What is Science?
Science is the study of the nature and behavior of natural things and the knowledge that we obtain about them. People who study science are called scientists and science can be broken up into many different areas and specialties.
Mathematics and logic are known as formal sciences. The physical sciences include physics, astronomy, chemistry, geology, metallurgy) and the biological sciences of zoology, botany, genetics, paleontology, molecular biology, and physiology.
What 3rd level courses are available?
Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering Science courses in the following subject areas:
- Fundamentals of Biology – The study of scientific methods, the chemistry of living things, and organic chemistry.
- Human Biology Diploma – the study of the Human Body system and all of the major components which make it up.
- Mastering Microbiology – Gain an in-depth awareness of immunology, the biology of bacteria, various infections, and much more!
- Investigative Biology – Develop your scientific and practical skills through three laboratory-based biological investigations, regulation, and control, energy and Carbon dioxide in plants.
- General Chemistry – The study of the fundamentals of chemistry, so you can understand atoms, gases, kinetics, and much more.
- Applied Science: Analytical Chemistry – Gain the theoretical and practical skills for employment in a diverse range of industries that require analytical chemical expertise.
- Geology – Introduces the fundamentals of the scientific study of the Earth and the practical skills required to understand and interpret geological features and processes.
- MSc in Astrophysics & Relativity – Gain advanced knowledge of astrophysics, general relativity, computational science, and data analysis and the up-to-date skills required to understand the universe we live in.
- Physics by Experiment – An introduction to experimental physics, with hands-on experience of practical techniques and experiments, in well-equipped laboratories under professional supervision.
Studying Science in college
Many Science courses take place over 1 year to 4 years depending on the course and modules selected. There are also part-time courses and night courses available so you can be sure to fit in your studies no matter what your schedule is like.
Courses will cover theory work through lectures, assignments, tutorials, and taught modules. Assessments will take place continuously with written examinations and practical assignments combined to achieve a qualification. You could also consider work experience or internships at universities or other professional bodies in the fields of your interest.
Work Experience will not only allow you to obtain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the industry, but it will also give you a chance to do some essential networking with other industry professionals and gain valuable contacts for the future.
Career options
After completing a course in Science you will be able to get started in a career that uses specific knowledge of science concepts and theories.
The science sector has a huge number of careers to choose from. From jobs in laboratories and hospitals to those in factories, offices, and pharmacies there are so many options and you will need to discover which is right for you.
Working hours in the science industry will depend on whether you are employed by a company with set business hours or if you are contracted to various facilities or companies. The hours are usually full-time, Monday to Friday. However some careers in the field such as science writers will sometimes have to work long hours to meet deadlines, so you’ll need a flexible approach to working extra to accommodate breaking news and in-depth, time-consuming projects.
You could also expect to work some long hours, including evenings and weekends, to fit in time for things like lectures and lecture preparation, tutorials, your research, marking, outreach work, open days, students’ supervision, and administrative tasks. Depending on your subject area, you may work in lecture theatres, classrooms, studios, laboratories, libraries, hospital wards, or outdoors if your activities include fieldwork.
Related jobs include:
- Analytical chemist
- Animal technician
- Biomedical scientist
- Clinical scientist
- Community pharmacist
- Crime scene investigator
- Food technologist
- Forensic scientist
- Medicinal chemist
- Meteorologist
- Microbiologist
- Nanotechnologist
- Pharmacologist
- Research scientist
- Science writer
- Teaching laboratory technician
- Toxicologist
- Astronomer
- Clinical research associate
- Clothing/textile technologist
- Colour technologist
- Hospital pharmacist
- Medical science liaison
- Metallurgist
- Neuroscientist
- Oceanographer
- Plant breeder/geneticist
- Product/process development scientist
- Scientific laboratory technician
- Water quality scientist
Further study
After completing a course in Science you may choose to pursue further study in a specialist field to increase your knowledge base and skillset. Postgraduate study can also be used as a means to change career focus or to gain professional qualifications required to practice in certain career areas.
FAQ
Why is Science important?
Science is valued by society because the application of scientific knowledge helps to satisfy many basic human needs and improve living standards.
Science contributes to ensuring a longer and healthier life monitors our health, provides medicine to cure our diseases, alleviates aches and pains, helps us to provide water for our basic needs – including our food, provides energy, and makes life more fun, including sports, music, entertainment and the latest communication technology.
Science generates solutions for everyday life and helps us to answer the great mysteries of the universe. Science truly is one of the most important channels of knowledge.
Where can I study Science?
Explore your options here
Did You Know?
· The Eiffel Tower can be up to 15 cm taller during the summer – when a substance is heated up its particles move more and it takes up a larger volume, this is known as thermal expansion. Conversely, a drop in temperature causes it to contract again.
· Hawaii moves 7.5cm closer to Alaska every year. The Earth’s crust is split into gigantic pieces called tectonic plates. These plates are in constant motion, propelled by currents in the Earth’s upper mantle. Hawaii sits in the middle of the Pacific Plate, which is slowly drifting northwest towards the North American Plate, back to Alaska. The plates’ pace is comparable to the speed at which our fingernails grow.
· Some metals are so reactive that they explode in contact with water. There are certain metals – including potassium, sodium, lithium, rubidium, and cesium – that are so reactive that they oxidize instantly when exposed to air and can even cause an explosion.
· It takes 8 minutes, 19 seconds for light to travel from the Sun to the Earth and five and a half hours to reach Pluto.
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