Science disciplines differ from one another in what is studied, techniques
used, and outcomes sought, but they share a common purpose and philosophy,
and all are part of the same scientific enterprise. Although each discipline
provides a conceptual structure for organizing and pursuing knowledge,
many problems are studied by scientists using information and skills from
many disciplines. Disciplines do not have fixed boundaries, and it happens
that new scientific disciplines are being formed where existing ones meet
and that some subdisciplines spin off to become new disciplines in their
own right.
| NSES Content Standard E
Science and Technology: Understandings about science and technology Grades 9-12, page 192 Scientists in different disciplines ask different questions, use different methods of investigation, and accept different types of evidence to support their explanations. Many scientific investigations require the contributions of individuals from different disciplines, including engineering. New disciplines of science, such as geophysics and biochemistry often emerge at the interface of two older disciplines. |