## Tags - Part of: [[Epistemology]] [[Modernism]] [[STEM]] - Related: - Includes: [[Dynamical systems]] [[Physics]] [[Chemistry]] [[Biology]] [[Neuroscience]] [[Cognitive science]] [[Systems theory]] [[Social systems]] [[Scientific method]] - Additional: ## Definitions - Rigorous, systematic endeavor that builds and organizes [[Knowledge]] in the form of testable explanations and [[Predictions|prediction]] about the world allowing for control and building [[Systems science|systems]] and [[Technology]] ## Main resources - [Science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science) <iframe src="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science" allow="fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" style="height:100%;width:100%; aspect-ratio: 16 / 5; "></iframe> - MIT courses on everything: [MIT Open Learning Library | MIT OpenCourseWare | Free Online Course Materials](https://ocw.mit.edu/collections/mit-open-learning-library/) , [Search | MIT OpenCourseWare | Free Online Course Materials](https://ocw.mit.edu/search/) - [Professor Dave Explains](https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessorDaveExplains/playlists) ## Landscapes - [[63d4790b8b7459a2525816a96b471c4c_MD5.jpeg|Open: Pasted image 20240115083928.png]] ![[63d4790b8b7459a2525816a96b471c4c_MD5.jpeg]] - Groups - [Branches of science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branches_of_science) <iframe src="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branches_of_science" allow="fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" style="height:100%;width:100%; aspect-ratio: 16 / 5; "></iframe> - [[Formal science#Definitions]] - ![[Formal science#Definitions]] - [[Mathematics]], [[Computer science]] - [[Natural science#Definitions]] - ![[Natural science#Definitions]] - [[Physics]], [[Chemistry]],[[Biology]],[[Neuroscience]], [[Materials science]] - [[Social science#Definitions]] - ![[Social science#Definitions]] - [[Sociology]] - [[Interdisciplinarity]] - ![[Interdisciplinarity#Definitions]] - [[Artificial Intelligence]], [[Linguistics]] - [[Transdisciplinarity]] - ![[Transdisciplinarity#Definitions]] - [[Omnidisciplinarity]] - ![[Omnidisciplinarity#Definitions]] - [[Cognitive science]] - [Map of Science (and everything else) - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohyai6GIRZg) <iframe title="Map of Science (and everything else)" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ohyai6GIRZg?feature=oembed" height="113" width="200" allowfullscreen="" allow="fullscreen" style="aspect-ratio: 1.76991 / 1; width: 100%; height: 100%;"></iframe> - [Interactive Map of Wikipedia A Map of articles on Wikipedia. Similar articles will be close](https://lmcinnes.github.io/datamapplot_examples/wikipedia/) [x.com/leland\_mcinnes/status/1937126265842249990](https://x.com/leland_mcinnes/status/1937126265842249990) - [[Applied science#Definitions]] - ![[Applied science#Definitions]] - [[Basic research#Definitions]] - ![[Basic research#Definitions]] - [[Metascience]] - ![[Metascience#Definitions]] - [[Humanities]] - ![[Humanities#Definitions]] - [[Philosophy]] [[Images/8e411149e0b9d328326d953096fee666_MD5.jpeg|Open: Structure of everything.png]] ![[Images/8e411149e0b9d328326d953096fee666_MD5.jpeg]] - [/sci/ Wiki | Fandom]([/sci/ Wiki | Fandom]([/sci/ Wiki | Fandom](https://4chan-science.fandom.com/wiki//sci/_Wiki))) - [[Artificial intelligence x Science]] ## Deep dives - [[Natural science#Structure of reality from first principles]] ![[Natural science#Structure of reality from first principles]] - [[Theory of Everything in All of Science#Definitions]] - ![[Theory of Everything in All of Science#Definitions]] - [Lists of unsolved problems - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_unsolved_problems) <iframe src="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_unsolved_problems" allow="fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" style="height:100%;width:100%; aspect-ratio: 16 / 5; "></iframe> ## Brainstorming [[Thoughts STEM]] [[Thoughts STEM 2]] [[Thoughts science]] [[Thoughts psychology]] [[Thoughts politics]] [[Thoughts physics]] [[Thoughts philosophy]] [[Thoughts philosophy of mind]] [[Thoughts mind]] [[Thoughts meditation]] [[Thoughts mathematics x music]] [[Thoughts math mathematics]] [[Thoughts math mathematics(2)]] [[Thoughts math mathematics(1)]] [[Thoughts intelligence]] [[Thoughts intelligence 3]] [[Thoughts intelligence 2]] [[Thoughts history]] [[Thoughts futurology]] [[Thoughts AI technical 11]] [[Thoughts AI technical 10]] [[Thoughts AI technical 9]] [[Thoughts AI technical 8]] [[Thoughts AI technical 7]] [[Thoughts AI technical 6]] [[Thoughts AI technical 5]] [[Thoughts AI technical 4.5]] [[Thoughts AI technical 4]] [[Thoughts AI technical 3]] [[Thoughts AI technical 2]] [[Thoughts AI technical]] [[Thoughts future of AI politics geopolitics futurology]] [[Thoughts intelligence]] [[Thoughts intelligence 3]] [[Thoughts intelligence 2]] [[Thoughts futurology]] [[Thoughts comparing AI and biological intelligence]] [[Thoughts AI]] [[Thoughts AI x physics]] [[Thoughts AI science]] [[Thoughts AI programming coding software engineerin]] [[Thoughts AI nontechnical]] [[Thoughts AI nontechnical 2]] [[Thoughts AI mechinterp]] Science is the process of data compression over time Everything is mathematics Mathematics. The purest language. The language of formal patterns. The language of generalization. The language of order. The language of unification. The language of deflation. The language of existence. The language in which the universe is written in. The language in which all scales of reality operate in. Math and physics is so magical in how such an explosion of so many equations, properties, theorems etc. pop out of just few axioms, definitions, and assumptions playing together (set theory, linear algebra, calculus, algebra, probability, conservation laws, symmetries, newton's equations, schrodinger equation, statistical mechanics,...) The whole world is one big collection of interconnected changes, and derivatives describe their pace. Feed me predictive models compressing and deflating the seeming computationally irreducible complexity of reality. I want to understand all the scales of reality! I love extremely concrete detailed mathematical definitions and descriptions of physical systems to their every single tiny itsy bitsy detail, concretely mapping out every single detail in engineering diagrams of machines beyond all our ancestors' comprehension with control theory, cybernetics, geometry, classical mechanics and so on or completely deconstructing the Lagrangian of the Standard model encoding all the fundamental particles and forces creating our universe from first principles (which breaks down at Planck scales and we need to solve quantum gravity but we good)! I love bigger approximations and coarse graining and exploring how big populations of particles work statistically or what classes of systems with certain properties share in their dynamics and structure and so on, and categorizing different abstractions together. I love to see what magic can be done with differential equations, statistical mechanics, network theory, and so on! I love flying in absolute abstractions beyond just isomorphisms between sets, I love understanding the nature of infinity, I love swimming in functors in infinity categories in metamathematics of infinity category theory, defining everything via Kan extensions, comparing different mathematical universes using Topos theory! I love deconstructing all axioms used in ZFC set theory, category theory, type theory and so on, I love to question everything with philosophy of mathematics, or philosophy in general! Why is math so damn unreasonably effective at predicting and engineering physical patterns? Is mathematics the programming language that this simulation was written in? Is there some superlanguage beyond just math that we need to grok to fully reverse engineer the source code of reality? I love everything! I want to know everything! I want to understand all the patterns! Feed me all the patterns! https://imgur.com/jSedgt7 Studying mathematics, physics, machine learning, other applied math, etc., to be able to classify all patterns in experience and reality using these maths, and engineer them The fact that organisms are made of cells that somehow hold together that are made of proteins and other complex biomolecules that are made of amino acids and other biological molecules that somehow hold together that are made of chemical elements that somehow hold together that are made of fundamental particles like quarks and four fundamental forces that somehow all work together is mindblowing to me daily What if there is no theory of quantum gravity and we need complete paradigm shift out of our current maps? Everything in biology has 10000 functions, unlike machines engineered by humans that have an understandable architecture of functions, where AI is an exception. The power of selforganization in biology. We might have to transcend the mathematical concept of dimensions altogether in fundamental physics! Since there is topology studying geometric properties and spatial relations that are unaffected by continuous deformations, what would bottomology study? Ask infinite questions about how everything works! How can we analyze the system's shape? -> Geometry How do things change over time? How