Before Begining

In this 21st century, a typical science education often leaves the philosophical underpinnings of science unstated, or relies on over simplified definitions. As you contemplate a career in science. it may be useful to consider once again the terms science, scientist and scientific method.
Science is both a way of thinking about the natural world and the sum of the information and theory that result from such thinking.
Scientists are individuals who rigorously apply the scientific method to understand the natural world. Merely having an advanced degree in a scientific discipline does not make one a scientist, nor does the lack of such a degree prevent one from making important scientific contributions..
The scientific method is a collection of path, all of which may lead to scientific discovery.