<p>How is it that schools can offer majors in a hard science, yet only give out Bachelor of Arts degrees? I always assumed that if you majored in science, like chemistry, you would receive a BS degree. I just don't understand. </p>
<p>Here's an example: From what I understand, Wesleyan University only offers BA degrees. Yet from what I've heard, they have an excellent science program and offer majors in a lot of different science subjects. So, say I went to Wes and majored in physics...and I guess got a BA. Is that not as good as a BS, I mean, for a science major? If I want to major in science should I be sure to go somewhere that offers BS degrees? </p>
<p>A BA from a college that only grants BA degrees is fine.</p>
<p>Some colleges offer both BA and BS degrees. For example, UCSB offers BA and BS tracks in the biology</a> major. In this case, a BA would be more interdisciplinary and allows for more electives. A BS would be more in-depth and preferable for those considering graduate school.</p>
<p>At some schools that offer both BA and BS in the same field, the differences include the number of courses that included labs, the amount and difficulty of the mathematics required, and possibly, but not usually, an undergraduate research thesis. Quite often a premed student will take the BA option, whereas a student interested in graduate school in the sciences would be sure to get the BS.</p>
<p>If you are graduating from a school with only the BA option, I doubt that it would be a problem. However, if it means there are not many laboratory-based courses available, I suppose that could have repercussions for your next move. I didn't realize there were schools that did not offer the BS option in the experimental sciences.</p>
<p>Yeah, midmo, I never realized it either. I don't know that much, but still. It's just never mentioned on the usual college searches and such. They always say what majors are offered, but never what degrees...</p>
<p>waterbed, there is a massive amount of misunderstanding about the term liberal arts and corresponding bachelor of arts. The liberal arts include art, literature, language, social studies *and *the sciences, including experimental sciences like physics and chemistry. </p>
<p>A liberal arts college (LAC) offers much more than art and may or may not be liberal :). The distinction between a LAC and a university is usually that the LAC focuses on undergraduate study versus offering a wide range of graduate and professional programs.</p>
<p>In fact many LACs have very, very good sciences. Williams for example has one of the best programs in the country, including experimental sciences, only offers the bachelor of arts. Nevertheless, Williams grads consistently achieve positions in high profile graduate programs in the sciences. Same could be said of other LACs as well.</p>
<p>momrath, do LAC ever offer a BS rather than a BA in the natural (or social) sciences? I don't have much experience with LAC, and I never realized that there were no (?) BS degrees. As I said above, the distinction between BS and BA is real and significant in many programs in universities, including those I have studied in and taught in.</p>
<p>I don't dispute that sciences are top-notch in LAC. A friend of my son is at Williams studying sciences; he wouldn't be there if it weren't very good.</p>
<p>
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do LAC ever offer a BS rather than a BA in the natural (or social) sciences?
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There are a few LACs (Swarthmore, Smith, Trinity) that offer ABET-accredited bachelor's degrees in engineering. In such cases, the engineering degree is a BS (in accordance with ABET standards), while all of the other degrees granted by the LAC (including those in science and math degrees) are BAs.</p>