can we model the rates of change within the system? -> Calculus, Differential Equations How can we account for uncertainty and randomness in the system? -> Probability theory How can we model and analyze relationships and connections within the system? -> Graph Theory How can we model systems with distinct and separate components? -> Discrete Mathematics How symmetric is the system? What algebraic structures help in understanding the system's patterns? -> Abstract Algebra How many ways can the components of the system be arranged or interact? -> Combinatorics How can we break down signals or patterns into their frequency components? -> Fourier Analysis How can we investigate the inherent connectivity and structure of a system? -> Algebraic Topology How can we describe the evolution and long-term behavior of the system? -> Dynamical Systems How can we understand the average behavior of systems evolving over time? -> Ergodic Theory How can we understand and model entangled structures and their properties in the system? -> Knot Theory How can we quantify and manage information within the system? -> Information Theory How can we design systems to behave in desired ways through feedback? -> Control Theory How can we determine the most efficient ways to achieve desired outcomes in the system? -> Mathematical Optimization How can we compute approximate solutions to complex mathematical models of the system? -> Numerical Analysis How can we analyze and model patterns that repeat at different scales? -> Fractal Analysis How can we abstractly organize and relate different mathematical structures in modeling systems? -> Category Theory Universe is one gigantic system of quantum harmonic oscillators composing into complex higher order harmonic oscillators What is measurement on the fundamental level? The whole universe is global giant wave function system, with internal pocket subsystems of local classical wave functions and other equations, and quantum wave functions, that collapse eachother by decohering by interacting and averaging. All possible decompositions of all possible decompositions of all possible mathematical objects Stochastic metahypergraphs, selforganizing, shapeshifting across scales, and merging into different topological (in both general topology and engineering sense) configurations, with discrete and continuous parts, exploiting families of computational deterministic, stochastic and quantum physical substrates, states of matter, and materials, governed under nonequilibrium stochastic differential equations in semicentralized ways, computing under evolutionary ecosystem of emergent heterarchical interacting clusters of neurosymbolic metalearning architectures and algorithms, embeded in metaarchitecture, shapeshifting different symmetries and metasymmetries, shapeshifting from highly specialized computational and energy efficiency to fully general flexibility If we crack the open-ended algorithm of evolution, intelligent design hypothesis will become even less likely The current state of us and all the scales of the universe is a small local minima as part of wider more gigantic local minima as part of wider more gigantic local minima and so on countlessly We see the world through the lens of the tools we're the most familiar with How does the equation predicting all of our current measured and future empirical data looks like? What's your favorite part of physics? What's your favorite thing in computational neuroscience? Is space an objective container or relational between objects? Which mathematical type of a space do your mental representations exist in? Studying mathematics, physics, machine learning, other applied math, etc., to be able to classify all patterns in experience and reality using these maths, and engineer them Approximating differentiable curvefitted solution approximating all functions using grokked fourier series algorithm? Fourier series approximating any differential curvefitted solution? Duality? Taylor series approximations? Spline interpolation? Gaussian mixture models? Support vector machines? Decision trees? Random forests? Wavelets? General universal approximators of arbitrary functions? Generalized approximation theorem? Space of all possible general universal approximators? chaos is just absolutely saturated complexity Physics of free energy principle tries to formalize scalefree path of least resistance by applying principle of least action on the lagrangian of markov blankets existing across scales. The technology we have to prevent and destroy various viruses and bacteria in medicine is ducking crazy. Destroying call walls, inhibiting replication, inhibiting function,... Immune system augmentation! It's still weird that multiplicating and adding numbers together can compress information and generalize so well in deep learning Understanding everything from first principles is amazing. But it's infinite because you can explore more and more layers of reality, and go deeper and deeper into specific things. But it's absolutely beautiful, the infinite complexity of our world. Every concrete thing is something that you can learn about for several lifetimes. I want a gazillion times more time and brain power to be able to grok as many patterns of reality as possible. Symmetries is all you need I love exploring the fundamental structure of reality and intelligence Dyson spheres won't build themselves I have neverending infinite awe for the structure of the world, especially the mechanisms of intelligence Learn absolutely everything Ask infinite questions about how everything works! Universal darwinism across all spaciotemporal scales Physics of free energy principle tries to formalize scalefree path of least resistance by applying principle of least action on the lagrangian of markov blankets existing across scales. The free energy principle made simpler but not too simple: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037015732300203X Tho im sceptical on the actual utility of this model, it feels too tautological, more of a modelling framework. And its hard to decipher. It needs more concrete grounding in concrete systems IMO. It has been applied to the brain the most. For more concrete phenomena i feel like there are better concrete models. The technology we have to prevent and destroy various viruses and bacteria in medicine is ducking crazy. Destroying call walls, inhibiting replication, inhibiting function,... Immune system augmentation! Transhumanist future is here already for such a long time, but much still has to be done to win over nature! Accelerate AlphaFold like technology! Sex is trillions of cells working to bring two cells together. We're swimming in memetic narratives that posit overly simple linear causality but reality is highly complex nonlinear chaotic interaction of incentives across scales Solving quantum gravity might reveal a glitch in the fabric of spacetime and fundamental particles and forces or strings or whatever is under all, that allows for arbitrary code execution exploit to edit or spawn arbitrary structure and laws! You can go right now and watch countless free online STEM lectures from Stanford, MIT, etc., do their public excercises, read the recommended books, read followup studies in various fields, etc., and if you don't know something, you can ask all the terminally online lonely nerds on Reddit, Discord, X, etc., that want to prove you wrong at all costs for free, or you can ask grounded AI assistants like Perplexity in certain contexts. The free democratized education revolution is already here, people are just not fully aware of that! Ability to ask good questions is one of the most important skills We're witnessing the democratization of knowledge beyond all past humanity's imaginations Do you do frequent normalizations in your mental frameworks or do your gradients love to explode at slight perturbations? I'm very interested in the fundamental nature of reality, and how the structure of reality works, and how can we measure structure? And like really fascinating how in the world you can get intelligence out of just like physics on its own. How humans and organisms can like problem solve. Like that's like it shouldn't be possible from just like molecules self-organizing to have like intelligence agents with planning and with goal-making and active inference and like compressing information in the visual cortex and in the cortex in general on the abstract level and so on. And then we are trying to like replicate it in machines. And I wonder like all the technical details, like I want to know all the technical details that are related to this. Learn all of science to become one with the universe Quantum superposition of mutually exclusive ontological states I like this general neuropsychological model, where you can think of each person as this system of homeostatic needs, where each person (due to genetics and due to environmental factors) needs different amounts of things to fill these different needs that each person has differently highly tuned with differently strong parameters, and has a finite amount of computational power, metabolic energy, processes, time, and other resources to fill these different homeostats into a (baseline) happy equilibrium. Then there are the various aspects of needs type things that may be incompatible or in war with each other, or in contradiction ("I want