• Question: what does PhD stand for?

    Asked by pringleson to Chris, Emily, Martin, Natalie, Tamsin on 25 Mar 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Martin Coath

      Martin Coath answered on 25 Mar 2010:

      It is an old latin term:

      philosophiae doctor

      which means roughly “teacher of philosophy”

      The literal meaning of “philosopher” is “one who loves knowledge” so scientists are philosophers too!

      The word “science” is very recent. The subjects were once called “natural philosophy” and scientists called “natural philosophers”

      Great question! Hope you found the answer interesting!

    • Photo: Chris Cooper

      Chris Cooper answered on 25 Mar 2010:

      It stands for Philisophy Doctor. Or more simply Doctor of Philosophy. The word “Doctor” always used to mean a researcher in philosophy. And science was covered as “natural philosophy”. In fact medical doctors shouldn’t really call themselves “Doctor” unless they have a research degree – either a MD (medical doctor) or a PhD. This is clearer in the USA where they are called physicians not doctors.

      Practically a PhD involves 3-4 years of new research after the end of an undergraduate degree. So usually by the age of 24 or 25 you get the degree. But these 3-4 years are pretty much the best years of a science career. You can really focus on a single problem and become a world expert – sometimes THE world expert.

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