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Glite Dictionary
Doctor of Science

Doctor of Science

1 5.0
A university degree in science that universities give for important research or as an honor
  • noun
  • /ˈdɒktər əv ˈsaɪəns/
translation icon : Doctor en Ciencias
  • He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Puebla, Mexico, and an M.S. in physics from Indiana State University in 1973. M.S. (1978), Northwestern University.
  • Doctor of Science degree
  • awarded a Doctor of Science

Examples

  • He earned a Doctor of Science—considered a "higher doctorate"—in 1963.

    Blog text (27)

  • He earned a Doctor of Science—considered a 'higher doctorate'—in 1963.

  • In 1950, he was awarded a Doctor of Science.

    Academic text (2003)

  • And by 1885, Joseph Arthur performed the experiment at Cornell University that proved the suspect bacterium was truly responsible for the disease, earning him the first Doctor of Science degree granted in America.

    Academic text (1997)

  • In 1940, Columbia University awarded Drew his Doctor of Science degree.

  • John L. LaMattina has received numerous awards, including an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire.

Synonyms

PhD
vsDoctor of Science
  • UK
139 4.8

A university degree given for advanced research after several years of study

is specific to science rather than any academic field
doctorate
vsDoctor of Science
  • Specialized
58 7.0

A university degree you get after long study and your own research

applies specifically within science and sometimes denotes honorary status
DS
vsDoctor of Science
  • Formal
1 8.6

A special degree given by a university for important work in science

includes both honorary awards and earned advanced scientific degrees
Doctor of Philosophy
vsDoctor of Science
  • Specialized
1 5.4

A university degree that shows you did new research after several years of study

is limited to science fields and may also be honorary
ScD
vsDoctor of Science
  • Formal
1 8.4

A university degree given for advanced study or work in science

has identical meaning but appears with an alternate abbreviation
doctor's degree
vsDoctor of Science
1 4.4

The highest university award for advanced study and research, often called a PhD

is narrower, referring to science degrees and including honorary awards
Ph.D.
vsDoctor of Science
  • Formal
5.5

A university degree for advanced research in one subject usually earned after several years and a long research paper

is specific to science and can also be awarded honorarily
DPhil
vsDoctor of Science
  • UK
7.3

An advanced university degree equal to a PhD often awarded by some British universities such as Oxford

is used mainly for scientific subjects and can be honorary
D.A.
vsDoctor of Science
  • Specialized
9.0

A university degree for people who teach in an arts or science subject

emphasizes scientific research or honorary recognition rather than teaching focus

How Advanced

Doctor of Science
1 5.0

Surface Forms

Doctor of Science singular
Doctors of Science plural

Morphology

doctor + of + science

The phrase is compositionally built from 'doctor' (a person holding a doctorate) + the genitive link 'of' + 'science' (the field), so its meaning — a doctoral degree or person with a doctorate in the sciences — is directly derivable from the parts. This 'Doctor of X' naming pattern is common cross-linguistically (e.g., Doctor of Philosophy), so a learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the intended academic-degree meaning.

Etymology

Doctor of Science comes from old universities: the word Doctor comes from the Latin 'docere', 'to teach', and Science means the study of the natural world. So a Doctor of Science was a top teacher and expert in science, and today the name is used for a high university degree in science.