socialization but I don't want socialization" :D), forming trade offs between components for a better equilibrium of the whole, etc. Each homeostat fires error or happiness signals and requires attention according to neglectedness. Different learned strategies in behavior fulfill these needs differently. Or Maslow's hierarchy of needs is similar, which also where understood as a similar system of interconnected homeostats in a kind of hetearchical attentional dynamics. [[Images/8996ffc13a3b0a62037358165c9e2e04_MD5.jpeg|Open: Pasted image 20240919193414.png]] ![[Images/8996ffc13a3b0a62037358165c9e2e04_MD5.jpeg]] [From Computation to Consciousness: Can AI reveal the nature of our minds? | by Joscha Bach | HackerNoon.com | Medium](https://medium.com/hackernoon/from-computation-to-consciousness-can-ai-reveal-the-nature-of-our-minds-81bc994500ab) Our organisms build a generative model engine of the world approximating classical physics with 3D space with 3D objects and linear time with higher order more abstract hetearchies of beliefs and actions and plans in probabilistic bayesian hypermetagraphs reducible to interacting basic needs homeostats, all through evolutionary selforganization, bayesian processing, nonlinear wave computing, using the physics of mostly electromagnetism creating biochemical gradients with emergent computational patterns. The world model engine with it's beliefs is usually synced with our shared patterns of physical reality, but imagination, dreams, meditation, or various substances can decouple this synchronization, and you can construct arbitrary shapes with arbitrary level of agency in arbitrary dimensions in arbitrary edited more nonlinear time flow with edited refresh rate. To reduce prediction error between your world model and what comes in sensory data when syncing with the environment, you can either edit your own multimodal pattern recognition model, or edit the outside world to edit the outside pattern generators. Curve-fitting all of reality The manic tendency to grok every single mathematical pattern governing this reality or simulation Is the funnel plot of the space of your models nicely symmetrical? x probably causes y because the funnel plot in my metametaanalysis is symmetric < x 100% causes y because my divine intuition (my neighbor) told me so [The Control Group Is Out Of Control | Slate Star Codex](https://slatestarcodex.com/2014/04/28/the-control-group-is-out-of-control/) Funnel plot of the space of your models Have you minimized your free energy today anon? The capability of AI systems I'm the most interested in is if you gave the system all of classical mechanics, if it could derive general relativity and quantum mechanics from it, which seems to be a stronger out of distribution generalization than the current types of systems can do, but I'm open to be mistaken. And give it all (most of) known empirical data from experiments before the phase shift and derive it from these too. Math is axioms and composite structures and theorems derived from them that help us predict and control the physical world reliably The source code of our simulation, the standard model of particle physics! My favorite math is math predicting physical reality or math for engineering and analyzing cool systems or math swimming in euphoric abstractions that unify everything ## Resources [[Resources physics]] [[Resources noncody nonmathy]] [[Resources mind]] [[Resources mathematics]] [[Resources less priority 1]] [[Resources computational neuroscience]] [[Resources can just listen]] [[Resources biology]] [[Resources basics 1]] [[Resources theory reverse engineering mechinterp and alignment AI]] [[Resources theory reverse engineering mechinterp an]] [[Resources AI SoTA]] [[Resources AI SoTA practice]] [[Resources AI basics]] [[Resources AI advanced 1]] [[Resources theory reverse engineering mechinterp and alignment AI]] [[nonAI techy words audio long important]] [[nonAI techy words audio long important]] [[nonAI mathcode long important]] [[nonAI mathcode long important]] [[nonAI mathcode short]] [[nonAI mathcode short important]] [[nonAI mathcode long]] [[nonAI techy words audio short]] [[nonAI techy words audio short important]] [[nonAI techy words audio long]] [[nonAI nontechy words visual short]] [[nonAI nontechy words visual short important]] [[nonAI nontechy words visual long]] [[nonAI nontechy words visual long important]] [[nonAI nontechy words audio short]] [[nonAI nontechy words audio short important]] [[nonAI nontechy words audio long]] [[nonAI nontechy words audio long important]] [[nonAI techy words visual short important]] [[nonAI techy words visual long]] [[nonAI techy words visual long important]] [[AI mathcode long important]] [[AI techy words audio long important]] [[AI techy words visual long important]] [[AI nontechy words audio long important]] [[AI nontechy words visual long important]] [[AI techy words audio long important]] [[AI mathcode short important]] [[AI techy words audio short important]] [[AI techy words visual short important]] [[AI nontechy words audio short important]] [[AI nontechy words visual short important]] [[AI techy words audio short]] [[AI techy words audio short important]] [[AI techy words audio long]] [[AI techy words audio long important]] [[AI mathcode short]] [[AI mathcode short important]] [[AI mathcode long]] [[AI mathcode long important]] [[AI nontechy words visual short]] [[AI nontechy words visual short important]] [[AI nontechy words visual long]] [[AI nontechy words visual long important]] [[AI nontechy words audio short]] [[AI nontechy words audio short important]] [[AI nontechy words audio long]] [[AI nontechy words audio long important]] [[AI techy words visual short]] [[AI techy words visual short important]] [[AI techy words visual long]] [[AI techy words visual long important]] [[To learn primary]] [[To learn 11]] [[To learn 10]] [[To learn 9]] [[To learn 8]] [[To learn 7]] [[To learn 6]] [[To learn 5]] [[To learn 4]] [[To learn 3]] [[To learn 2]] [[To learn]] [[To learn ML papers]] [[Tolearn primary nonmathy noncody]] [[Tolearn primary mathy]] [[AI tools to try]] [[Prompts 4]] [[Prompts 3]] [[Prompts 2]] [[Prompts]] [[Cursor prompts]] [[Links STEM]] [[Links science]] [[Links quantum machine learning]] [[Links politics]] [[Links physics]] [[Links philosophy]] [[Links other]] [[Links omnidisciplionary]] [[Links mind]] [[Links meditation]] [[Links mathematics]] [[Links intelligence]] [[Links futurology]] [[Links computer science]] [[Links complexity emergence]] [[Links comparing AI and biological intelligence Ne]] [[Links biology]] [[Links (computational) neuroscience brain]] [[Links AI]] [[Links AI x quantum computing]] [[Links AI x psychology]] [[Links AI theory]] [[Links AI technical]] [[Links AI SOTA research]] [[Links AI SOTA practice]] [[Links AI SOTA practice(1)]] [[Links AI science]] [[Links AI programming]] [[Links AI physics]] [[Links AI nontechnical]] [[Links AI neuroscience]] [[Links AI mechinterp]] [[Links AI math]] [[Links AI healthcare biology]] [[Links AI geopolitics politics futurology governanc]] [[Links AI for technology development]] [[Links AI for neuroscience]] [[Links AI for material science]] [[Links AI biology]] [[Links AI basics]] [[AI x music]] [[AI x creativity]] ## Written by AI (may include factually incorrect information) # Comprehensive List of Science Topics ## Natural Sciences Natural sciences focus on understanding the natural world through empirical evidence and prediction of natural phenomena ([Outline of science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_science#:~:text=Natural%20science%20%20,referred%20to%20as%20natural%20sciences)). Below are major disciplines and topics within the natural sciences: ### Physics - **Classical Mechanics:** Deals with the motion of bodies under forces, including both movement and equilibrium when forces are balanced ([Classical mechanics | physics | Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/science/classical-mechanics#:~:text=Classical%20mechanics%20deals%20with%20the,by%20Isaac%20Newton%20in%20his%E2%80%A6)). - **Thermodynamics:** The branch of physics focused on heat, work, temperature, and their interrelation with energy and matter ([American Heritage Dictionary Entry: thermodynamics](https://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=thermodynamics#:~:text=Thermodynamics%20is%20the%20branch%20of,basic%20laws%20have%20been%20established)). - **Electromagnetism:** A branch of physics involving the study of the electromagnetic force, which occurs between electrically charged particles ([Electromagnetism - Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Electromagnetism#:~:text=Electromagnetism%20is%20a%20branch%20of,interaction%2C%20and%20the%20weak%20interaction)). - **Optics:** The branch of physics that studies the behavior and properties of light, including its interactions with matter and the construction of instruments that use it ([Optics - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optics#:~:text=Optics%20is%20the%20branch%20of,behaviour%20of%20visible%2C%20ultraviolet%2C%20and)). - **Acoustics:** The branch of physics that deals with the study of sound, including its production, transmission, and effects ([Acoustics | Beat - Vocal](https://vocal.media/beat/acoustics-xgpj0a3l#:~:text=Acoustics%20is%20the%20branch%20of,various%20aspects%20of%20sound)). - **Quantum Mechanics:** A