Here's a short article from the science journal Nature that talks about distance learning science (chemistry) programs. It is a generally positive review of the DL experience. Distance learning: Online education : Nature : Nature Publishing Group
An interesting quote from the article: Moreover, employers do not seem to be biased against online degrees. A 2010 survey by Eduventures, a US higher-education research and consulting organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, found that alumni of various online programmes saw improvements in their salaries and titles after acquiring an online degree. “These findings seem to refute the popular media perception that employers favour traditional face-to-face degrees rather than online degrees,” says Kamelia Valkova Turcotte, a senior analyst at Eduventures. Many employers are now partnering with universities to assist their employees' online degree programmes by providing on-site laboratory space. Observers expect more science programmes to offer online master's degrees in the coming years, as they respond to economic and enrolment pressures. I did most of my coursework for a (incomplete) bachelor of technology as part of a corporate sponsored program, with an occasional campus visit for 'some' labs way back in the last century. Good to see more acceptance.
The Chemistry MS program highlighted in the first paragraphs of the story is not really "distance learning" in the sense that the term is commonly used here. It's actually a "hybrid" program: So while coursework is delivered online, the program still requires B&M science research facilities, just like a traditional chemistry degree. In this case, the B&M facilities are at a "partner company", rather than at a university. But the point is that specialized B&M facilities are still required; online delivery alone is not sufficient. The limitations of DL for science education, particularly beyond introductory levels, are also implied by the story's headline: "Internet-based degree programmes are gaining acceptance, but doubts remain about their suitability for graduate science."
