2 DEFINITIONS OF SCIENCE

1. It is a branch of knowledge that explains and explores the natural world. It unveils the mysteries of the
natural world, how it works, and how it got to be the way it is (Understanding Science, 2022). It does not
only provide facts as it also leads people to the gate of learning and understanding.

2. “Science is both a body of knowledge and a process” (Understanding Science, 2022). It is a collection
of facts that enlightens people about everything and anything in this universe. It involves discoveries of
how these things work in the past, the present, or even in the future.
TWO CATEGORIES OF SCIENCE
I. Natural Science – It is the branch of science that deals with matter, energy, and their interrelations and
transformations or with objectively measurable phenomena. In essence, it studies the nature of our
physical world as well as the universe, making it the core of the natural world (Edu, 2022; “Natural
Science,” 2023).

3 DIVISIONS:
A. Biological Science/Life Science – It is the branch of science that deals with all living creatures – from
microscopic to the macroscopic life forms (Biology Online, 2023). In simpler terms, from the word “bio,”
Biological science is the scientific study of life.

Branches of biological Science

1. Zoology – It is the study of animals, their structure, physiology, development, and
classification. This includes (but is not limited to) Ethology, Mammalogy, Herpetology, and
Primatology.

2. Botany – It is the biological study of plants, including (but not limited to) plant physiology,
plant anatomy, plant taxonomy, plant ecology, plant genetics, etc.

3. Anatomy - It is the branch of biology that is concerned with the identification and
description of the structures of living things, including how it is made up and how it works.

4. Physiology – It is the branch of biology that studies the functions of living organisms,
including how cells, tissues, and organisms work (Physiology as a Career, n.d.).

5. Pathology – It is the branch of science that is focused on the study and diagnosis of diseases,
their nature, causes, development, and consequences (Biology Online, 2023; What Is Pathology?,
n.d.).

6. Cytology – Cytology, also known as Cytopathology, is the study of cells of living things. It is
where cells from bodily tissues or fluids are examined to determine diseases (Anonymous, 2021).

7. Histology – It is the branch of science that studies the structure of cells, tissues, and organs
using a microscope. It also explains how structure and function are related (Sendić, 2023).

8. Genetics – It is the branch of biology that studies genes and explains how specific traits and/or
characteristics are passed down from one generation to another (Anzilotti, 2021).

9. Ecology – It is the study of relationships between living and non-living matters. It also covers
the economic aspects and results of ecosystem services (like water purification services) (Biology
Online, 2023).

10. Microbiology – It studies microscopic organisms as well as how these affect other living
organisms (Biology Online, 2023).

B. Physical Science – It is the branch of science that deals with the physics and chemistry of nature.
Basically, it studies the physical world around us (Physical Science, n.d.).

Branches of physical Science

1. Physics – It is the study of nature and the universe. It is where the world and individual
particles are analyzed and explained. Concepts related to physics include (but is not limited to)
gravity, fundamental forces and energy generation (Tech, 2021).

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 2. Chemistry – It is the study of chemical reactions. It studies how various substances and
chemicals react with one another, creating new solutions, atomic structures, etc (Tech, 2021).

C. Earth Science – It is the study of the Earth’s structure, properties, and evolution which are all crucial in
maintaining life on the planet (About Earth Sciences (EAR), n.d.).

Branches of Earth Science

1. Astronomy – It is the branch of science that studies the different matters found in the universe
beyond Earth’s atmosphere including the Sun, the Moon, the Planets, the stars, faraway galaxies,
and any other tiny particles (What Is Astronomy? | AMNH, n.d.).

2. Geology – The word geology means “Study of the Earth,” hence its primary focus is the
formation of the Earth, its structure and composition, as well as the types of processes acting on it
(What Is Geology?, n.d.).

3. Meteorology – It is a subdiscipline of the atmospheric sciences which studies the atmosphere,

atmospheric phenomena, and atmospheric effects on weather (The Science and Art of
Meteorology, n.d.).

4. Geography – It is the study of the places or physical properties of the Earth’s surface and is a
science that explores the human societies spread across it.

5. Paleontology – It is the branch of science that deals with the study of the history of life on
Earth as based on remains of plants, animals, fungi, or bacteria called fossils (Paleontology, n.d.).

II. Social Science – Social science is a branch of knowledge that deals with human behaviors and human
relationships. In general, it studies how a society works (Social Sciences - New World Encyclopedia,
n.d.).

Branches of Social Science

1. Sociology – It is a social science that studies human relationships and institutions. It gives
understanding about how human actions and consciousness shape (or are shaped) by cultural and
social structures (Department of Sociology, 2015).

2. Psychology – It is the scientific study of people’s mind and behavior. It mainly focuses on
understanding mental processes, brain functions, and behavior (What Is Psychology? |
Department of Psychology, n.d.).

3. Political Science – It is the study of politics and power which focuses on understanding
political ideas, ideologies, institutions, policies, processes, and behavior (Undergraduate:
Department of Political Science - Northwestern University, n.d.).

4. Economics – It is a social science which studies scarcity and how society manages these scarce
resources to satisfy the unlimited needs and wants of people (What Is Economics?, 2022).

5. Archeology – It is a social science that studies human past using material remains (can be
objects that people created, modified, or used) (Archaeology, n.d.).

6. History – It is an extremely broad discipline which includes the analysis of individuals and
groups, events and phenomena, long-term/short-term trends, institutions, societies and cultures,
but generally, it refers to the study of the past (Disciplines | Social Sciences | Cañada College,
n.d.).

7. Anthropology – It is the study of humans and is the only discipline that focuses on
understanding all aspects of human life, from past to present social and cultural processes as well
as biological adaptations (Disciplines | Social Sciences | Cañada College, n.d.).

REFERENCES:

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