Categories
The Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC) uses the same categories as the Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF). Winners who advance from BCSRC are automatically entered into the same category when they compete in DVSF.
Note: All team projects are entered into the "Team Projects" category, regardless of the focus of the project.
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Biochemistry
Botany
Chemistry
Computer Science
Consumer Science (Grades 6-8 Only)
Earth and Space Science
Engineering
Environmental Sciences
Mathematics
Medicine and Health
Microbiology
Physics
Team Projects
Zoology
Category Descriptions
Descriptions below are courtesy of DVSF.
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Human and animal behavior, social and community relationships-psychology, sociology, anthropology, archaeology, ethology, ethnology, linguistics, learning, perception, urbanproblems, reading problems, public opinion surveys, educational testing, etc.
Biochemistry
Chemistry of life processes-cell biology, molecular genetics, enzymes, photosynthesis, blood chemistry, protein chemistry, food chemistry, hormones, etc.
Botany
Study of plant life-agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant pathology, plant genetics, hydroponics, algae, etc.
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.
Computer Science
Study and development of computer software and hardware and associated logical devices.
Consumer Science (Grades 6-8 only)
Study of various consumer products like batteries, soaps, detergents, foods, paper towels, cosmetics, etc. These are usually, but not always, comparison studies.
Earth and Space Sciences
Geology, mineralogy, physiography, oceanography, meteorology, climatology, astronomy, geology, speleology, seismology, geography, etc.
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.
Environmental Sciences
Study of pollution (air, water, and land) sources and their control; ecology.
Mathematics
Development of formal logical systems or various numerical and algebraic computations, and the application of these principles-calculus, geometry, abstract algebra, number theory,statistics, complex analysis, and probability.
Medicine and Health
Study of diseases and health of humans and animals-dentistry, pharmacology, pathology, ophthalmology, nutrition, sanitation, pediatrics, dermatology, allergies, speech and hearing,etc.
Microbiology
Biology of microorganisms-bacteriology, virology, protozoology, fungi, bacterial genetics, yeast, etc.
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.
Team Projects
All disciplines-multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary. Projects consist of 2 or 3 team members.
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.