EXHIBIT 5


                                                HARRIS
                                                BEACH &
                                                WILCOX
                                                a limited liability partnership
September 19, 1997
                                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW
 
                                                THE GRANITE BUILDING
                                                130 EAST MAIN STREET
                                                ROCHESTER, N.Y. 14604-1687
                                                (716) 232-4440
                                                Direct: 

World of Science, Inc.
900 Jefferson Road, Building Four
Rochester, New York 14623


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to World of Science, Inc., a New York corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the filing of the Company's registration
statement on Form S-8 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about
September 19, 1997 (the "Registration Statement"), under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended.  The Registration Statement is being filed in connection
with the Company's offering of up to 515,000 shares of Common Stock (the
"Shares") pursuant to the Company's 1993 Employee Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan").

     We are familiar with the proceedings to date with respect to such offering
and have examined such records, documents and matters of law and satisfied
ourselves as to such matters of fact as we have considered relevant for purposes
of this opinion.

     For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the originals of
all documents submitted  to us as copies.  We have also assumed the genuineness
of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this
opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of the
parties thereto, and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all
documents by the parties thereto.

     We are of the opinion that, when the Shares shall have been issued and sold
on the terms contemplated by the Plan, and the Registration Statement shall have
become effective, the Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and non-
assessable.

     This opinion shall be limited to the laws of the State of New York and the
federal laws of the United States of America.

     We hereby consent to the use of this Opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.


                                    Very truly yours,

                                    HARRIS BEACH & WILCOX, LLP

                                    By: /s/ Thomas E. Willett
                                        ---------------------
                                        Thomas E. Willett, as a Partner