If you want to pursue a career in science, technology, or math, then a Bachelor of Science degree may be invaluable to you.
Bachelor of Science degrees are wide-ranging, but all of them are designed to teach analytical thinking and technical know-how, many with professors who are experts in their field. Many challenging and impactful jobs require a Bachelor of Science degree, including engineering, nursing, and aviation.
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It’s now possible to go beyond a traditional classroom setting and earn a Bachelor of Science degree online.
Online Bachelor of Science Degrees
Bachelor or Baccalaureate of Science (BS) degrees make up a huge number of undergraduate degrees today. These degrees span not only science and technology but also some areas of business and social science.
Here are some of the most popular online Bachelor of Science majors:
- Accounting
- Aviation
- Biomedical Sciences
- Business
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Finance
- Forensic Science
- Health Informatics
- Health Science
- Healthcare Administration
- Information Technology
- Kinesiology
- Mathematics
- Nursing
- Nutritional Sciences
- Psychology
Exploring your options may help you determine which academic path is right for you.
Accounting
Are you interested in crunching numbers and dealing with a company’s finances? You might be a good candidate for an online accounting degree.
This math-heavy degree can help you develop a good foundation in how businesses work, with emphasis on day-to-day cash flow. You’ll likely learn how to create financial reports and analyze profits and losses for better decision-making.
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Coursework typically includes core business courses, such as marketing and operations, along with finance courses, such as spreadsheet analysis and auditing. Many graduates go on to become certified public accountants (CPAs). They may also become financial analysts, tax examiners, auditing clerks, and risk managers.
Aviation
Unlike most other undergraduate degrees, an aviation degree can often take 4 to 6 years to complete, even on a full-time basis. This is because an aviation degree tackles both theory and practical application.
With classes on engineering, aeronautics, and physics, earning your aviation degree can help you develop an understanding of the technicalities of aircraft. You’ll also likely get several hundred hours’ worth of practice in actual flying and safety and maintenance procedures.
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Most aviation majors do become pilots, but some may work as air traffic controllers or managers in the aviation industry. Alternatively, graduates may help design aircraft or do research at aeronautics labs.
Biomedical Sciences
When it comes to healthcare-related majors, an online biomedical sciences degree is usually one of the most flexible.
A BS in Biomedical Sciences is an interdisciplinary program that draws from biology, molecular science, nutrition, anatomy, and practically any scientific field that studies the human body. Because it’s very broad, you’ll likely be able to customize your curriculum and specialize in a track such as neuroscience or molecular biology.
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Biomedical science graduates can pursue a wide variety of health professions. They often work in laboratories, healthcare companies, hospitals, clinics, and universities. Some use their degree as a stepping stone to graduate schools in medical fields.
Business
Online bachelor’s degree programs in business are designed to train students in the major aspects of running a company, such as finance, human resource management, and logistics.
Unlike a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Science in Business typically has more classes in finance, economics, and math. You’ll likely spend more time learning how to analyze data using quantitative techniques so you can come up with practical, effective solutions.
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Beyond classic business fields, like banking and management consultancy, these types of bachelor degrees can be applicable to many industries since strategic thinking and leadership skills are in high demand.
Computer Science
One way of breaking into the lucrative technology field might be with an online BS in Computer Science. A computer science degree typically includes plenty of theory and project-based work.
On one end, computer science programs typically feature classes on algorithms, data structures, and discreet calculus, which hone logical thinking. At the same time, you’ll likely get to build websites, software, and apps using several programming languages as well.
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Since practically every industry now uses digital technology, computer science graduates are found across various roles. Those with this degree often become software and web developers, systems analysts, data scientists, and UX designers.
Criminal Justice
Earning a BS in Criminal Justice can give you the opportunity to study the causes and consequences of crime along with current methods for handling crime.
These programs usually draw heavily from the social sciences, from using psychology to understand criminal motivations to assessing patterns in crime through sociology. Additionally, they typically provide an overview of the justice system, including how it has developed throughout history. Classes in criminology, legal rights, police and courts processes, and criminal investigations are commonly part of the coursework.
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Graduates often take on law-related careers. They may work in government and social service agencies, private investigation firms, and courts.
Crime Scene Investigation
Crime scene investigators play a crucial role in the criminal justice system. Their primary responsibility is to assess crime scene evidence to figure out what happened. Because this job often requires a lot of empathy and perceptiveness as well as technical training, many prepare by taking online degree programs in crime scene investigation.
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For a BS in Crime Scene Investigation, you’ll likely take many forensic science classes that incorporate physics and anatomy. After all, crime scene investigators must often work with biological materials, such as DNA samples and fingerprints. You’ll likely take classes in how to document cases and interpret basic criminal law as well.
Engineering
An online engineering degree might suit you if you want a career where you can create efficient systems and technology using advanced science and math. Since there are many types of engineers, pursuing a major in engineering should expose you to several possible specialties.
Earning this degree can help you develop core skills in engineering design, project management, mechanics, and circuit analysis, which apply to all engineering fields. From there, you’ll likely be able to choose a specialty, such as industrial, biomedical, or electrical engineering.
