Physicists taking jobs as Silicon Valley software engineers

Re:Physicists taking jobs as Silicon Valley software engineers by crazypyro on Monday January 16, 2017 @12:48PM (#13411570)

Don't some universities give MS diplomas out to people who make it so far in the program, but drop out before getting their PhD as a kind of "well, here's something for your work"?

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Re:Physicists taking jobs as Silicon Valley software engineers by whorleater on Monday January 16, 2017 @01:23PM (#13411814)

Yeah those are usually referred to as "terminal masters", meaning that you terminated your education with as MS.

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Re:Physicists taking jobs as Silicon Valley software engineers by URSpider94 on Monday January 16, 2017 @04:02PM (#13412983)

"terminal masters" more usually refers to a field where a Masters degree is the highest attainable degree, like a Masters of Fine Art (there is no Doctorate of Fine Art).

Although searching Google - I can find references to the usage you're giving.

But, I fully agree that a Masters in a hard science, especially from a top research school, is almost always a consolation prize for those who drop out. My program would not accept students into the program for a Masters, it was PhD only, unless you dropped out.

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