Difference in BS and BA?

[MedStudentWanna]

This is going to be a stupid question but my friend and I were discussing our degrees the other day. How is it that my friend got a B.S. degree in Television, Radio, and Film? Why isn't that considered B.A.? I didn't believe it until I saw the diploma.

What's the difference between a BS and BA anyway?

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[mshheaddoc]

Dependson the "college" they are in. There is NO difference. Some will say a "science" degree has more emphasis on the topic studied while the "arts" degree has more of a liberal arts basis. This is partly true in my experience (being in a BS program then switching to a BA) but overall they are just the same degree.

The BA degree is a liberal arts degree. It provides general knowledge in many fields and emphasizes intellectual skills such as thinking, problem solving, reasoning, and judgment. The primary goal of a liberal arts degree is not to prepare the student for a specific job but to develop an educated citizen, the traditional objective of a college education.

The general knowledge, intellectual skills, and values that come from a broad liberal arts education are valuable for a lifetime. The liberal arts orientation of the BA degree compliments the student's knowledge of psychology.

The BS degree is narrower and more specialized than the BA, emphasizing mathematics, science, and computer skills. It is most appropriate for students planning research careers in areas of psychology requiring a strong background in mathematics and the sciences. Neuroscience, cognitive psychology, learning, and perception are examples of such areas.

 

[xanthomondo]

This is going to be a stupid question but my friend and I were discussing our degrees the other day. How is it that my friend got a B.S. degree in Television, Radio, and Film? Why isn't that considered B.A.? I didn't believe it until I saw the diploma.

What's the difference between a BS and BA anyway?

ba is bachelor of arts
bs is bachelor of science

it USED to be that you could earn a BA or BS in almost any subject, and the BS was supposed to be much much more rigorous than the BA

nowadays most schools just hand out BS's because it looks better..has nothing to do with rigor...my school just created a BA in biology program, its such a joke that its on the same level of earning a psychology degree...i think only math 101 is required

 

[LifetimeDoc]

Enjoy your undergraduate years, major in whatever you want, take the pre-req courses (and maybe some upper-level ones related to medical school such as histology, anatomy-physiology, gross anatomy if you want), and get the most out of the opportunities available as an undergrad. You won't have a chance to do this again once you start medical school and get into the medical field.

 

[BuckerPark]

I got a BA from my private liberal arts college and it seemed to me that, in addition to the work that you do for your major, you are expected to complete a substantial amount of work in all other areas. I don't think it says anything about the 'rigor' of course studies.

I would guess that the level of rigor depends on the particular school---not on the degree being granted.

Dependson the "college" they are in. There is NO difference. Some will say a "science" degree has more emphasis on the topic studied while the "arts" degree has more of a liberal arts basis. This is partly true in my experience (being in a BS program then switching to a BA) but overall they are just the same degree.

 

[EBI831]

actually to those who said BS was better my premed advisor and school advisor says you're wrong. BA is better according to them because it means that you not only did the science for your bio major and all that but you did enough liberal arts and other classes to qualify for BA. supposedly it makes you more well rounded: this was in response my confusion that a molecular bio major was a BA.

 

[MossPoh]

It really depends on the uni.....Mine is more a matter of the prereqs required. I actually get both since I am doing German and Information Science. Sometimes they offer a choice that depends on which school you are in..such as a B.A. in Economics if you are in the college of liberal arts and a B.S. in Economics if you are in the business school. The difference between the two is almost non existent but from what I've seen the business school one was a few more of the well...real world oriented stuff I guess while the B.A. seemed a little more academic focused. Will they notice a difference? Probably not... Every school does it differently so just ask if it really makes a difference for you.

 

[Mr. McDuck]

Second the "university dependant" consensus. My school has a BA and a BS available for biology, and the BS curr. is much more science heavy. The BA program is more geared towards students planning on teaching high school bio or something, whereas the BS program is for those planning on pursuing graduate study.

Also, I noticed the BA program didn't quite fulfill all the pre-reqs for med school.

 

[LizzyM]

Makes no difference to the adcom as long as you've met the pre-med requirements.

 

[americanangel]

at my school it goes off of the number of class....i'm at a liberal arts college and a b.s is only offered in bio, chem, biochem, psych, physics (althought i think there are only two physics majors at school) computer sci and marine sci....12 classes in a major will get you a BA and 16 classes in one of the above majors get you a BS

 

[Haemulon]

Also, I noticed the BA program didn't quite fulfill all the pre-reqs for med school.

A BA in Biology program did not fullfil the pre-reqs for med school???? Med school has very few pre-reqs. General chemistry, physics, organic, and bio (year of each right?). I don't see how any of those could be missing from a bio degree. I have heard of people not taking physics, but basic physics is a good idea for pretty much any science degree don't you think?

I think people on here talking down BA's have BS degrees and vice versa. Bottom line is that each degree is equivalent. They are both Bachelor Degrees. BS degrees have more courses in the specific major field, wheras BA degrees have more courses in fields outside of the major. Thus, one is more focused but less well rounded and the other is less focused but more well rounded. Again though, your individual course selection can easily make up for one or the other (I have a BA, but took many more classes in my major than required while still getting all of my minor courses and other liberal arts training.)

 

[jjmack]

wash u college of arts and sciences only gives BAs. I have one in biology. Didn't hurt me at all.