branch of physics dealing with phenomena at microscopic scales (atomic and subatomic) where the action is on the order of Planck’s constant ([Glossary of physics - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_physics#:~:text=quantum%20mechanics%20A%20branch%20of,and%20subatomic%20length%20scales%2C%20and)). - **Quantum Entanglement:** A phenomenon in which two particles become linked so that a change in one instantaneously affects the other, regardless of distance ([What is quantum entanglement? | Space](https://www.space.com/31933-quantum-entanglement-action-at-a-distance.html#:~:text=Quantum%20entanglement%20is%20when%20two,PHOTO%20LIBRARY%20via%20Getty%20Images)). - **Special Relativity:** A theory of physics (formulated by Einstein) describing how space and time are related for objects moving at constant high speeds, leading to effects like time dilation ([Quantum Computing Glossary. Get To Grips With The Terms ...](https://quantumzeitgeist.com/quantum-computing-glossary/#:~:text=,objects%20moving%20at%20constant%20velocities)). - **General Relativity:** Einstein’s theory of gravitation that explains gravity as the warping of spacetime by mass and energy ([Introduction to general relativity - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introduction_to_general_relativity#:~:text=General%20relativity%20is%20a%20theory,from%20their%20warping%20of%20spacetime)). - **Particle Physics:** The branch of physics that studies the nature of the fundamental particles of matter and radiation, and the forces governing their interactions ([Particle physics - IET London: Savoy Place](https://savoyplace.theiet.org/100-ideas-gallery/100-ideas/particle-physics/#:~:text=Particle%20physics%20,massless%20particles)). - **Supersymmetry:** A hypothetical symmetry in particle physics that relates bosons and fermions by proposing every fundamental particle has a partner (superpartner) of the opposite type ([What If Missing Particles and Stuff Cannot Be Found? | Page 2](https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/what-if-missing-particles-and-stuff-cannot-be-found.72331/page-2#:~:text=2%20www,fundamental%20fermion%20has%20a)). - **String Theory:** A theoretical framework in which particles are modeled not as points but as one-dimensional “strings,” whose vibrations correspond to different particles ([Elementary Institute of Science - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/EISsandiego/posts/what-is-string-theory-in-physics-string-theory-is-a-theoretical-framework-in-whi/3977558992289047/#:~:text=Elementary%20Institute%20of%20Science%20,dimensional)). - **String Field Theory:** A formulation of string theory as a quantum field theory with an infinite number of fields, representing the various vibration modes of strings ([String field theory - Inspire HEP](https://inspirehep.net/literature/717500#:~:text=String%20field%20theory%20,Although%20existing)). - **Condensed Matter Physics:** The field of physics dealing with the macroscopic and microscopic physical properties of matter, especially in solid and liquid phases ([What is Condensed matter physics? - RVmagnetics](https://www.rvmagnetics.com/dictionary/condensed-matter-physics#:~:text=What%20is%20Condensed%20matter%20physics%3F,especially%20the%20solid%20and)). - **Nuclear Physics:** The field of physics that studies atomic nuclei, their constituents (protons and neutrons), and interactions ([5: Basics of Nuclear Science - Chemistry LibreTexts](https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Furman_University/CHM101%3A_Chemistry_and_Global_Awareness_\(Gordon\)/05%3A_Basics_of_Nuclear_Science#:~:text=5%3A%20Basics%20of%20Nuclear%20Science,Discoveries%20in%20nuclear%20physics)). - **Plasma Physics:** The study of charged particles and fluids interacting with self-consistent electric and magnetic fields (matter in the plasma state) ([Applied Plasma Physics :: Special Issue - Science Publishing Group](https://sciencepublishinggroup.com/journal/special-issue/200001#:~:text=Group%20sciencepublishinggroup,physics%20is%20an%20interesting)). - **Biophysics:** An interdisciplinary science applying the approaches of physics to understand biological systems and processes ([Biophysics - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biophysics#:~:text=Biophysics%20is%20an%20interdisciplinary%20science,physics%20to%20study%20biological%20phenomena)). - **Chaos Theory:** A branch of mathematics and physics dealing with complex systems whose small changes in initial conditions can lead to vastly different outcomes (sensitive dependence on initial conditions) ([[Solved] Explain Chaos Theory and how it is Associated With ...](https://www.studocu.com/en-us/messages/question/10345493/explain-chaos-theory-and-how-it-is-associated-with-enhancing-organizational-performance#:~:text=,It%27s%20often)). - **Fluid Dynamics:** (In classical mechanics) The study of fluids (liquids and gases) in motion and the forces acting on them, often encompassed by continuum mechanics and hydrodynamics ([Branches of physics - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branches_of_physics#:~:text=There%20are%20many%20branches%20of,78%2C%20etc)). ### Chemistry - **Organic Chemistry:** The study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and synthesis of carbon-containing compounds (organic compounds) ([Organic Chemistry Peer-review Journals | Medical Journals | 40292](https://www.iomcworld.org/medical-journals/organic-chemistry-peerreview-journals-40292.html#:~:text=40292%20www,which%20include%20not%20only)). - **Inorganic Chemistry:** The branch of chemistry concerned with the properties and behavior of inorganic compounds (generally, compounds not based on carbon-hydrogen bonds) ([Inorganic Chemistry - WWW Chemistry Guide](https://www.chemistryguide.org/inorganic-chemistry.html#:~:text=Inorganic%20Chemistry%20,includes%20all%20chemical%20compounds)). - **Physical Chemistry:** The branch of chemistry that applies physics to chemical systems, studying how matter behaves on a molecular and atomic level and how chemical reactions occur (encompassing concepts like thermodynamics and quantum mechanics in chemistry) (["Physical Chemistry | Education - Vocal Media](https://vocal.media/education/physical-chemistry#:~:text=Physical%20chemistry%20is%20the%20branch,and%20how%20chemical%20reactions%20occur)). - **Analytical Chemistry:** The study of the separation, identification, and quantification of the chemical components of natural and artificial materials ([Analytical chemistry - Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Analytical_chemistry#:~:text=Analytical%20chemistry%20is%20the%20study,of%20natural%20and%20artificial%20materials)). - **Biochemistry:** The study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms ([Biochemistry - Biology LibreTexts](https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Biochemistry#:~:text=Biochemistry%20,to%20the%20complexity%20of%20life)). - **Theoretical Chemistry:** Involves the use of quantum mechanics, mathematics, and computational techniques to explain or predict chemical phenomena (e.g. **Quantum Chemistry**, the quantum mechanical study of molecules). - **Polymer Chemistry:** The study of the synthesis, characterization, and properties of polymer molecules (large molecules composed of repeating subunits) ([Polymer Chemistry | | Content Tag - Labroots](https://www.labroots.com/tag/polymer-chemistry?srsltid=AfmBOoqW3A8W8G2y4ybteRLb1K-2tpTUam4GXIWMIL8F76b1SFdmf76C#:~:text=Polymer%20chemistry%20is%20the%20study,which%20are%20large%20molecules%20composed)). - **Medicinal Chemistry:** The chemistry discipline concerned with the design, development, and synthesis of pharmaceutical drugs ([Medicinal Chemistry | List of High Impact Articles | PPts - SciTechnol](https://www.scitechnol.com/scholarly/medicinal-chemistry-journals-articles-ppts-list.php#:~:text=Medicinal%20chemistry%20is%20the%20chemistry,It%20combines%20expertise%20from)). - **Neurochemistry:** The chemical study of the nervous system and neural processes ([Branches of science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branches_of_science#:~:text=based%29.