Gender preferences and science career choice

Abstract

Statistics show that the percentage number of females in science courses at the University of Malta is low when compared to other undergraduate courses. The ratio of males to females varies according to the science undergraduate course. This paper aims to identify reasons for gender differences in science undergraduate courses, lecturing staff and employees in science related professions. A questionnaire was addressed to two hundred and twenty three (223) undergraduate students following science related courses at the University of Malta. They were asked about their experience of science at Primary, Secondary and Post Secondary levels and about their choice of course/career. Personal interest in science was found to be the key factor that determines the decision in whether to pursue a science career or not. No gender difference was found to be statistically significant in this regard. Based on these [mdings, suggestions are made about how to improve science education with a view of increasing the number of students, both male and female, following a science career.