TThe term he term sciencescience comes from the comes from the Latin word Latin word scientiascientia, which means , which means “knowing.” It is used to describe a “knowing.” It is used to describe a huge group of subjects that deal with huge group of subjects that deal with the search for knowledge about the the search for knowledge about the universe and all that is in it. universe and all that is in it.

Some scientists study science solely to learn Some scientists study science solely to learn more about a particular subject. These more about a particular subject. These scientists are studying scientists are studying basic, basic, oror pure, pure, sciencescience. The knowledge they get from their . The knowledge they get from their projects may or may not be used in everyday projects may or may not be used in everyday life. life.

Other scientists apply the information Other scientists apply the information from their projects, as well as from from their projects, as well as from pure science, to solve specific pure science, to solve specific problems. These scientists are problems. These scientists are involved in involved in applied scienceapplied science. Applied . Applied science is used in business, industry, science is used in business, industry, and medicine.and medicine.

Scientific subjects can be Scientific subjects can be grouped into three grouped into three branches: branches:

the physical sciences, the physical sciences,

the life sciences, and the life sciences, and

the social sciences. the social sciences.

SSome sciences may belong ome sciences may belong to two or more branches at to two or more branches at the same time. the same time.

The physical sciences deal with nonliving The physical sciences deal with nonliving things—from the tiny particles that make up an things—from the tiny particles that make up an atom to the universe itself. They include atom to the universe itself. They include

PPhysics;hysics; MineralogyMineralogy;;

CChemistry; hemistry; OceanographyOceanography;;

AAstronomy;stronomy; PPaleontologyaleontology;;

MMetallurgy;etallurgy; Mathematics;Mathematics;

EEngineeringngineering;; StatisticsStatistics;;

GGeologyeology;; CComputingomputing..

MeteorologyMeteorology;;

PPaleontology aleontology is is the study of fossilsthe study of fossils..

The life, or biological, sciencesThe life, or biological, sciences deal with deal with living things and their environments. They living things and their environments. They include biology and medicine. include biology and medicine.

LLife ife sciencessciences

BBiologyiology MMedicineedicine

Biology is the study of living things. Biologists try to Biology is the study of living things. Biologists try to understand how the natural world functions.understand how the natural world functions. Because it Because it is such a big topic, biology is usually divided into is such a big topic, biology is usually divided into

separate branches, or fields of study.separate branches, or fields of study.

Biology

Botany Zoology

Medicine is concerned Medicine is concerned with the maintenance with the maintenance of health and the of health and the prevention and cure of prevention and cure of disease. disease. There areThere are different fields in different fields in it.it.

PPathologyathology PPsychiatrysychiatry

AAnatomynatomy

MedicineMedicine

The social sciencesThe social sciences are fields of are fields of study about human life and behavior. study about human life and behavior. People who study social sciences look People who study social sciences look at how people think and act. They also at how people think and act. They also study how people form groups and study how people form groups and relate to other people. relate to other people.

The main The main social sciencessocial sciences are are

anthropologyanthropology

psychologypsychology

sociologysociology

economicseconomics

political sciencepolitical science

Antropology is the study of humans and their cultures throughout history.

Political science is the study of governments.

Some people consider other subjects Some people consider other subjects to be social sciences, too. These to be social sciences, too. These subjects include subjects include

communicationscommunications, ,

educationeducation, ,

geography, geography,

history, history,

law. law.