What is Scientist: Definition and 205 Discussions

A scientist is a person who conducts scientific research to advance knowledge in an area of interest.In classical antiquity, there was no real ancient analog of a modern scientist. Instead, philosophers engaged in the philosophical study of nature called natural philosophy, a precursor of natural science. It was not until the 19th century that the term scientist came into regular use after it was coined by the theologian, philosopher, and historian of science William Whewell in 1833.In modern times, many scientists have advanced degrees in an area of science and pursue careers in various sectors of the economy such as academia, industry, government, and nonprofit environments.

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  1. A

    PhD in astro to become a data scientist?

    I'm planning to start grad school for astrophysics next year, but am kind of put off by reading about the lack of jobs in science after graduation. It looks like data science is the current hot field to go into, even for PhDs in other fields. Would it make sense to start a PhD program fully...
  2. M

    Advice for the struggles of an independent scientist

    Hi, hopefully some of you on this forum get where I am coming from and can help with this. For the people here working outside of academic institutions or money paying jobs, people who do proper academic-level science off there own back...how do you find satisfaction with it? Feel like you...
  3. N

    Does an undergraduate degree in physics make me a scientist?

    I was wondering this because an undergraduate degree in any engineering make them an Engineer
  4. S

    Gravitation and Decoherence : New Scientist Article

    It says here that time dilation due to gravity can cause decoherence: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn27735-Earth's-gravity-may-force-us-to-do-quantum-experiments-in-space.html But.. wouldn't the effect of time dilation be more like a modification of the expected unitary evolution, so...
  5. K

    Engineering Computer scientist or aerospace engineer

    I just graduated high school and I'm very confused on what to do. I either want to be a computer scientist or an aerospace engineer but I need more insight on what both careers do and what can they do. If anyone can give me some information I would greatly appreciate it.
  6. Jewish_Vulcan

    Nuclear Sources of information for Nuclear scientist like Oppenheimer

    Did they read the recent physics papers about the atoms? Overall what sources of information did the old Manhatten Project Scientist like Edward Teller and Robert Oppenheimer use? I bet they must have really enjoyed what they did to be so good at it.
  7. A

    How does one know if he/she is a scientist or an Engineer?

    There is a lot of overlap between the physical sciences and Engineering. They both want to know how things work. What is the mindset/philosophy/clues that allows one to know that they are more well suited to become one instead of the other? I know internships/classes/projects/other methods of...
  8. Pythagorean

    Climate scientist found to be accepting undisclosed payment

    It will be interesting to see how this turns out. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/22/us/ties-to-corporate-cash-for-climate-change-researcher-Wei-Hock-Soon.html
  9. C

    WWF match idea involving a scientist

    I was watching some old WWF matches and what we need is some very smart people to fill the science and engineering community. Now hear me out as it is an idea. My reputation is to think outside the box but say for example HHH needed his slede or nick foley one of the greatest People of all...
  10. C

    Stumbled across this; is it this bad being a scientist?

    Friend sent me this trying to "mock" my post-undergraduate goals: http://physics.wustl.edu/katz/scientist.html What are your takes on what this person has to say about going into a career in science? Thanks, Colton
  11. microsansfil

    [QM Interpretation]QBism puts the scientist back into scienc

    Hi, Here an article of N. David Mermin in Nature journal : http://www.nature.com/news/physics-qbism-puts-the-scientist-back-into-science-1.14912 We can read : Both problems are symptoms of the exclusion from physical science of the perceiving subject, and are solved by restoring what the...
  12. H

    To physical scientist, what do you think of biological sciences?

    I majored in neuroscience and applied math in college and want to do computational neuroscience research long term. Being at the crossroads of biology and physical sciences, I think a lot about how the two "worlds" view each other. The lab I'm currently in has some people directly from the...
  13. A

    I am a non scientist and would like to know easiest way

    to dissolve a plant, that has outgrown the crystal decanter that it is in and is rootbound. I have cut the plant and will reroot it. but now I would like to have my decanter back. is there a safe way for me to do this?
  14. T

    Not a scientist, just wondering -- Shining a laser pointer into space

    Thought Experiment 1: I shoot a laser into space for one second. Just before I let off the trigger, the face of the beam is ~186,000 miles away. What happens to the beam when I let off? Does it instantly cease to exist? Does the tail compress into the stopped head and go poof :)? Does that...
  15. Demystifier

    My favored scientist quotes

    GENERAL: Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen. Albert Einstein The fear of death is the most unjustified of all fears, for there's no...
  16. M

    I need the help of a scientist with writing my book about nuclear

    I'm currently writing a book about a nuclear epidemic and it came to my attention that I know nothing about nuclear... Let's say radiation existed as a mere 2% of the atmosphere in a certain location, would it be possible to say all those 'infected' with the radiation in the atmosphere would...
  17. Mordred

    What Drives Scientists to Madness?

