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Science Division Emblem

Science Division is organized under the Starfleet Charter as the exploration arm of Starfleet operations, and forms the second largest division of personnel within the organization. Despite the continued threat of violence and natural disaster through the Quadrant, the drive to explore remains Starfleet's primary mission.

Science Division

Truly massive in its scope, the Science Division encompasses all Starfleet trained scientists and affiliate civilian scientists who work within Starfleet's structure. As it is one of the largest of the divisions, it bulk by bulk also has the largest number of civilians working under its auspices. As such, Starfleet Sciences must often take on a less militaristic feel compared to other Starfleet Divisions.

Historical Definition

Within the Starfleet Charter, Science was envisioned as the primary department charged with the cataloging and classification of all scientific discoveries. Its mission has changed very little over the two hundred years that Starfleet has been in existence.

Distinctly non-military in its approach, Science has always preferred to depend upon the individual expertise of its officers and scientists. It is the Sciences that must occasionally remind Flag Officers and other personnel that Starfleet is not a military organization. Its purpose is exploration.

As open as Sciences may be within the laboratories and conferences held by the Division, it is also one of the most ethically bound. A number of directives strongly regulate the Division, the most important being the Prime Directive. This is necessary- indeed, vital- because scientists more than many groups can become personally involved with their work and its contacts and must maintain a degree of objectivity. History is replete with scientists taking it upon themselves to 'better' a world or people without considering the moral implications.

Historically, Science Division is decentralized in its command structure. While most vessels and starbases have a "Chief Science Officer," this person is really best considered the Science Liaison and 'voice' to the other divisions of Starfleet.

Since Starfleet's inception, Science personnel have worn a teal blue uniform shirt, which it has shared with Medical Division off and on throughout the organization's history.

Command Structure

Because no one person could hope to possibly be specialized in all disciplines of science, the Science Division of Starfleet is probably one of the more decentralized. It is reliant upon the expertise of its staff and officers to support the 'voices' of their Division.

Aboard most vessels and starbases, Science Division has a number of 'co-chiefs' who head the individual science departments. Always generalized in their approach, their job is to streamline information so the Chief Science Officer can present it to the rest of the personnel of Starfleet in a viable form.

Among these co-Chiefs are:

• Chief of Stellar Cartography (C-SC)
  • Chief over all 'stellar sciences' including: Astrometrics, Subspace Dynamics, Stellar Thermodynamics, etc.

• Chief of Planetary Sciences (C-PS)
  • Chief over all 'planetary sciences' including: Vulcanology, Seismology, Geology, etc.

• Chief Exobiologist (C-XB)
  • Chief over all animal-based 'life sciences' including: Biology, Genetics, Zoology, etc.

• Chief Exobotanist (C-Bot)
  • Chief over all plant-based 'life sciences' including: Botany, Fungology, etc.

• Chief Historian (C-H)
  • Chief over all 'social sciences' including: History, Sociology, Archaeology, Anthropology, etc.

• Chief Physicist (C-P)

• Chief Chemist (C-C)

Division Facilities

Tesla Science Division boasts a total of twenty-four labs all equipped with the latest science technologies that the Federation has to offer. As a newly assigned science officer, here is a quick listing of the facilities that you'll want to know about.

• Science Lab 1 (SL1), located on Deck 81 is the main hub of science activity. Major mission specific tests are conducted here, with an emphasis on interdepartmental analysis. Many officers from other departments come and go through SL1 when liaising, gathering science related materials and assets, and when conducting experiments or tests within science division protocols. This is the largest of the science labs and boasts an impressive variety of testing equipment including a variety of geological, biomedical and physics services.

• Science Lab 2 (SL2) is located on Deck 82. SL2 includes many of the lab functions as SL1, but includes higher safety protocols which is more conducive for mission related, high-risk or volatile experiments, tests, and analysis. This lab is equipped to handle many planetary simulations of various classes as well as containments for hazardous materials. Access to this lab may be restricted based on the health and safety protocols in place by the Division. Science supervision is required for all interdepartmental activity. SL2 at times may have additional security protocols as needed.

• Science Lab 3 (SL3) also located on Deck 82. SL3 is home to many of the plant sciences facilities of the Science Division. Many botanical experiments, tests, and analysis happen here. It holds an impressive collection of several hundreds (or thousands) of different species of plants, algae, and fungi from all over the region. Many science officers and interdisciplinary officers spend their time experimenting, testing and analyzing the structures, growth, reproduction, metabolism, development, diseases, chemical properties and evolutionary relationships between the different groups. A comprehensive database of flora and other plant catalogs can be accessed and studied from this lab as well.

• Main Astrometrics (MAstro) located on the same deck as SL3 (Deck 82). MAstro is a specialized lab used mainly for stellar cartographic services used by science officers and interdisciplinary officers for charting planets, stars, stellar bodies, and nebulae. MAstro's main feature includes a large wraparound holographic display spanning the entire diameter of the lab. A smaller localized screen can display relevant facts about the information displayed or the wraparound can be engaged for an impressive three dimensional holographic experience. A staging area in the middle of the lab contains seating for presentations as well as control panels for quick access to main Astrometric services and functions.

• Science Lab 3-18 (SL3-SL18) can be found on Decks 95 through 99. Deck 95 includes the Chief Science Officer's office, and science section heads (co-chiefs) offices. SL3-SL18 are standard science laboratories. These labs are assigned to interdisciplinary officers for use of science equipment and services. While most of the more advance equipment is found in larger labs, these labs are suitable for non-mission specific, non-hazardous experiments, tests, and analysis. Use of these labs are tightly scheduled and heavily monitored by Operations. Heavy use of power or science division assests is restricted and some labs that require larger consumptions of power must be approved by Operations Division. See your Section Head if you would like to schedule a lab time in any of these labs.