%20Example%20sub,study%20of%20the%20nervous%20system)). - **Electrochemistry:** The branch of chemistry that deals with chemical reactions that involve an electric current, and the interconversion of chemical and electrical energy (e.g. in batteries and electrolysis). - **Nuclear Chemistry:** The subfield of chemistry dealing with radioactive elements, nuclear reactions, and the chemical effects of radiation (e.g. processes in nuclear reactors or radiochemistry). - **Astrochemistry:** An interdisciplinary field combining astronomy and chemistry, studying the chemical composition and reactions in space (such as in interstellar clouds or on cometary surfaces). ### Earth Sciences - **Geology:** The study of the Earth’s physical structure and substance, its history, and the processes that act on it ([Collect Rocks Day – Fun Holiday - Time and Date](https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/collect-rocks-day#:~:text=Collect%20Rocks%20Day%20%E2%80%93%20Fun,Rocks%20are%20tightly%20compacted)). (Subfields include _Mineralogy_, the study of minerals’ chemistry and properties ([#4 - Rocks and Minerals | Flashcards - Gizmo](https://gizmo.ai/community/deck/7551562?featureId=10#:~:text=What%20is%20mineralogy%3F%20Mineralogy%20is,View%20source)); _Petrology_, the study of rocks; _Geomorphology_, the study of landforms and surface processes; etc.) - **Seismology:** The scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of seismic waves through the Earth ([Seismology - Wärtsilä](https://www.wartsila.com/encyclopedia/term/seismology#:~:text=Seismology%20,like%20bodies)). - **Volcanology:** The study of volcanoes, lava, magma, and related geological, geophysical, and geochemical phenomena ([Volcanology - Geology In](https://www.geologyin.com/2014/03/volcanology.html#:~:text=Volcanology%20is%20the%20study%20of,is%20derived%20from%20the)). - **Meteorology:** The scientific study of the atmosphere focusing on weather processes and forecasting ([Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics Program](https://williamsgj.people.charleston.edu/Meteorology/meteorology.html#:~:text=Meteorology%20is%20the%20scientific%20study,phenomena%20are%20described%20and)). - **Climatology:** The study of climate, scientifically defined as weather conditions averaged over long periods; this branch examines long-term atmospheric patterns and trends ([[Solved] What scientific discipline attempts to understand the weather](https://www.studocu.com/en-us/messages/question/10703826/what-scientific-discipline-attempts-to-understand-the-weather-in-the-long-terma-meteorology-b#:~:text=Climatology%20is%20the%20study%20of,branch%20of%20the%20atmospheric%20sciences)). - **Oceanography:** The study of the Earth’s oceans, encompassing aspects of their physical, chemical, and biological features and processes ([Oceanography, Study of Oceans Objective and Significance](https://www.studyiq.com/articles/oceanography/?srsltid=AfmBOopdUHZSZUl1BBNl06ric1GDOZst34nTG5xy5fiJxNVmJpN2BZiX#:~:text=Oceanography%20is%20the%20study%20of,history%2C%20current%20state%2C%20and%20future)). - **Hydrology:** The science encompassing the occurrence, distribution, movement, and properties of Earth’s water, and its relationship with the environment within each phase of the water cycle ([Hydrology | List of High Impact Articles | PPts | Journals - SciTechnol](https://www.scitechnol.com/scholarly/hydrology-journals-articles-ppts-list.php#:~:text=Hydrology%20is%20the%20science%20that,their%20relationship%20with%20the)). - **Paleontology:** The scientific study of life in the geologic past based on fossil evidence (fossilized remains of organisms) ([Problem 21 Decide whether each statement ma... [FREE SOLUTION]](https://www.vaia.com/en-us/textbooks/biology/life-in-the-universe-3-edition/chapter-4/problem-21-decide-whether-each-statement-makes-sense-or-is-c/#:~:text=Paleontology%20is%20the%20scientific%20study,role%20in%20helping%20us)). - **Environmental Science:** An interdisciplinary field that integrates physical and biological sciences to study the environment and find solutions to environmental problems ([Environmental Science: An Interdisciplinary Academic Field](https://www.interesjournals.org/articles/environmental-science-an-interdisciplinary-academic-field-105397.html#:~:text=Environmental%20science%20is%20an%20interdisciplinary,and%20the%20solution%20of)) (covering issues like ecology, pollution, and conservation). - **Physical Geography:** Often considered part of Earth science, it deals with natural features and processes of the Earth (such as climate, landforms, vegetation, and hydrology). ### Astronomy & Space Sciences - **Astronomy:** The scientific study of celestial objects (stars, planets, comets, galaxies, etc.), space, and the universe as a whole ([The Nature of Astronomy | Intro to Astronomy Class Notes - Fiveable](https://library.fiveable.me/intro-astronomy/unit-1/1-nature-astronomy/study-guide/hh2kK6qYq8xszQD2#:~:text=The%20Nature%20of%20Astronomy%20,observing%20and%20analyzing%20stars)). - **Astrophysics:** A branch of astronomy that applies the principles of physics and chemistry to understand the nature and behavior of astronomical objects and phenomena ([Advanced Spanish Astrophysics Vocabulary Unveiled - MY ...](https://my-spanish-dictionary.com/advanced-spanish-astrophysics-vocabulary-unveiled/#:~:text=Advanced%20Spanish%20Astrophysics%20Vocabulary%20Unveiled,astronomical%20objects%2C%20their%20behavior)). - **Cosmology:** The scientific study of the origin, evolution, and ultimate fate of the universe as a whole ([Here's the next question: What is the term for the scientific study of ...](https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=7557768970999734&id=100003001176646#:~:text=,of%20galaxies%2C%20stars%2C%20and%20planets)). - **Planetary Science:** The scientific study of planets (including Earth), moons, and planetary systems, particularly those of the Solar System, and the processes that form them ([Definition and synonyms of planetologist in the English dictionary](https://educalingo.com/en/dic-en/planetologist#:~:text=dictionary%20educalingo,processes%20that%20form%20them)). - **Astrobiology:** The study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe (including the search for life beyond Earth) ([An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30986006/#:~:text=Universe%20pubmed,is%20an%20inherently%20interdisciplinary)). - **Exoplanetology:** A subfield of astronomy focused on the discovery and study of planets outside our Solar System (exoplanets), including their properties and potential habitability. - **Dark Matter (Cosmology):** A hypothetical form of matter thought to account for about 85% of the matter in the universe, which does not emit or absorb light and is detectable primarily via its gravitational effects ([Dark Matter - CDEX](https://cdex.ep.tsinghua.edu.cn/column/Introduction#:~:text=Dark%20Matter%20,a%20quarter%20of%20its)). - **Black Hole:** A region of space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it ([How to spot a black hole from the University of Michigan | Bridge ...](https://www.bridgemi.com/talent-education/how-spot-black-hole-university-michigan#:~:text=How%20to%20spot%20a%20black,gravity%20is%20so%20strong)). - **Space Exploration:** Encompasses the science and technology of exploring outer space (though not a pure “science” topic, it involves the applied sciences for mission and spacecraft design, and yields scientific data about other planets and celestial bodies). ### Biology (Life Sciences) - **Cell Biology:** The study of cells, their physiological properties, structure, and the organelles they contain, as well as cell life cycles and interactions. - **Genetics:** The branch of biology that deals with heredity and variation in organisms, focusing on genes and DNA. - **Molecular Biology:** The study of biological processes at the molecular level, particularly DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis. - **Evolutionary Biology:** The subfield of biology that studies the origins and changes in the diversity of life over time (including natural selection and adaptation). - **Ecology:** The branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical environment. - **Zoology:** The scientific study of animals, including their biology, behavior, and classification. - **Botany:** The scientific study of plants, including their physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution, and classification. - **Microbiology:** The study of microscopic organisms (such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi), including their physiology, ecology, and role in disease. - **Physiology:** The branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts (e.g. human or animal physiology). - **Neuroscience:** An interdisciplinary field (often classed within biology or medicine) focused on the nervous system, including the brain, and encompassing aspects of anatomy, physiology, and molecular biology of neurons. - **Immunology:** The branch of biology (and medicine) concerned with the immune system and immune responses. - **Biotechnology:** The application of biological science for practical purposes, such as genetic engineering, recombinant DNA technology, and pharmaceutical development. - **CRISPR Gene Editing:** A modern biotechnological technique (based on a bacterial immune system) that allows scientists to edit DNA with high precision, revolutionizing genetics and genomics. - **Photosynthesis (Plant Biology):** A process by which green plants and some microorganisms convert light energy into chemical energy, producing oxygen and energy-rich organic compounds; a fundamental biological phenomenon. - **Epidemiology (often classified under health sciences):** The study of the distribution and determinants of health and diseases in populations, bridging biology and social science. - **Medicine (Biomedical Science):** Though medicine is an applied field, it encompasses scientific disciplines like **Anatomy** (structure of organisms), **Pathology** (diseases and their causes), and **Pharmacology** (drugs and their effects on biological systems). ## Formal Sciences Formal sciences are branches of knowledge concerned with formal systems and abstract structures, studied through logic and mathematics rather than empirical methods ([Outline of science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_science#:~:text=Formal%20science%20%E2%80%93%20branches%20of,based%20on%20definitions%20and%20rules)). These fields establish the form or structure of reasoning and information. Major formal science disciplines and topics include: ### Mathematics - **Mathematics (General):** The abstract science of number, quantity, and space, studied as pure mathematics or applied in other disciplines ([Mathematics: Getting Started - UCC Library - University College Cork](https://libguides.ucc.ie/mathematics#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Oxford%20English,either%20as%20abstract%20concepts)). - **Algebra:** The branch of mathematics dealing with symbols and the rules for manipulating those symbols (using letters to represent numbers in equations) ([Fundamentals of Algebra Overview - Quizgecko](https://quizgecko.com/learn/fundamentals-of-algebra-overview-rnyoks#:~:text=Fundamentals%20of%20Algebra%20Overview%20,rules%20for%20manipulating%20these%20symbols)). - **Geometry:** The branch of mathematics concerned with the properties and relations of points, lines, surfaces, and solids in space ([Geometric Representation in 21st Century - Prezi](https://prezi.com/p/k31pc3h7vp-o/geometric-representation-in-21st-century/#:~:text=Geometric%20Representation%20in%2021st%20Century,points%2C%20lines%2C%20surfaces%2C%20and%20solids)). - **Calculus (Mathematical Analysis):** The branch of mathematics dealing with continuous change, through the concepts of differentiation and integration ([Problem 67 Find an antiderivative of (f(x)... [FREE SOLUTION] | Vaia](https://www.vaia.com/en-us/textbooks/math/calculus-and-its-applications-14-edition/chapter-6/problem-67-find-an-antiderivative-of-fx-call-it-fx-and-compa/#:~:text=Vaia%20www,areas%3A%20differentiation%20and%20integration)). - **Number Theory:** The branch of pure mathematics devoted to the study of integers and integer-valued functions (properties of numbers like primes, divisibility, etc.) ([How does one choose what kind of math to specialize in as ... - Quora](https://www.quora.com/How-does-one-choose-what-kind-of-math-to-specialize-in-as-an-undergraduate-student-e-g-algebra-analysis-topology#:~:text=Quora%20www,the%20sciences%20and%20number)). - **Topology:** The branch of mathematics concerned with properties of space that are preserved under continuous deformations such as stretching or bending (without tearing) ([Introduction to Topology - Dana Ernst](http://dcernst.github.io/teaching/mat441s19/#:~:text=Loosely%20speaking%2C%20topology%20is%20the,continuous%20deformations%2C%20such%20as)). - **Discrete Mathematics:** The study of mathematical structures that are fundamentally discrete (not continuous), including topics like graph theory, combinatorics, and finite math. - **Probability Theory:** The branch of mathematics concerned with the analysis of random phenomena and the calculation of probabilities for different outcomes ([Probability theory is the branch of mathematics concerned with ...](https://slideplayer.com/slide/9549381/#:~:text=Probability%20theory%20is%20the%20branch,%28Encyclopedia%20Britannica)). - **Statistics:** The science of collecting, organizing, and interpreting data ([Branches of science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branches_of_science#:~:text=Statistics%20is%20the%20study%20of,8)) (often considered a distinct formal science, see below). ### Logic - **Logic (General):** The systematic study of the form of valid inference and reasoning ([Is there a difference between rational and logical? - Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/e6nuna/is_there_a_difference_between_rational_and_logical/#:~:text=Reddit%20www,reason%2C%20and%20reason%20is)). It examines the rules of valid arguments and truth. - **Propositional Logic:** The branch of logic dealing with propositions (statements that are true or false) and their logical connectives (and, or, not, etc.) ([Identify the main operator in the following propositions. (G - Numerade](https://www.numerade.com/questions/identify-the-main-operator-in-the-following-propositions-g-cdot-sim-p-supset-simh-vee-sim-w-2/#:~:text=Numerade%20www,the%20truth%20values%20of)). - **Predicate Logic (First-Order Logic):** An extension of propositional logic that deals with predicates and quantifiers, allowing statements about objects and their properties (e.g. “for all x, ...”) ([Let P(x), Q(x), and R(x) be the statements " x is a professor," " x is ...](https://www.numerade.com/questions/let-px-qx-and-rx-be-the-statements-x-is-a-professor-x-is-ignorant-and-x-is-vain-respectively-expre-2/#:~:text=Predicate%20logic%20is%20the%20branch,in%20a%20domain%20using)). - **Modal Logic:** The branch of logic that introduces modalities – qualifiers like necessity and possibility – into logical statements ([Classify each of the following sentences as being one of the following](https://www.numerade.com/questions/classify-each-of-the-following-sentences-as-being-one-of-the-following-necessarily-true-nec-t-nec-19/#:~:text=Classify%20each%20of%20the%20following,Empirical%20verification)). - **Fuzzy Logic:** A form of many-valued logic in which truth values are not just true or false but can be any value between 0 and 1, enabling reasoning with uncertainty or partial truth ([Fuzzy logic on a website](https://filiph.net/fuzzy/#:~:text=Fuzzy%20logic%20on%20a%20website,to%20traditional%20binary%20sets)). ### Statistics - **Statistics (General):** The study of methods for collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting empirical data ([Branches of science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branches_of_science#:~:text=Statistics%20is%20the%20study%20of,8)). It involves designing experiments or surveys and making inferences from data. - **Descriptive Statistics:** Techniques for summarizing or describing the important features of data (e.g. mean, median, standard deviation). - **Inferential Statistics:** Methods for drawing conclusions about a population based on sample data, including hypothesis testing and confidence intervals. - **Probability Theory:** (Often considered the mathematical foundation of statistics) – studied above under mathematics, it underpins statistical inference by quantifying uncertainty ([Probability theory is the branch of mathematics concerned with ...](https://slideplayer.com/slide/9549381/#:~:text=Probability%20theory%20is%20the%20branch,%28Encyclopedia%20Britannica)). - **Bayesian Statistics:** An approach to statistics in which probabilities are interpreted as degrees of belief, and Bayes’ theorem is used to update those probabilities with new data. ### Computer Science - **Computer Science (General):** The study of computation, automation, and information, covering both theoretical disciplines (like algorithms and computational theory) and practical ones (like software engineering) ([About: Computer science](https://dbpedia.org/page/Computer_science#:~:text=About%3A%20Computer%20science%20Computer%20science,as%20algorithms%2C%20theory%20of)). - **Algorithms:** Step-by-step procedures or rules for solving a problem or performing a computation ([Algorithm | AI Glossary - OpenTrain AI](https://www.opentrain.ai/glossary/algorithm#:~:text=Algorithm%20%7C%20AI%20Glossary%20,or%20to%20perform%20a%20computation)). Computer science studies algorithms for efficiency and correctness. - **Data Structures:** Organized formats for storing and managing data to enable efficient access and modification (examples include arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs) ([A data structure is a data organization, management, and storage](https://brainly.in/question/32726513#:~:text=A%20data%20structure%20is%20a,enables%20efficient%20access%20and%20modification)). - **Artificial Intelligence (AI):** The field of computer science focused on creating systems or programs capable of intelligent behavior – learning, reasoning, problem-solving – as demonstrated by machines as opposed to natural intelligence ([Introduction - SpringerLink](https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-56713-1_1#:~:text=Introduction%20,displayed%20by%20animals%20and%20humans)). - **Machine Learning:** A branch of AI that focuses on algorithms and statistical models that enable computers to learn from data and improve their performance on tasks without explicit programming ([Glossary | Algorithm Afternoon](https://algorithmafternoon.com/glossary/#:~:text=Glossary%20,make%20decisions%20with%20minimal)). - **Database Systems:** The study and development of databases – organized collections of data – and database management systems, which allow efficient storage and retrieval of data ([Database Search Tips - LibGuides at Texas Medical Center Library](https://libguides.library.tmc.edu/dbsearching#:~:text=Library%20libguides,%E2%80%9D%20A)). - **Computer Networks:** The field dealing with communication between computing devices; a computer network is a set of computers connected to share resources and information using common protocols ([A computer network is a set of computers sharing resources located ...](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/charan-s-528692305_a-computer-network-is-a-set-of-computers-activity-7193840587249197058-ObZ2#:~:text=A%20computer%20network%20is%20a,Computers%20use%20common%20communication)). - **Operating Systems:** System software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common services for application programs ([What is Operating System in full details? - Quora](https://www.quora.com/What-is-Operating-System-in-full-details#:~:text=An%20operating%20system%20is%20system,common%20services%20for%20computer%20programs)). - **Software