    Throughout our knowledge of history mankind has persevered against one fundamental need. The need to explain, to define and categorize all events we observe. To a scientist which society has funded, supported, ridiculed and scorned, this basic desire is all the greater. Out of all the...
  18. T

    What would you do if you cannot become a scientist?

    I want to be a physicist in any area of physics. The reason is it is an ideal job for me. I love teaching and I love doing research. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and finding things out. In my mind, physicist = physics educator + physics researcher. Being a physicist can allow me to do both. I...
  19. D

    The only scientist in my school? (Student)

    Ok so I go to high school, and as you know a lot of students there want to look "cool" and be "popular", the amount of people who concentrate on their lessons and grades are very low in this school. (Not a bad school, it's actually very good, it's got a very good reputation for computing...
  20. StevieTNZ

    Motion: Giorgio A. Tsoukalos A Scientist

    A motion has been moved that Giorgio A. Tsoukalos be, for Maori Parliamentary Purposes, considered a scientist. Those in favour will vote yes, to the contrary no. The poll will be opened for one week, ending 16th July 2013 17:19 NZST.
  21. G

    Can I become a successful scientist?

    I'm not a genius, although I'm very good at maths and science in general. I'm pretty sure that with hard work, I'll be able to do well in college and then later grad school, but will I be able to contribute anything to physics? Realistically speaking, will I "discover" something? There's this...
  22. A

    Who is Your Favorite Heat Scientist and Why?

    In your opinion who is your favorite scientist that studied heat/temperature and why? Secondly, what scientist do you think did the most work and had the most queries in regards to temperature/heat thermodynamics in general.
  23. A

    Engineering Nuclear Engineer or Nuclear Scientist?

    As a career should I pick a nuclear engineer or nuclear scientist? What's the difference?
  24. Z

    Should You Dissuade Young People from Pursuing a Career in Science?

    I'm not saying this but rather this professor of Physics : http://wuphys.wustl.edu/~katz/scientist.html Do you think he is right ? shouldn't he just shut up since many young people would get put off by this !
  25. Tallus Bryne

    Should You Pursue a PhD in Science?

    "Don't Become a Scientist!" First of all, I'd like to say that I'm an undergraduate physics student in Florida. I would like to go on to get a PhD in physics, but my knowledge on what to expect after that is quite limited. A friend of mine recently sent me an article written by Jonathan I...
  26. A

    Can I Become a Scientist with a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering?

    i m going to complete my btech in mechanical engg. stream. i want to become a scientist. how can i be? should i do my P.G in physics ?
  27. M

    I want to be an Electrical Scientist

    Edit: I suppose this should be in the Academic Guidance section, sorry! To be a little more specific, I want to be a physicist focusing on electricity, but I want to study practical applications and I do not want to wander through equation after equation. :) I am currently a freshman at high...
  28. Ryan_m_b

    If you're looking for a scientist on Valentine's day

    ...here is all you need to know! http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/brain-flapping/2013/feb/14/valentines-day-how-to-woo-a-scientist
  29. B

    Should I be a Scientist or Engineer? Can I be both?

    Hi, I am a biomedical engineering sophomore student at City College and I am not liking the way science and math are taught here. This is mostly because I find it hard to accept things as granted without evidence or real-world demonstrations. The science and math (especially math) courses...
  30. Y

    Anyone on here ever met or worked with a mad scientist?

    I'm just curious if scientist like that exist, or if it's just a hollywood thing.
  31. N

    Is it worth being a scientist these days

    Hello everyone, I've always wondered what it would like to be a biochemist or physicist, since both fields have fascinated me ever since i was 7. 5 years later, after seeing numerous post on this forum and about 4 others I've began to question my desire to be a scientist. I'd like to hear some...
  32. S

    Math Does becoming a scientist require you to love math?

    I know how to do math. I understand its complexities and the elegance of mathematical models. Sometimes I even admire it. However I don't have a particular love for mathematics and consider it only as a tool. I am looking forward to become a neuroscientist. Would this lack of love for math...
  33. Y

    How do I learn to think like a scientist? How do I form good hypotheses?

