Natural Sciences
Natural science is a branch of science concerned with the description, prediction, and understanding of natural phenomena, based on empirical evidence from observation and experimentation. Mechanisms such as peer review and repeatability of findings are used to try to ensure the validity of scientific advances.
Natural science can be divided into two main branches: life science (or biological science) and physical science. Physical science is subdivided into branches, including physics, chemistry, astronomy and earth science. These branches of natural science may be further divided into more specialized branches (also known as fields).
In Western society's analytic tradition, the empirical sciences and especially natural sciences use tools from formal sciences, such as mathematics and logic, converting information about nature into measurements which can be explained as clear statements of the "laws of nature". The social sciences also use such methods, but rely more on qualitative research, so that they are sometimes called "soft science", whereas natural sciences, insofar as they emphasize quantifiable data produced, tested, and confirmed through the scientific method, are sometimes called "hard science".
Modern natural science succeeded more classical approaches to natural philosophy, usually traced to ancient Greece. Galileo, Descartes, Bacon, and Newton debated the benefits of using approaches which were more mathematical and more experimental in a methodical way. Still, philosophical perspectives, conjectures, and presuppositions, often overlooked, remain necessary in natural science. Systematic data collection, including discovery science, succeeded natural history, which emerged in the 16th century by describing and classifying plants, animals, minerals, and so on. Today, "natural history" suggests observational descriptions aimed at popular audiences.
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Scholarships for Natural Sciences Majors
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM ScholarshipU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs |
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award Up to $30,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship is available to military veterans and their dependents who are pursuing studies in STEM fields. You must be a recipient of the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Fry Scholarship to be eligible for this award, which acts as an extension to expiring benefits of those programs. View Scholarship Details |
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Astronaut Scholarship in Science and TechnologyAstronaut Scholarship Foundation |
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award Up to $15,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Astronaut Scholarship in Science and Technology is open to students majoring in engineering, natural science, applied science, or mathematics. You must attend one of the participating educational institutions to be considered for this award. U.S. citizenship is also a requirement. You must be nominated by faculty or staff in your... View Scholarship Details |
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EAGLES Scholarship - PSUPortland State University |
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award $10,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe EAGLES Scholarship is available to junior-level and above students at Portland State University who are pursuing a degree in STEM. To be considered for this renewable award, you must be from an underrepresented background in STEM. Selection is based on academic merit and financial need. Students also receive mentorship from faculty and... View Scholarship Details |
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Big Bang Theory ScholarshipUniversity of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) |
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award $10,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Big Bang Theory Scholarship is available to undergraduate students majoring in a STEM field at the University of California-Los Angeles. To be considered for this award, you must be a resident of Southern California, demonstrate financial need, and show a strong commitment to STEM studies and extracurriculars. View Scholarship Details |
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Richard and Muriel Saunders Family ScholarshipColorado Mesa University |
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award $10,000 |
deadline September 01, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe Richard and Muriel Saunders Family Scholarship is available to first generation students at Colorado Mesa University. To be considered for this award, you should demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to students majoring in nursing, physician assistant, engineering, science or pre-medical. View Scholarship Details |
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UHD Scholars Academy ScholarshipUniversity of Houston - Downtown Scholars Academy |
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award Up to $6,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe UHD Scholars Academy Scholarship is available to full- time entering freshmen and transfer students who are enrolled in the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Engineering Technology, or Natural Sciences at the University of Houston - Downtown (UHD). Applicants must have a minimum score of 500 on SAT Math and Critical Reading... View Scholarship Details |
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BP Scholarship-University of OklahomaUniversity of Oklahoma, Michael F. Price College of Business |
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award $5,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe BP Scholarship is available to students at the University of Oklahoma who are enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, or Business. You must be a high-achieving student to be eligible for this award. View Scholarship Details |
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Beverly McAllister Parker ScholarshipSouthern Nazarene University, Department of Science |
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award $5,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Beverly McAllister Parker Scholarship is available to junior science majors at Southern Nazarene University. You must exemplify SNU's motto of "Character-Culture-Christ" to qualify for this award. View Scholarship Details |
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Antoinette Murray ScholarshipUniversity of Saint Francis, Indiana |
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award Up to $5,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Antoinette Murray Scholarship is available to students at the University of Saint Francis who are majoring in education or science, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and complete 20 hours of volunteer service per year at a verifiable non-profit organization. View Scholarship Details |
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Dr. Gregory D. Bossart Memorial ScholarshipOne Health Commission |
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award $5,000 |
deadline July 31, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe Dr. Gregory D. Bossart Memorial Scholarship is available to graduate students. You must be majoring in wildlife biology, epidemiology, veterinary, medical, public health, basic or social sciences, or other post - graduate program focusing on the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment using a One Health... View Scholarship Details |
Natural Sciences Related Majors
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- International/Globalization Studies
- Human Biology
- Nutrition Sciences
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Accounting and Computer Science
- Behavioral Sciences
- Marine Sciences
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
- Computational Science
- Biopsychology
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
- Cognitive Science
- Business Analytics
- Science, Technology and Society
- History and Political Science
- Museology/Museum Studies
- Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
- Sustainability Studies
- Historic Preservation and Conservation