Difference between BSc and BSc honours

Difference between B. Sc and B. Sc honours

After completing your schooling, if you want to delve deeper into the science stream, then a Bachelor’s degree in science is a perfect option. Now, there are two ways to get a Bachelor’s degree in science. You can either opt for a general B. Sc or B. Sc with an honours subject. In this particular blog, I would talk about the differences between a B. Sc degree and B. Sc Honours degree. Knowing in detail about both the programs will help a student to understand the future prospects of both the courses as well as it will help in understanding one’s own likes and interests. This blog will be beneficial to analyse the pros and cons of both the degrees.

B.Sc

A Bachelor’s degree in science, popularly known as B. Sc is a three- year undergraduate program which is very general in nature. A B. Sc degree provides a broad foundation in multiple science subjects and thus, facilitates a large range of career possibilities in both government and corporate sectors. A B. Sc course offers broad knowledge of all science subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology – Zoology and Botany, Computer Science, etc. In this course, a general framework of all important science subjects is given, while in a B. Sc Honours course, there is only one subject that is taught in detail.

The advantage of doing a general B. Sc courses is that it opens up a huge pool of career opportunities and possibilities. Graduates with a B. Sc degree find employment in sectors of teaching, business, research, banking, etc. Through this course, diverse learning becomes possible as a multi- disciplinary approach is followed.

Eligibility criteria: For a B. Sc course, the student should have passed class 12th with at least 55 % of marks. Also, he/ she must have studied science subjects in 10+2 such as physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics.

B. Sc Honours

The BSc Honours is among the most popular courses chosen by the students for relatively various reasons. Top most among these reasons to chose a BSc Honours Degree is the specialisation and in-depth knowledge which this degree provides makes the candidates most lucrative in the job market.  Among various queries regarding the BSc Honours degree the most common are mentioned below. These are such as the BSc Honours Subjects, the most popular BSc Honours streams, BSc honours Scope , etc.

A Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree is also a three- year course but is regarded more superior than a general B. Sc degree as it is a specialised course focussing only upon one science subject. Here, you can choose one science subject of your interest in which you want to have a detailed learning. An honours degree is helpful in developing professional skills too. Anyone who wants to pursue a Masters of Science (M. Sc) or Doctor of Philosophy should go for an honours degree. A specialization in one particular subject helps to narrow down one’s interest areas. With the help of this course, a student can develop advanced theoretical and research skills. Those who want to pursue research or academic career in science, they pick this course. 

Eligibility criteria: For pursuing a B. Sc (Hons.) course, the student must have passed class 12 board exams with 55- 60 % of aggregate marks. Moreover, he/ she must have studied science subjects in 10+2 such as physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics.

BSc Honours Subjects

The BSc Honours Subjects are varied depending upon the stream chosen to do the course. Such as Calculus, mechanics, algebra, geometry, and other topics are among the main topics covered in the B.Sc. Honours Maths programme. The B.Sc. Physics Honours course covers topics like mechanics, thermal physics, digital systems and their applications, electricity and magnetism, and more. Human development, child development, personal finance, etc. are all covered in the B.Sc. Honours. Home Science curriculum. A specialised study on basic programming concepts and a variety of programming languages, such as data structures, OOPS programming with C++, Java Programming, data mining, computer graphics, etc. is available through the B.Sc. Honours in Computer Science programme.

Most Popular BSc Honours Streams:

There are some streams which are very popular when it comes to BSc Honours course. Some of the following streams are becoming popular recently as many students are showing aroused interest in them. Here below are the Most Popular BSc Honours Streams along with the brief introduction about them. Have a look:

BSc Honours Mathematics

In addition to studying the standard Bachelor of Science subjects such as Physics and Chemistry, the BSc Honours Mathematics course provides in-depth knowledge of trigonometry, geometry, calculus, and numerous other theories in Mathematics or respective disciplines, such as computer science or statistics.Following successful completion of the B.Sc. Math Honours degree programme, a variety of job opportunities in actuarial sciences, statistics, mathematical modelling, computer sciences, cryptography, and other fields become available.

