Science View (manual)

The science view is where you make intellectual improvements to the current incarnation of your empire. Scientific advancement is broken down into two basic types of improvement: A field of study is a group of related technologies. Dependencies can exist between fields of study such that opening one field of study can make another one visible.
 * Fields of Study
 * Technologies

Technologies are individual advancements within a particular universe. They might improve a core strength, improve a total strength, enable an investment, or some combination thereof. Unlike fields of study - which are either opened or closed - a technology can be both purchased and refned.

Opening a field of study, developing a technology, and refining a technology all cost knowledge.