Science Masters programmes are a suitable option for those who wish to become experts in scientific research and experiments, education or within a specific industry branch of the Natural Sciences.
Applicants
Depending on where you browse for information on university degrees, the classification of Science programmes will somewhat differ or overlap with other disciplines. In general, the field encompasses studies such as biology, chemistry, and physics – sciences which form the basis of so many branches of our daily lives and careers. As a graduate in this subject area, you will excel at problem solving and will acquire the necessary research competencies and multidisciplinary knowledge. As you can imagine, mistakes in such an advanced professional field can be costly and dangerous. At the same time, practitioners need to be able to deal with new and unexpected situations at all times so as to limit the risks involved in their work. Masters programmes in Science teach students how to cope in similar contexts by investigating and evaluating complex scientific data through a critical lens.
Course content
Many of the Science Masters programmes are based on core courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. Their focus and the corresponding branches for specialisation are determined accordingly for each programme. Some programmes are concentrated on one of these subject areas and teach a number of related, specialised sub-disciplines. For example, if you choose a Biology Masters degree, the curriculum may include courses in molecular biology, microbiology and others that correspond specifically to this category of the Natural Sciences. In other cases, you may also have access to subjects such as zoology, general physiology, genetics, biochemistry, astronomy – the programme structure entirely depends on the field of study.
Admission requirements
To be considered for admission in a Masters programme in Science, you need to present a Bachelor’s diploma in a relevant field. There may be specific subject areas required for admission which you will need to check in advance from an updated university source. If the programme of your choice is taught in English and you are not a native English speaker, you will have to prepare your results from an English proficiency test as well. Make sure you meet the programme’s criteria for Bachelor’s GPA and language proficiency score. GRE subject tests are available in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, and can be required for admission. Having prior work experience in the field is not a formal requirement. In any case, follow the exact admission steps before applying for a Master’s programme or communicate with admissions office representatives to see what your options are.
Career options
Since this is such a vast field, the possibilities for your future occupation are virtually endless. In a more general sense, you can build a career in industry, research, education, and government. In more specific terms, some career examples to consider include pharmacologist, laboratory technician, geophysicist, meteorologist, and toxicologist. These are just several examples for you to consider – if you have not settled on a distinct career path yet, there will be plenty of time during your studies to think of your options. The advanced skillset required for such jobs is in itself an indication of what the salary rates in the field should be.
For an overview of some of the most popular Masters programmes, click here
