Core Principles and Scientific Method

• Science uses a systematic and organized approach to understand the natural world
• Science depends on observation, experimentation, and evidence-based analysis
• The aim of science is to discover facts and create explanatory theories

Core Principles of Science

• Objectivity minimizes bias in scientific processes
• Empirical evidence is information from observation/experimentation
• Skepticism involves questioning claims and demanding evidence
• Openness means sharing data/methods for scrutiny
• Reproducibility ensures experiment replication yields similar results

Scientific Method

• Observation: Noticing a phenomenon or question arises
• Hypothesis: Forming a testable explanation/prediction
• Experimentation: Testing the hypothesis via controlled procedures
• Data Analysis: Drawing conclusions from collected data
• Conclusion: Accepting/rejecting the hypothesis based on evidence
• Communication: Sharing findings through publications/presentations

Branches of Science

• Natural sciences study the physical world (biology, chemistry, physics, earth science)
• Social sciences study human behavior/societies (psychology, sociology, economics, political science)
• Formal sciences study abstract concepts (mathematics, logic, computer science)
• Applied sciences apply scientific knowledge to problems (engineering, medicine)

Biology

• Biology studies living organisms' structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution
• Cell biology examines cell structure/function, the basic life units
• Genetics studies heredity and inherited variation
• Ecology investigates organism-environment interactions
• Evolution is how populations change over time
• Microbiology studies microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi
• Botany is the scientific study of plants
• Zoology is the scientific study of animals

Chemistry

• Chemistry studies matter, its properties, and changes
• Matter has mass and occupies space
• Atoms are matter's basic building blocks
• Molecules are two or more chemically bonded atoms
• Chemical reactions rearrange atoms/molecules
• Organic chemistry studies carbon-containing compounds
• Inorganic chemistry studies non-carbon compounds
• Biochemistry studies the chemistry of living organisms
• Analytical chemistry identifies and quantifies substances
• Physical chemistry applies physics to chemical systems

Physics

• Physics studies matter, energy, and interactions
• Classical mechanics deals with macroscopic object motion
• Thermodynamics studies heat and energy transfer
• Electromagnetism deals with electric/magnetic fields
• Optics studies light behavior
• Quantum mechanics studies atomic/subatomic matter
• Nuclear physics studies atomic nuclei structure/properties
• Particle physics studies fundamental particles/forces
• Condensed matter physics studies solid/liquid properties

Earth Science

• Earth science studies Earth's structure, properties, processes, evolution
• Geology studies the Earth's crust, rocks, and minerals
• Meteorology studies the atmosphere and weather
• Oceanography studies the oceans
• Environmental science studies human-environment interactions
• Paleontology studies fossils and ancient life
• Astronomy studies celestial objects and the universe
• Geophysics studies the physical properties of the Earth
• Geochemistry studies the chemical composition of the Earth

Social Science

• Psychology studies mind and behavior
• Cognitive psychology studies mental processes (memory, perception, problem-solving)
• Social psychology studies how others influence thoughts, feelings, behaviors
• Developmental psychology studies lifespan changes
• Economics studies decision-making under scarcity
• Microeconomics studies individual/firm behavior
• Macroeconomics studies overall economy behavior
• Sociology studies human societies and social behavior
• Anthropology studies human cultures/societies
• Political science studies political theory/practice

Formal Science

• Mathematics studies quantity, structure, space, and change
• Arithmetic deals with numbers and operations
• Algebra uses symbols for numbers/quantities
• Geometry studies points, lines, surfaces, solids
• Calculus deals with continuous change
• Statistics collects, analyzes, interprets, presents data
• Logic studies reasoning and argumentation
• Computer science studies computation/information
• Theoretical computer science deals with abstract computer science
• Artificial intelligence develops systems with human-like intelligence

Applied Science

• Engineering applies science/math to design/build
• Civil engineering deals with infrastructure
• Mechanical engineering deals with machines/systems
• Electrical engineering deals with electrical/electronic systems
• Chemical engineering deals with chemical plants/processes
• Medicine prevents, diagnoses, and treats diseases
• Pharmacology studies drug effects
• Public health promotes community health
• Agriculture improves crop production/animal husbandry
• Biotechnology uses biological systems to develop technologies

Scientific Theories and Laws

• A scientific theory comprehensively explains the natural world using facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses
• A scientific law is a statement describing observed patterns
• Theories explain why, while laws describe what happens
• Theories can change with new evidence; laws are generally universally true under specific conditions

Scientific Measurement

• Measurement assigns numerical values to physical quantities
• Units are standard quantities for measurements
• SI (International System of Units) is the standard scientific unit system
• Accuracy is how close a measurement is to the true value
• Precision is the repeatability of a measurement

Importance of Science

• Science advances knowledge and understanding
• Science improves technology and innovation
• Science informs policy and decision-making
• Science enhances education and critical thinking
• Science addresses global challenges like climate change, disease, and poverty