What are the basic topics of science?

To get your mind around the unending list of branches of science is an astronomical task in itself, let alone becoming familiar with the underlying concepts and learning it. For those who are aspiring for establishing a career in the Science stream or going back and forth between the dilemma of Science vs Commerce, it is important to understand the several meticulously distributed sub-disciplines within Science before choosing one and working towards mastering it. Whether it concerns the fundamental cornerstones of Physics, Chemistry, Biology or more advanced fields like Neurobiology, Biochemistry, or Electromagnetics, each one of them encompasses its own set of elements and standards. This article focuses on delineating the various branches of science list as well as the wide range of specialisations they are comprised of.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG1dRciQZN8

YouTube: Fidel Aschkar Carretero

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

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), Modern Science also comprises Social Sciences and Formal Sciences.

Social Sciences

Social Sciences study human societies from across the globe as well as the relationship of human beings with their social environment.

What are the basic topics of science?

The major branches of Social Science are:

Formal Sciences

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:

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.

*Earth Sciences has been included in physical sciences but has been individually as well for the useful presentation.

What are the basic topics of science?
Credits: Pinterest

Physical Sciences

YouTube: Derek Owens

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.

Courses Offered in Physical Sciences
Top Jobs in Physical Sciences

Life Sciences

YouTube: Faculty of Biology, Medicine, Health and UOM

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.

Top Jobs in Life Sciences

Earth Sciences

YouTube: Mike Sammartarno

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 list 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
Top Job Profiles in Earth Sciences

Interdisciplinary Branches of Science

What are the basic topics of science?

Specialised Branches of Science

Given below are some of the other cross-disciplinary branches of Science list 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

Note: Many specialized branches of Science may traverse multiple disciplines. 

Branches of Science PPT

FAQs

What are the 10 main branches of science?

The 10 main branches of Science are as follows:

1. Physics2. Biology 3. Chemistry 4. Zoology 5. Astronomy 6. Medicine 7. Astrophysics 8. Earth Sciences9. Environmental Science

10. Biomedicine