Do you wish to pursue a career in academia in the scientific field? Learn more about every discipline of science and its subfields before deciding on a path. Students preparing for the science domain can also check the list of science branches and specialisations, with details on undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs, and the list of required admission tests.
Science branches are systematic investigations of natural and physical phenomena through experimentation and observation. To better understand this subject, scientists divided it into three primary branches: formal science, natural science, and social sciences. Science is divided into branches; however, there is sometimes overlap, and interdisciplinary disciplines have emerged. Biochemistry combines biology and chemistry, while astrophysics brings together physics and astronomy.
The basic sciences (social science, natural science, and formal sciences) serve as the foundation for multidisciplinary and everyday sciences such as medicine and engineering. It has its own scientific areas, classified into various categories and often including aspects of other scientific topics, but each has its own terminology and expert knowledge.
In this article, students will study the classification of scientific branches and how they are further divided into subfields. This will help students decide which undergraduate and postgraduate courses they want to do.
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Branches of Science
In the following sections, we will delve deeper into branches of science and their subfields, exploring their sub-disciplines and the fascinating discoveries they have unveiled.
- Natural Sciences: Investigate the physical universe and its places. These branches include Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy.
- Social Sciences: Politically assuming a human society and behavior. It includes all social sciences like Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, History, etc.
- Formal Sciences: Focus on abstract concepts and systems. This includes mathematics, logic, and computer science.
Branches of Science Are as Follows:
| Natural Science | Formal Science | Social Science |
| Biological Science
Physical Science |
Mathematics
Computer Science Logic Data Science Statics Information Technology Artificial Intelligence |
Sociology Economics Anthropology Political Science Social Psychology
|
Branches of Natural Science
Candidates who want to explore the various subfields in the natural sciences can read this section to get comprehensive knowledge about the categorization of the Natural sciences:
The natural sciences are a widely known field of science that is involved with the organization, estimation, and comprehension of the occurrences that are naturally found, centering on the experimental evidence from observation and experiment. And it investigates the physical world and its processes, in order to discover the forces and laws that make it work. Key areas that are included in Natural Science are: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Earth Science. These fields focus on life, matter, energy, and the planet we live on.
The Table Below Shows the Fields Under Natural Sciences:
| Physical Science | Biological Science |
| · Geology
· Chemistry · Physics · Meteorology · Astronomy · Earth Science |
· Zoology
· Botany · Microbiology · Ecology · Biochemistry |
Types of Branches of Natural Sciences: Physical Science
Physical Science is a science that deals with the study of the inorganic world or non-living world. Physical science differs from biological sciences, which study living organisms, as it studies non-living systems, including the learning of energy, matter, and the connections between them. It is a wide collection of fields, all of which add to the knowledge of the universe. The list of Physical Science subfields is as follows:
Physics
The most basic science that studies matter, energy, space, and time. It studies ideas like motion, force, gravity, electricity, magnetism, light, and the structure of atoms. Physicists use experimental work and mathematical modeling to put theories on a rigorous footing and arrive at new theories. Physics is a vast field with many branches. Classical physics describes macroscopic phenomena like mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism. Conversely, modern physics investigates the quantum realm, addressing the behavior of matter at atomic and subatomic scales, in addition to relativity theories.
Chemistry
Chemistry is referred to as the science of matter, particularly dealing with chemical reactions, their structures, properties, and chemical composition. At its heart, it explores the substances and compounds that fill our world and the changes they undergo. Chemists study the basic building blocks of matter: atoms, molecules, and ions. They examine how these particles interact to form various substances and how these substances can be transformed into new ones through chemical reactions. From the development of new materials and medicines to understanding environmental processes, chemistry plays a vital role in modern society.
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Chemistry is Mainly Divided Into Three Subdomains:
Inorganic chemistry: Inorganic chemistry refers to the branch that involves the study of compounds that do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds. This broad field covers the properties, structures, and reactions of the elements and their compounds, except organic compounds. One way to classify inorganic compounds is by grouping them into acids, salts, bases, and oxides. This includes metals, minerals, and allotropes of carbon like carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Organic Chemistry: It is referred to as the branch of chemistry that studies carbon compounds. It studies the composition, properties, structure, reactions, and preparation of molecules that are organic in nature. Organic chemistry studies functional groups, reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, and spectroscopy, among others. Their work is fundamental to the creation of pharmaceuticals, polymers, dyes, and other essential products.
