Wiktionary
n. A study that is concerned with theoretical formal systems, such as logic, mathematics, systems theory and the theoretical branches of computer science, information theory, microeconomics, statistics, and linguistics.
Wikipedia
Formal sciences are disciplines concerned with formal systems, such as logic, mathematics, statistics, theoretical computer science, information theory, game theory, systems theory, decision theory, and theoretical linguistics. Whereas the natural sciences seek to characterize physical systems using empirical methods, the formal sciences are concerned with characterizing abstract structures described by sign systems. The formal sciences aid the natural sciences by providing information about the structures the latter use to describe the world, and what inferences may be made about them.
Usage examples of "formal science".
The child was so isolated from human contact that she spoke like an excessively formal science book.
I would think that if the Darkovans have been using them for centuries, they would have developed a formal science a long time ago.