Medical Sciences Database - Departments
	Life Sciences	This group of skills includes the study of living things, both terrestrial and alien plants and animals, bacteria, fungi, and other organisms. All Starfleet Officers have some training in one of these sciences, and Science and Medical Officers have training in at least one, with the likelihood of training in more than one extensively.
	Bionics	Training includes the study of how biological systems and functions can be applied to engineering problems. Included are the physical melding of beings and machinery, such as with artificial organs or electr-mechanically enhanced senses. Bio-engineers can use their skill to create artificial organs and limbs.
	Botany	Training includes the study of plants, from simple algae to complex flowering and nonflowering varieties. It also includes some agriculturaltopics such as growth mechanisms, genetics, cross-fertilization, hybridization, and hydroponics. Most botanists can recognize poisonous and edible plants, and from plants under cultivation can deduce information about the technology, metabolism, and lifestyle of those doing the agriculture.
	Ecology	Training includes the study of how living things interact with their environment. Planetary ecologists can determine if a planet is habitable, as well as the probable effects of colonization on the planet's life forms and environment. Ecologists can use their skill to determine which, if any, plants and animals can become part of the food chains of Federation or alien races.
	Exobiology	Training includes the study of life forms alien to humanoid creatures. It involves the study of non-carbonbased organisms, with life cycles that may not include nitrogen, oxygen, or water. Exobiologists can use their skill to give information about the structure and function of alien creatures and plants, perhaps even determining that what appears to be non-living is in fact alive, but of a structure totally new to the Federation.
	Genetics	Training includes the study of heredity and variations in living things from one individual, group, species, or generation to another. Genetic specialists added their skills to projects like constructing the Genesis Device or breeding genetically enhanced beings such as Khan Noonian Singh or Julian Bashir.
	Zoology	Training includes the study of animal life, with particular emphasis on the properties of and characteristics exhibited by an animal, an animal type, or an animal population. Zoologists can use their skill to recognize predators and prey, and they can determine which animals are likely to be dangerous or beneficial to an Away Team.
	Medical Sciences	This broad range of skills includes everything from First Aid to surgery and psychiatry. All Starfleet personnel are qualified in first Aid on themselves and members of their own race; Medical Officers, of course, study further, gaining professional-level skill in several areas of Medical Science.
	General Medicine	This is the anatomy and physiology of the body, its systems, organs, and tissues. training begins with First Aid and continues through diagnosis and treatment of most common disorders, including wounds and diseases. The basics of this skill is given to all Starfleet Personnel. Professional-level training in this area is required of all practicing physicians and other medical specialists. All Starfleet Medical Officers are trained to treat several races.
	Geriatrics	Training includes certification and has special knowledge of the aging process and special skills in the diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive, and rehabilitative aspects of illness in the elderly. Geriatricians are trained to recognize the unusual presentations of illness and drug interactions, to utilize resources such as community social services, and to assist with special ethical issues in the care of the elderly. Examples of common geriatric conditions include incontinence, falls, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
	Paediatrics	Training involves attending programs that are staffed by specialists who are concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of infants, children and adolescents from birth to young adulthood. Paediatricians have advanced training in the biological, social and environmental factors that have an influence on a developing child and have expertise in diagnosing and treating the acute and chronic diseases that are common to individuals in this age range.
	Pathology	Training involves the study of diseases and the changes caused by them in tissues and organs. It also includes extensive study of tissues, including analysis for trace substances, bacteria, and viruses. Pathologists can use their skill to analyze a tissue sample for poisons or to perform an autopsy.
	Psychology	Training involves study of the working of the thinking mind. Observational techniques are taught for the use in behaviour studies of individuals and groups. Extensive training in this area is given to all Starfleet Medical Officers and Counselors, so that they may deal with several races. Psychologists can use their skill to detect patterns that deviate from the norm, gaining information about the state of minds of those under observation.
	Surgery	Training includes advanced techniques, including anesthetics and organ transplant. Surgeons can use their skill to save the life of a severely wounded or diseased being.