 

[Mr. McDuck]

A BA in Biology program did not fullfil the pre-reqs for med school???? Med school has very few pre-reqs. General chemistry, physics, organic, and bio (year of each right?). I don't see how any of those could be missing from a bio degree. I have heard of people not taking physics, but basic physics is a good idea for pretty much any science degree don't you think?

I think people on here talking down BA's have BS degrees and vice versa. Bottom line is that each degree is equivalent. They are both Bachelor Degrees. BS degrees have more courses in the specific major field, wheras BA degrees have more courses in fields outside of the major. Thus, one is more focused but less well rounded and the other is less focused but more well rounded. Again though, your individual course selection can easily make up for one or the other (I have a BA, but took many more classes in my major than required while still getting all of my minor courses and other liberal arts training.)

I agree with you. But I believe it was physics that was missing from the curriculum. I'm not talking down the BA in any field. I think the BA they offered serves its purpose quite well. The school advertises that the BA degree is specifically for people that don't want to pursue graduate education and plan on teaching primary or secondary school. I'm sure one could use electives to satisfy the pre-reqs, so it isn't a big issue. But the BS degree fulfilled all the pre-reqs and allowed me to take as many history classes as my heart desired. 😍

 

[MSTP?]

wash u college of arts and sciences only gives BAs. I have one in biology. Didn't hurt me at all.

yeah our arts and sciences gave BAs. only the separate engineering school gave BS degrees.

 

[Dave_D]

Another "It depends on the school." At my school they only gave out BA's even for physics and chem and the like.(BU CAS for what it's worth.) Now if you went for engineering you got a BS. I once heard the main difference was that a BA meant they tortured you at some point with a couple of years of a friggin language requirement.(Apparently the REAL reason is that the profs had to suffer through it, they can't get back at their old profs so they're taking it out on you.) Actually at some schools(Like UMass Boston) you can get either a BS or BA.(One requires physics and extra sciences, the other has the worthless language requirement.) To be honest I'd still think a BA in Chem from BU is probably seen more highly by a grad school than a BS in Chem from UMB.(So it's not like you can't get an MS after getting a BA.)

 

[Wackie]

I'm getting a BA in biology. The difference between the BA and the BS that my school offers is the BS is more "set". There's more science that you're required to take and less electives. The BA requires a foreign language (4 semesters worth), and is more flexible in which types of science classes you can take.
I decided on the BA because I want to stay in Texas so spanish is pretty important. Also, I won't need to take as many plant biology classes as the BS would require. I'd rather choose science courses I'd be interersted in.
For someone interested in research, my advisor said a BS is the way you'd want to go.

Your advisor would be able to answer your question the best.

 

[lion_08]

I'm yet another it depends on the school. At my school you have to specifically state that you want a BA otherwise you get a BS. In order to get a BA, you have to complete a language through the intermediate level.

Additionally, my school has different tracks within the biology, chem, and physics departments. There are three options for someone wanting to major in biology: Professional Biology, General Biology, and Environmental Biology. A Professional Biology major, according to my school, is necessary if one is considering going to graduate school because you have to take a wealth of courses and a chemistry minor is required. General Biology is applicable for those planning on prehealth careers, however it has to be completed with a minor or a second major. Environmental Biology is just as rigorous as Professional and is intended for those planning on going to graduate school. The options are essentially the same for chemistry majors with the exception that a chemistry major would not also have a chemistry minor. A Professional chemistry major almost completes a minor in math. Additionally, the course requirements for the General track are not as intensive.

So at my school it really doesn't matter if one has a BA or a BS. What it would come down to is if the person had a BA in Professional Biology or Professional Chemistry - it would look better because the person went the extra mile to fulfill the language requirement.

I'm going to go the General Chemistry route and get a BA. Additionally, I think i am going to attempt two minors. I'm not sure just yet because I have an interest in pharmacology so it might be in my best interest to go the professional route.

 

[CTtarheel]

The BS curriculum is much more science heavy. Its MUCH more rigorous in the major/sciences, but doesn't give you much flexibility to take fun courses. For example, the BS chemistry degree requires 13 upper level chem classes, while the BA degree requires 5.

 

[notdeadyet]

The BS curriculum is much more science heavy.

Again, like previous poster said, it depends entirely on the school you go to. At many, the difference is insignificant.

 

[Haemulon]

The BS curriculum is much more science heavy. Its MUCH more rigorous in the major/sciences, but doesn't give you much flexibility to take fun courses. For example, the BS chemistry degree requires 13 upper level chem classes, while the BA degree requires 5.

Again with the "much more rigourous" thing. Thats silly. You have to take the same number of total courses for a degree either way. It seems as though you are assuming that any class outside of the sciences is less rigorous. Try taking a hard core Shakespeare or Constitutional Law course for instance. For some of us, science is much easier than the humanities and therefore less "rigorous". All in the eye of the beholder.

 

[PineappleGirl]

I also concur with everyone who is saying it depends on the school. My school (BU) only awards BAs to everyone in the College of Arts and Sciences. You could major in chem, physics, or computer science but you still get a BA same as if you majored in English, psych or history.

Other schools I believe base whether you get a BA or BS depending on the number of credits you took in math/science courses vs. the number of credits you took in liberal arts courses. If you have more math/science credits you get a BS and if you have more liberal arts credits you get a BA. My dad has a BS in French literature, because even though that was his major he took more math courses than French courses.