General Classification

The main branches of science are commonly divided into two major groups:

• Social sciences, It is the study of human behavior and societies.
• Natural sciences, It is the study of natural phenomena (including fundamental forces and biological life). Natural sciences are further classified into three main groups.

Physics: It is the study of matter and energy and the interactions between them. In physics scientists focuses on laws and properties that govern behavior of all matter. Physics often involves things we can't see or touch, but can prove, like gravity. We can't see or touch gravity, but because of years of experiments, we know it's there. Physicists also study energy, mechanics, motion, waves, electricity, nuclear reactions, and forces. People interested in physics use scientific laws and theories to build some of the things we see every day, like bridges, cars, buildings, and power plants. If it's a structure or involves a motor, physics was surely considered when creating it. Albert Einstein was one of the most famous physicists to date. He developed the theory of relativity, which is the basis for black holes and the potential for time travel, as well as how matter is converted to energy, which is used in nuclear power plants.

Astrophysics: the study of the physics of the universe.

Biophysics: A pure blend of Physics and Biology, where the concepts and theories of Physics are applied in biological elements.

Nuclear Physics: the branch of physics concerned with the nucleus of the atom.

Chemistry: It is the branch of science that deals with the composition, properties, reactions, and the structure of matter. The science of matter is also addressed by physics, but while physics takes a more general and fundamental approach. Chemistry involves how atoms, the smallest particles of the world, bind together to create compounds. Although this might seem minor, chemistry is responsible for nearly any household product you use. Hair care products, cleaning products, even the packaged foods you eat, are all based in chemistry. For example, in the lab, scientists use chemical reactions to make compounds that smell like certain natural foods. One of the earliest discoveries was methyl anthranilate, a compound that smells like grapes and was one of the original ingredients in grape Kool-Aid.

Other chemists had a more significant impact on the world. Marie Curie was the first to discover two new radioactive elements and to use radiation to treat cancerous tumors. Her work revolutionized medicine. Unfortunately, she eventually died of radiation exposure. Before her death, she received a Nobel Prize in Chemistry, one of the most esteemed awards for scientists. The chemist Louis Pasteur, discovered pasteurization, which is the process of heating liquids such as milk and orange juice to kill harmful germs. Biochemistry: the study of substances found in biological organisms; Physical chemistry: the study of chemical processes using physical concepts such as thermodynamics and quantum mechanics; Analytical chemistry: the analysis of material samples to gain an understanding of their chemical composition and structure. Many more specialized disciplines have emerged in recent years, e.g. Neurochemistry: the chemical study of the nervous system.

Earth sciences

            Earth science (also known as the geosciences) is a term for the sciences related to the planet Earth. It is arguably a special case in planetary science, the Earth being the only known life-bearing planet. Earth sciences may include the study of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. Typically Earth scientists will use tools from physics, chemistry, biology, geography, chronology and mathematics to build a quantitative understanding of how the Earth system works, and how it evolved to its current state.

Ecology: It is the scientific study of the relationships that living organisms have with each other and with their abiotic environment. Topics of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount (biomass), number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems.

Oceanography: (Oceanology, or marine science) It is the branch of Earth science that deals with the exploration and studies the ocean. It covers a wide range of topics, including marine organisms and ecosystem dynamics; ocean currents, waves, and geophysical fluid dynamics; plate tectonics and the geology of the sea floor; and fluxes of various chemical substances and physical properties within the ocean and across its boundaries. More than 70% of Earth’s surface is covered with water, mostly in the oceans. Scientists have visited the deepest parts of the ocean in submarines. Remote vehicles go where humans can't. Yet much of the ocean remains unexplored.

Geology: It is the branch of science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change. Geology can also refer generally to the study of the solid features of any celestial body (such as the geology of the Moon or geology of Mars). Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates. In modern times, geology is commercially important for mineral and hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation and for evaluating water resources. It is publicly important for the prediction and understanding of natural hazards, the remediation of environmental problems, and for providing insights into past climate change. Geology plays a role in geotechnical engineering and is a major academic discipline.

Meteorology: It is the branch of science that deals with the atmosphere and its phenomena, such as weather patterns, clouds, hurricanes, tornadoes and climate.

Paleontology: The science of the forms of life that existed in prehistoric or geologic period.

Geochemistry: It is the study of chemistry of earth’s crust.

Cartography: It is a branch of earth science which deals with the making of maps.

Seismology: It is the study of earthquakes and the movement of waves through the Earth.  

Cartographers make maps. Volcanologist is a geologist who studies volcanoes. Seismologist is a geologist who studies earthquakes and Paleontologist studies fossils.