As an academic specialist with a focus on higher education, I am well-positioned to provide clarity on the distinction between "bachelor's" and "Bachelor of Science". The terms are often used interchangeably, but they carry different connotations and are used in specific contexts.

The term "bachelor's degree" is a general term that refers to an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a program of study. This type of degree is granted in various fields of study, such as arts, sciences, humanities, social sciences, and professional fields like business and education. The use of the apostrophe in "bachelor's degree" is a possessive form, indicating that the degree belongs to or is associated with the bachelor level of study.

On the other hand, "Bachelor of Science" (often abbreviated as B.S., BSc, or B.Sc.) is a specific type of bachelor's degree that is conferred upon students who have completed a program of study in the sciences. This could include fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and mathematics. The "of" in "Bachelor of Science" is used to denote the specific field of study, and there is no possessive apostrophe because it is not indicating possession but rather describing the nature of the degree.

It is important to note that the use of the apostrophe in academic degrees is a matter of style and can vary depending on the institution or the style guide being followed. However, the general rule, as per the reference provided, is to use an apostrophe with "bachelor's degree" and "master's degree" to indicate possession, but not with "Bachelor of Arts" or "Master of Science". This is because "Bachelor of Arts" and "Master of Science" are proper names for specific types of degrees and do not require a possessive form.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that there are other types of bachelor's degrees, such as the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), and Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.), among others. Each of these degrees is conferred upon students who have completed a program of study in their respective fields and follows the same naming convention as "Bachelor of Science".

In summary, "bachelor's degree" is a general term for an undergraduate degree, while "Bachelor of Science" is a specific type of bachelor's degree conferred upon students who have studied in the sciences. The use of the apostrophe is a stylistic choice that can vary, but generally, it is used to indicate possession with "bachelor's degree" and "master's degree", but not with specific degree names like "Bachelor of Arts" or "Master of Science".

read more >>

Use an apostrophe (possessive) with bachelor's degree and master's degree, but not in Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science. Do not use an apostrophe (possessive) with associate degree or doctoral degree.read more >>