Differences between B.A. and B.S. in Engineering?

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>What are the differences between obtaining a B.A degree (the only degree offered by the most LACs) or a B.S. degree in Engineering if one wants to go to a graduate school and obtain Master’s Degree in Engineering (MS)? Also, what differences do each of these undergraduate degrees make while applying for jobs after obtaining a M.S. degree?</p>

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<p>There’s no BSE(Bachelor’s of Science and Engineering) available? I think that’s what most engineering schools call it anyways.</p>

<p>But I’d assume BS looks better than a BA, since a BS usually has more technical courses than a BA which would have more liberal arts courses. So I’d go with BS either way. Engineering is more of a science than an art.</p>

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<p>Strong username ^^</p>

<p>I think the difference between the 2 would be that a BA would be given at a Liberal Arts college and a BS would be given in a University.</p>

<p>For example an engineer at Harvey Mudd would receive a BA in Engineering because Harvey Mudd is a Liberal Arts college, whereas an engineer from MIT would receive a BS in engineering. </p>

<p>I too agree that a BS looks better…
Engineering is more of a science than an art. It is both though.</p>

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<p>Actually, according to their website, [“HMC’s</a> engineering majors earn a bachelorof science in engineering degree.”](<a href=“http://www.hmc.edu/academicsclinicresearch/academicdepartments/engineering1/curriculum1/degree.html]"HMC’s”>http://www.hmc.edu/academicsclinicresearch/academicdepartments/engineering1/curriculum1/degree.html)</p>

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<p>A BA degree will require fewer engineering classes, fewer math & science classes, and more electives than a BS. The BS is the “working degree” (the degree needed to be an engineer. The BA is designed to expose you to engineering before you pursue a non-engineering career (e.g. law, medicine, business). The BS degree is probably ABET-EAC accredited while the BA is not.</p>

<p>The best way to compare these degrees is to look at a school that offers both (e.g. Rice):</p>

<p>BAEE: [Bachelor</a> of Arts in Electrical Engineering](<a href=“http://www.ece.rice.edu/academics/undergrad/badegreqs]Bachelor”>http://www.ece.rice.edu/academics/undergrad/badegreqs)
BSEE: [Bachelor</a> of Science in Electrical Engineering](<a href=“http://www.ece.rice.edu/academics/undergrad/bsdegreq]Bachelor”>http://www.ece.rice.edu/academics/undergrad/bsdegreq)</p>

<p>As far as MS engineering goes, you’ll need a BS. Applying to MS programs with a BA is about the same as applying to MS Electrical Engineering programs with a BS in Physics. Sometimes people get in, but it’s not that common, and they end up at lower tier schools for the MS than if they had a BS in engineering.</p>

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<p>^I am not talking about the B.A. in engineering. I am just talking about the B.A. degree that most of the LAC’s (expect few such as Swarthmore, Harvey Mudd, Bucknell, etc) offer. These LACs don’t offer the engineering degree. So, what are the options available for students studying at a LAC and wants to pursue a engineering career. I know that there are options like 3-2 engineering, but I don’t want to waste an extra year in that. I am thinking of getting my B.A. degree from a top LAC where I am studying with majors in Physics and Mathematics, and then applying for Master’s in Engineering program. Is that possible?</p>

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<p>It’s almost a moot point. If you get into an MS engineering program with a BA, you’re going to spend a year taking undergraduate engineering courses anyway (they call them “leveling courses”). So you’re not really saving time over a 3-2 + MS.</p>

<p>In addition, you’re severely hurting your admission chances. You’re not going to get into a top schools even with an outstanding GPA. At best you’re looking at low Tier 1, high Tier 2 type schools with a great GPA, that’s even a little of a stretch (it’s very possible that you might be confined to a low tier 2 or a specialty program like BU’s LEAP). On the other hand, an outstanding GPA in a 3-2 program at top LAC and a good engineering program (like Columbia, which has transfer agreements with many LACs) would position for a top MS program.</p>

<p>So, in summary:</p>

<p>3-2 + MS = 6/7 years (non-thesis/thesis) with a BA from the LAC, BS from Columbia, and a top MS </p>

<p>BA + MS = 6/7 years (non-thesis/thesis) with a BA from the LAC and an MS from a lower ranked school</p>

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<p>Possible, but not advantageous, especially if there are undergraduate engineering courses in your desired engineering major that are not available as similar math or physics courses at your college.</p>

<p>What type of engineering are you looking at?</p>