Life, Physical, and Social Science

Scientists in this wide-ranging field use different tools: Some use trowels, some use spread sheets and others conduct interviews. As a result, working in Life, Physical & Social Sciences can mean being a microbiologist, weather forecaster or a political commentator.

These seemingly different careers share a scientific objective: Using both theoretical and applied research to understand and find solutions to problems.

From cells to ecosystems, life scientists study interrelationships in the environment. Humans are powerful influences on these systems, prompting life scientists to explore causalities and solutions. By contrast, physical scientists dwell in the study of non-living systems. But it is not a dead science – it is rich in discoveries from astronomy, chemistry and earth sciences. Successful social scientists use both creativity and logic to seek and analyze new information about society, behavior and relationships among individuals, groups and institutions. Not surprisingly, nearly half work for the government.