If you are passionate about science and interested in pursuing a career as a scientist, you may be wondering what degree you should pursue. The truth is that there is no single "right" degree that will guarantee you a career as a scientist. However, there are several degrees that can provide you with a strong foundation in the scientific principles and skills needed to succeed in this field.
In this section, we will explore some of the most popular areas of study for aspiring scientists and provide guidance on how to choose the best field of study based on your interests, skills and career goals. Whether you're a high school student just starting to think about college or a working professional looking to change careers, this guide will help you take the first steps toward becoming a scientist.
Learn More About:
- Bachelor’s degree in a science-related field
- Master’s degree in a science-related field
- Doctoral degree in a science-related field
- Medical degree
- Engineering degree
Bachelor's Degree in a Science-Related Field
A bachelor's degree in a science field, such as biology, chemistry, physics or environmental science, can provide you with a solid foundation in the scientific principles and methods used in your field of study. With a bachelor's degree in a science field, you may be able to work as a laboratory technician, science writer or a science teacher. You can also pursue graduate studies in your field of interest to set yourself up for possible career advancement.
Master's Degree in a Science-Related Field
A master's degree in a science related field can provide you with more specialized knowledge and advanced skills in your area of interest. A science degree at the masters level can prepare you for leadership roles in industries such as research, education or government. Graduate programs in science may provide you with opportunities to connect with professionals in your field that may lead to future job opportunities.
Doctoral Degree in a Science-Related Field
A doctoral degree, such as a PhD or a Doctor of Science (DSc), is the highest degree you can earn in a science field. It is often challenging and intellectually stimulating, requiring a great deal of perseverance and critical thinking. Doctoral degrees can offer numerous benefits, such as enabling you to use your expertise to develop new theories on solving scientific problems, designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting results. Earning a doctoral degree in a science field may allow you to work in academia at universities, developmental positions allowing you to discover new products, technologies or scientific innovations, public health, research and advocacy, environmental, national security and other various industries.
Medical Degree
If you are interested in becoming a physician as well as a scientist, you will need to earn a medical degree, such as a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Medical school prepares you to become a licensed physician who can practice medicine, prescribe medication and perform surgeries. MDs typically complete a residency program that can take anywhere from three to seven years to complete, depending on the specialty and university. This doctoral degree could also allow you to lead a research team and make new discoveries, but those types of positions are usually only open to MDs or DOs who have also gained a substantial amount of research training alongside their medical training. This is also true for doctors in Physical Therapy (DPT), doctors in Pharmacy (PharmD) and other clinical doctoral degree-holders.
Engineering Degree
Engineering and science are closely related fields, and many of the skills and knowledge required for success in one field are applicable to the other. If you are interested in applying scientific principles to solve practical problems, you may want to consider studying engineering. Engineers use science and math to design, develop and test new technologies, products and systems. Depending on which engineering degree you pursue, you may find work as a research engineer, product developer or systems analyst.
