Social Work and Science in the 21st Century enhances the inclusion of natural science concepts and knowledge into social work education and practice. The book highlights basic scientific theories and ideas in a broad array of natural science fields, including chemistry, physics, astronomy, geometry, numbers, and big data. A number of chapters focus on how knowledge from the natural sciences can enhance social work practice in areas as diverse as medicine, substance abuse, mental health, and intellectual and developmental disabilities, while other chapters on water, human geography, climate change, execution and the death penalty, and the life cycle are designed to highlight the natural science behind social issues. The information presented in the book is complex enough to spark the reader's continued interest in knowing more about the natural sciences, but basic enough to allow readers with limited understanding of the natural sciences--at both the bachelor's and master's levels--to feel comfortable exploring its contents.

Chapter 1. Introduction to Social Work and Science for Students and PractitionersChapter 2. Social Work and the Science of ChemistryChapter 3. Social Work and the "Far-Out Sciences" of Physics, Astronomy, and GeometryChapter 4. Social Work and the Science of NumbersChapter 5. Social Work and the Science of Big DataChapter 6. Social Work and the Science of Climate ChangeChapter 7. Social Work and the Science of WaterChapter 8. Social Work and the Science of Human GeographyChapter 9. Social Work and the Science of the Life CycleChapter 10. Social Work and the Science of ExecutionChapter 11. Social Work and the Science of Medical Prevention and TreatmentChapter 12. Social Work and the Science of Substance UseChapter 13. Social Work and the Science of Mental HealthChapter 14. Social Work and the Science of Intellectual/Developmental DisabilitiesChapter 15. ConclusionsGlossary of Key Terms