Wissenschaftsbereich

Wissenschaftsbereich is a German term referring to a broad domain or sector of science. It denotes a grouping or horizon of knowledge areas that collectively form part of research and higher education institutions, policy planning, or funding programs. The term is more administrative than technical and is often used to describe how research activities are structured rather than to identify a precise scientific category. It can refer to major divisions such as natural sciences (Naturwissenschaften), Geisteswissenschaften (humanities), Sozialwissenschaften (social sciences), and applied sciences, as well as cross-disciplinary or interdisciplinary initiatives.

In universities, the more common term for a formal subdivision is Fachbereich or Department, while Wissenschaftsbereich may be used in strategic plans or reports to outline research priorities across multiple departments or institutes. In national research policy, it helps to distinguish broader domains for funding lines; for example, a Wissenschaftsbereich might comprise several related disciplines that share infrastructure, methodologies, or thematic challenges.

The term is flexible and context-dependent. It contrasts with narrower terms such as Fachgebiet (subject area), Disziplin (discipline), or Forschungsbereich (research field). In bibliometrics and research evaluation, Wissenschaftsbereich can be used to categorize outputs on a higher level than individual departments.