• Secondary Astrometrics (SAstro) located on Deck 102. SAstro includes many of the functions of the much larger MAstro, but does not contain the wraparound holograpic display. Many of the same astrometrics and stellar cartographic services are run here, but with an emphasis on interdisciplinary, and non-mission specific tests, experiments and analysis.

• Science Labs 19-21 (SL19-SL21) are located on Deck 688. These labs are used exclusively by the social sciences section. Many cultural and archaeological specimens and artifacts are examined and studied in these labs. These social sciences labs offer many services including, but not limited to anthropological, archaeological, comparative musicology, communications studies, cultural studies, demographics, economics, historical, geographical, interspecies/international relations, linguistics, media studies, philological, political, psychological and sociological services.

• Science Labs 22-24 (SL22-24) located on Deck 689, includes many of the biological services that science division has to offer. Histology, cellular, biochemistry and microbiology services are utilized here. Medical division and science division work along side one another in these labs, where specialized equipment allows a more in-depth study of all things biological. Many enlisted scientists work in these labs cataloging, testing, experimenting and analyzing specimens for both mission and non-mission related activities. SL24 in particular is set up for pathology related services and can act as an amphitheater for dissections, and autopsies. Many biomedical experiments are hosted in this lab. Use of these labs can at times be restricted. Priority is given to medical division, but many interdisciplinary officers may request time directly to the appropriate section head.

Roles and Specializations

Science officers have a responsibility to uphold the ideals of the Scientific Method when theorizing, observing or explaining unexpected, improbable, or epiphenomenal events. The role of the science officer has come a long way since the 22nd and 23rd centuries where the primary role of the science officer was mainly sensor readings.

The science officer is used in many roles and functions from away missions and medical emergencies to first contact and diplomatic affairs.

In the words of Jadzia Dax, "I'm the science officer. It is my job to have a better idea."

Not listed in any particular order, the following list describes the various sections within Science Division.

Physics

Physics is concerned with the nature of the universe and its forces and the way in which these forces are organized. Physics spans from zero to infinity in space, time and energy; its symmetry and elegance are reflected in the beauty of the heavens. In this sense, physics is the most basic and fundamental science. Physicists seek to understand how things work, in every detail and at the deepest level. This includes everything from elementary particles to nuclei, atoms, molecules, macromolecules, living cells, solids, liquids, gases, plasmas, living organisms, the brain (humanoid or otherwise), complex systems, supercomputers, the atmosphere, planets, stars, galaxies and the universe itself. On Tesla, this section is the most diverse of the science sections and science officers, and specialists in this area are sought out for many forms of advice, guidance and interdisciplinary studies.

Within the physics section, there are several interdisciplinary departments that work side by side with the section, more so than any other discipline. When looking at certain specializations, the boundaries of physics remain difficult to distinguish. Many of the science officers and specialists from this section work in various departments all over Tesla. To be a physics science specialist is to truly be a jack of all trades and apply their science in various applications.

• Interdisciplinary departments and specialists:
  • Astronomy
  • Astrometrics
  • Astrophysics
  • Applied Physics
  • Condensed matter physics
  • Atomic, molecular and optical physics
  • Particle and space plasma physics
  • Geophysics
  • Biophysics

Biochemistry & Chemistry

This section is concerned with the synthesis of compounds, determination of structures, reaction kinetics and mechanisms, and properties of materials. This is a vary diverse section and many science officers working here deal with other departments from all over the station. Chemistry has many facets. These science officers excel in analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, and theoretical chemistry. A science officer in this department might explore the chemistry of biological processes, and draw upon the biology section resources and assets (molecular biologists, and geneticists etc.).

Biology

This section deals with the evolution, structure, function and interaction of living organisms at the molecular, cellular, organismal, population, and ecosystem level. Science officers in this section perform biological experiments, studies samples collected by the department or other facilities on the station. The biology section works closely with Medical Division on various aspects of cell and molecular biology and organismal physiology. It is not uncommon for Medical to seek analysis of lab specimens for the biology section to examine.

• Current Specializations and Labs:
  • Molecular and cell
  • Xenobiology
  • Physical anthropology
  • Osteology & odontology
  • Paleo & xeno pathology
  • Botany, agricultural, and other plant sciences
  • Biomedical
  • Zoology
  • Anatomy & physiology
  • Neuroscience and neuroendocrinology
  • Genetics
  • Veterinary science

Computer Science

Just like many other areas of the Science Division, the computer science section works very closely with other departments around the station, especially Engineering and Operations. Computer Science involves the study of fundamental software development, information processing and storage, computer architecture and networks. Software development is the primary field of research amongst these science officers. Specific research areas include search and information retrieval systems and data mining, databases, parallel and distributed computing and scientific visualization.

Geoscience

Science officers in this section can find themselves examining the material and dynamic processes of planets. They study and examine solid or liquid compositions and are concerned with the collection of samples, and the study of the composition, structure, physical properties, dynamics and history of various planetary materials and Science officers here also report on the processes by which they are formed, moved, and changed.

Social Sciences

Science officers in this section explores and studies aspects of human and alien societies. While social scientists may draw upon empirical methods and conventional scientific practice, they employ critical analysis/ hermeneutic methods to study objects that are inconsistent with the conventional approach. Several fields of study are overseen in this department.

• Interdisciplinary departments and specialists:
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Sociology
  • Comparative musicology
  • Linguistics
  • Philology
  • Political Science
  • Psychology and Social Work