what's the difference between las ciencias and la ciencia?

Question

Do they both mean science? Which one is used more commonly?

Answer 1

Like most uncountable nouns like bread, water, milk, etc. the plural (breads, waters, milks) is used when discussing different types or varieties.

Science would be used when talking about all branches of science lumped together, but when we talk about the different types of science (natural, social, physical, etc.) we use sciences.