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Engineering graduates are often found in energy manufacturing and operations, construction, technology, research, and logistics.
Environmental Science
Environmental scientists and specialists study the processes of the natural world and how humans affect them. An environmental science degree is one of the most interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degrees.
You’ll likely take classes in chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, and statistics to get a scientific understanding of natural processes. Your classes will likely focus on the behavior of individuals and society as well, especially policies that can help protect the environment.
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Environmental science graduates often work in research institutions, government agencies, and private companies focused on sustainability. Roles with fieldwork are possible too, such as marine biologists, geologists, and wildlife specialists.
Finance
Earning an undergraduate degree in finance can help you specialize in how people, organizations, and governments manage money. It can also help you learn how financial institutions and markets work, including central and commercial banks and the stock and bond markets.
Investing is often an important topic in finance degree programs, with students getting exposure to different kinds of assets and derivatives. Some finance programs even offer opportunities to practice managing an investment portfolio.
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The coursework usually consists of general business classes along with more specialized classes, such as risk management and business valuation. Some careers associated with this degree are investment banking, financial planning, and trading.
Forensic Science
Forensic scientists study the physical evidence in crime scenes to help with legal cases and criminal investigations.
Because crime scenes can be diverse, forensic scientists may work with hair, gunshot residues, blood, and markings on plastic or concrete, just to name a few. This requires knowledge of biology, chemistry, and toxicology, which are all typically taught in a forensic science program.
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Earning this degree can help you build a basic foundation in criminal justice along with specialized science and technology. Aside from using chemical and instrumental techniques, like DNA mapping, you’ll likely learn how to document and report your findings as well.
Health Informatics
Through the rising field of health informatics, healthcare professionals can record and access patient data digitally. This data can then be used to spot trends in diseases and improve patient treatments.
Careers in health informatics involve designing, building, and improving IT systems in healthcare. All of these are typically tackled in a health informatics degree. Earning a health informatics degree can help you gain a comprehensive knowledge of the healthcare industry while also picking up programming and database design skills.
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Some common topics of study include health data privacy and regulations, medical terminology, and data analytics. Many graduates go on to pursue Health Information Administrator certification.
Health Science
According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), healthcare careers are expected to grow quickly over the next several years, with more than 2.5 million new jobs projected. One of the top degrees for healthcare careers is health science. This degree has a wide scope, with classes in biology, medicine, and the behavioral sciences.
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As a health science major, you’ll have opportunities to get to know various public health models as well as how healthcare systems work. Graduates may be employed in hospitals, laboratories, clinics, healthcare companies, and government agencies. They might also pursue advanced studies in medicine or other health-related fields.
Healthcare Administration
Healthcare administration degree programs are designed to provide training in becoming a leader or manager in healthcare. They typically dive deep into the components of healthcare systems and services.
This opportunity to develop a big picture view of these components can better equip you to make effective decisions. This degree allows graduates to pursue work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, mental health organizations, and pharmaceutical companies.
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The coursework typically features classes on management within the context of healthcare, including marketing and finance. It also usually covers public health policies and economics, which have a major effect on healthcare systems.
Information Technology
Many software developers, database administrators, and computer scientists have undergraduate degrees in information technology. This degree specializes in information and computing systems, which have components such as software, hardware, and networks.
For this degree, you’ll likely take hands-on classes in programming, systems analysis, databases, and more. Since the general coursework can be broad, there’s usually an option to specialize in a particular track.
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IT careers usually require strong communication skills since they involve collaborating with the people who are using the technology-based systems. Because of this, IT students may receive training in project management and organizational behavior.
Kinesiology
Kinesiology is the study of human movement and how it affects health and quality of life. An undergraduate degree program in kinesiology typically incorporates many foundational sciences, including physiology, psychology, neuroscience, human anatomy, and biochemistry.
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Aside from learning how physical movement works, you’ll also likely learn how to help people improve their mobility. Some common topics would be exercise and strength and conditioning training. Graduates may go into the physical fitness industry, conduct research, or create fitness and wellness programs. They may work with athletes to boost their performance or help disabled patients rehabilitate and regain movement.
Mathematics
With so much emphasis on technology and big data today, it’s not surprising that mathematicians are in demand.
Earning a mathematics degree can help set you up to take on advanced topics in both core and applied mathematics. Core mathematics refers to more theoretical equations and theorems, while applied mathematics is about concrete, practical use cases.
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You’ll likely be required to hone your problem-solving skills with intense coursework and dedicate a lot of effort to working on problem sets outside of class. Graduates may take on mathematically oriented careers in computer science, finance, and government or even go on to graduate school.
Nursing
A major step towards a career as a registered nurse is getting a BS in Nursing. Nursing degree programs are designed to train you to become a professional nurse who can work in different healthcare settings. Coursework might include lectures, laboratory assessments, and hands-on experience in a clinical environment, with some programs requiring as many as 800 hours.
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You’ll likely take courses on nutrition, anatomy, and microbiology and receive training to work with patients of all ages and lead nursing care in communities. After earning their nursing degree, graduates typically take the NCLEX, which is the national licensure examination for nurses.
