Only very small parts of the Malaysian and Singaporean populations hold a [master's degree in science/Master of Science degree].
First, though I know a master's degree in science is correct here, I'm not sure if a Master of Science degree is an alternative to it in this case.
Second, should I write "only very small parts of the Malaysian and Singaporean populations" or "only a small part of the Malaysian and Singaporean population".
Thank you so much in advance!
Best Answer
Master of Science is the title of a degree. Many "Master's" degrees taken in a science subject would lead to an MSc. But there would be exceptions and edge cases. My own university offered mathematics students free choice in whether to have an MSc or an MA - the course was identical, the only difference was the certificate.
It probably doesn't make any difference in this context. You can probably assume that, at the accuracy of this data, all Master's degrees are MScs
("Part" or "Parts", both are reasonable)
The word "Arts" in "Master of Arts" or Magister Artium is not "art" in the sense of painting and sculpture. "Art" means any skill as a result of learning or practice, and originally included the study of nature that would now be called "science". It was in contrast to practical skills like being a master carpenter or a master cutler. A student would become a "master of learning" that is "Magister Artium". Having become a master, the next stage would be to become a teacher, and one qualified to teach other students would be a "Doctor". As language developed, "Art" came to mean particularly those skills of painting and sculpture, and "Master of Science" was invented. Later lots of other types of Master's degrees were developed. But MA is still used for many degrees in subjects like History, Geography, Literature, Economics, Law, Theatre, Philosophy, Architecture and many many others. The whole classification of "science degrees" is suspect. Sure Physics is a science degree... But what about Maths? Psychology? Economics? What about joint degrees "Physics and Economics" or "Physics and Philosophy"? What about education degrees, is a master's degree in "Science education" a science degree? There are so many questions, all of which are completely irrelevant to the test!