A high-level grasp of numerical data and scientific principles will take you far in tomorrow's economy. With biotech, energy research, environmental resource management, and financial mathematics leading commercial innovation, advanced science and math graduates can expect strong demand for their expertise. A master's degree offers a practical blend of technical training and leadership skills to help you grow your career in scientific R&D, public policy, business management, or education.

Master of Science and Professional Master's Degrees in Science and Math

Technological sophistication and competition have raised the educational bar for scientists and mathematicians. A bachelor's degree can qualify you for an entry-level position, but advancement into supervisory or teaching roles typically requires a master's degree in science or math. Since it is now possible to earn a master's degree online, more and more working adults are upgrading their resumes with this key credential.

The following master's degrees position you for different roles within scientific and quantitative industries:

• Master of Science (MS or MSc): The most common graduate science and math program combines advanced coursework in science and mathematics principles with an independent capstone project or thesis. In addition to a Master of Science in science and mathematics, you can find master's degrees in numerous sub-disciplines. For example, you can opt for a Master of Science in biology, or an MS in an applied field such as bioinformatics, biotechnology, or biochemistry.
• Master of Arts (MA): The MA in science or math takes a broader approach to the graduate curriculum, incorporating more humanities and social sciences courses (often in lieu of an applied science research project). This degree typically focuses on the intersection of science and math with the liberal arts, with an emphasis on education, anthropology and life sciences, or philosophy. Examples include the MA in science education, mathematics, and biology.
• Master of Applied Science (MAS): The Master of Applied Science was created to meet the advanced education needs of practicing scientists and mathematicians. While the Master of Science emphasizes research, the MAS focuses on high-level coursework and applied problem-solving. Applied master's degrees are typically offered via distance graduate education to accommodate working professionals.
• Professional Science Master's (PSM): The professional master's degree, a relatively new qualification, emphasizes applied science and math education as well as practical business training. Courses cover both technical skills and key business topics such as management, marketing, and communications. PSM degrees target an applied area in science or math, such as bioinformatics, computational sciences, environmental risk management, and more.
• Discipline-Specific Master's Degrees: Some graduate science and math programs emphasize a single applied discipline in the degree title. For example, the Master of Quantitative Finance offers a more technical education than the business-oriented Master of Science in quantitative finance.
• Interdisciplinary Graduate Science and Mathematics Programs: If your interest lies in the intersection of science and math with another discipline, look for an interdisciplinary master's degree. Examples include the Master of Education in science or mathematics and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in financial mathematics.

Specializations in Science and Mathematics

In addition to basic science and mathematics fields--applied science and mathematics, science and mathematics education, science communications, or journalism--you can find master's degrees in the following specialized areas.

Biology
Advances in medical technology, such as genomics, and increased demand for medical services are shaping the Master of Science in biology. High-demand specialties include:

• Bioinformatics
• Biotechnology
• Biomedical
• Computation and neural systems
• Bioengineering

Environment and Energy
Climate change and dwindling natural resources, such as oil, are making environmental science and energy research a top priority. Master's degrees in these specialty areas include:

• Environmental science
• Geographical information systems
• Natural resource management
• Environmental risk management
• Sustainable energy

Chemistry
Chemistry is the foundation for research in medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. Graduate degrees focus on:

• Biochemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Medicinal chemistry
• Chemical engineering

Mathematics
Theoretical and applied mathematics plays a critical role in quantitative disciplines ranging from business to computer systems. Specialized master's degrees may focus on:

A high-level grasp of numerical data and scientific principles will take you far in tomorrow's economy. With biotech, energy research, environmental resource management, and financial mathematics leading commercial innovation, advanced science and math graduates can expect strong demand for their expertise. A master's degree offers a practical blend of technical training and leadership skills to help you grow your career in scientific R&D, public policy, business management, or education.

Master of Science and Professional Master's Degrees in Science and Math

Technological sophistication and competition have raised the educational bar for scientists and mathematicians. A bachelor's degree can qualify you for an entry-level position, but advancement into supervisory or teaching roles typically requires a master's degree in science or math. Since it is now possible to earn a master's degree online, more and more working adults are upgrading their resumes with this key credential.

The following master's degrees position you for different roles within scientific and quantitative industries:

• Master of Science (MS or MSc): The most common graduate science and math program combines advanced coursework in science and mathematics principles with an independent capstone project or thesis. In addition to a Master of Science in science and mathematics, you can find master's degrees in numerous sub-disciplines. For example, you can opt for a Master of Science in biology, or an MS in an applied field such as bioinformatics, biotechnology, or biochemistry.
• Master of Arts (MA): The MA in science or math takes a broader approach to the graduate curriculum, incorporating more humanities and social sciences courses (often in lieu of an applied science research project). This degree typically focuses on the intersection of science and math with the liberal arts, with an emphasis on education, anthropology and life sciences, or philosophy. Examples include the MA in science education, mathematics, and biology.
• Master of Applied Science (MAS): The Master of Applied Science was created to meet the advanced education needs of practicing scientists and mathematicians. While the Master of Science emphasizes research, the MAS focuses on high-level coursework and applied problem-solving. Applied master's degrees are typically offered via distance graduate education to accommodate working professionals.
• Professional Science Master's (PSM): The professional master's degree, a relatively new qualification, emphasizes applied science and math education as well as practical business training. Courses cover both technical skills and key business topics such as management, marketing, and communications. PSM degrees target an applied area in science or math, such as bioinformatics, computational sciences, environmental risk management, and more.
• Discipline-Specific Master's Degrees: Some graduate science and math programs emphasize a single applied discipline in the degree title. For example, the Master of Quantitative Finance offers a more technical education than the business-oriented Master of Science in quantitative finance.
• Interdisciplinary Graduate Science and Mathematics Programs: If your interest lies in the intersection of science and math with another discipline, look for an interdisciplinary master's degree. Examples include the Master of Education in science or mathematics and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in financial mathematics.

Specializations in Science and Mathematics

In addition to basic science and mathematics fields--applied science and mathematics, science and mathematics education, science communications, or journalism--you can find master's degrees in the following specialized areas.

Biology
Advances in medical technology, such as genomics, and increased demand for medical services are shaping the Master of Science in biology. High-demand specialties include:

• Bioinformatics
• Biotechnology
• Biomedical
• Computation and neural systems
• Bioengineering

Environment and Energy
Climate change and dwindling natural resources, such as oil, are making environmental science and energy research a top priority. Master's degrees in these specialty areas include:

• Environmental science
• Geographical information systems
• Natural resource management
• Environmental risk management
• Sustainable energy

Chemistry
Chemistry is the foundation for research in medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. Graduate degrees focus on:

• Biochemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Medicinal chemistry
• Chemical engineering

Mathematics
Theoretical and applied mathematics plays a critical role in quantitative disciplines ranging from business to computer systems. Specialized master's degrees may focus on: