Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree: Areas of Study, Careers, and More

A Bachelor of Science (BS) is a type of bachelor's degree you can earn in certain majors, such as the natural sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering, and health. BS degrees typically lead to careers in STEM, and the majors available to study are among the most popular.

Learn more about earning your BS degree, including the subjects you can study and the careers you can pursue after graduation. Afterward, explore flexible and affordable bachelor's degree programs with esteemed university partners on Coursera.

What is a Bachelor of Science (BS)?

Along with the Bachelor of Arts (BA), a Bachelor of Science (BS) is one of the most common degree types offered. It covers a broad range of majors in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), but it’s also possible to earn your BS in nonscientific fields. 

A BS degree typically takes four to five years of full-time study to complete. During that time, you’ll need to take and pass around two years of general education coursework, which lays a broad educational foundation, before selecting your major (and possibly a minor) and taking courses dedicated to improving your knowledge of that area.  

BS degree: areas of study

When you elect to study the following subjects, you will generally graduate with a BS degree:

• Business management and business administration

• Computer science

• Electrical engineering

• Data science

• Finance

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Nursing

• Public health

• Accounting

• Psychology

• Agricultural science

At some universities, it's possible to earn some majors, like economics or psychology, as a Bachelor of Arts degree. Learn more about the difference between a BA and a BS degree.

Bachelor of Science requirements 

As a standard bachelor's degree, a BS typically requires completing around 60 credits of general education requirements for the first two years of your program. This ensures that you've laid a strong foundation to be a well-rounded student who can think critically and analytically about the world around them. From there, you'll declare your major—and may even need to apply to a major in some cases—and finish taking courses in your major. You may also have the option to take electives, which give you the chance to explore different subjects that are or are not related to your major.

If you're interested in two complementary areas within STEM, or want to augment your STEM learning with a relevant subject, you may want to consider double major or college minor, which can be a way to build a more nuanced education.

Learn more: How to Get a Bachelor's Degree

BS admission requirements

Application processes will vary from place to place, but typically you will need to prove you meet the educational entry requirements and submit a college essay or statement of purpose and pass the SAT or ACT admission test. Some colleges and universities will also ask for letters of recommendation and a resume.

What can you do with a BS degree?  

A bachelor's degree can lead to high-paying roles. For STEM careers, a BS degree is often a requirement and can help you advance from an entry-level role to something more advanced. You can use a BS to pursue the following careers:

• Software developer

• Data scientist

• Mechanical engineer

• Registered nurse (BSN)

• Financial analyst

• Environmental scientist

• Information security analyst

• Biomedical engineer

• Chemist

• Industrial engineer

Learn more about the types of jobs you can explore with degrees in the following BS majors:

• Public health degree

• Computer science degree

• Natural sciences degree

• Finance degree

Earn your bachelor's through Coursera

A Bachelor of Science can prepare for numerous careers in STEM and beyond. You'll find affordable, flexible bachelor's degree programs in a variety of in-demand areas, like computer science, business, and information technology, with esteemed university partners on Coursera. Explore relevant programs to request information.