What is the best route to go from IT to Science?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the transition from a career in IT to a field in science, particularly focusing on the physical sciences and astronomy. Participants explore educational pathways, potential career options, and the necessary qualifications for research roles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Career guidance

Main Points Raised

  • Stellar05 expresses a desire to transition from IT to science, highlighting a background in computer science and a willingness to explore various scientific fields.
  • Some participants suggest considering community college or alternative educational routes, such as embedded systems programming, to facilitate the transition.
  • There is mention of the potential for self-directed learning through projects involving microcontrollers and programming languages, which could enhance marketability in engineering fields.
  • Stellar05 clarifies a preference for research roles in pure physical science or astronomy, seeking fields that require minimal academic commitment.
  • Questions arise regarding the adequacy of a master's degree for research positions, with some participants noting that primary investigators typically hold PhDs or MDs.
  • It is noted that while individuals with a master's degree can participate in research, they may not lead it.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the best educational pathways and the role of a master's degree in research, indicating that multiple competing views remain on these topics.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects uncertainty regarding the specific educational requirements for different scientific fields and the implications of various degrees on research opportunities.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a career change from IT to science, particularly those interested in physical sciences and astronomy, may find this discussion relevant.

stellar05
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What is the best route to go from IT to Science?

I have an undergrad in Computer Science completed in 1997 and have over 12 years experience in programing, software design, technical writing, telecom, & Point-of-Sale software. I am willing to go into any area of science, and I would like to spend the least amount of time in school as possible due to financial issues.

I am especially interested in the physical sciences & astronomy and have many skills in computation to offer the science world. I did well in math and science while in school.

I am grateful to hear anyone's suggestions or know-how in the matter?

- Stellar05
 
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Welcome to the PF, stellar. You will enjoy your time here.

Are you considering the Community College route for an AS, or some other school route? I think that embedded systems programming will offer you a good way to change over from more of an IT path to an engineering path.

You can also pick up a lot of this on your own, by getting a microcontroller (uC) plus CPLD evaluation board plus complers, and building up some projects on your own. If you pick up Assembly/C programming for popular uCs, plus Verilog/VHDL/AHDL programming of CPLD logic devices, you will be very marketable in the EE / embedded systems market.

Can you tell us a little more about your background and where you want to go?
 
Last edited:
Hi Berkeman,
Thanks for replying to my post. I have a bachelors of science in Computer Science. My background starts in programming and leads up to software design which is what I do now. At work, I create flowcharts, sequence diagrams, functional specs, & technical specs for merchant credit card software. I have experience in telecommunication software design as well. I believe that I should of posted my question to the career guidance and not academic guidance.

I learned both assembly and C in college. I don't really want to go into EE, I would rather go into a career involving research for pure physical science or perhaps even astronomy. I am not focusing on an area of science because I want to pick a science field which is the most accessible to me (requiring less academics as possible).

-Stellar05
 
Select a graduate program you would want to do and apply.
 
Will a masters degree be enough to be a researcher?
 
stellar05 said:
Will a masters degree be enough to be a researcher?

Primary Investigators are generally PhDs or MDs, depending on the field. An MS-degreed person could participate in research, but generally would not lead the research.
 

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