Impressions of Degrees in Science

The reasons for obtaining PhD degree

There are several reasons for obtaining PhD degree

   1. The power and prestige.
   2. The chance of academic teaching and research.
   3. The work in industrial and governmental sectors.

PhD graduates are usually satisfied with PhD programs. If the activity is organized properly, students develop motivated attitude to study and research. They may as well hope to become prospective collaborators in companies relying on large PhD reinforcement and carry out research in industrial or governmental laboratory settings. These students take considerable advantage of PhD in its current shape. However, other students may be dissatisfied in their attempts to adapt PhD to all possibilities and solutions to various sets of requirements.

Money considerations and satisfaction with knowledge

Some people think that from the standpoint of money meaning of PhD degree is not always a good deal nowadays. In modern society education and knowledge are often not very much valued from the standpoint of success. Society educates people to make money by all possible means and cultivates material values instead of sciences. From the standpoint of the golden calf, a PhD in science is not always a good investment. Unfortunately, this is a naked truth both for those whose goal in life is the accumulation of riches and men of science.

Nevertheless, many researchers are happy with their existence. They think that the modern system of study is enlightening and efficient for those who desire and aspire to PhD. They have no uncertainties about the research and the duration of studies. These students do not believe that PhD can be realized in shorter period of time. They affirm that the amount of knowledge to be accumulated is huge and must be absorbed gradually if you want to become a real leader in the research field. These efforts take time and require practice. Mistakes are inevitable and even useful because they must be corrected. Student comes out of the graduate experience a different personality and mature scientist. For these real scientists the true currency is knowledge, and they are sure that they are remunerated handsomely.

Must PhD programs be improved?

PhD programs presuppose the profound and comprehensive study of an extremely focused topic in a narrow field. Some people think that this situation should be changed. These scientists affirm that any great breakthrough in research usually involves the integration of several disciplines. Among the examples are artificial intelligence, psychology, computer science, mechanical engineering, cybernetics, virtual reality, nanotechnologies, and chemistry. Therefore, it is good to develop PhD programs that reflect multi-disciplinary approach together with highly specialized graduate study. Some people believe that meaning of PhD degree positively requires reconsideration. They think that the PhD creates a researcher who accumulates much information only about one specific matter. However, present diversity of subjects makes knowledge of related areas more and more important. Researchers must also know what other scientists do so as they were able to work together. Many students think that their subjects are too focused and maybe reorganization would be beneficial. Moreover, knowledge of both scientific areas and also societal events must become encouraging factor. Some researchers also believe that PhD is too centered at academia and it restricts job opportunities.

Should getting PhD degree be shorter in time?

Some people are under the impression that PhD is the main scientific goal in life. The scientific bodies enforce this statement paying much attention to the amount of publications. This approach may result in prolonged PhD process and it postpones getting the degree to the distant future. Some students may get depressed and it slows their work even more. These researchers think that obtaining PhD must not take so much time. A shorter PhD would cut down the long process of degree obtaining and could help the young scientists to join the ranks of independent researchers. PhD students, being employed earlier in academia or industry, would organize their personal life quicker and it would be beneficial both for the individual and science.