STEM program upskills arts students

Charles Darwin University (CDU) has introduced a STEM program to encourage arts and humanities students into science and technology.

The university will host STEM-based micro-credentials taught with industry partners to upskill undergraduate students currently enrolled in non-STEM courses, improving individual employment outcomes to support a highly skilled workforce.

Project Officer and CDU Master of Information Technology graduate Yunzhu Wang said the program aims to bridge the gap between science and arts subjects and guide students to become STEM-skilled graduates.

“Quite a large number of non-STEM undergraduate students are already taking at least one STEM unit at CDU, but the new program will provide more support to bolster these numbers,” she said.

“The program provides students with the foundational scientific knowledge in a certain field, so they can explore new concepts and ideas that are not normally offered in arts and humanities courses.”

The program is part of the Australian Department of Education’s National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund, which supports enhanced engagement between universities and industry to produce job-ready graduates.

The STEM-skilled graduates component aims to increase the proportion of non-STEM graduates who have completed a STEM unit before the end of 2024 and expand STEM skills across multiple higher education programs.

CDU Science lecturer Stephen Reynolds said the science and technology module will not only provide a solid and topical understanding of a critical research field, but help students to develop vital problem-solving skills.

“We hope to broaden students’ ideas about science, but also increase their understanding of misinformation around issues and trends,” Reynolds said.

“It’s important to help students develop a strong ability to analyse, engage in critical thinking and effectively communicate how things work, because these are great skills that can be applied to a variety of research projects in different scientific fields.”

In this science unit, students will be introduced to physical, chemical and biological processes in science and technology within the context of current environmental issues. In the following semester, the program will potentially expand to offer modules in artificial intelligence and science outreach.

CDU Director Student Engagement Sarah Fletcher said the program is keeping up with the rapid growth of industry and providing effective pathways for students into rewarding careers.

“Globalisation and advances in technology are changing the nature of work and increasing the number and variety of occupations requiring STEM-skills alongside an advanced understanding of STEM concepts,” Fletcher said.

“Supporting students who undertake this program into STEM industry partnerships will still enable them to use their skills acquired from their arts and humanities courses, but apply this knowledge to research and innovation projects they may not have been interested in otherwise.”

Image credit: iStock.com/kali9