Engineering:** The systematic application of engineering principles to the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software ([Software engineering - Medium](https://medium.com/@mohdfurqanhaiderrizvi/software-engineering-a6c4112b6d28#:~:text=Software%20engineering%20is%20the%20systematic,3%5D%20Software%20engineering)). - **Cryptography:** The practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of adversaries – it involves methods of encryption and decryption to protect information ([CEH 4/6 Flashcards - Quizlet](https://quizlet.com/752482122/ceh-46-flash-cards/#:~:text=CEH%204%2F6%20Flashcards%20,called%20adversaries)). - **Theoretical Computer Science:** The mathematical and abstract side of CS, including computability theory, computational complexity (studying what problems can be solved and how efficiently), and formal language theory. ### Information Science & Theory - **Information Science:** An academic field primarily concerned with the collection, classification, storage, retrieval, and protection of information ([Branches of science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branches_of_science#:~:text=Information%20science%20is%20an%20academic,or%20understanding%20the%20information%20systems)). It often overlaps with library science and data management. - **Information Theory:** The mathematical study of the quantification, storage, and communication of information, known for defining concepts like _entropy_ (a measure of information content) and the limits of data compression and transmission. - **Data Science:** An interdisciplinary field focused on extracting knowledge and insights from large datasets, using methods from statistics, computer science, and domain knowledge ([Data science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_science#:~:text=Data%20science%20is%20an%20interdisciplinary,11)). - **Systems Theory:** A transdisciplinary field that studies abstract organization of phenomena, independent of their substance, type, or spatial or temporal scale, by focusing on systems as sets of interacting components and applying principles that apply universally to all systems ([Branches of science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branches_of_science#:~:text=Systems%20theory%20is%20the%20transdisciplinary,229%20of%20Niklas%20Luhmann)). - **Decision Theory:** The study of an agent’s choices; it involves evaluating options and outcomes to understand and improve decision-making (divided into normative decision theory, about identifying optimal decisions, and descriptive decision theory, about how decisions are actually made) ([Branches of science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branches_of_science#:~:text=Decision%20theory%20,Decision%20theory%20can%20be)). ## Social Sciences Social sciences study human society and social relationships using systematic methods. They examine human behavior in social contexts, social structures, and cultural norms ([Difference Between Humanities Vs Social Science - Aithor](https://aithor.com/essay-examples/difference-between-humanities-vs-social-science#:~:text=Difference%20Between%20Humanities%20Vs%20Social,sociology%2C%20psychology%2C%20anthropology%2C%20economics)) ([Midhus social science](http://midhu0112.blogspot.com/#:~:text=Oxford%20Dictionary%3A%20Social%20science%20is,of%20economics%2C%20politics%2C%20and%20sociology)). Key disciplines and topics in the social sciences include: ### Psychology - **Psychology (General):** The scientific study of mind and behavior in humans and animals ([Chapter Summary](https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_introduction-to-psychology/s05-03-chapter-summary.html#:~:text=Psychology%20is%20the%20scientific%20study,hospitals%2C%20and%20other%20field%20settings)). - **Cognitive Psychology:** The branch of psychology that studies mental processes such as perception, memory, thought, and problem-solving ([Cognitive Psychology - Vocab, Definition, Explanations | Fiveable](https://library.fiveable.me/key-terms/social-psychology/cognitive-psychology#:~:text=Fiveable%20library,solving)). - **Developmental Psychology:** The branch of psychology that studies how people grow and change over the course of their life span (from infancy through old age) ([Human Development - Home](https://tprovax.weebly.com/#:~:text=Developmental%20Psychology,the%20course%20of%20a%20lifetime)). - **Social Psychology:** The branch of psychology that deals with how individuals’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by social interactions and the presence of others ([Branches of Psychology Flashcards - Quizlet](https://quizlet.com/42518115/branches-of-psychology-flash-cards/#:~:text=Branches%20of%20Psychology%20Flashcards%20,Sports%20Psychology)). - **Clinical Psychology:** The branch of psychology concerned with the assessment and treatment of mental illness and behavioral problems (applying psychological science to therapy). - **Behavioral Psychology (Behaviorism):** Focuses on observable behaviors and the principles of learning (how behaviors are acquired and modified by environmental causes). - **Neuropsychology:** A subfield linking psychology and neuroscience, studying how the brain and nervous system influence behavior and cognition. - **Industrial/Organizational Psychology:** The application of psychological principles to the workplace, focusing on topics like personnel selection, motivation, and productivity. ### Sociology - **Sociology (General):** The study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society, including social institutions, relationships, and collective behavior ([Sociology (BS) < University of La Verne](https://catalog.laverne.edu/college-arts-sciences/undergraduate/sociology-anthropology-department/sociology-criminology/sociology-bs/#:~:text=Sociology%20is%20the%20study%20of,interaction%20and%20connection%2C%20organizations)). - **Criminology:** The scientific study of crime, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system (examining causes, statistics, and prevention of crime) ([Criminology | Trending - Labroots](https://www.labroots.com/tag/criminology/trending?srsltid=AfmBOopDsHVugAnLzFxJH5qqg_vzeLiBwSi2w34d64e6swIQph5ex6Ev#:~:text=Criminology%3A%20is%20the%20scientific%20study,criminal%20behavior%2C%20both%20on%20individ)). - **Demography:** The statistical study of populations, especially human populations, including their size, growth, density, and distribution ([The scientific study of human populations is called A. ecology B ...](https://brainly.com/question/21798617?source=next+question#:~:text=The%20scientific%20study%20of%20human,whole%20societies%20or%20groups)). - **Urban Sociology:** A subfield that examines social life and human interaction in metropolitan areas, including topics like urbanization, city life, and urban problems. - **Social Stratification:** The study of social class and inequality, examining how societies are divided (by class, race, gender, etc.) and the consequences of these divisions. - **Culture and Identity (Sociology of Culture):** Investigates how culture (values, norms, artifacts) is created and shapes social life, and how individuals form identities within a social context. ### Economics - **Economics (General):** The social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services ([ECO-AA Program | Borough of Manhattan CC Catalog](https://bmcc.catalog.cuny.edu/programs/ECO-AA#:~:text=ECO,on%20the%20behavior%20and)). - **Microeconomics:** The branch of economics that studies the behavior of individual consumers, households, and firms in making decisions about allocating limited resources (e.g. how prices are set in markets, supply and demand for specific goods) ([Microeconomics - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microeconomics#:~:text=Microeconomics%20is%20a%20branch%20of,the%20allocation%20of%20scarce%20resources)). - **Macroeconomics:** The branch of economics that studies the economy as a whole, focusing on aggregate indicators and phenomena such as GDP, inflation, unemployment, and economic growth ([What is Macroeconomics? Definition of ... - The Economic Times](https://m.economictimes.com/definition/macroeconomics#:~:text=What%20is%20Macroeconomics%3F%20Definition%20of,focuses%20on%20the%20aggregate)). - **Behavioral Economics:** An interdisciplinary subfield combining insights from psychology and economics to study how cognitive biases and emotions influence economic decisions, often deviating from pure rationality. - **Development Economics:** A branch focusing on economic development in low-income countries, studying growth, poverty, and improvements in living standards. - **International Economics:** Examines trade and financial relations between nations, including topics like international trade policy and exchange rates. - **Econometrics:** The application of statistical methods to economic data to give empirical content to economic theories (essentially quantitative economic analysis). - **Game Theory (Economics):** A theoretical framework for conceiving social situations among competing players and for predicting their choices of strategic interaction ([Game Theory | Policy Commons](https://policycommons.net/topics/game-theory/#:~:text=Game%20theory%20is%20the%20study,fields%20of%20social%20science)), widely used in economics to analyze markets, auctions, bargaining, and any scenario where