Introduction to Science and Its Branches

Definition of Science

• Systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.

Branches of Science

1. Natural Sciences

   • Focus on the natural world.
   • Includes:
     • Physics: Study of matter, energy, and forces.
     • Chemistry: Study of substances, their properties, and reactions.
     • Biology: Study of living organisms.

2. Formal Sciences

   • Study abstract concepts.
   • Includes:
     • Mathematics: Study of numbers, quantities, shapes, and patterns.
     • Logic: Study of reasoning and argumentation.
     • Statistics: Study of data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation.

3. Social Sciences

   • Study of human behavior and societies.
   • Includes:
     • Psychology: Study of mind and behavior.
     • Sociology: Study of social behavior and society.
     • Economics: Study of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

Scientific Method

• A systematic approach for investigating phenomena.
• Steps include:
  1. Observation: Identifying a problem or question.
  2. Research: Gathering information related to the problem.
  3. Hypothesis: Formulating a testable statement.
  4. Experimentation: Testing the hypothesis through experimentation.
  5. Analysis: Interpreting results and data.
  6. Conclusion: Drawing conclusions based on the analysis.
  7. Communication: Sharing findings with the scientific community.

Key Concepts

• Theory: Well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world.
• Law: Descriptive generalization about how some aspect of the natural world behaves under certain conditions.
• Hypothesis: A proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence.

Importance of Science

• Advances technology and medicine.
• Addresses global issues (climate change, health).
• Promotes critical thinking and skepticism.
• Enhances our understanding of the universe and our place in it.

Interdisciplinary Science

• Combines knowledge from multiple scientific fields to solve complex problems, e.g., bioinformatics (biology + computer science).

Ethics in Science

• Importance of ethics in conducting and reporting research.
• Issues include plagiarism, fabrication, and ethical treatment of human/animal subjects.

Notable Scientists

• Albert Einstein: Theory of relativity.
• Marie Curie: Research on radioactivity.
• Charles Darwin: Theory of evolution by natural selection.

Current Trends

• Increasing reliance on data science and computational methods.
• Growing focus on sustainability and environmental science.
• Advancements in biotechnology and genetics.

Definition of Science

• Science is a systematic process of building and organizing knowledge through testable explanations and predictions about the universe.

Branches of Science

• Natural Sciences study the natural world.
  • Physics explores matter, energy, and forces.
  • Chemistry investigates substances, their properties, and reactions.
  • Biology focuses on living organisms.
• Formal Sciences delve into abstract concepts.
  • Mathematics examines numbers, quantities, shapes, and patterns.
  • Logic analyzes reasoning and argumentation.
  • Statistics encompasses data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation.
• Social Sciences examine human behavior and societies.
  • Psychology studies the mind and behavior.
  • Sociology investigates social behavior and society.
  • Economics analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

Scientific Method

• The scientific method is a systematic approach to investigating phenomena.
  • Observation: Identifying a problem or question.
  • Research: Gathering information related to the problem.
  • Hypothesis: Formulating a testable statement.
  • Experimentation: Testing the hypothesis through experimentation.
  • Analysis: Interpreting results and data.
  • Conclusion: Drawing conclusions based on the analysis.
  • Communication: Sharing findings with the scientific community.

Key Concepts

• Theory: A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world.
• Law: A descriptive generalization about how some aspect of the natural world behaves under certain conditions.
• Hypothesis: A proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence.

Importance of Science

• Science advances technology and medicine.
• It addresses global issues, such as climate change and health.
• It promotes critical thinking and skepticism.
• It enhances our understanding of the universe and our place in it.

Interdisciplinary Science

• Interdisciplinary science combines knowledge from multiple scientific fields to solve complex problems, e.g., bioinformatics (biology + computer science).

Ethics in Science

• Ethics are crucial in conducting and reporting research.
  • Issues include plagiarism, fabrication, and ethical treatment of human/animal subjects.

Notable Scientists

• Albert Einstein: Developed the theory of relativity.
• Marie Curie: Pioneered research on radioactivity.
• Charles Darwin: Proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Current Trends

• Increasing reliance on data science and computational methods.
• Growing focus on sustainability and environmental science.
• Advancements in biotechnology and genetics.