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.