for college degrees, when the major is the same, but the abbreviation designation is different, what does that mean?

[dionx]

like i've seen some schools offer a BA in chemistry whiles others are BS in chemistry. i just got a BS in chemistry from UC Irvine. it would make sense for it to be BS since it is a science, not an art.

however i was looking at sdsu for grad school and they offer both MS and MA in chemistry. why not just an MS since chemistry is a science not an art.

is there a different approach in learning or something or are they the same, and if they are the same, why are both offered?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Usually,

an MA is mostly coursework. MS requires more labwork. MA in Chem is fairly rare, perhaps for teachers in high school etc.

BS is more rigorous than a BA. More science courses required. Many schools who offer a BA offer an opportunity for a double major which would be very very difficult to do with a BS workload.

 

[AgentEL]

There is both a BA and BS offered in Computer Science at UC Berkeley.

People who are in the EE/CS program are in the College of Engineering. The CoE requires students to take more science, engineering, and math classes. It leads to a BS.

People who are in the CS program are in the College of Letters and Science. L&S does not require as many technical classes and leads to a BA.

Hope this may illustrate the difference.

BTW, I'm going to SDSU for my MS in CS.

 

[fizmeister]

There are usually less requirements for the B.A. than the B.S. (science wise). The B.A. is more of a liberal arts degree in the science.

 

[kami333]

BS is more lab work than a BA in science. I'm pissed that I'm only getting a BA in bio, my college doesn't offer BS. Though if I was getting a BS I would be stuck in a lab right now trying to get the research for my thesis done so I can graduate. (wait, I do that already!). Plus there's nothing worthwhile that you can do with a bio BS that you can't do with a BA, gotta have at least a MS for anything.

 

[alkemyst]

I was under the impression one is more designed to be continued towards a higher degree and the other designed to be a more complete stopping point. However, both can be continued and both can be the end.

The 'Arts' provides a more rounded education, and is really designed to go with the students the next degree at the 'Science' level.

AS->work
AA->BS BA->MS

 

[Mallow]

MA & BA usually mean your a little more rounded (not IMO tho). You are usually required to take more liberal arts classes such as foreign language, sometimes you must even get a minor in liberal arts.

 

[bunker]

Originally posted by: Mallow
MA & BA usually mean your a little more rounded (not IMO tho). You are usually required to take more liberal arts classes such as foreign language, sometimes you must even get a minor in liberal arts.

Bingo.

I have a BS and was told by my counselor at the time if I wanted a BA I would have to take a language course (french, spanish, etc...)

 

[Whisper]

Bingo.

I have a BS and was told by my counselor at the time if I wanted a BA I would have to take a language course (french, spanish, etc...)

B@st@rd...I'm getting a BS (Psychology), and everyone in the college of arts and sciences here at UGA is required to take three semesters of a foreign language. Not that I regret having done it, though.

But I still hate you. 🙂

Though I belive that the BA students have to take four semesters...and that fourth one is a biznatch.