Studying science, engineering, technology and maths (STEM) at QUT opens a world of opportunities to achieve your full potential and forge a rewarding career.
Why study STEM at QUT?
Discovering how to improve lives by solving a range of real-world problems will be crucial in the
future. Many of the jobs of today were unheard of a decade ago: app developers, big data
analysts and sustainability engineers.
STEM careers provide the greatest opportunities to
succeed in the future.
No university is better placed to help you launch your STEM career
than Queensland’s only university of technology.
Why study STEM at QUT?
The fundamental underpinning of the skills you need for jobs of the future is STEM.
But did you know that there’s a secret formula to getting that great-paying, in-demand and stellar career that you’ll love? We call it STEM+X - where X is your passion, another field or a world-changing goal.
To help get you started on finding your perfect STEM+X combo, we’ve created a 60-page STEM+X guide in partnership with Careers with STEM.
Think about the future. What issues do we need to address, as a society, to ensure longevity? Climate change. Water scarcity. Food shortages. Species extinction. Affordable housing. With a predicted 75 per cent of future occupations needing STEM literacy, it means that a skilled STEM workforce is central to addressing these complex issues now and into the future.
Science and Advanced Science
Understand and tackle the greatest challenges facing our world and its future.
Lauren Blackwell, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Science student
Double your career opportunities
A double degree can help you develop a portfolio of skills and capabilities so you will be flexible, prepared for change and able to maximise your career opportunities. Create your own specialist career niche by combining your STEM degree with a complementary study area that interests you.
The Careers with STEM Job Kits are free 8-page e-mags you can download, offering a complete introduction to individual STEM careers.
Discover what a job in STEM is all about, meet real people working in the field, and find out what you can do right now to set your career on the right path.
Tune in to hear from a great line-up of guest alumni from around the world, sharing their stories about the paths they’ve taken to get where they are in their STEM careers. Hosted by QUT STEM graduate, Mackenzi Oliver, these episodes will help you find your inspiration for a STEM career.
QUT alumnus Dr Abigail Allwood is at the cutting-edge of space exploration
Women in STEM
With only one in four STEM workers being women, we recognise the importance of supporting and celebrating women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.
We're tackling this gender divide through a number of programs and initiatives, including #STEMtheTide.
Libby Hogarth is a passionate urban planner with a focus on inclusive and meaningful spaces. Libby uncovers the varied range of projects which use the expertise of urban planners to become the best possible developments for all users.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, QUT's Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Sheil sat down for an interview with Minister Karen Andrews, Australia’s Minister for Industry, Science and Technology.
Donald Piggott-McKellar is an Associate Director at Forge Advisory, and one of the minds behind the evolving infrastructure of Brisbane for over 10 years.
Dr Naomi Paxton explains what biofabrication is, the importance of being in a supportive and diverse team and how she made the leap from physics to biomanufacturing.
You’ve got ideas that can help shape the world? Our courses will give you the tools, equipment and technology to bring your concepts to life.
We're Queensland’s only university of technology - future-focused and always exploring emerging disciplines and equipment. We'll help you push the boundaries of scientific development using cutting-edge facilities housed in our specialist precincts, labs and workspaces.
Our researchers work in key STEM areas, aiming to solve some of the major challenges facing society and the planet, including:
sustainable development and climate change
energy and food security
an ageing population and chronic disease
information dissemination and security.
Many of these leading researchers will be your lecturers. Their experience, passion and knowledge will be shared with you as part of your studies. They will inspire you to reach your potential and exceed your goals.
Naomi Paxton
"Combining polymer science and engineering innovations in biofabrication research has the potential to revolutionise how we treat tissue loss and improve the quality of care for patients."
Mardi McNeil
QUT PhD student Mardi McNeil was part of a team carrying out the first ever assessment of how a particular type of green macroalgae, Halimeda, affects the marine ecosystem in the Great Barrier Reef.
Evangeline Corcoran
"A highlight of my PhD studies so far is publishing my first lead author paper and receiving international honours as a ‘Woman to Watch’ in the drone industry for my role in researching the use of drones, thermal imaging and machine learning to monitor threatened wildlife."
Scholarships
We recognise the achievements and potential of our students, and encourage you to apply for our scholarships, bursaries and development programs. Scholarships offer both financial support and a wealth of invaluable experience. They can help shape and support your time at university. All you need to do is apply.
Vanessa and Riva are both recipients of the prestigious Westpac Young Technologists Scholarship. Only five universities across Australia offer this $15,000 scholarship. The scholarship includes a personalised enrichment program, giving you access to paid internships, inspiring mentors and an international leadership development experience, and membership of the Westpac 100 Scholars Network.
Brody Foy, a QUT mathematics graduate and past Dean’s Scholar and Rhodes Scholar, is using his PhD to apply his maths skills to computational biology. Specifically, lung function testing. Brody has also co-founded a non-profit consultancy that uses data analytics and machine learning to solve problems in healthcare, energy and social services.
Saskia Mathers
Saskia Mathers, a current Deans Scholar and computer software systems engineering student, is a Women in Engineering scholarship recipient and past president of Women in Technology (WiT) at QUT. Saskia has used her experiences in the program to build networks with sponsors and combine her leadership experiences and passion for STEM.
Are you an international student?
