<p>So, I have always really liked washu and all, and I just sort of assumed that one could get a bs degree in a science major, in my case chemistry with a concentration in biochem. But I have been perusing their website all morning and its really unclear. Can you even earn a bs from the college of arts and sciences? Or are bs degrees only available in engineering and architecture majors? It is pretty important to me that I earn a bs instead of a ba, so am I screwed if I major in chem at washu?</p>
<p>Unless I’m mistaken, the chemistry department is always located in the arts and sciences school (or equivalent) at universities. Can I ask why you care that it’s a b.a. instead of b.s.?</p>
<p>it may always be in the arts and sciences department, but most schools still offer a BS degree for majors like that. Honestly, at schools where both are offered, the BS is always harder and has more requirements. Therefore, the common perception (at least among people I have talked to) is that BS majors are more serious than BAs. If I went to med school it wouldn’t matter, but if I decided not to go down that path, would having a BA hurt my chances of getting a good job competing against people with the BS degree from other schools in chem? At least thats what I am thinking/the perception about BA vs BS that I have always had. So, does your response mean that Washu does not have BS offerings in Arts and sciences?</p>
<p>No offense, but why do you think your perception of BA vs. BS has any standing whatsoever?</p>
<p>If you don’t have a choice as to whether it’s a BA or a BS, you shouldn’t worry about it because there’s nothing you can do. It’s a degree in chemistry from an excellent university. You should think of it as such and in no other way.</p>
<p>There is really no difference, and no one will care. It used to be that the B.A. degree was awarded when students took Latin, or at least a substantial amount of humanities/lib-arts. This distinction isn’t really in place today. Different colleges have different naming conventions. What you need to look at is the difference in course offerings and major requirements themselves between different colleges. I guarantee Wash U will have the same courses and requirements for a Chem major as a school that awards the Bachelor of Science for it. </p>
<p>At Wash U, you can get the B.S. degree if you are in Engineering, Business (don’t ask why - because nearly 60% of classes for business students must be in art-sci), or Architecture. All Art Sci students get the B.A. degree. Harvard and Princeton do the same thing, except I believe it is called the A.B for everything except an S.B for engineering. Same idea here.</p>
<p>^And I’m pretty sure everyone takes Harvard grads with an A.B. pretty seriously.</p>
<p>I’m a chem major and no, there is no B.S. at WashU (no pun intended). However, you can go for ACS certification (American Chemical Society) which requires a few more courses but is basically regarded the same as a B.S. Honestly, employers/grad schools know that WashU is not an easy school and I don’t think B.S. vs. B.A. will affect any of your future plans (especially if ACS certified).</p>
<p>BS is available for Engineering, Olin, Architecture (I think?)</p>
<p>It really doesn’t matter though…at all…</p>
<p>thanks for the responses, especially musicalscientist. I guess I don’t really know why I had that perception about BS BA, but evidently it is pretty outdated. @ravnzcroft, you just need to calm down, jeez…it was a question. And actually, I would have a choice. What I am looking at is the possibility (small chance as it is, I know, don’t need a lecture on this) that i get in off the waitlist and must choose between BA at washu and BS at wake forest. So, to the cc community at large, does everyone agree that getting a BA wouldn’t hurt future chances or lose out to a BS from another school in job/grad school competition?</p>
<p>Getting a BA at the better school is better in general.</p>
<p>Look, I understand where you’re coming from and I don’t think your concerns are unfounded. Many lower-tier schools offer a choice of BA and BS, with the BS requiring more classes, and thus many consider a BS superior to a BA. However, at top tier schools this is more rare, and I can’t think of any top schools offhand that offer a choice between BA and BS…if people get into a top school, chances are they’d go after the higher degree.</p>
<p>It simplifies by offering one degree. Whether people reviewing resumes or not know this is debatable, and is highly likely dependent on the person’s knowledge of the schooling system. Graduate admissions school certainly look into what each school offers. When applying for a job, you can always explain that a BS wasn’t offered.</p>
<p>However, I’m pretty sure hiring reps would rather see someone do well at a top school, regardless of eventual degree, than some lesser known school. A BA at Wash U is clearly superior to a BS at X school.</p>
<p>If you feel so strongly about this, go for the BS. It’s obviously not a major concern to the majority of students, and I don’t think it should be.</p>
<p>Princeton and Harvard has B.A. degrees only. Does that mean that their inferior? I’ll leave that one for you to judge. </p>
<p>OH OH and MIT has a B.S. in English!!! So does Harvey Mudd!!! Does that mean that they are so much better than Harvard??</p>
<p>^that point was already made.</p>
<p>Hahaha alright everyone put the fists away I’m not hear to call schools and offerings inferior. Anyway, thank you so much marcdvl for your post. The whole reason I posted was to find out if I should feel strongly about it, and the consensus seems to be that it doesn’t matter too much, especially in light of the fact that there wouldn’t be a choice at washu. I think I definitely got my answer. Even though it is still sort of odd that business majors earn a bs while science majors earn a ba…</p>
<p>Harvey Mudd doesn’t even offer any degree in English…it’s a science school.</p>