Why is CS Considered a Natural Science?

Written by elin Park

Natural. What pops up in your head when you think of this word? What undertones or aura does it give you?

You may think of a color: green. You may also imagine a singular tree. Many trees - a forest, perhaps? An image of the synthesis of organic chemicals may pop up. Whatever you manifested was probably not a hard disk or an algorithm to search a binary tree, though.

One may ask, then, how is computer science considered a natural science? Well, if we take a few steps back, computer science heavily stems from the fields of logic and mathematics. Math becomes highly philosohopical when trying to uncover the abstract questions of our universe while still attempting to investigate the current physical state of our universe.

Computer science then, by definition, seeks to understand and explain the underlying rules and principles that govern how computers, algorithms, and systems work. Contrary to popular belief, computer science isn’t just the study of “learning how to code” or “center a div.” Getting into the nity gritty of how all these small pieces come together to make a larger system work is the real science behind it. Scientists and engineers use mathematical models and theories in order to build and study algorithms in addition to data structures, design computer systems, and solve computational problems.This means examining, analyzing, and making predictions about computers, in addition to the different components of a given system. 

Furthermore, computer science has applications in all areas of what we may classify as “pure” natural sciences. In realms such as biology, chemistry, and physics, computer models and simulations can be used to study or manipulate large inputs of data. Some examples would include analyzing weather patterns or making predictions on climate change. Bioinformatics is an emerging and developing area of study that combines both computer science and biology that is on the rise.

In conclusion, computer science serves as a foundation for understanding and advancing our knowledge of both the natural and physical world.