Science Degrees Online Programs

Science degrees are usually divided into disciplines and sub-disciplines. Examples of disciplines and sub-disciplines include mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, environmental science, fire science, quantum mechanics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, nanotechnology, and more.

Science degrees are for those who like to solve complex problems or are you interested in finding and understanding the theory behind how things work. Scientists apply the principles of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics to develop hypotheses about how the world works, test their hypotheses experimentally, and use complex mathematics to test and communicate their ideas.

Earning a Science Degree Online

Many students pursue their science degrees through an online science degree program. Accredited online education colleges focus on providing learners access to high-quality online science degrees and courses at the learner's convenience. You should be careful to make sure that the online degree program you attend is accredited to ensure that your degree will be accepted by employers and other colleges and universities, and to protect yourself against fraudulent degree programs and diploma mills.

Online Science Degree Programs

Accredited online science degree programs and courses are available by distance learning in these and more areas of study:

Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Environmental Science

Fire Science
Social Science
Physics

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What can you expect from a science degree program?

Science degree programs steep you in the principles of physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. Coursework for a science degree includes college algebra, trigonometry, calculus, statistical analysis, physics, biology, chemistry, technical writing, and more. In fact, as the world becomes more complex technically, more and new science degree programs come into existence to meet the needs of new challenges in science.

Science Degrees and Specializations

Biochemistry degree programs focus on providing you with knowledge in molecular biology, genetics, organic and biochemistry, quantitative analysis, and physical chemistry. Biochemists are involved in studying human and animal nutrition, pharmaceutical science and medicine, environmental science, and any discipline in which biology and chemistry combine. Many breakthroughs in genetics, nutrition, and drug discovery have been made in recent years because of the efforts of biochemists.

An environmental science degree program will train you ecosystems, soil science, hydraulics, fluid dynamics, atmospheric sciences, zoology, botany, microbiology, and much more to model effects of changes to ecosystems on the life they sustain.

Most people don't think of mathematicians as "scientists", but that is exactly what they are. In fact, mathematics can be considered the language of the sciences. All other sciences test their hypotheses and report their results using mathematics and statistics. Mathematicians use mathematical theory and computational methods to solve problems in the physical and social sciences, as well as business. Mathematical models are used to attempt to predict movements in the stock market, predict the existence of new elementary particles in quantum physics, predict the outcome of chemical reactions, and predict the genetic make-up of a population over time. Mathematicians are teachers, researchers, work with architects and engineers, and help economists develop explanations for changes in the economy.

Materials scientists study the chemical and physical properties of elements and compounds, and predict the properties of new compounds that may be created in the lab. High heat resistant ceramics and superconducting metals have been developed through the efforts of materials scientists. Your materials science program will train you in ceramics, polymer physics, physical chemistry, calculus, and much more.

Fire scientists develop a thorough understanding of fire, fire prevention, causes of fire, hazardous materials, fire safety, fire incident command and control, and emergency procedures. Fire scientists usually advance to a career as a fire fighter, with increasing responsibility accruing to those who continue their education through a master's degree in Fire Science.

Careers, Occupations and Salaries with a Science Degree

Your science degree will open doors to you in a wide variety of careers. No matter which career field you choose, opportunities will exist in nearly every facet of both the public and private sectors. Both private companies and government entities hire scientists of all kinds.

Environmental scientists help protect the environment from pollution and safeguard our natural resources by studying ecosystems and their interactions with the flora and fauna which inhabit them. As an environmental scientist, you will help industry and government monitor, prevent, and respond to natural and industrial disasters. You may also serve as consultants to help develop environmental quality regulations or become an early responder to natural disasters.

As a materials scientist, you may work in corporate or government research labs, for NASA, or as part of a computer chip manufacturing company. Materials scientists push the envelope of knowledge of polymers, ceramics, and conducting materials to create new materials that perform functions at which current materials are inefficient or unable to perform.

With an associate's degree of science (AS), you can work as a fire fighter, lab technician, lab assistant, or sample collector. Your bachelor's degree in science will help you land a job as a research assistant or associate, teacher, science policy analyst, or science writer. A master's degree in science helps scientists to specialize, gain technological competence, or update their skills to meet the needs of a changing industry. Scientists who earn a master's degree frequently become managers in research firms or government labs. A Ph.D. in science is the gateway to a professorship in a college science department, a career as an independent consultant, or a government policymaker.

Salaries for graduates vary widely, depending upon the degree you earn, the industry you choose, and where you live. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2008), graduates with an associate's degree in science can expect to earn an average of over $32,000 as a lab technician or lab assistant. Bachelor's of science degree graduates can start at over $50,000 on average, and have the opportunity to earn in excess of $100,000 with experience, especially science policy analysts or sales representatives for scientific instrumentation manufacturers.

Similar salaries are available to scientists with a MS or PhD. As a professor with a PhD in the sciences, you can expect to earn $55,000 to $80,000 to start, depending upon whether your degree is in the biological sciences or the physical sciences. Overall, careers in the science professions are expected to grow at average or above average rates over the next ten years, although some science specialties, such as chemistry (except biochemistry), are expected to lose jobs over the next ten years.