Quick Question about using science words.

[Fluorescent]

In the midst of writing my personal statement, I've come across a problem, which my teachers haven't really given me a definitive answer about.

Should the words Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Maths have capital letters at the start or not?

Thanks in advance,

iVertigo :).

 

[G037H3]

I would capitalize them, but most people here would probably not.

 

[Ryker]

Heh, I was actually wondering myself whether to use capital letters for those terms when posting here or not. I kind of decided I'd go with them when denoting field of study, but not when talking about those sciences in general. I don't know if that's correct or not, though, since I'm not a native English speaker.

 

[lisab]

I've seen it both ways...in fact, I think I've used both ways myself. Maybe there isn't a definitive answer, which would explain your teachers' answers.

Here's my best guess:

If you google "the chemistry department" (using the quotes) nearly all of the hits on the first page are use capitals, but if you google "chemistry major" (again with quotes) they're nearly all lower case. So if you're referring to a particular department, use caps. If you're referring to the subject that you may be interested in studying, use lower case.

Example: "I am interested in taking many chemistry classes from the Chemstry Department." OK it's a dumb sentence but you get the point.

PS I would suggest "math" not "maths" but that's a US English vs. British English topic

 

[Andre]

...So if you're referring to a particular department, use caps. ..

I second that, actually it's about when it's a part of a particular name. I used to run into what when translating "the Yukagir Mammoth, an extinct woolly mammoth"