Physical Chemistry: It bridges the gap between physics and chemistry, applying the principles of physics to understand chemical systems. It explores the underlying physical principles governing chemical phenomena. Key areas within physical chemistry include thermodynamics (energy and heat transfer), quantum chemistry (behavior of matter at atomic and subatomic levels), kinetics (reaction rates), spectroscopy (interaction of matter with electromagnetic radiation), and electrochemistry (chemical processes involving electric currents). By understanding these fundamental concepts, physical chemists contribute to advancements in materials science, nanotechnology, and energy research.
Earth Sciences
Earth sciences, or geosciences, are the scientific studies of our planet Earth. This field of study juxtaposes Biological, Chemical, and Physical processes that govern the Earth as a complex system. It investigates the solid, liquid, and gaseous totality of the Earth, including rocks, minerals, water, air, and life itself.
Major fields in earth sciences comprise Meteorology (study of the atmosphere and the weather), Geology (study of rocks and the structure of the earth), Oceanography (study of oceans), and Environmental Science (study of the impacts of humans on the environment). Collectively, these disciplines enable us to comprehend where the Earth has come from, where it currently is, and where it is headed.
Types of Branches of Natural Sciences: Biological Sciences
It is referred to as the scientific analysis of living organisms and life, and their composition, function, development, origin, distribution, and evolution are called the biological sciences or life sciences. From the study of cells and small microscopic organisms to complex life forms and ecosystems of our planet. At the core of biology is the study of life in its most basic forms and functions: growth, reproduction, metabolism, and heredity. Biology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, structure, function, and taxonomy of living organisms. What we learn from this data is key to tackling disease, climate change, and food security around the world.
There are so many branches working in this field, which is said to be a specific aspect of life. Unsurprisingly, there are many sub-disciplines of biology; for example, botany (plants), zoology (animals), microbiology (micro-organisms), genetics (heredity), and so on. Other branches include biochemistry, molecular biology, ecology, and physiology. These disciplines interact and overlap often and allow for a holistic view of the living world.
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Branches of Sciences: Formal Science
Formal sciences are not considered scientific because they do not focus on nature or the social world, but instead deal with abstractions such as mathematics. These fields use logic and mathematical structures to describe and reason about these abstract objects. Contrary to other branches, the formal sciences are not concerned with the validation of theories. When considering their reference to the real world (empirical knowledge), in other words, with the properties of proper systems, when considering their axioms and inference rules. Therefore, there is a division of opinion on whether the formal sciences can be considered as science or not. Formal scientific methods are important to the testing and formulation of scientific models addressing processes of the observable reality, and major advances in formal sciences have repeatedly cemented the way to major advances in the field of empirical sciences.
Characteristics of Formal Science
- Abstractness: Formal sciences focus on concepts and abstractions without specific significance in the physical world. These units of meaning are usually encoded as symbols or mathematical formulas.
- Deductive Reasoning: Deduction, the process of deriving logically from general principles to arrive at facts, is the primary method of inquiry for the formal sciences. This is a philosophy that enables the establishment of fresh insights based on current ideas.
- Axiomatic Systems: Many formal sciences are modeled using systems of axioms, a set of axioms. These axioms are the axioms from which you derive other statements, and you accept them without proof.
- Formal Language: Formal sciences employ a system of symbols and rules for combining them, which are called formal languages, and are precise and unambiguous. These are just (just in case definition) two of the many languages that allow us to communicate and analyze common ground.
Logic
Logic is the formal, systematic study of valid inference. It studies the principles and methods of valid inference and deduction. Logic, the basis for sound arguments and conclusions, specifies the content of formal sciences.
- Formal logic concentrates on the form of argument, irrespective of its matter. It studies how conclusions follow from premises, according to the rules of inference. It deals with the study of propositions, which are statements that have a truth value (true or false), and the logical connectives that join them (including, for instance, “and,” “or,” “if-then” and “not”).
