Bachelor of Applied Science
The Bachelor of Applied Science, often abbreviated as B.AS., BAS, BSAS, BASc, B.ASc., or BAppSc, is an undergraduate degree awarded for a course of study that generally last three to four years in the United Kingdom, India and Australia, and four to six years in Canada, the Netherlands and the United States.
Usage
In Canada, the Netherlands and other places the Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) is equivalent to the Bachelor of Engineering, and is classified as a professional degree. In Australia and New Zealand this degree is awarded in various fields of study and is considered a highly specialized professional degree. However, in the United States it is also considered a highly specialized professional technical degree; the Bachelor of Applied Science is an applied baccalaureate, typically containing advanced technical training (e.g. military training) in sciences combined with liberal arts that traditional degrees do not have. All the general education courses are valid courses if taken at accredited universities and colleges that have Regional accreditation. Hence, an earned BAS degree does include having to take upper-division coursework as required in addition to traditional bachelor's degree programs.[1][2][3]
The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree is designed to grow professional management skills of the learner and meet the demand for leadership of highly technical professionals in the workplace. A Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree requires an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, a minimum of 4-years of professional development or additional classes in an approved field, professional certifications or approved military training, and 2-years of upper level college courses. This degree takes longer than a basic traditional degree because of the specialized technical skill level and professional development requirements. Most people who pursue this degree are already experienced professional adults who are working towards an advanced graduate degree or interested in upward mobility in their field.[4]
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) is historically considered a technical degree in the United States.[5] An accredited AAS degree is a 2 to 3-year degree that articulates well with advanced academics and/or approved technical programs. A high school diploma and entry level testing is necessary for college acceptance. The AAS provides opportunities for advanced learning through 4-year undergraduate studies in approved fields that will transfer to an accredited BAS program.[6]
On 20 February 2009 the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Ronald Plasterk, proposed to replace all the existing degrees offered by Dutch vocational universities, such as the BBA, BEd and BEng, with the BAA and the BASc.[7] But, the BAS has taken the official degree term in the United States.
Fields of study
The BAS usually requires a student to take a majority of their courses in the applied sciences, specializing in a specific area such as the following:
- Applied physics
- Applied mathematics
- Architectural science
- General engineering
- Automotive engineering
- Biological engineering
- Biochemical engineering
- Business informatics
- Chemical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Computer science
- Computer engineering
- Communication
- Criminal justice
- Criminology
- Electrical engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Geomatics
- Occupational health and safety
- Public health
- Engineering management
- Engineering physics
- Engineering science
- Engineering science and mechanics
- Geological engineering
- Hospitality Management
- Industrial engineering
- Information management
- Integrated engineering
- Information systems
- Information technology
- Management engineering
- Management of technology
- Manufacturing engineering
- Materials science & engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Mechanical engineering technology
- Mechatronics engineering
- Mining engineering
- Microbiology
- Nanotechnology engineering
- Nutrition and Food
- Paralegal Studies
- Forensics
- Astrophysics
- Professional Technical Teacher Education
- Software engineering
- Sound engineering
- Surveying
- Sustainable building science technology
- Systems engineering
- Applied physics & electronic engineering
- Business management
- Social science
- Leadership
- Veterinary technology
See also
- Bachelor of Applied Arts
- Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
- Bachelor's degree
References
- ↑ "Penn Engineering - Majors". Seas.upenn.edu. Retrieved 2013-01-04.
- ↑ Archived January 27, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Applied Science (Health Sciences) (BAS) | Online Degree Programs". Asuonline.asu.edu. 2011-04-13. Retrieved 2013-01-04.
- ↑ "Wayland Baptist University | Academics | Undergraduate Programs | Bachelor of Applied Science". Wbu.edu. Archived from the original on 2013-02-19. Retrieved 2013-01-04.
- ↑ The Adult Learner and the Applied Baccalaureate (University of Illinois)
- ↑ "Alamo Colleges : District : Homepage". Alamo.edu. Retrieved 2013-01-04.
- ↑ "Website of the Dutch government". Regering.nl. 2012-12-21. Retrieved 2013-01-04.