The field of science and engineering is one of the largest and fastest growing occupational fields there is. Plus, jobs in science and engineering tend to be very well-paid, so degrees in this academic discipline are popular. If you're interested in pursuing a program of study that's sure to be as intriguing as it is rewarding, then read on to find out more about the different levels and types of science and engineering degrees there are to choose from.
Associate Degrees in Science and Engineering
OverviewAn associate degree in science and engineering is the most basic level of postsecondary education one can attain in the field. Associate degree programs in engineering/science are typically two-year offerings that require approximately 60 credit hours of coursework. Programs are readily available from universities and even junior and community colleges. There are various types of science and engineering associate degrees available. Some of these options are listed below:
Types of Associate in Engineering and Science DegreesAssociate of Science in Engineering Technology
AS in Biomedical Engineering
Associate in Human Biology
Associate of Engineering Science
AS in Chemistry
AS in Environmental Studies
Associate of Science in Computer Science
AS in Mechanical Engineering Technology
Associate Electronic Engineering
Like most associate degree programs, associate in science and engineering include a general education component in addition to major-specific classes. This component covers basic college-level topics in mathematics, science, and the humanities and are easily transferable to bachelor's degree programs. While general education and core courses will vary from program to program, we've listed some examples below for reference. These are taken from actual associate in engineering and science degree programs.
Associate of Science/Engineering Curriculum: Sample Course TitlesComputer Organization
Introduction to Engineering
Mechanics, Wave Motion, and Thermodynamics
Engineering Computer Applications and Design
Mechanics of Materials
Introduction to Physical Fitness and Wellness
General Microbiology
Organic Chemistry
Introduction to Computer Information Systems
Introduction to Environmental Science
Environmental Ethics
Electricity, Magnetism, and Light
Signal Processing
Microprocessor Interfacing
Many associate science and engineering students transfer their credits to a baccalaureate program upon graduation. Jobs requiring just an associate degree in science and engineering are limited, but they are available. Below, you will find some of these positions along with their mean annual wages, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
Nuclear Technicians: $80,370
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians: $67,240
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians: $63,660
Forensic Science Technicians: $57,850
Electro-mechanical Technicians: $56,740
Mechanical Engineering Technicians: $55,360
Industrial Engineering Technicians: $54,280
Geological and Petroleum Technicians: $54,190
Civil Engineering Technicians: $51,620
Environmental Engineering Technicians: $50,230
Chemical Technicians: $47,280
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians: $45,490
Agriculture and Food Science Technicians: $39,910
Interested in pursuing an accelerated online associate degree? Check out our ranking of the Fastest Online Associate Degree Programs!
Bachelor's in Engineering and Science
OverviewScience and engineering bachelor's degree programs are four-year offerings that require approximately 120 credit hours of coursework. Many students enter these bachelor's programs immediately upon graduation from high school. Others earn an associate in science/engineering prior to transferring to a bachelor's program. Science and engineering is a broad field, so there are numerous types of bachelor's degrees available, some of which we've listed below:
Types of Engineering/Science Bachelor's DegreesBachelor of Science (BS) in Engineering
BS in Computer Science and Engineering
BS in Electrical Engineering
BS in Cybersecurity Engineering
BS in Materials Science and Engineering
BS in Engineering Technology in Computer Engineering Technology
BS in Architectural and Construction Engineering
BS in Industrial and Systems Engineering
BS in Data Science
The curriculum for a science/engineering bachelor's degree program is two-pronged in that it will feature both general education courses and major-specific classes. No two curricula in the field will be exactly alike though. In fact, since there are many different types of degrees available (such as those listed above), classes may vary widely. Therefore, the sample course titles we list below are provided for reference only and may or may not reflect the types of classes you'll see in your chosen bachelor's in engineering and science program.
Bachelor of Science/Engineering Curriculum: Sample Course TitlesIntroduction to Computing for Engineers
Project Management for Engineered Systems
Electromagnetic Fields and Optics
Signals and Systems
Environmental Science and Sustainability
Principles of Programming Languages
Science of Solid Materials
Differential Equations for Science and Engineering
Materials Processing
Foundations of Engineering Graphics and Design
Computer Networking and Communications Technology
Construction Materials and Methods
Engineering Structural Analysis
Semiconductor Devices and Electronics
Introduction to Computer Organization
Engineering Physics
Applied Materials Technology
Bachelor's degree programs in science and engineering are popular because they meet the minimum educational requirement for most of the jobs available in the field. Below, you will find some of these occupations along with their mean annual wages, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
Petroleum Engineers: $132,280
Computer Hardware Engineers: $115,120
Aerospace Engineers: $113,030
Chemical Engineers: $102,160
Electrical and Electronics Engineers: $97,970
Materials Engineers: $94,610
Mining and Geological Engineers: $94,240
Atmospheric Scientists: $92,070
Geoscientists: $89,850
Health and Safety Engineers: $88,510
Biomedical Engineers: $88,040
Environmental Engineers: $86,800
Mechanical Engineers: $85,880
Hydrologists: $79,990
Geographers: $76,860
Chemists and Materials Scientists: $76,280
Agricultural Engineers: $74,780
Microbiologists: $69,960
Environmental Scientists and Specialists: $69,400
Agricultural and Food Scientists: $62,910
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists: $62,290
Conservation Scientists and Foresters: $60,970
Biological Technicians: $43,800
Although the information above may give you an idea of what you can expect to make with a bachelor's in science and engineering, there are many factors that will affect your pay such as your specific degree, employer, and job title.