- Mathematics: A Formal science, most famously includes mathematics. It is concerned with numbers, quantities, shapes, and the relationships between them. Mathematics is everywhere, applied to nearly every discipline of human activity, from physics and engineering to economics and finance.
- Computer Science: Computer science is an academic discipline that is relatively young and focuses on the theory, design, development, and application of computers and computer-based systems. It covers diverse topics, from algorithms and data structures to programming languages and artificial intelligence.
- Statistics: Statistics is the art of collecting, organizing, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data. It delivers techniques for making generalizations about populations from sample data. The use of statistics is common in social sciences, economics, medicine, etc.
Applications of Formal Science
Formal sciences cover a wide range of applications in different fields. Some notable examples include:
- Engineering: The formal sciences, especially mathematics and physics, are crucial to the formulation and analysis of engineering structures and systems.
- Physics: The physical sciences use the structures provided by the formal sciences.
- Economics: The formal sciences are also pushing the limits of computer hardware and software development.
- Computer Science: Formal sciences are fundamental to the development of computer hardware and software.
- Social Sciences: These include the use of formal sciences (like statistics and mathematics) to analyze social data and test hypotheses.
- Law: Formal sciences, such as those that are particularly applied to the analysis of legal arguments and the evaluation of evidence, include logical sciences such as mathematics and statistics.
- Medicine: One of the three branches of science, the formal sciences, is used to analyze medical data and develop new treatments through statistics.
Branches of Science: Social Science
The social sciences, a vast field that covers the gamut of human experiences, explore human behavior, culture, and society in the most comprehensive way. This branch aims to comprehend and elucidate the different dimensions of human relationships, from personal psychology to global social phenomena.
Branches of Social Sciences
The social sciences encompass a diverse range of branches, each with its unique focus and methodologies. Here are some of the primary branches:
Anthropology
Anthropology refers to the study of human societies, their expansion, and cultures. Anthropologists study language, religion, kinship, technology, and much more. Positive Anthropology is the science involved in the study of cultures, peoples, and civilizations through research, observation, and relative analysis.
- Cultural Anthropology: It refers to the study based on the study of human cultures, which includes their practices, beliefs, values, and customs.
- Physical Anthropology: Examines the biological and evolutionary features of human beings, plus genetics, palaeoanthropology, and variation in humans.
- Linguistic Anthropology: Investigates the relationship between language and culture, studying the composition, history, and social purposes of languages.
Economics
Economics is the science that analyses the distribution, production, and consumption of services and goods. Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and how human behavior interacts with economic systems. They have used mathematical models, statistical analysis, and economic theories to analyze and better comprehend economic phenomena.
- Macroeconomics: Examines the overall performance of an economy, including inflation, unemployment, and economic growth.
- Microeconomics: Focuses on the behavior of individual consumers, firms, and markets.
- Development Economics: Studies the economic development of countries, particularly those transitioning from poverty to prosperity.
Geography
Geography studies the land on the Earth’s surface along with the physical features and arrangement of human activities. Researchers in geography study how human settlements, economic activities, and environmental processes are distributed in space. These will typically use maps, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS) to dissect spatial data.
- Human Geography: Focuses on the study of human activities and their spatial distribution, including population, urbanization, and cultural landscapes.
- Physical Geography: Examines the physical features of the Earth, such as climate, landforms, and natural resources.
History
History is how we think about the past. Historians gather primary and secondary sources to create the story of the past and analyze what led to past events and their effects. Many critical thinking, research methods, and historical theories are used to interpret the understanding of the past.
- Political History: Focuses on the study of political systems, governments, and political leaders.
- Economic History: Examines the economic development and changes in societies over time.
- Social History: Investigates the social structures, customs, and experiences of people in the past.
Political Science
Political science is the study of the systems of governance and the analysis of political activity and behavior. Political scientists study the theory and practice of politics by examining political institutions, political behavior, and political theory. Researchers use empirical research methods, case studies, and theoretical analysis to explain political action.
- Comparative Politics: Compares political systems and institutions across different countries.
- International Relations: Studies the interactions between states and other actors in the global arena.