    This is perhaps a philosophical question, but I am trying to make the transition from engineer to scientist, and I am trying to relearn how to think and ask questions. As an engineer, a lot of times, we can get away with making something that consistently worked without understanding it...
  34. S

    Becoming a Space Scientist: Which Masters Degree is Best?

    I would like to be a space scientist.Right now i have completed my Bachelors in physics with 97%.Whether an MSc in Physics or Theoretical physics would be more good?Reply soon
  35. E

    Should a scientist never buy a lottery ticket?

    Some people educated in math say, "I never buy a lottery ticket or play the roulette because I know that on average, you are bound to lose." I don't think that argument is valid - because in most games of chance you are not very likely to end up with the expectancy value! Indeed, if you have a...
  36. P

    MHB Remembering Alan Turing: A Pioneering Computer Scientist

    http://chronicle.com/blogs/linguafranca/2012/06/28/remembering-alan-turing/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en.
  37. G

    Favorite Scientist? Nikola Tesla - Innovations, Discoveries & Inventions

    I was just wondering what you guys consider to be your favorite scientist, inventor, visionary etc.? I would say mine was Nikola Tesla. He was able to accomplish things that even with today's technology we cannot reproduce. One example would be his "ball lightning" a 1.5" ball of electricity...
  38. A

    What does it take to be a physicist or scientist in general

    Hello, I've read PF for a while now and received a lot of useful information regarding academic and career guidance, thanks to all of you. I myself am heavily interested in physics and science in general (I read Origin of Species in junior high and was absolutely thrilled) and I'm planning a...
  39. M

    Steps to Becoming a Scientist in Physics or Electronics

    hi, i really interested to become a scientist (either in physics or electronics) at present i completed my second year of b.tech degree(in ECE), please guide me to become a very good scientist... thanks in advance
  40. D

    Name a scientist with a first or last name that rhymes with

    Not sure if this goes here but: I need to know a somewhat famous scientist, engineer, mathematician, etc. that has a first or last name that rhymes with "Nino." Also what was/is his/her CV or contribution to the field of technology, education, and of such. Thank You in advance!
  41. S

    How to Become a Scientist After High School?

    Im a 11th std student. i want to become a scientist but i don't know wat path i shud follow.what should i do after 12th? I've taken PCM group .im interested a bit more in chem than physics.pls reply in a simple way the steps i shud follow.
  42. D

    Engineer vs Scientist: Differences Explained

    Scientist Vs Engineer hello What is the difference between an Engineer and a Scientist?
  43. O

    Which Scientist Am I? Exploring CS & Math for Grad School

    Which scientist am I!? I've searched my tail off for someone with my problem to no avail, and, noticing this community seemed to be full of decent people with whom I could get along, decided to give it up and just ask. Please excuse the life story. I attend a fairly lame public college that...
  44. I

    Be a Scientist: Mech Engr, Physics & Maths Requirements

    i have always dream to be a scientist so pplease i need some one to help me list the requirements, and some easy materials i could use base on mech Engineering and subjects like physics and maths. Thanks
  45. H

    One less lawyer in the world, one more scientist

    Hello all, I am looking for anyone who has had experience entering the sciences/ physics + mathematics fields after having finished a bachelors of arts degree. Currently I am on the road to law school, but for various personal reasons (re: Sagan-esque philosophical realizations) I've decided...
  46. B

    Which scientist discovered the concept of a collapsing universe?

    Can the name of the scientist who discovered the concept of a collapsing universe, also known as a 'Big Crunch', be posted in this thread?
  47. J

    Vision in mind to become a scientist

    hello every1, From a very small age, i had a vision in mind to bcome a scientist, researching in physics. From time to time, Different parts of physics were adored by me. From cosmology, astronomy to quantum physics, I've always wanted to leave a mark in all of those fields. But when i...
  48. N

    A prof. says Don't be a scientist.

    A prof. says "Don't be a scientist." http://wuphys.wustl.edu/~katz/scientist.html This scared the daylights out of me. I want to be a scientist, confoundit! In the article, Dr. Katz of Washington University in St. Louis (a tenured physics professor) pretty much says that everyone...
  49. K

    What studies are necessary to become a research scientist at NASA?

    Hi...I am from India...am doing my B.E(2nd yr) in Mechanical but my real interest is in astrophysics...or physics in general...what further studies should i pursue to become a research scientist in say NASA..?? Plz do reply!
  50. Simfish

    NASA A Weekend with Chris McKay: NASA Scientist

    http://spacescience.arc.nasa.gov/staff/chris-mckay We're spending a weekend with him (as part of a summer program)
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