1) Behavioral and Social Sciences
Human and animal behavior, social and community relationships - psychology, sociology, anthropology, archeology, ethnology, linguistics, learning, perception, urban problems, reading problems, public opinion surveys, educational testing, etc.

2) Biochemistry
Chemistry of life processes - molecular biology, molecular genetics, enzymes, photosynthesis, blood chemistry, protein chemistry, food chemistry, hormones, etc.

3) Botany
Study of plant life - agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant pathology, plant genetics, hydroponics, etc.

4) Chemistry
Study of nature and composition of matter and laws governing it - physical chemistry, organic chemistry (other than biochemistry), inorganic chemistry, materials, plastics, fuels, pesticides, metallurgy, soil chemistry, etc.

5) Computer Science
Study and development of computer hardware, software engineering, internet networking and communications, graphics (including human interface), simulations/virtual reality or computational science (including data structures, encryption, coding and information theory).

6) Earth Science
Geology, mineralogy, physiography, oceanography, meteorology, climatology, speleology, seismology, geography, etc.

7) Engineering
Technology,; projects that directly apply scientific principles to manufacturing and practical uses - civil, mechanical, aeronautical, chemical, electrical, photographic, sound, automotive, marine, heating and refrigerating, transportation, environmental engineering, etc.

8) Environmental Science
Study of pollution (air, water, and land) sources and their control; ecology.

9) Mathematics
Development of formal logical systems or various numerical and algebraic computations, and the application of these principles - calculus, geometry, abstract algebra, number theory, statistic, complex analysis, etc.

10) Medicine and Health
Study of diseases and health of humans and animals - dentistry, pharmacology, pathology, ophthalmology, nutrition, sanitation, dermatology, allergies, speech and hearing, etc.

11) Microbiology
Biology of microorganisms - bacteriology, virology, protozoology, fungi, bacterial genetics, yeast, etc.

12) Physics
Theories, principles, and laws governing energy and the effect of energy on matter - solid state, optics, acoustics, particle, nuclear, atomic, plasma, superconductivity, fluid and gas dynamics, thermodynamics, semiconductors, magnetism, quantum mechanics, biophysics, etc.

13) Space Science
Astronomy, planetary science, etc.

14) Zoology
Study of animals - animal genetics, ornithology, ichthyology, herpetology, entomology, animal ecology, paleontology, cellular physiology, circadian rhythms, animal husbandry, cytology, histology, animal physiology, invertebrate neurophysiology, studies of invertebrates, etc.

15) Prehistoric*
Study of prehistoric plants or animals.

*Not eligible for ISEF competition.

Last Updated: September 25, 2005