Sc.D. or ScD is the abbreviation of the Latin Scientiae Doctor, which means "Doctor of Science". It is an academic doctoral degree on par with the wider known Ph.D.. The Sc.D. is awarded predominantly in engineering sciences, whereas "classical" sciences seem to prefer the Ph.D.
The "Doctor of Science" is sometimes also abbreviated DSc or D.Sc. However, in the United Kingdom, other Commonwealth countries and the former Soviet republics, the D.Sc. is a higher doctorate which is issued by a committee on the basis of a long research and publication record. Although little, if any, additional work is required, the doctorate is not honorary and does grant the use of the title "Dr".
See also
- Doctorate for a list of other doctoral degrees.