BA vs. BS?

[ed0ggyd0gg]

I'm majoring in Math and contemplating whether I should get a BA or BS. I know that if I want to go into a more technical field, it would be better to get a BS (in my case, school requires a few more upper div's and a more in-depth analytical outlook).

However, is that really all the difference? Assume I go into a field where BA and BS can do equally well with their academic knowledge. Is there any worth to grabbing the BS? Do employers favor one over the other?

Any advice or direction to advice is appreciated. Much obliged.

 

[JEDIYoda]

most all the people who post here in anads forums have some sort of degree in BS ......

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
most all the people who post here in anads forums have some sort of degree in BS ......

cause they are EEs or ICS/CS majors

 

[ed0ggyd0gg]

But if they had a BA instead, would that change their ability to get the same job?

Hmm, seems as though I need to wait for the morning crowd to file in. I sense a few bump's before anything informative comes in.

 

[kedlav]

Originally posted by: ed0ggyd0gg
I'm majoring in Math and contemplating whether I should get a BA or BS. I know that if I want to go into a more technical field, it would be better to get a BS (in my case, school requires a few more upper div's and a more in-depth analytical outlook).

However, is that really all the difference? Assume I go into a field where BA and BS can do equally well with their academic knowledge. Is there any worth to grabbing the BS? Do employers favor one over the other?

Any advice or direction to advice is appreciated. Much obliged.

Speaking as someone working in graduate mathematics... get a B.S. B.A.'s in math are good for one thing and one thing only... secondary school teachers.

 

[ed0ggyd0gg]

Yes, I've done some research since I posted the topic and I find that the BS really does make a difference. In fact, some jobs that say a "Bachelor of Science" required won't even take a BA in Math.

BS FTW I guess. Plus I can always look down on the cretins who grab a BA.

No offense if you have one. I don't have a degree yet so I shouldn't be talking smack. :laugh:

 

[Triforceofcourage]

Depends on the major. I have a BS in Accounting. I got it because it required a few more upper level classes. In accounting I don't think it matters but I got it just in case to cover my ass. Whether it makes a difference or not in the hiring process I have no idea.
YMMV.

 

[kedlav]

Yea, I have my B.S. I've never really understood the point to having a B.A. in math... You end up giving up 10+ hours of your major for basic classes? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. That being said, don't exactly expect many positions to be open for people with a Bachelor's in Math. It really is a degree that requires grad school (i.e. Piled Higher and Deeper).

 

[TanisHalfElven]

LOL BS.

 

[imported_Nacelle]

I know this guy has a masters in BS. You have to wear boots every time he walks in the door.

 

[imported_cheapdude]

You might want to get a BA to stand out from the BS crowd.

 

[hdeck]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
most all the people who post here in anads forums have some sort of degree in BS ......

hoorah for me being an exception to that:beer:

 

[AMCRambler]

BA = "I ain't gettin' on no plane Hannibal!"
BS = Everything you read on ATOT.

 

[sao123]

A BA is a watered down degree.... go for the BS.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: magomago

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
most all the people who post here in anads forums have some sort of degree in BS ......

cause they are EEs or ICS/CS majors

no i think he means bullsh!t :laugh:

 

[zebano]

As far as Math goes, I don't know. At the company I work for, with a Comp Sci degree if you want to get into the engineering department, you must have a B.S. The IT department will take all the underachievers who only get B.A. though.

 

[krunchykrome]

I don't think a BA isavailable for accounting. Doesn't really make sense to me anyways. I got a BS in accounting.

A BA is wacky IMO.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

would you rather be an artist or a scientist?

BS FTW

 

[torpid]

There's virtually no difference. At least not at the university I attended. It came down to a couple of science classes versus a couple of literature classes for the most part. I went with the latter because I was already taking the relevant classes.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: torpid
There's virtually no difference. At least not at the university I attended. It came down to a couple of science classes versus a couple of literature classes for the most part. I went with the latter because I was already taking the relevant classes.

Same, but rather than literature classes I ended up taking more CS electives. I took the same math courses.

Whatever you choose OP, do meaningful undergrad research and don't wait to find an internship.

 

[ed0ggyd0gg]

Ahhh, good to see some replies. Many have confirmed my research results.

On a random tangent, would you rather major in Math or Economics?

 

[Random Variable]

I have a BA in math, but I'm in the process of getting a MS.

 

[Nerva]

my school had a ghey system. if you went to the college of arts and sciences, you get a BA regardless of what you major in. here is the kicker, if you had gone to the hotel school... you would have gotten a BS. what bs!!!

 

[ed0ggyd0gg]

Random Variable, what do you do?

 

[Tencntraze]

Originally posted by: 3cho
my school had a ghey system. if you went to the college of arts and sciences, you get a BA regardless of what you major in. here is the kicker, if you had gone to the hotel school... you would have gotten a BS. what bs!!!

Same at Northwestern; if you're in the College of Arts & Science, you get a BA. In my case, I studied Math and Computer Science, took plenty of upper-level classes, but I have a BA. If I wanted a BS, I would have had to be in the Engineering school, which would have meant taking a bunch of Engineering classes that I would rather have not taken.