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 Sciences Life Sciences Earth Sciences
Physics Anatomy Astronomy
Mechanics Botany Meteorology
Electromagnetics Biology Geology
Thermodynamics Zoology Atmospheric Sciences
Kinetics Neurobiology Glaciology
Chemistry Marine Biology Climatology
Inorganic Chemistry Embryology Structural Geology
Electrochemistry Ecology
Analytical Chemistry Paleontology
Earth Sciences* Genetics
Cell Biology
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.
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
Note: Many specialised branches of Science may traverse multiple disciplines.
What are the 10 main branches of science?
The 10 main branches of Science are as follows:
1. Physics
2. Biology
3. Chemistry
4. Zoology
5. Astronomy
6. Medicine
7. Astrophysics
8. Earth Sciences
9. Environmental Science
10. Biomedicine
How many kinds of science are there?
Science can be of different kinds. The most common ones include Biology, Mathematics,
Physics, Chemistry and Social Science.
Who is the father of science?
Galileo Galilei is known as the father of Science.
What branch of science is the human body?
Anatomy & Physiology is a branch of Science which deals with the human body.
Hence, once you know the diverse branches of Science you can start sorting out the
ones where your interests lie and then you find an ideal course and university to pursue
your chosen field. The AI tool at Leverage Edu can help you during this phase by
mapping out your interests and suggesting you tailor-made combinations. This way you
can take that first informed step towards a rewarding career.
Source: https://leverageedu.com/blog/branches-of-science/
