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What is really a Scientist and how one becomes a such highly prized person? Is it the following route a valid one to become a worthy scientist?

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
Premise: As far as I I know the term " Scientist" in not protected by law all over the world ( it is like " Engineer" in UK) so it my be used by anyone independently by his/her education level and orientation.
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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    As I far as I know a really competent scientist ( that is a Researcher ) should be qualified at least at the PhD Standard!...
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    In the UK there is a Science Council.  https://sciencecouncil.org/

    "The Science Council provides a quality assurance system for those working in science. We set the standards for professional registration for practising scientists and science technicians across all scientific disciplines. Through our Licensed Bodies we admit to our registers scientists and science technicians who meet our competence and conduct requirements and commit to Continuing Professional Development. Those scientists who reach the required standards are recognised by the following designations CSci, CSciTeach, RSci and RSciTech."




    A scientist can be at different levels just like an Engineer and as it is accustomed in the UK the top designation is usually Chartredahip.

    The Science Council has 4 levels of registration:

    In the same way as Engineering Council the Science Council license bodies that can register Scientists with the Science Council.


    Registered Science Technician (RSciTech)


    Registered Science Technicians work with minimal supervision in technical roles, delivering essential scientific services and support within laboratories, schools and universities, hospitals and in many other workplaces.

    Registered Scientist (RSci)


    Registered Scientists can be found in a huge variety of scientific and higher technical roles. They apply their skills and knowledge whilst working autonomously and have the ability to resolve problems and identify, review and select appropriate techniques, procedures and methods.

    Chartered Scientist (CSci)



    Chartered Scientists represent the best professional scientists working in the UK and abroad. They demonstrate effective leadership, using their specialist knowledge and broader scientific understanding to develop and improve the application of science and technology by scoping, planning and managing multifaceted projects.



    Chartership as a scientist reflects the wide variety of sciences and their practice, recognising high levels of skill and experience, independent of discipline.



    Chartered Science Teacher (CSciTeach)


    Chartered Science Teachers combine the scientific knowledge and understanding with the skills and expertise required by individuals involved in the practice and advancement of science teaching and learning.

     

    The European Union (EU) has made provisions for the recognition of professional qualifications (a combination of academic qualifications and professional training and experience) to enable movement of workforce between Member States.



    Since 2007, Chartered Scientist (CSci) has been accepted for the purposes of the directive as a regulated profession, with the Science Council appointed as the Competent Authority.



    The directive 2005/36/EC, which came into effect on 20 October 2007, applies to all Member State nationals wishing to practice a regulated profession in a Member State other than the one in which they obtained their professional qualifications. The Directive works on the basic principle that an individual fully qualified to practice a regulated profession in one member state should be treated, in principle, as qualified to practice that same profession in another Member State.



    Following the EU referendum result on 24 June 2016, there is currently no change to the status of CSci in Europe. Our focus will be to ensure that professional recognition of scientists remains transferable across Europe and the world.



  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    In this country, Italy, a Scientist, to be accepted and recognized as such, must, hold a Research Doctorate, that is a level 8 (PhD) Qualification. The ones holding lower qualifications are not accepted as scientists but they may perform some research as well.

    So in the Anglo-Saxon world:
    https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Scientist
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    In a similar way in this country to be considered a worthy  qualified)  "Environmentalist"  you must at least hold a first degree either in environmental science or  environmental engineering (or both ). Lower qualifications ( in particular way the ones, strictly speaking, outside the environmental world, such as, for example " Geometra" ( Surveyor) and similar technical ones, are not taken in account ( considered)!
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    In the US we have degrees in Environmental Science and also in Environmental Engineering.


    Environmental engineers work in a variety of settings because of the nature of the tasks they do. When they are working with other engineers and urban and regional planners, environmental engineers are likely to be in offices. When they are carrying out solutions through construction projects, they are likely to be at construction sites.

    Environmental engineers must have a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a related field, such as civil, chemical, or general engineering. Employers also value practical experience. Therefore, cooperative engineering programs, which provide college credit for structured job experience, are valuable as well.


    My nephew who graduated with a bachelor's degree from USC in Environmental Sciences actually started in the environmental engineering program but later made a change. 

    Even though it appears that "environmental scientists" have more jobs that "environmental engineers", getting an Environmental Engineering degree may be preferred over an environmental science degree. The coursework is far more challenging for the EnvE degree. Some say you can probably get a job as an environmental scientist with an environmental engineering degree (as well as a job as an environmental engineer, obviously). This probably can't go the other way around. Someone with an environmental science degree probably may take extra courses or wouldn't have the skills to be an environmental engineer.  There is a good chance one will have more job prospects with an EnvE degree.

  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    OK! I would agree with you! But to become a UK Chartered Environmentalist ( not not be confused with Chartered Environmental Engineer or with the Chartered Engineer status-in fact the two qualifications are NOT interchangeable.) not necessarily you must hold a degree, in fact many non-graduate Italian Surveyors and Industrial Peritoes (Industrial Experts), independently from their specialization, have obtained the Uk CEnv Status without having any degrees or a recognized equivalent qualifications!.... More, they were also accepted as Full Members of the UK Society of Environmental Engineers (SEE) recently dissolved!
    https://professionalengineeringukandothertopics.wordpress.com/2019/11/28/important-information-after-the-speuk-the-uk-see-society-of-environmental-engineers-dissolved/
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member


    Just like the term Architect got blurry/extended with the time, the same is with Scientists. We have Enterprise Architects and Data Scientists who are not the classical Architect or Scientists by definition.

    For the Engineers registered with the EC its the UK SPEC that defines the standard and framework for the registration as an Engineer.

    We learn in different settings, from the library, at work, at universities and schools. Recognition of work-based learning with a combination of training and education all contribute to the formation of an Engineer.


    Some countries by law one can't call themselves an Engineer unless they are registered, and to be registered a recognized accredited Bachelors's degree required.

    Same with scientists, some countries its top of the educated persons who hold Ph.D. and /or Dr. degrees and involved with Science. 

  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    MW _CEng:


    Just like the term Architect got blurry/extended with the time, the same is with Scientists. We have Enterprise Architects and Data Scientists who are not the classical Architect or Scientists by definition.

    For the Engineers registered with the EC its the UK SPEC that defines the standard and framework for the registration as an Engineer.

    We learn in different settings, from the library, at work, at universities and schools. Recognition of work-based learning with a combination of training and education all contribute to the formation of an Engineer.


    Some countries by law one can't call themselves an Engineer unless they are registered, and to be registered a recognized accredited Bachelors's degree required.

    Same with scientists, some countries its top of the educated persons who hold Ph.D. and /or Dr. degrees and involved with Science. 

    A really very good answer, CEng Moshe!  I have marked it as ' Best answer' ! Thank you !

     




     

  • Why should everything be regulated by somebody?  Why can't people do science, because they are interested in it, rather than having to have some approved qualification and a certificate from a national body?
  • Good evening Simon Barker, 

    why do you think so ?  

    There are universities or colleges that teach the engineering professions and have some recognition from a qualified body, so the student attending a university or college must demonstrate some engineering ability and work experience.  

    I believe that anyone with an engineering degree can demonstrate one ability or another and I believe it (of course you must have the same student background in some way to demonstrate ability).