CAREER OUTLOOK
Editors,
editors@ccgmag.com Spotlight on Research Science THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN THESE FASCINATING FIELDS R
esearch science is a broad term used to describe pur- suits of knowledge using the scientific method. All science
disciplines–physics, biology, chemistry and their subdisciplines–have associated research endeavors. Research science also includes principles of mathematics, engi- neering and technology, something that is highlighted by MIT’s annual Research Science Institute. Students interested in pursuing research science have a number of paths to choose from depending on their area of interest.
Examples of Research Fields Research science occurs in academic, government and corporate environments as basic research (the pursuit of knowl- edge for the sake of knowledge) and applied research (research conducted to solve a specific problem). A few examples of research fields, though certainly not the only research fields, are: Astrophysics: Astrophysicists contemplate the universe and planets using principles of astronomy, physics, evolutionary biology, robotics, theoretical physics and mathematics. Astrophysicists can work for observatories, NASA, SETI and academic physics departments. Biomedicine: Medical research is the study of diseases and treatments, com- bining several subdisciplines of biology and chemistry, including but not limited to immunology, virology, pharmacology, genetics and pathology. Archaeology: Archaeologists are
generally thought of as academics and mu- seum curators on field expeditions to dig up bones, but archaeology also draws on evolutionary biology, geology and other earth sciences, as well as anthropology, to understand human history and fossils. Governments often have archaeologists on staff to protect and study items found in
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their countries or regions. Materials Science: Applications from materials research can be found in everything from dentistry and plastics to robotics and astrophysics. Research scientists studying materials have a strong background in chemistry, as well as com- puters for modern applications in design and imaging.
Food Science: Plant geneticists, agricultural biologists, toxicologists and chemists can all be involved in research into foodstuffs and supply. Psychology: Social research scien- tists conduct studies using questionnaires and mental health indices to understand how people react and think, often in the context of treating mental and emotional disorders and increasing quality of life. Biology, psychiatry, neurology and statis- tics are some subdisciplines involved. Forensics: Forensics is the overlap between science and criminal justice, drawing heavily from pathology, criminol- ogy, psychology, chemistry and physics, as well as genetics in recent decades.
How to Pursue a Career in Research Science Choosing an undergraduate major in
a subdiscipline that contributes to the re- search area of interest will benefit students when choosing an area for graduate study, but any scientific degree can translate into a research career. Once a research field of interest is decided on, the contributing scientific sub-disciplines can be used to highlight potential starting points of study to pursue research science in that field. Specialization occurs by working in a lab, choosing a department and specialty as a graduate student, and/or entry-level on-the-job experience with research companies. Research scientists are gener- ally Ph.D.s, though M.D.s, dentists and students with less graduate-level educa- tion can play roles as clinicians, techni- cians or research assistants, all of whom are pivotal to research pursuits. Corporate research and development (R&D) is often open to those with a bachelor’s degree in the subdiscipline of interest. The National Academy of Science,
National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine published a student’s guide to pursuing a career in science and engineering in 1996 that can help students considering grad school for research science.
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