After completing twelve long years of schooling, it is often noted that students find themselves confused as to what subject they should take up and if that chosen subject is good for them or not. Science is a diverse branch of study offering a variety of degrees to budding Science enthusiasts. Two of the most renowned degrees opted worldwide are B.Sc. (general) and B.Sc. Honours. You must be wondering what exactly separates the two or how are the two mentioned degrees different? Well, in this article we will erase all your worries and give you a clear picture of the two degrees.
B.Sc. (general) is often considered as a basic or simple bachelor’s degree in science, which necessarily offers the student a platform or foundation required for a science-oriented career, with no special focus any specific subject learning, the degree gives you a basic foundation for all subjects in general.
Unlike B.Sc. (general), B.Sc. Honours provide you with a specialized subject, a subject on which you will have advanced studies. This subject will be your primary focus throughout the degree.
B.Sc. (General) vs B.Sc. Honours
The main difference between B.Sc. (general) and B.Sc. Honours is that the honours degree offers you a specialization in one specific paper of your choice. However, in B.Sc. (general) as the name suggests, you will be given a general idea of the foundation of Science, for a better grasp on the subject. There will be no special focus on any specific paper.
Comparison Table Between B.Sc. (General) and B.Sc. Honours
| Parameters of Comparison | B.Sc. (general) | B.Sc. Honours |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A degree which deals with formulating a stronger grasp on Science without focusing on one specific subject. | A degree which focuses primarily on one chosen subject of Science and specializes in that specific paper only. |
| Demand | Is in lesser demand in the world of academia. | Is in greater demand in the world of academia. |
| Scope in future | Has a lesser scope than B.Sc. Honours. | Has a greater scope than B.Sc. (general). |
| Subjects of focus | All subjects under the degree are of equal importance. | One specific subject (mathematics, biology, botany, zoology, chemistry, physics or economics) is of primary focus. |
| Value | Conventionally, the degree holds lesser value than B.Sc. Honours. | The degree holds greater value than B.Sc. (general). |
What is B.Sc. (General)?
B.Sc. (general) as the name suggests, is a degree which gives you a basic or simple bachelor’s degree in science, it necessarily offers its student a stronger grasp for the foundation of a science-oriented career, with no special/primary focus on any specific subject, the degree gives you a basic understanding for all subjects of science in general.
Even though this course does not offer you a specialization in one specific science subject, it undoubtedly gives you a stronger grasp on your prior knowledge of various science subjects like chemistry, botany, mathematics, physics, zoology, economics and other related science subjects. Conventionally speaking, this degree does not hold the same value as B.Sc.
Honours simply because of the lack of concentration on one specific subject. People seem to favour the Honours degree over a general one. For future prospects, B.Sc. Honours holds more weightage than B.Sc. general.
What is B.Sc. Honours?
Unlike B.Sc. (general), B.Sc. Honours will provide you with a specialized subject of your choice. The subject on which you will have your advanced studies. This particular chosen subject will become your primary focus throughout the degree. B.Sc. (Hons) aims at giving you a developed and specialized theoretical and research skills in your chosen science subject, parallel to this you will be given overall knowledge in the science subjects, to give an insightful knowledge to the students for an advanced academic or professional career.
Conventionally speaking, the Honours holds more value as compared to B.Sc. general simply because of the lack of concentration on one specific subject in B.Sc. general. It is often noted that People seem to choose the Honours degree over a general one. For future prospects, B.Sc. Honours holds more weightage than B.Sc. general.
Main Differences Between B.Sc. (General) and B.Sc. Honours
- B.Sc. general is a degree which deals with formulating a better grasp on Science in general without focusing on one specific subject. Whereas, B.Sc. Honours is a degree which focuses primarily on one chosen subject of Science and specializes in that specific paper only, side by side giving knowledge on other secondary papers as well.
- Studies suggest that B.Sc. general has a lesser scope than B.Sc. Honours in terms of the prospect.
- Since the scope is less for B.Sc. (general), the demand is also not great for the same. Honours is favoured more than general.
- All subjects under B.Sc. (general) are of equal importance. Whereas, one specific subject is focused upon in B.Sc. Honours.
- Conventionally, the degree of B.Sc. Honours holds more value than B.Sc. (general).
Conclusion
So now after a thorough discussion on the different degrees of Science, B.Sc. (general) and B.Sc. Honours, we do understand the clear difference between the two ethics of learning which is extensively opted for across the globe. B.Sc. (general) is a degree which gives the student a basic or simple bachelor’s degree in science, no special focus on one specific paper.
However, B.Sc. Honours will allow you with a specialized subject of your choice. The subject on which you will be having advanced studies. Thus, this is the primary point of difference between the two branches of study in Science.