Do I have to get a Masters Degree before a PhD?

How long does it take and what is involved in getting a phd?

• I am a top student in my biology class and it is my passion to learn about living things, I was talking to my teacher today about what I should do after graduation and she suggested that I gte my masters in something in biology. she said that my first year would be fairly open and we'd study a wide range of topics, but the more I go, the more specialized it would get. she suggested getting my undergraduate degree, then masters and said something about a doctrate, but I dont understand that completely. after getting a masters degree, what is involved in getting a phd? and what is the difference between the 4 years to get an undergraduate degree, and the extra 2 to get a masters? when you have amsters what doe sthat mean? and what is a doctrate or PhD? are you then addressed as dr.....so and so? any more info or personal experience would be awesome. In addition to this, it would be great if someone could provide me with some kind of a cost analysis of the road to a master or PhD... thanks

• Answer:

  The 2 years for a masters degree will be 2 years of advanced coursework in biology, and you'll begin to specialize in the field you're interested in by taking courses relevant to it. If you're planning to go on for the PhD, the masters will often include a thesis - an original piece of work on a small scale, often publishable or at least presentable at a conference. The PhD would involve another 2-6 years after the masters. The goal is to complete an original research project, both publishable and showing the beginnings of mastery in your field - you'll become an expert on something. The amount of time it takes will depend on whether or not you'll need anymore classes, qualifying exams, your motivation, your adviser, and your particular topic. The masters degree is advanced coursework; the PhD is a research degree and qualifies you to teach at the 4-year college or university level if you want. Masters can get you a 2-year college teaching job. A person with a PhD holds the tile of Doctor; masters does not come with a title. Fortunately, a PhD in the sciences often pays for itself - many programs will offer you a tuition waiver and even a small stipend (you don't have to pay for school and they'll even pay YOU) in exchange for teaching labs and/or doing research for them. This is common in the sciences, not so much in other fields. You can put off your loans until you finish graduate school.