I can has degree?
So, I found out a couple of days ago that I have filled all the requirements for a B.S. in General Sciences specializing in Geology, Biology, and Chemistry. All I would have to do is change my major, drop my minor, and apply for graduation, and be done. No more classes, I'd just find a job for 3 months, volunteer heavily at the Palouse Science Center and the Conner museum and walk in May as planned. I would save a couple thousand dollars, and possibly start paying off my loans while not being stressed out all the time.
Or I could struggle on through Biochem, Cell biology, and yet another Writing In the Major course, incur a couple thousands of dollars worth of debt, and graduate in May with the B.S. in Biology and a minor in Geology.
The pros of the Biology degree are that it's a slightly stronger degree and would give me a bit of an edge in applying for jobs in the Biology field. The cons of the Biology degree are that it would cost more, stress me out more, and is not entirely friendly to the education field.
The pros of the General Sciences degree are that it's cheaper, has much less stress associated with it, and it has a broader scope than the biology degree. A few of the random science classes that I took at SPSCC count for it, but don't count for the biology degree. Also, it's friendlier to the education field, which doesn't care so much that I can analyze the ecosystem of a given swamp but that I can understand and explain how science works and what people do in various disiciplines.
The cons of the General Sciences degree are that it's not as focused as the biology degree, and lots of people can't make up their minds what they want to do so they get a General Fill-In-The-Blank degree, and as such has a bit of a bad rep. For a job in the biologic field, a general sciences degree is less competitive than a straight-up biology degree.
I've emailed a few people about this, but so far only one of them has gotten back to me. The Director of the Conner Museum (by trade and Ph.D a biologist) opined that the general sciences degree would probably be a better choice for me, and that if I needed to get back into the biologic field then it wouldn't really hold me back too much, considering my work experience and references.
I just don't know - The idea of not having to wade through another semester is extremely attractive, but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by choosing a degree that limits me. I have until the 7th to decide, because that's when classes start, so hopefully an answer will appear. If anybody has advice, I'm all ears.
Or I could struggle on through Biochem, Cell biology, and yet another Writing In the Major course, incur a couple thousands of dollars worth of debt, and graduate in May with the B.S. in Biology and a minor in Geology.
The pros of the Biology degree are that it's a slightly stronger degree and would give me a bit of an edge in applying for jobs in the Biology field. The cons of the Biology degree are that it would cost more, stress me out more, and is not entirely friendly to the education field.
The pros of the General Sciences degree are that it's cheaper, has much less stress associated with it, and it has a broader scope than the biology degree. A few of the random science classes that I took at SPSCC count for it, but don't count for the biology degree. Also, it's friendlier to the education field, which doesn't care so much that I can analyze the ecosystem of a given swamp but that I can understand and explain how science works and what people do in various disiciplines.
The cons of the General Sciences degree are that it's not as focused as the biology degree, and lots of people can't make up their minds what they want to do so they get a General Fill-In-The-Blank degree, and as such has a bit of a bad rep. For a job in the biologic field, a general sciences degree is less competitive than a straight-up biology degree.
I've emailed a few people about this, but so far only one of them has gotten back to me. The Director of the Conner Museum (by trade and Ph.D a biologist) opined that the general sciences degree would probably be a better choice for me, and that if I needed to get back into the biologic field then it wouldn't really hold me back too much, considering my work experience and references.
I just don't know - The idea of not having to wade through another semester is extremely attractive, but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by choosing a degree that limits me. I have until the 7th to decide, because that's when classes start, so hopefully an answer will appear. If anybody has advice, I'm all ears.