Biological and related sciences
-Biology
Biology is the study of the structure, function, reproduction, growth, evolution and behaviour of all living organisms.
Programmes and qualifications with the following main content are classified here:
· Biology
· Botany
· Cell biology
· Entomology
· Genetics
· Mycology
· Zoology
Exclusions
The study of environmental sciences, which is the study of the relation between living organisms and the environment, is excluded from this detailed field and included in the detailed field ‘Environmental sciences’. Study of chemical processes in living organisms (biochemistry, toxicology, pharmacology etc.) is excluded from this detailed field and included in the detailed field ‘Biochemistry’.
-Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called Biological chemistry, is the study of the chemistry of living organisms, including but not limited to living matter.
Programmes and qualifications with the following main content are classified here:
· Biological chemistry
· Cell technology
· Forensic sciences
· Genetic code (DNA, RNA) studies
· Genetic engineering
· Pharmacology
· Tissue culture technology
· Toxicology
· Virology
Inclusions
Biotechnology is included here.
Environment
-Environmental sciences
Environmental sciences are the study of organisms in relation to one another and to the environment.
Programmes and qualifications with the following main content are classified here:
· Ecology
· Environmental science
Exclusions
The study of biology and toxicology are excluded from this detailed field and included under the narrow field ‘Biological and related sciences’.
-Natural environments and wildlife
Natural environments and wildlife is the study of the relationships between living organisms in natural environments in order to protect nature and wildlife. It includes the study of establishing and maintaining national parks in order to preserve their original natural state.
Programmes and qualifications with the following main content are classified here:
· National parks and wildlife management
· Nature conservation
· Wildlife
Exclusions
Studies of agriculture, horticulture, and forestry are excluded from this detailed field and included in some of the detailed fields under the domain ‘Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary’.
Study of hunting and trapping is excluded from this detailed field and included in detailed field ‘Forestry’ (in the domain Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary).
Physical sciences
-Chemistry
Chemistry is the study of substances and their elements and how they react when combined.
Programmes and qualifications with the following main content are classified here:
· Inorganic chemistry
· Organic chemistry
· Physical chemistry
Exclusions
Biochemistry is excluded from this detailed field and included in detailed field ‘Biochemistry’.
-Earth sciences
Earth sciences is the study of the composition and structure of earth including the hydrosphere and the atmosphere.
Programmes and qualifications with the following main content are classified here:
· Climate research
· Earth science
· Geodesy
· Geography (physical)
· Geology
· Geomatics
· Geospatial technology
· Meteorology
· Oceanography
· Seismology
Exclusions
Social geography is excluded from this detailed field and included in the detailed field ‘Sociology and cultural studies’(in the domain Social Sciences, Education, Journalism and Information). Soil science is excluded from this detailed field and included in detailed field ‘Crop and livestock production’ (in the domain Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Veterinary).
-Physics
Physics is the study of the properties and interactions of matter and energy. It includes the study of astronomy and space science.
Programmes and qualifications with the following main content are classified here:
· Astronomy
· Astrophysics
· Chemical physics
· Medical physics
· Optics
· Physics
· Space science
Exclusions
Opticians’ practice is excluded from this detailed field and included in detailed field ‘Medical diagnostic and treatment technology’ (in the domain Health and Welfare).
Mathematics and statistics
-Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of abstract deductive systems. It includes algebra, arithmetic, geometry, real and complex analysis, and pure and applied mathematics.
Programmes and qualifications with the following main content are classified here:
· Algebra
· Geometry
· Mathematics
· Numerical analysis
· Operational research
Statistics
Statistics is the study of collecting, describing, arranging and analysing numerical data. The study of probability theory and actuarial science is included.
Programmes and qualifications with the following main content are classified here:
· Actuarial science
· Probability theory
· Statistics, applied
· Survey design
· Survey sampling
Inclusions
Study of mathematical (theoretical) statistics is included here.
Exclusions
Demography/population studies is excluded from this detailed field and included in detailed field ‘Sociology and cultural studies’ ((in the domain Social Sciences, Education, Journalism and Information).).
Inter-disciplinary programmes and qualifications involving natural sciences, mathematics and statistics
Inter-disciplinary or broad programmes and qualifications to which the greatest intended learning time is devoted to natural sciences, mathematics and statistics are classified here.