Will Not Finishing My M.Sc. Affect My Postdoctoral Opportunities?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the implications of not completing a Master's degree on future postdoctoral opportunities, particularly from the perspective of a third-year PhD student in mathematical modeling of turbulent flows. Participants explore the relevance of Master's completion in different educational contexts and the potential impact on academic career paths.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their experience of not finishing their Master's due to accepting multiple fellowships and questions if this will affect their postdoctoral opportunities.
  • Another participant notes that in Sweden, a Master's degree is typically required before starting a doctorate, contrasting this with the USA's system where one can transition directly from a Bachelor's to a doctorate.
  • Some participants suggest that not completing the Master's may not be problematic if the decision was based on pursuing better opportunities rather than failure.
  • A participant inquires about the specific requirements to complete the Master's degree, suggesting that the PhD coursework might overlap and that it could be possible to fulfill Master's requirements concurrently.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of completing a Master's degree for postdoctoral positions, with some indicating it may not be an issue while others highlight institutional requirements that could vary by country.

Contextual Notes

There are varying educational structures and expectations regarding Master's and PhD programs across different countries, which may influence the relevance of completing a Master's degree.

Bunsen
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Hi Guys!,

I am new in the forum and I want to ask for some advice regarding my carrier path. Here is my story in short:

I am a third year PhD student (mathematical modeling of turbulent flows). I finished my B.Sc. (Mechanical Engineering) in the best 20% of my generation and went for a M.Sc. in the same field. However, when I was almost ready with the M.Sc. I got a research fellowship and then another one and then another one and finally I got a PhD fellowship. Since I had some economical problems and was sure that I wanted to work in the academia the rest of my life (or at least I want to try to do it), I accepted all these fellowships and never finished my Master.

Do you think I could have some problems in the future finding a postdoctoral position because I did not finish my master?.. Should I try to finish it?

Thanks in advance for your answers.
 
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In sweden you can only start a doctorate after you finish your masters I think USA is the only country where you go from Bachelors to doctorate. And yes i realize that you read the same courses during doctorate but as a master student your focus is on the courses its better i think.
 
It might be an issue if, for example, you failed out, or were kicked out, but somehow managed to get into a PhD at another school. But if it was just a question of you choosing to follow a better opportunity, then no, bailing on the MSc is not likely to present any roadblocks.
 
What is required to complete the MSc?

You probably have all of the coursework ... just need to write a thesis on a research project?

Talk to your adviser ... you may be able to "double up". Sometimes when you are in a PhD program you only need to complete the course work for the MS if the other department approves.
 

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