Master's in Science and Engineering
OverviewMaster's in science and engineering are advanced degrees that require approximately two years of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree. These programs are highly specialized and allow students to become experts in the field and take on high-paying leadership positions. There are many different types of science and engineering master's degrees available, including (but not limited to) those listed below:
Types of Science and Engineering Master's DegreesMaster's in Materials Science
MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Master of Computer Science
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Master of Engineering in Bioengineering
MS Industrial Engineering
MS Aerospace Engineering
MS in Chemical Engineering
MS in Computer Networking
Classes comprising the curriculum for engineering and science master's degree programs tend to be highly involved and academically rigorous. Most classes will contain a research component, and you may be asked to write scholarly research papers as well. The course titles listed below are provided for the sake of example. The classes you will take in your chosen engineering/science master's degree program will vary.
Engineering and Science Master's Curriculum: Sample Course TitlesCloud Computing Concepts
Theory and Practice of Data Cleaning
Materials Structure and Characterization
Engineering Energy Policy Change
Chemical Processing of Electronic Materials
Finite Element Methods in Structural Engineering
Introduction to Wireless Networking
Computer Performance Modeling
Advanced Engineering Analysis
Kinetics of Transport and Transformations in Methods
Advanced Electrochemistry
Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science
Game Theory with Engineering Applications
Thermodynamics of Materials
Kinetics of Materials Processes
Systems Engineering Management
Systems Modeling and Simulation
Professionals who earn a master's in engineering and science degree may earn more in their current positions or advance to positions with additional and/or leadership responsibilities. Payscale.com reports that individuals with a master's degree in engineering earn about $89,000 a year on average. Of course, your exact pay will depend on the type of degree you hold, your employer, and your job title among other factors. Some specific occupations along with their average salaries are listed below:
Vice President of Engineering: $173,514
Director of Engineering: $149,043
Senior Principal Engineer: $146,422
Principal Software Engineer: $138,001
Senior Engineering Manager: $134,681
Principal Systems Engineer: $125,728
Engineering Program Manager: $115,832
Senior Systems Engineer: $105,027
Senior Project Engineer: $100,334
Senior Electrical Engineer: $105,027
Engineering Project Manager: $96,052
Doctoral Programs in Science and Engineering
OverviewThe highest degree one can earn in the field is the doctorate in science and engineering. Depending on the type of doctoral degree one chooses to pursue, these programs can be rooted in theory or they can emphasize practical applications of skills and knowledge in the subject area. Some of the science/engineering doctoral degree types are listed below:
Types of Doctorates in Science/EngineeringDoctor of Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science and Engineering
PhD in Materials Science and Engineering
Doctorate in Environmental Science and Engineering
Doctor of Engineering Management
Doctor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
PhD in Ocean Science and Engineering
PhD in Engineering Science and Systems
The classes you can expect to take in an engineering/science doctorate program will vary depending on the type of degree program you choose as well as the school you elect to attend. Even so, some sample course titles are listed below for illustration:
Engineering/Science Doctoral Curriculum: Sample Course TitlesDesign and Analysis of Computer Algorithms
Microcomputer Design
Advanced Experimental Methods in Fluid Mechanics
Advanced Thermodynamics
Computer-Integrated Manufacturing Technologies
Computational Methods in Materials Science and Engineering
Water Quality Control Systems
Atmospheric Transport and Transformations of Airborne Chemicals
Quantum Mechanics for Materials Scientists
Computational Physics of Nanomaterials
Engineering Economics and Decision Analysis
Probability and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers
Solid Mechanics, Dynamics, and Vibrations
Biological and Microbial Oceanography
Environmental Biotechnology
Research Ethics in Science and Engineering
Total Quality Management and Statistical Quality Control
Advanced Operating System Design
Some of the highest paid jobs in science and engineering are held by those professionals with a doctorate in science/engineering. Payscale.com reports that on average, individuals with this credential earn approximately $120,000 a year. Of course, different job titles are associated with varying wages. Below are some of the occupations held by doctorate-holders in science and engineering along with their average salaries, also according to Payscale:
Vice President of Computer Software Engineering: $168,447
Chief Engineer: $149,622
Senior Data Scientist: $146,499
Vice President of Analytics: $146,305
Senior Research and Development Manager: $141,363
Lead Systems Engineer: $125,097
Software Engineer: $117,914
Engineering Project Manager: $106,807
Research Scientist: $92,520
Frequently-Asked Questions About Science and Engineering Degrees
Q: Can science and engineering degrees be completed online?A: Yes, science and engineering degrees are available online, but be sure to check with the school itself about the specific program you're planning to attend as some "online" offerings have residency or other on-campus attendance requirements. Even fully online programs can vary in terms of flexibility as well. For example, online programs featuring synchronous course delivery require predetermined log-on times, making them less flexible than asynchronous options that allow students to complete coursework on their own schedules.
Q: Are science and engineering degrees affordable?A: There are science and engineering degree programs available to fit nearly every budget. When considering costs, keep in mind that financial aid may be available to help you pay for your education. This aid may come in the form of loans, grants, or even scholarships.
Q: Can I keep my job while pursuing a science and engineering degree?A: Most likely, yes, but it will depend on the specific science and engineering program you attend. If you want to work full-time while earning your degree, it's best to consider a part-time, evening, or hybrid/online program to ensure maximum flexibility.
Q: Are jobs in science and engineering in demand?A: Yes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in the sciences are growing faster than average while jobs in engineering are expanding at about the average rate.