理科教育遇冷

Nowadays, a growing number of university students in numerous nations opt out of science majors, and this trend is driven by two core reasons, with profound negative impacts on social progress.

The primary cause is the high threshold and demanding nature of science courses. Science degrees, such as physics and biomedical science, require long hours of complex lab work, abstract conceptual learning and strict mathematical foundation, which impose heavier academic pressure than majors like media or business. A 2023 UK higher education report found science undergraduates spend 15 more hours per week on study than peers in arts majors, discouraging many students. Another key reason is the unclear short-term career return. Most science-related careers, like fundamental research or public health, demand advanced degrees (master’s or PhD) and years of accumulation to get stable, well-paid positions, while many non-science majors allow graduates to enter high-salary industries such as internet operations or marketing directly after bachelor’s graduation.

This trend brings tangible harm to society. For one thing, it leads to a talent gap in STEM fields, which are the core driving force of technological innovation. For example, the European Commission reported a shortage of over 700,000 science and technology professionals in 2024, slowing down the EU’s research progress in renewable energy and pandemic prevention. For another, it will widen social inequality in the long run: as fewer people engage in basic science research, core technological breakthroughs will be monopolised by a tiny group, while the general public may lack scientific literacy to distinguish misinformation, such as fake claims about public health issues.

In conclusion, the difficulty of science study and uncompetitive early career rewards push students away from science majors, and this will undermine both technological development and public rationality if unaddressed.