The natural sciences include methods of studying the natural and physical world by means of scientific experimentation. There are three primary fields: biology involves the study of organisms and living things; chemistry analyzes matter, its content, and how and why it changes; physics focuses on the physical laws of the universe. A college degree may combine these or involve other related natural sciences, such as astronomy, the study of space; ecology, the study of how living things interact and depend on one another; and geology, the study of the Earth. Science degrees usually have the letters "Sc." in them, as in "B.Sc." for "Bachelor of Science."
The social sciences involve the study of society and human behavior. Sociology, anthropology, psychology, economics and political science are prominent fields. Social sciences involve suggesting models or theories of how society works, then testing them through observation. You may take a degree in a social science if you plan a career related to helping or managing people, such as social work, public policy development or human resources. Social science degrees may have "Sc." or "A" in their name, as in "M.Sc." (Master of Science) or "M.A." (Master of Arts).
Mathematics is the chief science in the field known as the formal sciences. Other formal sciences you can study at degree level include computer sciences, logic and statistics. Applied science takes scientific principles and applies them to specific industries: engineering, for example, applies the laws of physics to planning and building structures; agriculture applies biology, chemistry and physics to farming; technology uses science to build devices and devise solutions to advance human achievement.
Stanford University describes the humanities as the study of "the myriad ways in which people, from every period of history and from every corner of the globe, process and document the human experience." Most non-science degree subjects can be categorized as part of the humanities, including philosophy, literature, music, history. B.A. and M.A. (Bachelor or Master of Arts) usually signify humanities degrees.