¶ Writing a Science Character
The role of the Science division is straightforward: they conduct scientific research and science support aboard a ship or starbase. members of the division can specialise into science of any form - be these physical or social sciences - and their work can be practical or theoretical. While science officers always have a specific field that they specialise into (such as biology or linguistics,) all are trained in the use of operating sensors and analysing their readings. This ensures that any scientist, regardless of their field of study, can operate the science station on the bridge or correctly use a tricorder on an away mission.
There are numerous jobs that a character could have within this division: the majority of scientific fields that exist in our own time can be applied to a character. As mentioned above, these can be either for physical sciences (the study of the natural world and its physical properties,) or social sciences (the study of behaviour, society, and culture). Below are some common roles that people pick from.
¶ Anthropologist
Anthropologists study everything about what makes a species a species. Some have a focus on one particular species, although the majority learn about multiple. Comparative anthropology - comparing the development of different cultures - is a common field. Anthropologists explore the origins of the species, present culture, and projections for the future. Archaeology, biology, linguistics, and culture all come together in anthropological studies.
¶ Biologist
Biologists are scientists who specialise in the study living organisms in all of their various forms. They study the structure, function, evolution, behaviour, and interactions with one another and the environment. This field of study is highly diverse and usually biologists will have a particular aspect that they are interested in; they can study anything from the smallest micro-organisms to the largest mammals. Molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, ecology, and evolutionary biology are all included in this bracket.
¶ Botanist
Botanists are scientists who specialise in plant biology. They can be experts in multiple different types of vegetation, such as algae, grass, cacti, flowers, moss, trees, shrubs, herbs, fruits, and vegetables. There are different areas within botany such as ecology. While horticulturists cultivate and maintain gardens, botanists actively study and conduct research surrounding plant life. Some people combine the two roles and have experience in both.
¶ Chemist
Chemists study the composition, structure, properties, and behaviour of matter. They investigate chemical reactions an the interactions between atoms, molecules, and other substances. This can then be applied to designing and creating new materials, medications, and technologies. For advancing fields such as nanotechnology and materials science, chemists play an important role in understanding the properties and behaviour of matter at the molecular and atomic level.
¶ Geologist
Geologists study planets - Earth or others - its history, and the processes that change it. Geology is a very broad field that includes the study of rocks, minerals, fossils, mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, rivers, oceans, glaciers, and more. Their work can contribute to the development of solutions for work in natural resources, environmental protection, land use, and natural hazards. They can map geological features, collect and analyse samples, and measure seismic activity.
¶ Linguist
Linguists explore languages: different ones from across the quadrants, variations, and dialects. Some study how language evolves over time, how it is acquired, and how it is stored and processed by the brains of different species. Their field covers phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Linguists are responsible for assisting with the development of the universal translator, and should the UT ever go down or fail to translate, it is up to them to analyse and process language in its stead.
¶ Physicist
Physicists specialise in the study of the fundamental principles governing the behaviour of matter and energy in the universe. They explore the laws of nature, including everything from subatomic particles to the structure of the cosmos. There are multiple fields of physics that a person can be: astrophysicist, particle physicist, biophysicist, theoretical physicist, quantum physicist, and more. They conduct research, analyse data, and often do theoretical modelling which surrounds hypotheses and predictions.
¶ Stellar Cartographer
Stellar cartographers are responsible for the creation, design, and production of maps. They are generally put to use aboard starships that are exploring uncharted areas of space, although due to stellar and scientific phenomena changing within regions, they are sometimes tasked with updating maps of existing areas. They work to collect and analyse data to make maps of star systems, planets, and even specific celestial objects.
¶ Roleplaying a Science Character
When it comes to roleplaying Science, Trek has countless terms that you can use. There are different forms of energy, particles (chronitons are always a favourite,) subatomic particles, sensors, and technology. Memory Alpha is your friend. As with other fields such as Engineering, you can refer to modern-day science for references of how a solution might be solved – and if in doubt, technobabble it out.