STEM covers degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math. Below you will find some of the types of science degrees you can expect to find on the STEM Degree List.
Nutrition Science
Nutritional Science is a continuously evolving field. It focuses mainly on dietary concerns and the health issues that surround food, diet, and medicine. Nutrition science is a multi-faceted discipline that is rooted in biology, chemistry, and social sciences, with many specialization areas.
The specialization areas include food and wellness, exercise science, nutrition education, and community nutrition. A nutrition science degree enables you to conduct nutrition-related research studies, develop public and community health programs and work in the medical or food industries.
There are several subfields related to nutrition that provide unique research and career opportunities. They include nutrition research, sociological research, community, and public health, animal nutrition as well as medicine and healthcare.
Pharmaceutical Science
Pharmaceutical science degree programs typically cover chemistry, anatomy, the history of medicine, pathology, physiology, and related subjects. A degree in pharmaceutical sciences offers an ideal background if you are interested in working as a pharmacist or in pharmaceutical sales.
Individuals who earn a Ph.D. in this discipline may become pharmaceutical researchers. Degree programs graduates are qualified to work as a pharmacist, pharmaceutical sales representatives or pharmacological researchers.
Pharmacists are tasked with filing prescriptions, monitoring drug interactions and allergies and ensuring correct patient medication dosage. Pharmaceutical researchers work for medicine and drug manufacturers, researcher institutions or universities. They are responsible for developing and testing new drugs before submitting them for approval.
Biochemistry
Biochemists perform work encompassing the chemical composition of living organisms. You can study biochemistry through bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. Biochemistry Bachelor degree programs offer a foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, and math.
This qualifies graduates for entry-level work with DNA, genes, amino acids, proteins utilizing technologies including nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular spectroscopy. You may pursue a Master of Science or Master of Arts degree in biochemistry.
Master of Science programs have a heavier emphasis on research experience than the Master of Arts programs. The topics covered in Master’s degrees may include molecular genetics, protein engineering, advanced biochemistry, molecular cell biology, metabolic engineering, and biological photochemistry.
Earth Sciences (Geology)
Earth Sciences have changed in scope and nature over the past few decades. A Geology degree provides students with the skills required to interpret rock materials and geological phenomena as well as applying techniques and theories from physics, materials science, chemistry, and biology. These skills are essential to the study of the Earth and the environment.
Some of the topics covered include seismic wave mapping, Earth crust evolution, ocean and atmospheric circulation and evolution of life on Earth. The career opportunities for Earth Science graduates include the environmental sector, energy industry, technical/engineering consultancies, mining industry as well as research.
Social Psychology
Psychology is an expansive scientific field that focuses on studying human behavior. Social psychology deals with how human beings view and treat each other and the motivation factors in interpersonal relationships. There are a number of paths to a career in social psychology.
At the bachelor’s level, a student may earn a social psychology degree or a general psychology degree with social psychology concentration. Social psychologists work in a number of specialty areas including general psychology, counseling, industrial psychology, social work, child psychology, forensic psychology, clinical psychology, health psychology, school psychology, and neuropsychology.
Food Science
Food science is the discipline whereby the biological, physical and engineering sciences are utilized to study the nature of foods as well as their improvements for the consuming public. A degree in Food Science entails studying the chemical natures and physicality of food and the principles behind the production of the foods that we consume today.
The career options and employment opportunities for Food Science graduates include animal nutrition, food technologist, quality control, production management, nutritional therapist, research scientists, regulatory affairs officer, toxicology, brewing, horticulturist, and marketing associate professional.
Environmental Science
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary subject. An environmental science degree requires a student to combine knowledge and skills from different fields. This could mean exploring aspects of geography, biology, earth, and marine sciences, physics, chemistry, and social sciences.
This degree program combines multiple data sources and perspectives to help the student build a full understanding of natural and human environments. One of the most important aspects of environmental science degrees is fieldwork.
A fair amount of lab time is expected, where students learn how to perform different tests and analysis. This degree typically lasts for 3 or 4 years at Bachelor’s level and 1 or 2 years for Master’s qualification.
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of living organisms that can only be seen using a microscope (microorganisms or microbes). Microbiology degree programs entail studying these microorganisms, the diseases they cause and the benefits they may offer.
The topics covered may include global health issues, criminal investigations forensics, genetic manipulation, metabolism, and molecular biology, advanced microbial function, bacterial genetics, virology, molecular ecology and evolution, and animal biodiversity. Microbiology graduates can work in hospitals, universities, pharmaceutical industries, forensic science labs, biotechnology companies, and environmental organizations.
Genetics
Genetics encompasses the study of the gene structure and function and the applications of this knowledge. A Genetics degree program typically requires proficiency in subjects including biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. A student studies biochemistry, biomedical science and molecular biology with a heavy focus on lab work where they learn how to collect and analyze data.
Some of the topics covered may include research techniques, genetic manipulation, genes and development, genetic toxicology, cell, and molecular biosciences, the genome and microbial diversity. Geneticists work in groundbreaking areas including anti-biotic design, cancer research, genetic engineering, and medical or technical lab research.
Nuclear Physics
Physicists study the influence of naturally occurring phenomena such as energy, gravity, and movement on the matter. Nuclear physicists focus on utilizing the energy with the nucleus of an atom. A doctorate is often required to pursue a career in nuclear physics.
Almost all doctorate degree programs require a bachelor’s degree in physics or a related field. Applicants also require laboratory experience. The majority of physics doctoral programs offer students concentration options in several specialty fields, including nuclear physics.
Possible courses may include physics mechanics, atomic physics, particle physics, quantum theory, statistical physics, electricity, and magnetism. Individuals with a nuclear physics background can consider careers in radioactive medicine, alternative energy research, military defense research, astronomy, and post-secondary education.