Science describes an area of knowledge, typically about something in

the physical world, that can be explained in terms of scientific

observation or the scientific method. The scientific method is a
discovery process that has evolved over several hundred years and can
be summarized as follows:

 a phenomenon in the physical world is observed

 an explanation, or hypothesis, for the phenomenon is formed
 the hypothesis is tested by means of objective, reproducible
experiments

If the results of the experiments support the hypothesis, it becomes

accepted as scientific theory. Later, if new information is found to
contradict the hypothesis, it may be revised or abandoned in favor of a
new hypothesis, which is then subjected to additional experiments.
The sciences that describe the physical universe are categorized in
different ways. The largest distinction in science is whether a science is
pure, or theoretical, or whether it is applied, or practical. Pure science
explains a phenomenon, while applied science determines how a
particular phenomenon may be put to use. In general, pure science is
divided into the further categories:

Three Branches of Science

Modern Science is mainly constituted of three main
branches, i.e. Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and
Formal Sciences as these three areas peruse upon the
nature of our world and the universe in the broadest way.
Thus, the three main branches of Science are:
 Natural Sciences
 Social Sciences
  Formal Sciences
Natural Sciences is the core of the branches of science
as studies the nature of our physical world and the
universe. The three branches of Natural Sciences are:
 Physics, the Study of Universe
 Chemistry, the Study of Matter
 Biology, the Study of Life and Living Organisms.
Apart from the natural sciences (elaborated more in the
next section), the Modern Science also comprises Social
Sciences and Formal Sciences.
Social Sciences study human societies from across the
globe as well as the relationship of human beings with
their social environment.

The major branches of Social Science are:

 Psychology
 Sociology
 Anthropology
 Economics
 Archaeology
 History
 Geography
 Law
 Politics
Formal Sciences is quite a unique area of study in Science
as it uses formal systems to produce knowledge and
explore the nature of different disciplines ranging from
Mathematics, Logic to Computer Science and Information
Technology. The most important branches of Formal
Sciences are:
 Mathematics
 Logic
 Computer Science
 Data Science
 Statistics
 Systems Science
 Artificial Intelligence
 Information Technology, etc.

Branches of Natural Science

Modern scientific study is carefully divided into three
major disciplines, namely Physical Sciences, Life
Sciences, and Earth sciences which are also the key
elements of the all-encompassing realm of Natural
Sciences. However, Earth Sciences is often included
within Physical Sciences. While Biology, Physics, and
Chemistry [BiPC Subjects] have long been considered
the fundamental components of the vast stream of
Science, the need to merge the three branches of Science
in order to integrate the rapidly growing research and
exploration is needed.

Branches of Science and Their

Sub-Fields
Physical Life Earth
Sciences Sciences Sciences
Physics Anatomy Astronomy
Mechanics Botany Meteorolog
Electromagnetic Biology y
s Zoology Geology
Thermodynamic Neurobiolog Atmospheri
s y c Sciences
Kinetics Marine Glaciology
Chemistry Biology Climatology
Inorganic Embryology Structural
Chemistry Ecology Geology
Electrochemistry Paleontology
Analytical Genetics
Chemistry Cell Biology
Earth Sciences* Ethology
*Earth Sciences has been included in physical sciences
but has been individually as well for the useful
presentation.

Physical Sciences
Concerning the study of the inorganic aspects of our
world, Physical Sciences encompass fields of Astronomy,
Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences. Considered
amongst the major branches of Science, it includes
essential concepts like Heat, Magnetics, Acoustics,
Optics, Energy, Analytical Chemistry, amongst others.
While it is difficult to draw a line between Physics and
Chemistry, the distinctive feature that sets them apart is
that Physics involves studying matter on a subatomic
level and Chemistry involves studying properties of
different materials and elements and how they interact
with each other.
Sub-fields of Physical Science

Physics Chemistry
Planetary Science Astrophysics
Oceanography Polymer Science
Geology Meteorology
Courses Offered in Physical Sciences
 BSc/MSc Physics
  BSc/MSc Chemistry
 MSc Space Sciences
 MSc Particle Physics
 MSc Nuclear Physics
 MSc Astrophysics etc.

Life Sciences
More comprehensive than Biology, Life Sciences is
concerned with the study of all life forms, namely aquatic,
land, and air at the microscopic level. It not only
covers branches of Biology but also touches cross-
disciplinary topics such as Biophysics and Biochemistry
amongst others. Regarded in the list of those branches of
Science that study the living matter, Physical Sciences
include concepts like genetic makeup of living organisms,
nerve structure, anatomy, ecology and evolution as well
as Agriculture, Behavioural Sciences, Toxicology,
Parasitology and Virology amongst others. The courses
are immensely rigorous and intensive involving heavy
amounts of learning and research.
Sub-fields in Life Science

Biology Zoology
Neuroscience Genetics
Biochemistry Microbiology
Taxonomy Marine Biology
Morphology Biotechnology
Ecology Entomology
Popular Life Science Courses
 BSc Botany
 MSc Zoology
 BSc/MSc Anatomy
 BSc/MSc Molecular Biology
 BSc/MSc Genetics
 BSc/MSc Biotechnology
 MSc Bioinformatics
 MSc Biochemistry etc.
Courses After BSc Zoology

Nanotechnology Courses

Earth Sciences
The study of the earth, air and water or more specifically,
the geologic, hydrologic or atmospheric sciences are all
included under Earth Sciences. Concerned with those
branches of Science that examine the birth and evolution
of the Earth, this area of study focuses on the
development of the physical environment. It includes
numerous concepts such as dating of rocks and minerals,
the types of rocks, analysis of landforms, fossils, amongst
others. Moreover, Applied Earth Sciences field works
towards finding out effective applications of Earth
Science concepts for the environment.
Courses Offered in Earth Sciences
 BSc Geology
 MSc Geology
 BSc/MSc Geography
 BSc/MSc Astronomy
 MSc Climatology
 MSc Meteorology etc.

Interdisciplinary Branches of
Science
Specialised Branches

of Science
Given below are some of the other cross-disciplinary
branches of Science that have sprouted over the years.
 Agronomy: Crop plants
 Anthropology: Human past, behaviours, and cultures
 Aeronautics: Airplanes and flights
 Astronomy: Celestial Objects
 Astrophysics: Understanding the working of the
universe
 Biotechnology: Creating/developing products using
microorganisms
 Cytology: Cell study
 Engineering: Scientific principles and their
applications
 Exobiology: Extraterrestrial life
 Forensic Science: Application of Science in legal
process/criminal investigations
 Materials Science: Study of properties of solid
materials
 Mycology: Study on Fungi
 Ornithology: Study of birds
 Psychology: Understanding the human mind and
behaviour
 Petrology: Rocks, origin, and characteristics
 Radiology: Diagnosing and treating various diseases
 Toxicology: Chemical components and their effects
on living organisms
 Virology: Study of Virus