Editing Master of Science (section)

{{Short description|Type of postgraduate qualification}}
{{redirect|M.S.|other uses|MS (disambiguation){{!}}MS}}
{{pp-pc1}}
[[File:Columbia University Master's Degree.jpg|thumb|[[Columbia University]]’s Master of Science diploma]]
[[File:Ringside.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Class ring|graduation ring]] with the Master of Science designation]]
A '''Master of Science''' ({{langx|la|Magister Scientiae}}; abbreviated '''MS''', '''M.S.''', '''MSc''', '''M.Sc.''', '''SM''', '''S.M.''', '''ScM''' or '''Sc.M.''') is a [[master's degree]]. In contrast to the [[Master of Arts]] degree, the Master of Science degree is typically granted for studies in sciences, engineering and medicine and is usually for programs that are more focused on scientific and mathematical subjects; however, different universities have different conventions and may also offer the degree for fields typically considered within the humanities and social sciences. While it ultimately depends upon the specific program, earning a Master of Science degree typically includes writing a [[thesis]].

The Master of Science degree was introduced at the [[University of Michigan]] in 1858.<ref name="University of Michigan">{{cite book|url=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/u/umsurvey/AAS3302.0001.001/1:3.2.13?rgn=div3;view=fulltext |title= The University of Michigan, an encyclopedic survey ... Wilfred B. Shaw, editor|publisher= University of Michigan|year= 2000}}</ref> One of the first recipients of the degree was [[De Volson Wood]], who was conferred a Master of Science degree at the University of Michigan in 1859.<ref>{{cite journal|url= https://www.jstor.org/stable/2969269 |title=Biography: De Volson Wood|journal=The American Mathematical Monthly|publisher=Mathematical Association of America|jstor=2969269|last1=Matz|first1=F. P.|year=1895|volume=2|issue=9/10|pages=253–256|doi=10.2307/2969269 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="University of Michigan"/>