professional science masters degree

The Professional Science Masters Degree

The Washington Post today has a good article on the creation of

masters' degrees in the Washington DC metropolitan area that train

students to work in applied science industries.

The PSM program is designed to provide more advanced training in

science or mathematics -- with a dose of business skills -- and

entice more students who receive bachelor of science degrees to

stay in the field without having to pursue a doctorate.

American University, for example, began a PSM program in 2004 with

three branches: biotechnology, applied computing, and environmental

science and assessment."

I understand that the National Academy of Sciences is soon to publish

a panel report recommending that these programs be used more widely in

the United States. I think they are also widely applicable in

developing nations.

I myself have a Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering degree,

which was seen at the time as preparing me for professional work as an

engineer. A doctorate at the time was focused more on research and

teaching; a Bachelor of Science in engineering at the time suited one

to work in the huge bays of defense contractor engineering staff

facilities.

The MSEE was a two year program, following what in my case was a BS in

Engineering, not specialized in any specific field. It was, however, a

course that involved 140 class hours of study, considerably more than

was required in other disciplines, including undergraduate fields such

as electrical engineering or mechanical engineering. Thus the MSEE

grad had a very strong, albeit basic background (for the time) in

mathematics and engineering analysis and synthesis.

Congratulations to the local universities for leading in the

development of these degrees, especially in emerging industrial

fields, and indeed congratulations to the WP in publicizing them.

I would also point out that I was an adviser for some time to the

James Madison University College of Integrated Science and Technology,

which sought to offer an undergraduate degree that prepared students

in a general way in the sciences and technology, making them

scientifically and technologically literate as well as literate and

numerate entrants into the workforce. I hope that many of their

graduates will find the PSM degrees appropriate ways to continue their

education and preparation for leadership positions in science-based

industries,

Labels: education, SandT literacy

posted by John Daly at 11:52 AM

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