Which degree is better for Chemistry a BA or BS?

Question

I attend Bryn Mawr College and it only offers AB ( BA) in chemistry. I don't know if this will allow me to get jobs in the industry or not.... I know in the long run I will have to go to grad school but I also want a job ( preferbly in the industry) so I can somehow pay off my debts.

Currently, I am a freshmen and all this is thinking is stressing me out... I don't know what I should do but Please help? Should I transfer to a university?

Answer 1

I do not understand why you are attending a college that doesn't offer the degree you wish to achieve.

But, that's your business.



Of course a BS in Chemistry is best, as chemistry is a science.



A BA, is a bachelor of arts degree. That would work best if you only intended to be a chemistry teacher, or not work directly with chemistry as a real scientist. (researcher, for example).



Maybe, for example, you were going to ge for a PhD in Medicine, then a BA would be fine too.



I'm no expert, but I think the difference between a BA, and BS often is less than two classes, perhaps higher math, and extra chemistry classes, make the degree BS, over BA.



With a BA, you take a couple extra "liberal arts" classes, rather than the math, or science courses.



It should not make too much difference with employers, who are looking for other requirements than just the fact that you earned your BA, or BS.

Often previous job experience, and your actual GPA is more important for an employer in a chemistry type industry.



Because each employer will also train you, do on-the-job training. They want to know that you are a fast learner, that's critical, and that you are a team player, able to get along with others, for example.



BUT, if you plan to later continue as a Chemistry major to get an MS degree, then it shouldn't matter that you had a BA first.



The requirements to get the MS would apply for your graduate level degree, and the BA degree wouldn't affect it.

Answer 2

The only difference between a BS and a BA is your choice of electives. A BS generally means that your electives were is math and science courses while a BA means that your electives were in the social sciences and humanities.



So no job or grad program will discount you because you have a BA instead of a BS. The core courses for the major is the same. That is, a degree in Chemistry is a degree in Chemistry, whether you have a BA or a BS.



I don't see how transferring to a university will help. The only difference between Bryn Mawr and a university is the availability of a PhD program and professional degrees. The quality of your education is in no way diminished because you chose a Liberal Arts College over a university, particularly a Selective LAC like Bryn Mawr.

Answer 3

I agree with most, but not all of what Mister said. At some schools, you do have a choice between BA and BS degrees in the sciences, and in some cases the requirements for the BA are easier to meet than for the BS. There might be a language requirement difference, or more (or higher-level) math requirements that distinguish the two degrees. In some schools, the BA requires more literature or other humanities requirements than the BS. You'll just need to compare the specific requirements for the degree and compare them to what you need for admission into pharmacy programs to see which might be best. But, know that that is not always the case. Some schools offer only a BA option, and the requirements will be fundamentally the same as a BS degree at other schools. I don't believe that schools distinguish between the degrees as rigidly as Mister suggests, but that most will actually look to see what courses you actually completed. So, if you opted for easier courses, having a BA instead of a BS might matter. However, if you selected rigorous options, then the broader non-science background of some BAs might be better for you in the long run.

Answer 4

When I was in graduate school (in chemistry), several of my classmates had BAs. It wasn't as common as a BS, but I don't think it held them back any.



I don't think that it would matter to any employers either.