- Political Theory: Examines the philosophical foundations of political thought and institutions.
Psychology
Psychology is the science of behavior and mind. Psychologists study topics as diverse as cognition, emotion, personality, and social behavior. They use experimental methods, surveys, and case studies to learn about human psychology.
- Cognitive Psychology: Studies mental processes such as perception, attention, memory, and problem-solving.
- Social Psychology: Examines the influence of social factors on human behavior and attitudes.
- Developmental Psychology: Investigates the development of human cognition, emotion, and behavior throughout the lifespan.
Sociology
Sociology is the study of human society, social institutions, and social relationships. Sociologists study the social in people, groups, organizations, and communities. Using qualitative and quantitative research tools to make sense of social phenomena
- Social Theory: Develops and tests theories about society and social behavior.
- Social Demography: Studies population trends, including birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns.
- Criminology: Examines the causes and consequences of crime.
Interdisciplinary Nature of Social Sciences
Although each branch of social science has its specific focus, there is a lot of overlap and interdependency among branches. Most social science research questions need insights from different disciplines to understand them completely. Studies of poverty, for example, might draw on insights from economics, sociology, and anthropology.
Written by: Saumya Sarin
Published by: Motion JEE/NEET Academic Team
Last Updated: March 2026
FAQs on All Branches of Science and Their Subfields
Q: What are the 10 main branches of science?
The 10 major branches of Science are as follows:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Astronomy
- Zoology
- Medicine
- Earth Science
- Astrophysics
- Biomedicine
- Environmental Science
Q: How many kinds of science are there?
There are various kinds of science. The most frequently requested subjects are Social Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, etc.
Q: What are the four main branches of science?
The four main branches of science are:
| Branch of Science | What It Studies | Key Subjects / Examples |
| Social Science | Study of human behavior and society | Psychology, Economics, Sociology |
| Physical Science | Study of matter, energy, and forces | Physics, Chemistry |
| Earth Science | Study of Earth’s structure and natural processes | Geology, Meteorology |
| Life Science | Study of living organisms and life processes | Biology, Ecology |
Q: What is the name of the branch of science that covers the human body?
The branch of science that deals with the human body is Anatomy & Physiology.
Q: What are the popular jobs in life sciences?
The popular jobs in life sciences are: Zoologist, Biochemist, Virologist, Biologist, Biotechnologist, Botanist, Pharmacologist, Forensic Scientist, etc.
Q: What are the sub-branches of Biology?
Biology includes subfields such as:
| Biology and Its Subfields | ||
| Branch of Biology | What It Studies | Key Focus / Example |
| Biology | Study of living organisms and life processes | Humans, plants, animals, cells |
| Genetics | Study of heredity and variation in organisms | DNA, genes, inheritance patterns |
| Botany | Study of plants and plant life | Trees, crops, photosynthesis |
| Zoology | Study of animals and animal biology | Mammals, birds, and marine life |
| Ecology | Study of ecosystems and environmental relationships | Food chains, climate impact |
| Microbiology | Study of microorganisms | Bacteria, viruses, fungi |
Q: What is Earth science, and why is it important?
Earth Science refers to the study of the Earth and its processes (such as geology, meteorology, oceanography, and environmental science). This is essential as it allows us to study natural events, which include earthquakes, weather conditions, and climatic effects, enabling us to anticipate natural disasters and sustain our surroundings.
Q: What are the applications of chemistry in other scientific branches?
Chemistry, a major branch of physical science, plays a crucial role in various scientific fields. For instance:
- In biology, chemistry helps explain biochemical reactions within living organisms.
- In medicine, chemistry aids in drug development and the study of diseases.
- In environmental science, chemistry is used to understand pollution and environmental protection.
Q: What are the branches of physical science?
Physical science is divided into the following main branches:
- Physics: The study of matter, energy, and forces.
- Chemistry: The study of substances, their properties, reactions, and the formation of new substances.
- Astronomy: The study of celestial bodies and the universe as a whole.
- Materials Science: The study of materials and their properties for practical applications.
Q: What are interdisciplinary sciences?
They merge several branches to form new fields such as biochemistry and data science.
