Science station The science station was a console located on the bridge of Starfleet and other starship s . The station was designed to monitor scientific activity aboard the ship , ( ) and was manned by a science officer . Science stations could also be used to query a starship ' s library computer . ( ) Science stations were routinely outfitted with a blue - colored scope until at least the 2260s . ( ; ; ) The scopes were phased out by the 24th century . Counselor Deanna Troi found the the scope interesting when she and Commander William T . Riker visited a holodeck recreation of bridge in 2370 . ( ) On the , the science stations could be used to generate anyon fields ( ) as well as initiate a phased ionic pulse . ( ) In 2369 , Captain Edward Jellico ordered that the science stations on the " Enterprise " bridge be reconfigured for damage control and weapons status monitoring in preparation for possible conflict with the Cardassian Union . ( ) Bridge locations . NX - class . The featured a science station on the port side of the bridge , forward of the turbolift and to the left of the captain ' s chair . The station included a scope . ( et al . ) " Constitution " - class . 2260s . On original starships , the science station was located on the starboard side of the ship , two stations to the left of the turbolift alcove . The science station was normally occupied by the science officer , which was a senior staff position . This station had more elaborate control surfaces than other bridge stations . The station included a scope , a slot for microtape s , an actuating button for audio playback , a small console speaker , and several panel lights . ( , " et al . " ) 2270s . Upon the refit of the " Constitution " - class in the 2270s , the science station was now directly behind the captain , between the two turbolifts . Unlike the other bridge stations , the science station had a pullout console on both sides of the station . ( ) 2280s . By the 2280s , the science station had been moved back to a position similar to the original " Constitution " class , on the starboard side of the bridge next to the turbolift . ( ; ) 2290s . Newer " Constitution " - class ships refit with touch - panel displays had much larger science stations with an updated graphic interface . It was in the same starboard position , but the turbolift had been moved ahead of the station . ( ) " Galaxy " - class . 2360s . On starships , there were still two science stations on the bridge . They were the first two aft station s behind the tactical station and next to the door leading to the observation lounge , labeled Science I and Science II . No regular officer was assigned to these consoles as the science officer duties were now typically handled by the operations officer . ( ) 2370s . A refit of the " Galaxy " - class bridge was first seen in 2371 . Three new science stations were installed along the starboard side of the bridge to the first officer ' s right . They were labeled Science I , Science II , and Science III . A fourth station , Science IV , was located at Science I ' s old position . Science I now had a short extension console which faced the main viewscreen . ( ) " Intrepid " - class . The had one small science station on the port side of the bridge , just ahead of the door leading to the briefing room . ( ) A portion of the console extended out from the wall and faced the main viewscreen . ( ) " Sovereign " - class . The " Sovereign " - class had two science stations on the starboard side of the bridge , on a platform between the door to the captain ' s ready room and the starboard turbolift . Like on the " Galaxy " and " Intrepid " - classes , the first science station had a panel which faced the viewscreen .