What is the difference between pure and applied science?

Answer 1

"In this model, the pure scientist pursues knowledge strictly for its own sake. The applied scientist uses known principles to solve practical problems1."

- From article "Pure and Applied Science: What's the Difference", written by Henry Mulder

http://www.scienceandyou.org/articles/ess_09.shtml

Answer 2

Geology is a great field of science to enter and has lots of career potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of science-related jobs will increase at a rate faster than the national average between now and 2016. Environmental scientists, hydrologists and geoscientists will experience the fastest growth.

From a personal perspective, I have found geology to be most rewarding because it is the one field of science that not only involves all the other fields of science (mathematics, Biology, chemistry, physics) it also includes business and economics, geography, engineering, and some geologists have even been known to involve philosophy (e.g. Loren Eiseley).

I can't answer your question directly about the BS Applied Geology vs. BS Geology. I would probably guess the BS Geology is better, but that depends on the program and the school. It also depends on what country you live in, as these program names do not mean the same thing in all areas of the world. To answer the question you should consider what area of geology appeals to you the most. I work in the oil industry and cannot say I have ever met anyone with an Applied Geology degree, but most geologists in the oil industry have at least a Master's Degree (and truthfully we don't always make any distinction like that). Some Applied Geology programs seem to be aimed at environmental geology, engineering geology, or other specializations while other schools have separate programs for those and treat the applied geology as a generalist program. Whatever gives you the widest range of class topics is what will give you the widest range of exposure to different things.

You've got lots of choices for geology. There is environmental geology, hydrogeology, engineering geology, geophysics (often a distinct field) mining geology, petroleum geology, and more. One of my former classmates works in the field of planetary geology and spends her time researching Venus. The pay level is very different for different fields, and the work can be very different. Petroleum and mining geologists and geophysicists are currently the highest paid and are likely to remain in high demand as the work force in both fields is mostly close to retirement, and oil, natural gas, and other Natural Resources are always going to be in demand. After all, if you can't grow it, you have to mine it.

Source(s):geologist

Answer 3

Pure science tends to be theoretical.

Expect lots of maths.

While applied science tends to be experimental.

Expect to be in the lab.