education more than two years ago? See how you can apply to study at Curtin

Applicants with recent secondary education
(within the past two years)

Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, but also includes those who may have completed their senior secondary studies with a TAFE or other VET provider within the same time frame. This includes applicants whose secondary education was undertaken interstate or overseas.

Guaranteed ATAR: 70

This is the ATAR level at which an offer of admission is guaranteed, subject to any other non-ATAR criteria being met.
Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites):
Mathematics: Applications ATAR and Chemistry ATAR, or equivalent.
Desirable WACE subjects: Mathematics: Methods ATAR and Physics ATAR, or equivalent.
STAT entry: Not accepted.

The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) assesses competencies considered important for success at uni.
These tests are provided by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to help mature age candidates apply for certain courses.

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

Other admission options

Recipients of the John Curtin Undergraduate Scholarship will receive an early offer to study this course.
Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Lowest selection rank to which a recent Year 12 student offer was made (including the consideration of any equity or other adjustment factors)

View the lowest selection rank (incorporating ATAR plus any adjustments) of an applicant to which an offer of a place was made in the most relevant recent intake period, this includes any ATAR adjustments.

Selection rank adjustments (previously referred to as ATAR related adjustments)

Details of the types of adjustment factors (bonus points) commonly available to applicants can be found on our StepUp to Curtin webpage.

ATAR and selection rank profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in the most recent intake period

View data on the ATAR and selection rank profile of offers made from the most relevant recent intake period.

Applicants with higher education study

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 includes 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 also includes applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin offers a variety of bridging courses to help you meet the admission criteria for this course. Find out more about our bridging courses.
Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites):
Mathematics: Applications ATAR and Chemistry ATAR, or equivalent.
Desirable WACE subjects: Mathematics: Methods ATAR and Physics ATAR, or equivalent.

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

Curtin course switcher criteria

To switch into this course, you need to have met:

the admission criteria for minimum entry; and
the prerequisites.

The Maths Applications prerequisite can be met with:

Maths Applications ATAR; or
MATH1013 Introductory Mathematics; or
MATH1005 Pre-Calculus;

The Chemistry prerequisite can be met with:

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

Higher education course switcher criteria

To switch into this course from another higher education course, you need to have met:

the admission criteria for minimum entry; and
Maths Applications ATAR or unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Applications ATAR; and
Chemistry ATAR or unit/s assessed as comparable to Chemistry ATAR.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

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.

Guaranteed ATAR: 70

This is the ATAR level at which an offer of admission is guaranteed, subject to any other non-ATAR criteria being met.

OR
TAFE:
- AQF Certificate IV - Separate evidence of Higher English language proficiency is required; or
- AQF Diploma; or
- AQF Advanced Diploma
AND
- satisfied the prerequisites: Maths Applications and Chemistry.
The Maths Applications prerequisite can be met with:
- Maths Applications ATAR; or
- MATH1013 Introductory Mathematics; or
- MATH1005 Pre-Calculus
The Chemistry prerequisite can be met with:
- Chemistry ATAR; or
- CHEM1003 Introduction to Chemistry, and CHEM1005 Introduction to Biological Chemistry.
Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites):
Mathematics: Applications ATAR and Chemistry ATAR, or equivalent.
Desirable WACE subjects: Mathematics: Methods ATAR and Physics ATAR, or equivalent.
STAT entry: Not accepted.

The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) assesses competencies considered important for success at uni.
These tests are provided by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to help mature age candidates apply for certain courses.

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

Applicants with work and life experience

Applicants with work and life experience are those who 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.

‘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.

Guaranteed ATAR: 70

This is the ATAR level at which an offer of admission is guaranteed, subject to any other non-ATAR criteria being met.
Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites):
Mathematics: Applications ATAR and Chemistry ATAR, or equivalent.
Desirable WACE subjects: Mathematics: Methods ATAR and Physics ATAR, or equivalent.
STAT entry: Not accepted.

The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) assesses competencies considered important for success at uni.
These tests are provided by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to help mature age candidates apply for certain courses.

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

Cut-off scores

Please note: The cut-off scores below are for 2018 only.

Qualification	Score
GCE/STPM/HKALE (A-levels - best of three)	5
HKDSE	15
IB	24
Ontario Gr 12 (best of 6)	60
ATAR (including WACE/SACE/HCE/VCE)	70
WAUFP (CPS)	53
India (CBSE)	60%
India (HSC)	65%
Sri Lanka	5

Minimum academic entry requirements

Please select a country above.

Course prerequisites

Mathematics and chemistry. Calculus and physics are desirable.

Other requirements and notes for this course

July intake: Course duration may exceed three years due to unit prerequisites.

Admission criteria may be different if you are studying this major as part of a double degree or Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Advanced standing / credit transfer / recognition of prior learning

Credit for recognised learning (CRL) is the term Curtin uses to describe advanced standing, academic credit or recognition of prior learning.

You may be entitled to credit for recognised learning for formal, non-formal or informal learning.

Formal learning is learning that takes place through a structured program of learning that leads to the full or partial achievement of an officially recognised qualification. Recognised institutions include, but are not limited to, RTO providers and universities. Non-formal learning is adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning or various kinds of work and life experience.

Credit can reduce the amount of study needed to complete a degree.

For further information, please visit our credit for recognised learning webpage or contact our CRL Office on crl@curtin.edu.au or 1300 222 888.

Credit for recognised learning (CRL) is the term Curtin uses to describe advanced standing, academic credit or recognition of prior learning.

You may be entitled to credit for recognised learning for formal, non-formal or informal learning.

Credit can reduce the amount of study needed to complete a degree.

For further information, please see our credit for previous study website or contact tne_pathways@curtin.edu.au.

Next steps

This major/stream is part of a larger course. Please visit the course for more information and how to apply.

About offering