Nutritional Sciences
The nutritional sciences assess how people’s food choices and dietary habits affect their health. In a nutritional sciences degree program, you’ll likely take on an evidence-based approach to nutrition with classes in biochemistry, human physiology, and medical nutrition therapy.
You’ll probably be required to look into the social and cultural factors that influence people’s diets as well. Ultimately, graduates are expected to be able to formulate dietary plans for different people and incorporate the latest research into their work.
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There are several possible career paths for nutritional science graduates. They may become licensed nutritionists, business consultants, researchers, or educators.
Psychology
Psychology is the study of how people think, feel, and act. Since psychology is such a wide-ranging field, you’ll likely learn about the human mind through several frameworks, from personality to social and developmental psychology.
A BS in Psychology typically puts more emphasis on the scientific aspects of psychology, with classes on biology, neuroscience, and statistics. During your last year, you’ll probably be required to conduct your own research.
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Since understanding people is useful in every industry, psychology graduates may enter diverse fields, such as human relations, marketing, writing, and business. Some graduates pursue graduate school and become licensed therapists or psychologists.
What’s the Difference between a BA vs. BS Degree?
There are several common differences between BA vs. BS degree:
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Some degree fields, such as psychology and business, offer both BA and BS tracks.
What Is a Better Degree, BA or BS Degree?
Both BA (Bachelor of Arts) and BS (Bachelor of Science) degrees are highly sought after, so which is better depends on your individual goals and preferences.
Here are some things to consider when deciding:
- Are you mainly interested in people and the humanities? You’ll likely study these more in a BA degree program.
- Would you rather learn technical skills in science and math? Then a BS degree might be preferable.
- What kind of career do you want? Would that career fit better with a BA or a BS degree?
Most majors are offered only as either a BA or BS.
Science Bachelor’s Admissions Requirements
Bachelor of Science programs typically follow similar requirements as other undergraduate degrees, but there might be a more rigorous selection process.
These are common requirements:
- High school transcripts: Aside from confirming you graduated from high school, programs will also look at your grades in related STEM subjects.
- Recommendation letters: You’ll typically have to turn in two or three letters from teachers and academic advisors.
- Personal essay: You might have to write about why you want to pursue the major you’re applying for.
Some schools will ask for standardized SAT or ACT test scores as well.
BS Degrees Accreditation
Having a relevant degree is important for many technical fields, so it’ll be advantageous for you to choose a school that’s regionally accredited.
For a school to become regionally accredited, it must show that it can provide high-quality education and that its programs are effective and up-to-date. Studying at a regionally accredited school can give more weight to your online degree when you’re searching for a job or applying for graduate school.
To check which schools have accreditation, you can go to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website.
What Is a BS Degree?
A Bachelor of Science degree is a type of undergraduate degree that’s focused on math, science, or technology.
In contrast to a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Science typically features more specialized classes with an emphasis on technical skills that can be applied directly to jobs. Engineering, computer science, health sciences, chemistry, and physics are examples of fields in which a Bachelor of Science degree can be earned. Some social science majors, such as business, economics, and psychology, may be offered as a BS.
Despite the wide range of B.S. degrees, they all typically require plenty of research or laboratory work and more advanced math classes.
What Can You Do with a Bachelor of Science Degree?
Since there are so many possible BS degrees, it also follows that BS majors have several options for their career. Depending on your major, you might become a data scientist, a medical manager, a software developer, or a financial analyst, just to name a few options.
Science, technology, and finance are some of the most profitable job sectors today, and a BS degree can be possible an entry path into these fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), careers in math and computer science can be especially lucrative, with median annual wages of $93,170 and $97,430 respectively.
How Long Does It Take to Get a BS Degree Online?
A Bachelor of Science is usually taken as a four-year undergraduate degree, but there are intensive programs that can reach up to 5 years. In general, you’ll likely have to take 120 college credits to get your degree.
If you’ve gone through Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school, you might be able to skip some classes. One advantage of taking your BS degree online is that it can offer you more flexibility. Some online programs might even allow you to study at your own pace so you can finish your degree faster.
What’s the Difference between a Bachelor of Engineering vs. Bachelor of Science Degree?
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degrees can sound very similar to Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees, but there are slight differences:
- BEng degrees are rarer, and they’re usually obtained from engineering universities.
- A BEng degree typically has a more practical orientation, with plenty of projects and hands-on work.
- On the other hand, a BS degree usually has more classes on theory and research.
Sometimes the two degree names can be interchangeable, so if you’re trying to decide between them, you can look at the specific coursework for both programs instead.
Getting Your Bachelor of Science Degree Online
For added convenience, you can look into getting your BS degree online. For heavily theoretical degrees, such as computer science and statistics, all of your classes will most likely be online.
Degrees with laboratory work, such as biology and chemistry, usually have a more hybrid format. These can allow you to enjoy the flexibility of online classes while occasionally using school-supported facilities. Either way, a Bachelor of Science degree can help you gain the skills needed for your desired career.
You can a look at our list of accredited online schools for a BS degree and start applying today!
