Natural Sciences
The study of naturally occurring objects or phenomena
Natural science is one of the four disciplines that house many fields in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Natural science fields study the science of naturally occurring objects or phenomena and include the physical sciences (chemistry and physics), earth sciences (earth and environmental science), the life sciences (biological sciences), and others.
Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics, which may be grouped with the natural sciences, may also be called mathematical science (more below!) or formal science. Formal sciences generate knowledge by studying and using formal systems or systems independent of direct human influence. Mathematics is also described as the language of the sciences since mathematics is a tool applied across the sciences for research purposes.
Learn more about natural science research and the unique ways each field contributes to our understanding of the surrounding world.
Natural science research characteristics
Natural science research generally uses quantitative methods to collect, organize, and analyze data.
Quantitative research describes research studies that collect numeric data or cases where the data can be converted into numbers and measured. Quantitative research is used in natural science and social science research; however, the variables that make up the data or the data forms may look different and reflect distinct research areas.
In quantitative studies, the researcher usually begins with a hypothesis and aims to explore a relationship among measured variables because researchers believe there is an objective social reality that may be studied. This may include the researchers attempting to explain a relationship, predict a relationship, or control a relationship among the studied variables. By the end of the research, the researcher can confirm or reject the hypothesis they set out to test.
Since natural science research generally involves testing or confirming a hypothesis, researchers often use deductive reasoning to organize and make sense of the data. In deductive reasoning, the goal is to use new data to test theoretical concepts and patterns. As a result, deductive research is known as theory-testing research because the findings may support, challenge, or improve the theory used in the study.
This is why scholars suggest that knowledge is discovered or observed in quantitative natural science research.
Examples of natural science research may include experimental studies in lab-controlled settings.
Fields of study in LAS
Below are the fields in LAS that belong to the natural sciences. Select fields of interest to learn more and review the subfields or areas of specialization within a field. As you explore research areas, note themes or topics of interest and affiliated faculty to become familiar with their contributions to the field.
Description
What is biological science:
According to the LAS Biological Science Department, Biological Science is “the study of life in all its forms.” Read more: About | Biological Sciences | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu)
What do biological scientists study:
Research areas/subfields and faculty specialties: Research by Area | Biological Sciences | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu)
Research summaries for each professor: Research | Biological Sciences | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu)
For additional information on what biological scientists do, visit the American Institute of Biologists:
Areas of Study
What is chemistry:
According to the American Chemical Society, “Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it can undergo. Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Understanding the basic properties of matter and learning how to predict and explain how they change when they react to form new substances is what chemistry and chemists are all about.” Read more: Chemistry Is Everywhere – American Chemical Society (acs.org)
What do chemists study:
Research areas/subfields and faculty specialties: Research | Chemistry | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu)
For additional information on what chemists do across the six main areas of chemistry, visit the American Chemical Society:
earth and environmental science
What is earth and environmental sciences:
According to the LAS Earth and Environmental Sciences Departments, Earth and Environmental Sciences study “the dynamic processes that modify our environment, including those influenced by human activity, and that shape the earth and other planetary bodies. It “investigate[s] processes in the atmosphere, on Earth, and on other planetary bodies.” Read more: Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences < University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu):
What do earth and environmental scientists study:
Research areas/subfields and faculty specialties: Research Themes | Earth and Environmental Sciences | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu): subfields and faculty
Research labs used by EAES faculty: Research Laboratories | Earth and Environmental Sciences | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu):
For additional information on earth and environmental sciences and the subfields, visit the National Geographic’s Society for Science:
math
What is mathematics:
According to the LAS Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, “Mathematics is the language of the sciences and of all fields where patterns and systematic processes need to be analyzed. The study of the various mathematical sciences involves learning ideas and techniques essential for the natural and social sciences and is increasingly important in all areas of a technological society.” Read more: Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science < University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu) and Majors | Dept of Math, Stat, & Comp Sci | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu)
What do mathematicians study:
Research areas/subfields: Mathematics | Dept of Math, Stat, & Comp Sci | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu)
Research areas/subfields and faculty specialties*: Faculty | Dept of Math, Stat, & Comp Sci | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu)
*Select “Filter by” to view the subfields. Select the subfield of interest. The faculty specializing in that area will be listed.
For additional information on mathematics and what mathematicians do, visit the American Mathematical Society:
math
What is mathematical computer science?
According to the LAS Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics Department, Mathematical Computer Science applies mathematics in computing or computer related fields. Read more: Mathematical Computer Science | Dept of Math, Stat, & Comp Sci | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu) and Majors | Dept of Math, Stat, & Comp Sci | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu) and Mathematical Computer Science, University of Illinois at Chicago (uic.edu)
What do mathematical computer scientists study:
Research areas/subfields: Mathematical Computer Science, University of Illinois at Chicago (uic.edu)
Research areas/subfields and faculty specialties*: Faculty | Dept of Math, Stat, & Comp Sci | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu)
*Select “Filter by” to view the subfields. Select the subfield of interest. The faculty specializing in that area will be listed.
Research Areas
What is physics:
According to the LAS Physics Department, “the fundamental goal of the science of physics is to develop a basic and comprehensive understanding and description of all forms of matter and energy. This goal is pursued through experimental and theoretical investigations, with experimental results pointing the way toward possible new theories and tentative theories suggesting new experiments. Physics occupies a middle ground between mathematics and engineering, using the techniques of the former and providing new ideas and materials (structures and properties) to the latter.” Read more: Department of Physics < University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu)
What do physicists study:
Research areas/subfields and faculty specialties: Research | Physics | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu)
For additional information on physics and what physicists do, visit the American Physics Society:
stats
What is statistics:
According to the American Statistical Association, “Statistics is a science. It involves asking questions about the world and finding answers to them in a scientific way. If you are curious about how things work, statistics is a career that will keep your curiosity piqued and your brain engaged. Statistics is not just a collection of numbers or formulas. It’s not just lines, bars or points on a graph. It’s not just computing. Statistics is so much more. It’s an exciting—even fun—way of looking at the world and gaining insights through a scientific approach that rewards creative thinking.” Read more: Majors | Dept of Math, Stat, & Comp Sci | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu) and About ASA | This is Statistics
What do statisticians study:
Research areas/subfields and faculty specialties*: Faculty | Dept of Math, Stat, & Comp Sci | University of Illinois Chicago (uic.edu)
*Select “Filter by” to view the subfields. Select the subfield of interest. The faculty specializing in that area will be listed.
For additional information on statistics and what statisticians do, visit the American Statistical Association:
This is Statistics | Statistics Jobs Around the World and Statistical Significance Series (amstat.org)
Sources
View the list of sources used to develop this resource.