Discover more about studying with us as an international student. Find out how to apply, information about scholarships and pathway programs, and what student life is like at QUT.
A common misconception about university is that you have to do it ‘on your own’. You’ll be relieved to know that QUT offers many opportunities to get involved, make new friends, and receive proactive and timely support services to help you succeed.
Join a range of student-led projects and clubs: QUT Aerospace, QUT Construct, Girls in Engineering Making Statements, QUT Maths Society, QUT Motorsport, QUT Planning Student Association, Women in Science, and QUT Women in Technology are just some.
Why wait until you graduate to create your business, social enterprise or side hustle? QUT Entrepreneurship is the perfect place to collaborate, network and share ideas with fellow budding entrepreneurs and like-minded students from across the university.
The Oodgeroo Unit is QUT's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success unit, providing admission pathways, dedicated study spaces, tutors, cultural support and scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
News
6th August 2021
QUT has been awarded $843,854 in grants and $1,105,993 in cash and in-kind partner contributions for two research projects – one to investigate the impact of new vertical schools on student’s capability and wellbeing, and another to develop an advanced filtration material for water management systems.
Minister for Education and Youth, Hon Alan Tudge announced the grant funding as part the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Program, which brings Australian university researchers together with industry leaders to develop products and ideas that will grow the economy and improve our society.
The ‘Impact of urban vertical schools on students’ capability and wellbeing’ project received $363,854 in ARC funding and $451,695 in cash and in-kind partner contributions. The project will provide a case study to guide future education, design and infrastructure decisions.
“A growing urban population and shortage of urban land is compelling Australian education providers to invest millions of dollars in a new vertical architectural type – schools with at least seven storeys,” said chief investigator, Associate Professor Jill Willis from the QUT School of Teacher Education and Leadership, and the QUT Centre for Inclusive Education.
“But there are no evidence-based Australian precedents to guide designers or educators, and no formal knowledge sharing processes that draw on experiences of pioneers,” she said.
Associate Professor Willis said high density urban locations could lead to greater student agency through curriculum connections to local communities, but also wellbeing stress with more ambient noise from the city and disconnection from green spaces.
“Verticality means school designers consider students’ movement between floors, and light and connection with glass walls.
“This can lead to wellbeing benefits like social connections and exercise, but also visual and sensory overload for some learners.
“We want to understand the impacts on capability and wellbeing, and whether these spaces are experienced similarly by all students, including those in priority equity groups,” she said.
Dr Prue Miles, also a chief investigator on the project, said it would produce design and education principles and evaluation methods to enable knowledge sharing between educational leaders, architects, builders and designers and governments.
She said insights into student experiences in urban vertical school spaces were also expected to have value for infrastructure spending on all schools.
The three-year project builds on QUT's relationship with and investment in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley State Secondary College (pictured above).
It is due to commence in 2022, but knowledge sharing with the Fortitude Valley State Secondary College would start now, and from 2023 with other vertical schools, Prahran State High School in Melbourne and Adelaide Botanic High.
Joining Associate Professor Willis and Dr Miles will be QUT chief investigators, Professor Jill Franz, Associate Professor Jenna Gillett-Swan, Dr Nick Kelly, and Dr Andrew Gibson. Partner investigators include Associate Professor Stuart Poyntz and Dr Kylie Boltin.
The research will be a collaboration between QUT and Simon Fraser University, Canada, with partners including: Fortitude Valley State Secondary College; Adelaide Botanic High School; Prahran High School; Australian Secondary Principals’ Association; Cox Architecture; Gray Puksand; ThomsonAdsett; BFX Furniture; Hutchinson Builders; Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Corporation; and Sound Off for Schools.
The ‘Advanced fibre interfaces in active water management systems’ project received $480,0000 from the ARC and $654,298 in cash and in-kind contributions from partner ROCKWOOL-Lapinus to address urban flooding and environmental protection through improved filtration of stormwater.
“Diminishing water security due to stormwater pollution and urban flooding are compound challenges that most developed nations face,” said chief investigator Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik from the QUT School of Chemistry and Physics and the QUT Centre for Materials Science.
“Untreated stormwater contains significant concentrations of pollutants, which can raise human health risks and damage urban ecosystems.
“Australia, with 71 per cent of its population living in large urban environments, is especially affected by flooding which has detrimental impacts on the economy and society,” he said.
The research team will design a new fibre coating to stonewool, a fibre-based composite material with brick-like properties and high water retaining capacity that is currently employed for stormwater retention on green roofs, along roads and in parking areas to reduce issues with urban flooding.
“An advanced stonewool barrier would act as a ‘passive’ rainwater retention system, but critically as an ‘active’ filter to stop heavy metals and other pollutants in stormwater from entering waterways and ecosystems,” said Dr Laura Delafresnaye, also a chief investigator on the project.
“The versatility of the coating system could also lead to additional applications to wastewater treatment systems in the mining sector," she said.
The three-year project is due to commence early 2022 and will be a collaboration between QUT and the Netherlands-headquartered company Lapinus which is part of the ROCKWOOL group, the world’s leading manufacturer of stonewool products.
QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil AO congratulated research teams on the grant success.
“It is a strong sign of QUT’s inclusive and diverse research landscape that both funded grants are delivered by teams with the majority of researchers being in their early career stages,” Professor Sheil said.