Science students are natural problem solvers, and today’s world offers them more ways than ever to make an impact. STEM jobs are expected to grow twice as fast as other occupations, with 10.4% growth projected between 2023 and 2033, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics. Whether it’s improving healthcare or protecting digital systems, their skills can lead to meaningful work in many fields.
From fighting cybercrime to advancing medical research, science opens doors to careers that shape the future. A student passionate about data can explore roles in AI or machine learning. Those drawn to health might contribute to breakthroughs in cancer treatment or public health policy.
There’s also rising demand in cybersecurity, where science graduates help protect everything from personal data to national infrastructure. In environmental science, students can work on real solutions to climate change, such as developing sustainable energy or restoring ecosystems.
With a science background, you can gain tools to explore, understand, and improve the world around you. Curious where to start? Here are three leading universities to explore:
Carleton’s Faculty of Science combines award-winning teaching with leading research to drive discovery and innovation. Source: Carleton University
Carleton University
At Carleton University’s Faculty of Science, big questions lead to bold discoveries. What is the nature of dark matter? How can we fight disease more effectively? How can we make our digital spaces more secure? These are just a few of the challenges tackled every day by Carleton’s community of scientists; students, professors, and researchers working together to explore, experiment, and solve real-world problems.
Here, students work side-by-side with award-winning professors and global research partners, gaining hands-on experience in real laboratories. Whether your interests lie in fighting disease, building smarter technology, or protecting the environment, Carleton provides you with the tools to dive in and make a difference.
To support these ambitions, Carleton offers innovative undergraduate programmes such as Cybersecurity, Data Science, Nursing, and Health Science, fields that are shaping the future. Through co-op placements and research opportunities built into the curriculum, you’ll get to apply your knowledge to real-world issues, gaining the practical skills employers demand.
fLocation is also a major advantage. Situated in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, Carleton links students with leading research institutions, government agencies, and tech companies. Collaborations with partners such as the National Research Council and the Communications Research Centre provide you with direct access to meaningful internships and career-building networks.
To help you thrive in these environments, Carleton runs programmes such as the Dean’s Summer Research Internship and the Black and Indigenous Summer Research Internships, which offer early research experience and contribute to a more inclusive and representative scientific community.
At the heart of student support is the Science Student Success Centre (SSSC). The SSSC helps all undergraduate students in the Faculty of Science define and achieve their academic, career, and social goals. By actively listening to students, faculty, and staff, and working with a dedicated student volunteer team, the SSSC creates and maintains programming that directly addresses student needs.
Add to that Ottawa’s reputation for safety, affordability, and multiculturalism, and it’s easy to see why so many students choose to study here. With strong support systems and access to global opportunities, Carleton’s Faculty of Science is where bold ideas take shape and where the scientists of tomorrow get their start.
Learn more about Carleton University’s Faculty of Science.
The University of Miami is home to over 400 faculty scholars. Source: University of Miami/Facebook
University of Miami
The University of Miami’s College of Arts & Sciences embraces intellectual freedom. A team of physicists developed an organic molecule that could construct computer chips that aren’t limited by the silicon material. Biologists are testing whether excessive cadmium – a heavy metal found in many staple foods – results in multigenerational health problems, while an astrophysicist is trying to figure out where dark matter, 95% of mass in the universe, comes from.
Groundbreaking works like these stem from the over 400 faculty scholars at the College of Arts & Sciences, and such brilliance is being passed down to students. From maths to technology to sciences, social sciences, or even arts and humanities, UM combines innovative teaching with interdisciplinary research to solve the most pressing issues facing society.
Science-related undergraduate degrees are far and wide ranging. There’s Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Physics, Neuroscience, Microbiology & Immunology, and more — all of which allow you to exercise critical thinking, collaboration, and effective communication. Classes aren’t limited solely to lectures. You’ll be able to conduct research with the award-winning faculty, take on internships, and even travel the world.
The best part about studying at UM is being a part of a city that’s just as vibrant as campus. It ranks #1 among the 40 largest metro areas in the US for startup activity. It’s a multicultural hub, with 75% of Miami-Dade County residents multilingual. Opportunities in Coral Gables are abundant, with more than 140 multinational corporations practically at your doorstep. UM alone hosts 13 research centres and institutes where you can start fleshing out your ideas into reality, like the Abess Centre for Ecosystem Science and Policy or the Zebrafish Core Facility.
The University of Oregon’s College of Arts and Sciences faculty has earned US$75 million dollars in sponsored research. Source: University of Oregon/Facebook
University of Oregon
Improving sustainable, green technology. Building community resilience against earthquakes. Discovering if antihistamines have a negative effect on exercise. Blending mathematics with art in a children’s book. Combating health crises that come with age. At the University of Oregon’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), faculty and students push the boundaries of knowledge.
In the Natural Sciences, students work with over 300 world-class faculty members to exercise critical thinking and hands-on research skills both in and out of the classroom. You’re enriched by experts in fields like natural language processing in computer science and theoretical particle physics. From 2024 alone, CAS gained over US$32 million in active research grants from the National Science Foundation – a testament to the university’s boundless opportunities.
Here, undergraduate programmes in Natural Sciences ensure you are engaged and employable. There’s Earth Sciences where you’ll study how the world has come to be in the last 4.5 billion years. Human Physiology, where you explore science, medicine, and health through an in-depth understanding of the human body. There are the basic sciences, like Biology and Physics. Neuroscience, Psychology as well.
Another upside of pursuing a degree at UO is the campus location in Eugene. After a busy day at class and labs, you can relax in the vibrant city, where performers liven the streets and food is sourced right in the community. Beyond lifestyle, Oregon is known for industries like technology and software engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture and food processing, and more. Many partner with UO to bring real-world learning opportunities to students.
Learn more about the Natural Sciences at UO.
