A Brief History of the Science Major
Since classical times when philosophers set out to discover just how the world really works, science has been rooted in providing rational and logical explanations to everyday phenomena. For example, Isaac Newton famously used scientific explanations to describe light refraction and gravity. Today, there are numerous fields that science covers, from biological science to medical science to mathematical science. Most science degrees are focused on a particular niche in science, but the online science degree has long been established as a general science degree that will allow students to easily transition into a more specific discipline later on during their graduate school work. As such, the science major is typically only offered for associate and bachelor’s degrees due to its broad and general nature. Today, a degree in science focuses on engineering principles, computer work, mathematics, and natural sciences. It does not delve too deeply into any of those subjects, instead opting to provide students with a more basic knowledge of all of those disciplines so that they may build upon that knowledge during their graduate studies when they have decided on a more focused niche of science to pursue.
Delving Into the Science Major
The science major is only offered as an undergraduate degree because it is intended to be more general. This way, students with this degree and education can easily go into any other science program for their graduate studies. There are numerous areas that science touches on and the general science major explores nearly all of them, though not nearly with as much depth as a science degree focused solely on one of those areas. As a benefit, this means that general science majors have the opportunity to learn about different kinds of science so that they can get a better idea of what areas within science they enjoy the most. Science majors will take classes such as Biology, Chemistry Principles, College Physics, and mathematics, according to the curriculum from Cedar Crest College. Students will also have the chance to take electives courses in other science fields, such as Astronomy, Oceanography, Microbiology, and Organic Chemistry.
All general science majors will be required to complete some lab work for their chemistry classes, which can be done at an approved school laboratory for those who are learning online. Some online schools, however, may opt to provide students with a virtual online laboratory instead of having the student go to a school site to complete the lab requirements. A final exam or capstone project typically ends the program. A capstone project is a final presentation and research assignment that utilizes all of the things the student learned throughout the two-to-four year program. Most students will work with an instructor through e-mail to get the project ready.
Degree Levels:
Associate
In an associate general science degree program, students will delve into introductory science courses as well as some intensive mathematics courses. This degree typically lasts about two years, though if taken part-time, the degree program can last up to four years. Typical classes include English courses, college-level calculus, Public Speaking, Psychology, and Physics, according to the course curriculum for Pierce College’s associate program. By the end of the program, students will be well-versed in the natural sciences as well as have strong communication and mathematics skills, which as all essential to a successful continuing education in the science field.
Bachelor’s
A bachelor’s degree with a major in general science is a four-year program where students will learn more about various science disciplines than those in an associate degree program. Students will take courses in Cell Biology, General Chemistry, and other introductory courses as well as several advanced ones. Though it is not required, students are encouraged to pick an area of emphasis for their studies, such as biology or environmental science. They will complete labs, readings, and essays to exercise their knowledge of the lecture materials, as well as participate in class discussions about scientific theories covered in the course, such as inertia and force for physics discussions. By the end of the program, students will have adequate experience in working with multiple science disciplines.
Supplementing Your Science Major
A science major is purposefully broad because many who earn such a degree have plans to go on to pursue a graduate degree. However, you may change your mind later on about going back to school or may simply want to earn a general science degree without having to commit to earning a master’s or doctoral degree down the line. Luckily, there are still career options for those who choose to earn a bachelor’s degree in general science – as long as you know which concentrations or minors to earn with that degree.
Students can choose to double-major, meaning that they work towards two degrees simultaneously. One of the best majors to earn alongside a general science major is an education major, particularly an elementary education major. This will allow students to teach science to those in elementary school upon graduation and certification. As elementary schools do not require teachers to have a college-level knowledge of the subjects they teach, such as in high school and college, those with a general science knowledge can easily teach young children about scientific principles as long as they also earn a degree in education.
Earning a minor is another great idea for students looking to supplement their major. As they will already be taking science classes, students can easily minor in a science discipline, such as biology, chemistry, geology, or physics. They can count their required courses both towards their major and their minor, leaving only a few additional course requirements to fulfill in order to earn a minor. Earning a minor in a specific science will also increase the student’s entry-level employability upon graduation, as they will have general, broad knowledge as well as some specialization in a particular discipline.
Learn More About the Science Major
- U.S. News & Report’s Best Science Schools ranking
- MIT Open Courseware for Biology
- MIT Open Courseware for Chemistry
- MIT Open Courseware for Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
- MIT Open Courseware for Physics
The Science Major in the Job Market
Those with a degree in general science have great opportunities for rewarding careers. Though most graduates with this degree have plans to pursue a graduate degree later on, even those who choose to go into the work force with a general science degree can find great success. General science students are adept with mathematics, research, data analysis, and problem-solving, thanks to intensive science and electives courses. Though they do not possess a great depth of knowledge in any one scientific discipline, they can still find rewarding work as elementary or middle school science teachers or as science technicians.
Elementary and middle school teachers work with children to develop their knowledge base, social skills, and work ethic. Science teachers at this education level do not need to hold a master’s or doctoral degree to teach because the information is still relatively basic. Students with a general science degree can easily become science teachers as long as they also complete a teaching program. The demand for teachers will continue to grow, especially in busy urban areas where the student population is much larger. In fact, the employment of elementary school teachers is expected to increase 16% during the 2008-18 decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while the employment of middle school teachers is expected to increase 15% during the same time period.
Science technicians work with researchers in laboratories. They are primarily responsible for recording experiment results, maintaining equipment, and helping researchers test theories. As the majority of scientific experiments are dependent on properly calibrated and updated machinery, the job of science technicians is incredibly valuable. Most science technicians will also have the opportunity to learn more about a specific scientific discipline as they work. Employment opportunities for science technicians is projected to increase 12% during the 2008-18 decade, according to the Bureau, with the biggest gains in the environmental science sector.
Careers I Can Get with This Degree:
