Introduction: Science is defined as a body of empirical, theoretical and practical knowledge about the natural world. Practitioners of science are called scientists, who make use of scientific methods which emphasize observation, experimentation and explanation of real world phenomena. The word scientist was first used by William Whewell in the 19th century. Previously, investigators of nature called themselves natural philosophers.

Science is often described as having a dual status. It is both objective and has a human construct. It therefore follows that science draws on historical methods of both intellectual history and social history.

The history of science as an academic field began with the publication of William Whewell’s History of the Inductive Sciences in 1837. This was followed by a more formal study of the history of science as an independent discipline by George Sarton’s in 1927. The Isis Journal founded in 1912, contained articles dealing with the history of mathematics, technology and philosophy.

A great deal of the study of the history of science has been devoted to answering questions about the nature of science and its functions. The sociology of science focuses on ways in which scientists work, and how they develop scientific knowledge. A common trend in the 1960s, in the study of science has been to emphasize the human component of scientific knowledge.

A major area of concern and controversy in the philosophy of science has been the nature of theory change in science. Karl Popper stated that scientific knowledge is progressive and cumulative. Thomas Kuhn stated that scientific knowledge moves though paradigm shifts and is not necessarily cumulative or progressive. Paul Feyerabend stated that scientific knowledge is not cumulative or progressive and that there is no demarcation in terms of method between science and any other forms of investigation.

The publication of Kuhn’s book entitled: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions in 1962, sparked much debate among historians, sociologists, and philosophers on the meaning and objectivity of science.

The willingness to question previously held beliefs and truths and the search for new and better answers resulted in a period of scientific discovery and advancement, known as the Scientific Revolution. Most historians would agree that the scientific revolution begun in the year 1543, when De Revolutionibus was published by the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. This period culminated with the publication of the Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematicia in 1687 by Isaac Newton.

Other significant scientific advances were made during this time by Galileo Galilei, Edmond Halley, Robert Hooke, Christiaan Huygens, Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, Gottfried Leibniz, and Blaise Pascal. In philosophy, major contributions were made by Francis Bacon, Sir Thomas Browne, René Descartes, and Thomas Hobbes. The scientific method was also better developed as the modern way of thinking emphasized experimentation and reason over traditional considerations.

The scientific revolution often described as “a flowering of the Renaissance” viewed as a foundation of modern science. During the 19th, century, science and its practice became professionalized and institutionalized which continued through the 20th century. The scientific revolution became established as the preeminent source for the growth of scientific knowledge.

Prominent discoveries in science:  In 1847, Hungarian physician Ignác Fülöp Semmelweis dramatically reduced the occurrency of puerperal fever by the simple experiment of requiring physicians to wash their hands before attending to women in childbirth. This discovery predated the germ theory of disease.  In 1865, British surgeon Joseph Lister, proved the principles of antisepsis.  In 1880, Louis Pasteur produced a vaccine against rabies. Pasteur invented the process of pasteurization, to help prevent the spread of disease through milk and other foods.  In 1859, Charles Darwin proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection.  In 1866, Gregor Mendel developed the laws of inheritance.  In 1953, James D. Watson, Francis Crick and Rosalind Franklin clarified the basic structure of DNA, the genetic material for expressing life in all its forms.  In the late 20th century, the possibilities of genetic engineering became practical for the first time, and a massive international effort began in 1990 to map out an entire human genome (the Human Genome Project) as having large medical benefits.

The study of computer science can cover a broad spectrum of computer training, and there are many different choices when researching computer science schools. Computer courses can offer training for professional certification, as well as several levels of college degrees in computer science and computer technology. The choice is up to you.

The various schools for computer science across the US and Canada are designed to prepare future computer technicians, programmers, network engineers, and others for professional employment in the computer sciences field. The study of computer sciences can cover a huge range of education in computer technology, so it is best to think about your ultimate goal for the future before enrolling in any computer science courses.

If you are seeking professional certification in one area of computers, there are hundreds of computer programs to choose from, ranging from vocational and trade schools, all the way to colleges and universities. Some will require previous experience or training in computers, while others will allow you to start from square one. Again, prerequisites will always depend on the specific computer course.

Those who are seeking an advanced position in computer networking or computer information technology (IT) will do well to look into college degrees in computer science. Associate of Science Degrees (AS), Bachelor of Science Degrees (BS), and Master of Science Degrees (MS) would be the natural progression of computer science degrees. There are even some universities that offer a Doctorate of Science in Computer Science, which would be the terminal degree in this field. Obviously, the higher-level degrees will provide you with improved employment potential as well as a higher salary range.

You might also do well to include some business courses along with your computer education, especially if you are planning to enter the fields of business technology, office administration or management. Best to check with individual computer science schools to find a good curriculum to suit your aspirations.

The key is to look carefully at all the choices offered in computer training before you decide on a course of action. To find out more, submit a request to some selected computer science colleges on our website, and they will quickly respond with all the information you need to make a sound decision for a brighter future.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com. Copyright 2007 - All Rights Reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.

There are many opportunities in the health industry. Individuals, who enjoy learning about the body, enjoy studying and researching medicine and science, and those that enjoy helping others are great candidates for health related careers. In this article, you will learn a number of engaging facts regarding careers in health.

When exploring careers in health, you will discover that there are hundreds and hundreds of jobs for you to choose from. Some jobs focus on medicine, while others focus on direct care. There are some health careers that focus on the young, and some that focus on the old. Many positions work to assist people with mental issues, and some work to help those who need help with physical conditions. The career that you select in the health field will be based on your interests, and what type of work you are interested in pursuing.

The career in health that you select will be the determining factor is what type of college coursework that you will be required to take part in. However, listed below are some common courses that are required of individuals that work within the health industry:

1. Biological Sciences 2. Basic Medical Sciences 3. Various Math Courses 4. Various Science Courses 5. Health Professions 6. Medicine 7. Psychology 8. Sociology 9. Latin 10. Biomedical Engineering 11. Computer Science 12. Dentistry 13. Microbiology 14. Nuclear and Radiological Engineering 15. Entomology and Nematology 16. Occupational Therapy

It is important to understand that many of the above-mentioned courses are designed for specific studies within the health field. There is general coursework that involves English, Writing, Mathematics, and Science that are generally required with all studies of health related careers.

If you enjoy helping people, and you are interested in helping people with the common issues that they face in life, you may consider working in the health field of mental health. There are numerous positions within this particular branch of medicine. You may pursue a career in social work, general counseling, psychology, drug rehabilitation, clinical studies, psychiatry, and even become a counselor at a school or in a jail! Careers in the mental health field are very exciting and they pay relatively well. The average worker in mental health makes around $10.00. The highest level career in mental health can make as much as $200,000.00 a year or more.

If you enjoy working with people who have been born with physical deformities or those that have been injured, you may elect to work in the health field of physical therapy or sports medicine. These positions pay relatively well. The average therapist makes around $65,000.00 annually. You can help a person learn to live with their disability and be more independent, or you can help an injured person gain the strength that they need in order to regain their independence.

Many individuals enjoy medicine and health in general. For these individuals, a career in general medicine may be the right choice. You can select from administration, nursing, or even goes as far as becoming a doctor. Most individuals who pursue this type of career in health will gain employment through local clinics and health departments. Many of these individuals will work up to opening their own practices. Individuals within this health field capacity will make as little as $8.00 per hour to as much as a salary that is equivalent to $30.00 or more an hour.

There are many who enjoy the health field that will focus on various types of machines, tests, and engineering in the medical field. This may include jobs that include radiology, ultrasound technology, and testing blood. These types of careers in health often require certain coursework that is relative to the work that they will be performing. Physics, electronics, computer related courses, and higher levels of mathematics are often common to these types of studies. If you enter this type of career in health, you may receive as much as $100,000.00 per year or more.

There are many companies in the United States and Canada that offer numerous types of careers within the career field. Some of the top rated companies in these areas include:

1. Hospitals 2. Clinics 3. Psychiatric Units 4. Specialty Medical Departments 5. The Neuropathy Association in the United States 6. The Mayo Clinic in the United States 7. Extendicare Inc in Canada 8. Arbor Memorial Services Inc. in Canada 9. World Heart Corporation in Canada 10. The American Heart Association in the United States 11. The American Cancer Society in the United States 12. Shands at The University of Florida in the United States 13. Canada Pharmacy in Canada

Sociology is an intricate study of humankind on many forms. Whether it be focused on the individual, the family, or a city, sociology takes an in depth look at humanity itself and analyzes it from many different angles. These are just a few examples of how sociology can analyze the subject. This article will examine six significant factors and give a better look on sociology itself.

First there are general basics. Sociology has its roots in the Enlightenment. With the want for more information, more understanding of the world, man started to focus on the very thing he created himself: society. Humankind began to analyze everything and anything that they could. It wasn’t surprising when they started to really analyze themselves. This, in a way, is what sociology is. Sociology is the study of human behavior, from its origins to its evolutions. It is the analysis of the development of mankind.

With the increase in human development, there became a higher variety of human-life. It changed form as it moved across the world, from rural to urban, from one religion to another, from one race to another. This is why sociology is important to the world. It breaks down all the information and reorganizes it most effectively.

Sociology is a science like many others, though it is quite different in the same way. Closest to it might be psychology, though different on many levels. What makes sociology an unique science is its focus on humanity. Though seemingly easy at first, after a good look one can recognize the complex behavior of mankind that has evolved over thousands of years from having a society. This makes sociology important both to the present and the future, for it takes what has happened in the past and present and uses the information effectively in understanding groups, individuals, and society itself.

Like a science, there are many different ways one can study and record this information. Surveys are one of the major ones. There are also observational studies and experiments. Sociological experiments can be like other scientific ones, with variables for scientific research, but lots of the times the answers aren’t so simple. It takes a good eye and mind to analyze the data, making sociology a more delicate process in the long run.

The second item to focus on is culture. Culture is the grouping of specific mindsets that have developed over time in certain parts of the world, allowing any scientist or onlooker to realize general differences between groups and make general recognitions this way. Thus said, it is an important factor to take into account when dealing with sociological information. There are so many different cultures in the world that they act like variables in giant analytic experiments for the sociologist.

Culture can be broken down into many different aspects or parts. One important one to note is language. Language both creates barriers and brings worlds together. Different languages cause speed bumps in scientific or any form of study throughout the world. It is but one way people can be so different from each other. But the very act of language, or the development of it both psychologically and historically have a strong impact on sociology. It brings insight further into the culture of the people being studying and allows the sociologist more key and individual information. Almost like religion and politics, language has a unique way of developing that reflects both on the culture and history of those that use it, finding its roots being mixed and interwoven like many of the people who make use of it.

A third important item to focus on is the social structure. The social structure is the creation of different levels in society throughout the world to better define and understand how society itself works. It is not man made in that people can decide how many layers there are to society or the different reactions between different levels. It is an evolution of society itself, changing from culture to culture or place to place.

Social structure can be broken down into looking at society as having different statuses and different roles. Individuals are not all equal as much as humankind would like to think it sometime. Through hard work, misfortune, or pure luck people find themselves on different levels of society compared to the person standing next to them or even the person they were a month, week, or day ago. Status can be looked at as the person’s worth through society’s eyes. People tend to use this as the way to judge others quickly. Though not necessarily negative in that there are different statuses, it has for the most part been associated with a negative, almost snooty view when used to analyze others. Role is much deeper, though, and can defy status in many different ways. While status can be looked at as almost just a term or some physical measurement of humans in society, the role is a much deeper, more personal experience. This is to say that it is not so clear what everyone’s role is on first glance. Through careful study and critiquing, one could evaluate another or a whole group and come to a logical assumption or even answer to what their role is, but for the most part it is more of a show and tell kind of deal. It is not evident always, nor is the level of evidence equal from one to another. Simply, it is the bond that an individual has with society, telling their purpose on how they hold the society together.

A good part of culture, sociology, and society are groups. Not everything is on the individual level. The size of the group affects the effectiveness of productivity. Too small of a group might lead to too many unanswered questions, while too large could grow so complex that many overlooked factors have been uncounted for. The perfect size, this balance between small and large, between answerable and countable, is not clear. It is dependent on the answers and topic that is being questioned at the time. One might need a large group to make references about a whole city, province or even country. On the other hand, a smaller group might give better information about a specific area or classing or even status in a certain place or time.

These groups could be societies themselves. Societies are merely just humans grouped by distinguishable differences in culture, mind, history, relationship, and teachings. It appears to be a complicated system of organization, but it is no different in culture, religion, or role/status in its way of defining and dedicating answers to truth. It can be used to find common grounds and further separate viewpoints and information from larger groupings. Societies are very important groups of people, both to the real world and to sociology.

The fourth important item is socialization. Socialization is the way of converting or forming into the very definitions of society. This is a great way to show how humans differentiate from other animals. The complexity of our societies and groups is what defines us as humans, accounted with our rationality of course. Our interaction with each other is at a much more vital and intricate level. We go beyond the instinctive world and step into rationality. This is what makes our forms of communication, our languages, our social behaviors the way they are. This is what makes us so easily adaptable in the world. We are so heavily reliant on some form of socialization, that to think of world without it would mean thinking of a world without humans. Without it there would be no structure, no balance, nor order to our ways. We would be almost like primitive homo sapiens and other ancient races of man, only worse because we would be going from socialization and not towards it.

The fifth major factor in sociology is race and ethnicity. Like culture and religion, race can play an important role to a society and its social structure. A certain race can bring benefits to itself in one place while another can be discriminated against with equality. Even still, one race can experience both extremes throughout the world and even in the same proximity. Races, ethnicities and groups can be broken down into majority and minority. This is like most social classing. Majority refers to the more populace or the ones that have the most power in that given area. Minority is just in the opposite, referring to the weaker of the two either size/numbers or politics/power.

It is important to note the difference between race and ethnicity here. Race refers to the grouping of people through biological similarities and histories while ethnicity is created from both racial and cultural ties, making it not necessarily inherit in that it’s physically in a person’s blood, but inherit in that it is so tightly woven to the history of the person and his/her people that it has been a kind of grouping. Though there are some that will deny races exist at all, scientists have generally agreed on there being only three races. Humans in general assume or at least say there are many more, confusing both races and ethnicity with each other and other groups. By the common human’s understanding of the word race, it is so misunderstood that it has no biological reference whatsoever. But on scientific terms, race would require an evolutionary viewpoint to accept it as been true.

The sixth item and factor is gender. Gender plays an important part in sociology like any of the humane sciences. There is a definite difference between man and woman. This is the case both physically and mentally (though in some instances the two are interrelated by definition in psychology). Sex is the more scientific look upon the situation, while gender is the social. While both imply the two different forms of sexual creatures, male and female, the word sex tends to just refer to this while gender also implies the identity created by this distinction in both society and cultures.

There are numerous other factors to sociology, but these are six of the most important and first focused on when researching across the world. In truth, the structure of society, of mankind and all things it has created, is a complex and delicate one. Each piece is carefully placed, woven, tied and held there by another. So tight they are that if one falls it is hard to tell how many will follow suit. Just as much as we can not say what event will move us in the next direction, we can not know what event will slow us down, stop us, or even be our downfall. Sociology can only understand the here and now.

Science is a fascinating subject for any age because of how applicable the concepts are to our everyday life. There are several different categories associated with science including, earth science, life science, and physical science. We will be speaking specifically about earth science for now. Earth science deals with the many different processes that take place on our planet. Earth science is inescapable and ever-present (which is part of its appeal in many cases). Below are some examples of specialties that deal with earth science. You will find brief definitions as well as some of the sub-disciplines that are part of that area of study.

Geology - Geology describes the land or rocky parts of the Earth’s crust and its development over time. Major sub-disciplines include: mineralogy and petrology, geochemistry, geomorphology, paleontology, stratigraphy, engineering geology and sedimentology.

Geodesy and Geophysics - these disciplines investigate the figure of the Earth. More specifically this means the study of the earth’s reaction to forces and its potential fields that involve both magnetism and gravity. Geophysicists explore the science deep inside the Earth’s core and mantle.

Soil science - Soil is considered the outermost layer of the Earth’s crust. A soil scientist investigates the formation processes of the soil. Major sub-disciplines include: edaphology and pedology.

Oceanography and Hydrology - Geology describes the land and oceanography describes the ocean. This includes all marine and freshwater parts of the Earth. Major sub-disciplines include: hydrogeology and physical, chemical, and biological oceanography.

Glaciology - If you know what a glacier is you can probably guess what a Glaciologist would study (here’s a hint: the icy parts of the Earth).

Atmospheric sciences - Earth is more than just land and sea, it is the parts that we don’t see as well. Atmospheric sciences cover investigation of the gaseous parts (a.k.a. the atmosphere) of the Earth. Major sub-disciplines are Meteorology, Climatology and Agronomy.

So you see that there is no where you can go on earth to escape science. It is in the ground that we walk on, in the water we swim in, and in the air that we breathe. Who wouldn’t want to know more about earth sciences?!

Earth sciences are not only interesting but they can be beautiful too. You can get your child more involved in earth sciences by showing him the beauty of nature. Whether your child’s interests lie with finding shinny rocks or mountain biking, there are ways to apply science to the things that they love to do outdoors.