Branches of Science and Scientific Method

Biology

study of living organisms

Zoology (branch of biology)

study of animals

Botany (branch of biology)

study of plants

Microbiology (branch of biology)

study of microorganisms

Ecology (branch of biology)

study of how organisms interact with the environment and each other

Earth Science

study of Earth’s non-living systems and the planet itself

Geology (branch of Earth Science)

study of Earth’s surface, interior processes, and history

Paleontology (branch of Earth Science)

study of fossils and ancient life

Climatology (branch of Earth Science)

study of Earth’s climate and atmosphere

Hydrology (branch of Earth Science)

study of Earth’s water resources

Physics

study of matter and energy

Engineering (branch of physics)

science by which matter and energy are made useful to humans in structure, machines, and products

Chemistry

study of chemicals and their interactions

Biochemistry (branch of chemistry)

study of chemistry of living things

Geochemistry (branch of chemistry and geology)

study of chemistry of materials such as rocks, soil, and water

Social Sciences

study of human populations

Geography (branch of Social Sciences)

study of the relationship between human populations and Earth’s features

Anthropology (branch of Social Sciences)

study of the interactions of the biological, cultural, geographical, and historical aspects of humankind

Sociology (branch of Social Sciences)

study of human population dynamics and statistics

Theory

a hypothesis or series of hypotheses that are supported by the result of experiments and observations

Scientific law

an established theory

Dependent variable

the thing you’re measuring/observing

Independent variable

the thing you’re testing

Constant/control

the things that stay the same

Scientific Method

logical steps to solve a problem