BSc Honours Computer Science

BSc Honours Computer Science is a three-year full-time undergraduate programme divided into six semesters, each lasting six months.It is the study of the theory, experimentation, and engineering that underpin the design and operation of computers. In India, the average annual course fee ranges between INR 2,000 and INR 7 Lacs. BSc Honours Computer Science graduates can work as Business Analysts, Junior Analysts, Business Development Executives, System Integrators, Hardware Designers, Logic Designers, Systems Analysts, and System Administrators, among other positions.

BSc Honours Agriculture

Bachelor of Science Honours in Agriculture (BSc Honours agriculture) is a four-year undergraduate degree awarded by Indian universities to students who have completed their 10th grade and are preferably from the Science stream.In India, there are 42 State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), one Central Agricultural University (CAU), five Deemed Universities (DUs), and four general Central Universities with Agriculture faculties.Graduates of the BSc Honours agriculture programme can find work in both the public and private sectors. Agriculture officers, Assistant Plantation Managers, Agricultural Research Scientists, Agriculture Development Officers, Agriculture Technicians, Agriculturists, Business Development Executives, Marketing Executives, and other positions are available.

BSc  Honours Biology 

Students who have completed Class 12 or equivalent with an aggregate of 50% marks from a recognised board and have Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Zoology/Botany as mandatory subjects can pursue BSc  Honours Biology. Some of the top institutes offering BSc  Honours Biology courses include ITDC, Jain University, Poddar Group of Institutions, Abeda Inamdar Senior College, and JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research.In India, the average annual fee for a BSc  Honours Biology programme ranges between INR 90,000 and INR 3,00,000.

BSc Physics HonoursThe BSc Physics Honours  course focuses on developing a solid understanding of a variety of physics-related concepts, including those related to quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, etc. Top colleges in India, including St. Stephen's College in Delhi, Jain University in Bangalore, St. Xavier's College, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, among others, offer the well-liked and widely accepted BSc Physics Honours course. The cost of a BSc in Physics with Honours can range from 80,000 to 500,000 depending on the college you choose.

Differences between B. Sc and B. Sc (Hons.) degrees

Both B. Sc and B. Sc (Hons.) are academic degrees in science given to undergraduate students. The course duration for both is also same, that is 3 years. In spite of these similarities, there are some factors that make B. Sc Hons. Degree different from a general B. Sc degree. The main points of differences between the two are:

• Specialization: There is no specialization of any subject in B. Sc course. A foundational learning of all main science subjects is done in the B. Sc cour

On the other hand, B. Sc (Hons.) is a course with a specialization in one particular subject. For instance, B. Sc (Hons.) in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Zoology, Botany, Statistics, Computer Science, Geology, etc.

• Course Structure: A B. Sc (Hons.) course is usually more exhaustive and hence, demands more efforts from the students in terms of extensive practical works, assignments, seminars and projects. Moreover, the student is also required to submit a dissertation at the end of the course for an Honours degree.

 A general B. Sc degree does not have such large requirements from the students. No dissertation has to be submitted for a general B. Sc degree.

• Job Prospects:  A B. Sc (Hons.) degree is usually considered better in terms of employment opportunities because the candidate gets a specialization in one particular subject. The in- depth knowledge gained in the subject opens up greater opportunities in the fields of research and development.

With a B. Sc honours degree, one can pursue masters and PhD and then become a lecturer or researcher. The different jobs can be of a research associate, research assistant, scientist, chemist, mathematician, zoologist, biotechnologist, etc.

Both government and private sectors appoint candidate with B. Sc honours. Some important sectors are- Pharmaceutical industries, Food industries, Research laboratories, Schools and colleges., banking and finance companies, etc.

There are several job opportunities for students pursuing general B. Sc degrees as well. Since they get to study more than one subject, they can work in areas belonging to multi- disciplines. The student can apply for many government and private jobs. However, the preference is often given to the candidate with an honours degree.

Apart from research and teaching jobs in the science stream, etc. the candidate can also pursue MBA/ PGDM and programming courses. 