decision-makers interact strategically. ### Anthropology - **Anthropology (General):** The scientific study of humanity, examining human behavior, cultures, languages, and biology across time and space ([it refers to the scientific study of man or human beings​ - Brainly.ph](https://brainly.ph/question/13018515#:~:text=it%20refers%20to%20the%20scientific,the%20present%20and%20past%2C)). - **Cultural Anthropology:** A branch of anthropology focused on the study of cultural variation among humans, investigating customs, beliefs, and social life in different societies ([[Solved] what is cultural anthropology - Introduction to Anthropology ...](https://www.studocu.com/en-us/messages/question/3526214/what-is-cultural-anthropology#:~:text=Definition%20of%20Cultural%20Anthropology,of%20cultural%20variation%20among%20humans)). - **Physical (Biological) Anthropology:** The branch that studies the biological and evolutionary aspects of humans, including human evolution, genetics, and primatology. - **Archaeology:** The branch of anthropology that studies past human societies through excavation and analysis of artifacts and other physical remains ([[FREE] Archaeology is the study of human history and prehistory ...](https://brainly.com/question/2920345#:~:text=,artifacts%20and%20other%20physical%20remains)). - **Linguistic Anthropology:** The subfield examining how language influences social life, including the study of languages in their social and cultural contexts (closely related to linguistics). - **Ethnography (Method):** Not a discipline per se, but a key anthropological method – the in-depth descriptive study of a particular culture or community, often through fieldwork. ### Political Science - **Political Science (General):** The scientific study of politics and government, including the analysis of political systems, institutions, processes, and political behavior ([Political science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_science#:~:text=Political%20science%20is%20the%20scientific,systems%20of%20governance%20and%20power)). - **Comparative Politics:** A subfield that compares political systems across different countries to understand their differences and similarities (e.g. comparing democracies and authoritarian regimes). - **International Relations:** The branch of political science focusing on relations between nations, including diplomacy, war, trade, and international organizations. - **Political Theory:** The study of ideas about politics, government, justice, and the rights and obligations of citizens (including the work of political philosophers). - **Public Administration:** The study of government policy implementation and bureaucracy; often considered an applied subfield of political science focusing on how public institutions are managed. - **Public Policy:** Examines the process of policy-making and analyzes specific public policies (economic, social, foreign policy etc.), bridging political science and economics. ### Linguistics - **Linguistics (General):** The scientific study of language and its structure, including the study of morphology (word structure), syntax (sentence structure), phonetics and phonology (sounds), and semantics (meaning) ([Overview of Social Science Disciplines Study Guide | Quizlet](https://quizlet.com/study-guides/overview-of-social-science-disciplines-42e22db9-e912-4c6d-829f-05f1aa1fe977#:~:text=,explores%20how%20languages%20are)). - **Sociolinguistics:** The study of how language varies and changes in social contexts, and how it is used in different communities. - **Psycholinguistics:** The study of language acquisition and language processing in the mind, linking linguistics with psychology. - **Computational Linguistics:** An interdisciplinary field at the intersection of linguistics and computer science, concerned with processing and analyzing language using algorithms (e.g. natural language processing). - **Applied Linguistics:** The use of linguistic research to address practical problems (such as language education, translation, or speech therapy). ### Other Social Sciences - **Human Geography:** Often overlapping with social science, it studies the relationships between people and places, focusing on topics like population distribution, urban development, and cultural landscapes. - **Education (Educational Psychology & Sociology):** The study of how people learn and how educational systems function, sometimes considered a social science (examining teaching methods, learning outcomes, and the role of education in society). - **Law (Jurisprudence):** While law is usually seen as a professional field, _socio-legal studies_ examine law’s role in society using social science methods (how laws affect behavior, how social norms influence law). - **Communication Studies:** The academic study of how people communicate (in interpersonal, organizational, or mass media contexts), including the impact of media and technology on society. - **Demographics & Social Statistics:** Tools used across social sciences to quantitatively analyze society (e.g. census data analysis, public opinion polling). Each discipline above includes both broad fields and more specialized subfields or concepts, illustrating the depth and breadth of scientific inquiry across natural, formal, and social sciences. These topics represent a comprehensive snapshot of the scientific landscape, with each one contributing to our systematic understanding of the world around us and of ourselves. **Sources:** - Natural Sciences – definition and scope ([Outline of science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_science#:~:text=Natural%20science%20%20,referred%20to%20as%20natural%20sciences)); examples from physics ([Glossary of physics - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_physics#:~:text=quantum%20mechanics%20A%20branch%20of,and%20subatomic%20length%20scales%2C%20and)) ([What is quantum entanglement? | Space](https://www.space.com/31933-quantum-entanglement-action-at-a-distance.html#:~:text=Quantum%20entanglement%20is%20when%20two,PHOTO%20LIBRARY%20via%20Getty%20Images)) ([Electromagnetism - Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Electromagnetism#:~:text=Electromagnetism%20is%20a%20branch%20of,interaction%2C%20and%20the%20weak%20interaction)), chemistry ([Branches of science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branches_of_science#:~:text=reactions%20.,study%20of%20the%20nervous%20system)) ([Organic Chemistry Peer-review Journals | Medical Journals | 40292](https://www.iomcworld.org/medical-journals/organic-chemistry-peerreview-journals-40292.html#:~:text=40292%20www,which%20include%20not%20only)), earth sciences ([Collect Rocks Day – Fun Holiday - Time and Date](https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/collect-rocks-day#:~:text=Collect%20Rocks%20Day%20%E2%80%93%20Fun,Rocks%20are%20tightly%20compacted)) ([Seismology - Wärtsilä](https://www.wartsila.com/encyclopedia/term/seismology#:~:text=Seismology%20,like%20bodies)), astronomy ([The Nature of Astronomy | Intro to Astronomy Class Notes - Fiveable](https://library.fiveable.me/intro-astronomy/unit-1/1-nature-astronomy/study-guide/hh2kK6qYq8xszQD2#:~:text=The%20Nature%20of%20Astronomy%20,observing%20and%20analyzing%20stars)), and biology. - Formal Sciences – definition ([Outline of science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_science#:~:text=Formal%20science%20%E2%80%93%20branches%20of,based%20on%20definitions%20and%20rules)); mathematics and logic topics ([Is there a difference between rational and logical? - Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/e6nuna/is_there_a_difference_between_rational_and_logical/#:~:text=Reddit%20www,reason%2C%20and%20reason%20is)) ([Probability theory is the branch of mathematics concerned with ...](https://slideplayer.com/slide/9549381/#:~:text=Probability%20theory%20is%20the%20branch,%28Encyclopedia%20Britannica)); computer science and information theory ([Data science - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_science#:~:text=Data%20science%20is%20an%20interdisciplinary,11)) ([About: Computer science](https://dbpedia.org/page/Computer_science#:~:text=About%3A%20Computer%20science%20Computer%20science,as%20algorithms%2C%20theory%20of)). - Social Sciences – definition ([Midhus social science](http://midhu0112.blogspot.com/#:~:text=Oxford%20Dictionary%3A%20Social%20science%20is,of%20economics%2C%20politics%2C%20and%20sociology)); psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology, etc. with standard definitions and examples ([Chapter Summary](https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_introduction-to-psychology/s05-03-chapter-summary.html#:~:text=Psychology%20is%20the%20scientific%20study,hospitals%2C%20and%20other%20field%20settings)) ([Sociology (BS) < University of La Verne](https://catalog.laverne.edu/college-arts-sciences/undergraduate/sociology-anthropology-department/sociology-criminology/sociology-bs/#:~:text=Sociology%20is%20the%20study%20of,interaction%20and%20connection%2C%20organizations)) ([ECO-AA Program | Borough of Manhattan CC Catalog](https://bmcc.catalog.cuny.edu/programs/ECO-AA#:~:text=ECO,on%20the%20behavior%20and)) ([it refers to the scientific study of man or human beings​ - Brainly.ph](https://brainly.ph/question/13018515#:~:text=it%20refers%20to%20the%20scientific,the%20present%20and%20past%2C)). More: [[AI-written science]]