Which science could I pursue in my own time, as an amateur?

Question

Hello from Dorset, England!

I never did too well at science whilst at school, but I'd like to give it another go in my own free time now I'm a little older. Perhaps I could even do a distance degree one day!

There are a number of fields I have become interested in and would like to apply myself to, but which should I pursue? What I mean is, are there any that either do, or don't, lend themselves to serious home study?

If neccessary I would of course buy all the relevant equipment as there is an old outbuilding at my house I am concerting in to a study/ lab.

My choices are:

Mathematics

Botany

Astronomy

Zoology

I know they are quite different subjects but bear in mind I would study them literally from a child's level right up to degree level (perhaps), on my own.

Your thoughts? Thanks!

Answer 1

Astronomy. For one, it would be the easiest for you to do, because of the fact that all you would need are books and a telescope (and maybe some other stuff, i dont know that much about it).  I personally have always thought that studying the stars would be a lot of fun, but it really all comes down to what you personally want.

Answer 2

Well, I am an A level student and always saw myself as a scientist (and probably still will be). The only thing is that I have taken mathematics for A level and I love it! It really lends itself to me.

One good thing about it is that it doesn't need any expensive equipment. All I use is a blank pad of paper and a few sharp pencils. The only real costs involved are any textbooks you want to buy.

All of those subjects are quite difficult to learn on your own, but I do believe that mathematics has the greastest reward. There is nothing better than sitting for hours staring at a problem and suddenly the solution flashes into your head.

The downside to math is that you may find it boring. Many people do!

The upside is that there is so much information on math on the internet and in textbooks. Plus theres always the yahoo answers team to put you right if you need it :)

Give it some thought and don't put too much money into whatever you plan to do, just in case you don't like it!

Answer 3

The only one of those in which you could hope to actually contribute something is in the field of astronomy, where amateurs do make important discoveries, especially in finding comets and supernovae.  You'd need a decent-size telescope and a digital camera and you're ready to go.

Answer 4

Hello from up-the-road in Gloucestershire!

If I had the time and resource, I'd be studying entomology. Insects are fascinating, absorbing, involving and down-right compelling. And they're conveniently small!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect

Whatever you choose I'm very jealous. :-P

Answer 5

Amateurs can still do useful work in a few fields and you have mentioned some of them.  I know a man with comets named for him, he is a well known amateur astronomer here in Australia.  

Botany - well you could pick an area in Dorset and do a detailed study of what plants are growing wild there.  Population counts, variation from year to year compared to weather and so forth.  

Zoology - well there is the grand old science / hobby of birdwatching, or ornithology if you like.  

If there are too many doing that, maybe you could work on reptiles.  Probably there is a fair bit known about English lizards and snakes, but a population count in any particular area could be publishable science.  It might not get into "Nature" but it could be good for a Master's degree or even a PhD if on a larger scale.