The Major Branches of Science
Science is a systematic study of the nature and manners of an object and the natural universe that is established around measurement, experiment, observation and formulation of laws. There are four major branches of science; each branch is categorized in different type of subjects that covers different areas of studies such us chemistry, physics, math, astronomy etc. The four major branches of science are, Mathematics and logic, biological science, physical science and social science.
The first branch is mathematics & logic. Mathematics and logic deals with abstract concepts. It goes hand in hand as both are needed in relation to finding out how social sciences and natural sciences work. They are also both needed in forming laws, theories and hypothesis. Even scientist needs this branch of science, as they would not come to a conclusion without any formulation.
Another branch of science is Biological science. This on the other hand deals with the study of living things. Biological science is divided into different sub topics. One of them is Zoology. It is a category under biology that focuses on the study of animal life. The study includes, and are not limited to, evolution, classification of both extinct and the living, structure and habits. Zoology also deals with embryology, which is the study of the animals' development of the embryo, from fertilization to fetus.
Another category is Botany. This category is the scientific study of plants and its life cycle. Including in this study are the plants diseases, reproduction, growth, chemical properties, structure and relationship. Ecology on the other hand deals with the study of the environment and its relationship to living organisms. The last category of biological science is Paleontology. This category of biology deals with the study of prehistoric era. Fossils are not just the main concern in paleontology, it can include any subject that is related with the past, and in other words it can be a study of the whole history of mankind and its life on earth.
Social science is one of the four major branches of science. This on the other hand is the study of the society and man's relationship to it. This study includes Anthropology, which is the study of human behavior and human development that considers cultural, social and physical aspects. Economics is another category under social science; this science studies goods and services, how they are being manufactured, distributed and consumed. Sociology meanwhile is the study of human society; it is more concerned in group activities and urban studies. This study is part of the social science branch, although synonymous when it comes to the name, sociology is more compound since it uses different methods of critical analysis and investigation to come up with a conclusion.
The study of earth's phenomena, its land and features is what Geology is all about. Another category of social science, it can be divided into two parts, which are the physical geography that deals with the land and human geography that deals with the land's inhabitants. Philosophy on the other hand is the pursuit of knowledge by means of moral, intellectual and self-discipline. Studying human behavior according to its principles is what psychology is all about.
Physical science, the last in four major branches of science, has geology, physics, chemistry and astronomy as its categories. Astronomy is the study of the heavenly bodies, like the stars, galaxies, comets and planets, while chemistry is the study of different substances, the changes they undergo and their compositions. It can be divided as well into two, which are the organic and inorganic chemistry. Physics is the study of matter and geology is the study of the physical property and composition of the earth.
Websites For Learning All About Science
- Annenberg/CPB Projects' Learner Online
- Ask Dr. Universe
- Bill Nye the Science Guy's Nye Labs Online- Acts as a supplement to the popular video series. A very entertaining and Interactive site.
- Black Hole Gang
- Discovery Channel Online
- Exploratorium
- Explore Science
- Funtraps
- How Stuff Works
- Lab: ABC's Online Gateway to Science
- Lab Essentials
- MAD Scientist Network
- National Science Foundation
- Science Learning Network.
- SciCentral
- The Science Spot