BSc Honours Scope

The BSc honours Scope is vast as this is a specialised program. Some of the job titles which a BSc honours degree can help you grab are given below along with their salary in the table. Have a look: 

Sr. No.	Job Title	Average Salary
1	Biotechnologist	INR 3.80 LPA
2	Biochemist	INR 3.08 LPA
3	Lab Supervisor	INR 2.04 LPA
4	Research Assistant	INR 1.44 LPA
5	Associate	INR 3 LPA
6	Executive	INR 3.5 LPA
7	Technician	INR 2.05 LPA
8	Marine Geologist	INR 5.35 LPA

Top BSc Honours Entrance Examinations

One  must pass the relevant entrance exam course in order to be admitted to a BSc Honours programme. Below is a list of some of the most popular BSc Honours entrance exams as follows:

Exam Name	Full Form
JEE Main	Joint Entrance Examination
JEE Advanced	Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced)
(BITSAT)	Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test
VITEEE	VIT Engineering Entrance Exam
(UPSEE)	Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination
(SRMJEE)	SRM Joint Engineering Examination
(WBJEE)	West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination
(KCET)	Karnataka Common Entrance Test
(SET)	Symbiosis Entrance Test

Conclusion:

• Any student who wants to learn a subject in detail should opt for B. Sc (Hons.) course, while those who want to have a balanced understanding of different science subjects with a multi- disciplinary approach, they can take up a general B. Sc course. In India, both these courses are extremely popular among students.
• A student with a B. Sc (hons.) degree is preferred over a student with a general B. Sc degree because a student with an honours degree has more in- depth knowledge of one particular subject than the student with a general bachelor’s degree.
• General B. Sc is helpful for strengthening the basics or foundations of a student in the science stream, whereas a B. Sc (hons.) helps in building an advanced and professional career.

Top colleges in India that offer B. Sc and B. Sc (Hons.) degree

• Miranda House, New Delhi
• Hindu College, New Delhi
• St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi
• Christ University, Bangalore
• Stella Maris College, Chennai
• Sri Venkateshwara College, New Delhi
• Loyola College, Chennai
• St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai
• Indraprastha College for Women, New Delhi
• Gargi College, New Delhi
• Goswami Ganesh Dutt Sanatan Dharma College (GGDSD), Chandigarh
• NIMS, Jaipur

Frequently Asked Questions about Difference between BSc and BSc honours

Q. Which one is better- BSc or BSc Hons?

Ans. Although both these courses provide you with a Bachelors in Science degree, the academic industry prefers candidates with a BSc Hons degree since it provides in- depth knowledge of one particular discipline, whereas a simple BSc degree just acts as a foundational course in science.
If you want to have a detailed knowledge in one particular subject, you should take up B. Sc Hons. And if you want to get basic ideas of three to four science subjects you should take up general B. Sc course.

Q. What is the eligibility to pursue a B. Sc (Hons) Course?

Ans. You should have passed class 12th board exams with at least 55 -60% of marks. It is also necessary to have studied science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology in your higher secondary.

Q. What are the specializations available in B. Sc (Hons.)?

Ans. Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biochemistry, Biomedicine, Microbiology, Zoology, Botany, Statistics, Computer Science, Agriculture, Psychology, Biotechnology and other allied subjects.

Q. What can I do with a B. Sc (Hons.) degree?

Ans. You can pursue higher studies in your specialized subject. For example, if you have done B. Sc Hons. In Physics, you can take up M. Sc in Physics. You can aim to be a professor in a university or college, and also perform jobs as a research associate, or assistant. You can also sit for several competitive exams of the government such as Banking, SSC, Railway, UPSC, etc. You can also pursue management courses after B.Sc.

Q. What can I do with a B. Sc degree?

Ans. With a B. Sc degree at hand, you can sit for all competitive exams of the State and Central government such as Banking, SSC, Railway, Civil Services, etc. Since you have general ideas of all science subjects, you can also opt for jobs in different fields such as health, pharmaceuticals, food industry, etc.

Q. What is the fee structure for B. Sc/ B. Sc. honours?

Ans. The average course fees are around Rs 40,000- 60,000.

Q. Which are the most popular honours courses in B. Sc?

Ans. Some of the popular B. Sc honours courses that are in high demand in the job sectors are: B. Sc (Hons.) Nursing, agriculture, physics, statistics, mathematics, microbiology, computer sciences, etc.