The Big Three As a Back Door

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Maniac Craniac, Jan 10, 2013.

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  1. RobbCD

    RobbCD New Member

    This guy would know:
    Chris Stringer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    I'm reading his recent book, Lone Survivor, about the extinction of the other human species as ours came to prominence. An interesting, if slow, read.
     
  2. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    According to the Wikipedia article, he holds a Ph.D. and a Doctor of Science in the same subject at the same school. I wonder if the DSci was awarded either honorarily or for published works. I'm guessing honoris causa for his scholarship after his first doctorate. He's since received an honorary LLD, it appears.
     
  3. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    According to the Wiki on D.Sc., in the UK the degree can be awarded honoris causa or otherwise. If it is honoris causa, it will be indicated so (H.C.) as is Dr. Stringer's honorary LL.D.

    As Dr. Stringer's D. Sc. does not carry a similar H.C. qualifier - and I checked in quite a few places - I surmise that it was awarded for either research or recognition of his scholarship, some 26 years after his Ph.D. I note both doctorates were awarded in the field of Anatomical Science by the Dept. of Anatomy, Bristol University.

    Doctor of Science - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    http://www.bristol.ac.uk/alumni/featured/mv-sciences/

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 15, 2013
  4. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    BTW - A doctorate awarded for recognition of scholarship, as the Wiki points out, is not the same as an HC degree in the UK. The process is outlined in the D. Sc. Wiki.

    Johann
     
  5. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Right. Upon reflection, I suspect you're right about this one. It was likely awarded for his post-doctoral work (which I suggested as a possible reason). I agree that it is not likely honorary.
     
  6. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    But what about two doctorates in different fields? Stringer's are in the same field from the same school, one following the other after 26 years.
     
  7. RobbCD

    RobbCD New Member

    I guess my question would be "Why"? What will the second doctorate do for the person that the first did not? Is it a change in carreers or interests? What would motivate that much work twice?

    Working in healthcare I have seen MD/PhD's but the research doctorate has always been in a science subject that compliments the MD. Stringer's second doctorate seems to be built on the foundation of his first, and shows a real progression as an academic.

    Two different doctorates in two different fields seems odd to me, as if something had gone wrong and needed to be corrected.

    Unless......like the MD/PhD combination the second doctorate was something other than a PhD, like a DPA/PhD, JD/PhD or a DSocSci/PhD. ;-)

    I guess it would depend, and since nobody is looking for my opinion on the issue anyway, to each his own.

    Good Luck!
     
  8. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    In the UK system, it is not that unusual for one to have a PhD (which is considered a junior doctorate) and then get a higher doctorate (such as the DSc) later in life.
     

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