Ph.D. or Sc.D.?
Ok so Brian and I are trying to graduate this term (I'm not kidding...) Anyway, we have a choice: we can either get a Ph.D. or an Sc.D. The difference is a checkbox on the degree application form. Here's the pro's and con's so far:
Sc.D.
pro-
1. we're in science. makes more sence to have a doctorate in science than philosophy.
2. in some european systems, Sc.D. is a better degree than a Ph.D.
3. get to go earlier during commencement
con-
1. might have to explain to some people what an Sc.D. is for the rest of your life
Ph.D.
pro-
1. people in the US are more familiar with the term
con-
1. since when is the stuff we are doing related to philosophy?
Another factor is that they have different hood colors. Of course, I don't actually know what the colors are so that doesn't help much...
So any comments/suggestions?
people want to vote?
Sc.D.
pro-
1. we're in science. makes more sence to have a doctorate in science than philosophy.
2. in some european systems, Sc.D. is a better degree than a Ph.D.
3. get to go earlier during commencement
con-
1. might have to explain to some people what an Sc.D. is for the rest of your life
Ph.D.
pro-
1. people in the US are more familiar with the term
con-
1. since when is the stuff we are doing related to philosophy?
Another factor is that they have different hood colors. Of course, I don't actually know what the colors are so that doesn't help much...
So any comments/suggestions?
people want to vote?
5 Comments:
Go for the Ph.D. Everyone knows what it is and respects it (excepting the anti-intellectual types). None of the other points is nearly as important.
Most people know what a PhD is, but haven't heard of the ScD. You don't want some automatic filter or HR person to toss your resume because they don't know what an ScD is. Unless you are planning to look for a job in Europe right after you graduate?
That's a great idea. Are the two of you (Deans) considering trying to find jobs in France? That would totally kick ass!
ok I'm thinking Ph.D. because the color is blue instead of yellow...
The only way to be sure about the difference is for one of you guys to get a Ph.D. and the other an Sc.D. It's the scientific method!
Although if you get the same type of degree presumably you get to graduate closer together during commencement? :-)
Anyway, if Ph.D. is blue I definitely recommend that. And if the Philosopher's Stone can be related to philosophy, then surely so can weird algorithms and bio-electical engineering (or whatever the preferred term for it may be).
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