Science system clarification

I would like to get some clarification on the Science system as it relates to points in the Geologists -

Do I HAVE to use 5 points per line in the Geologist? OR - can I just use 10 Manuscripts, 10 Tomes, and 11 Codices?

It just seems a waste to take away points some could use in other areas for places they will never use. I have enough cokers and recyclers that I do not need Coal mines and I only have need for one Gold mine, so why am I forced to put points Gold Mining Surplus or Quality Coal Mineshafts? A 10/10/11 system would eliminate the need as oppose to a 5/5/5/5/5/5/1 system...

As the science system says, you need to have a certain number of books in the level below the level you want to access. It does NOT say you need to have 5 of every level. You are locked into having 5 of the lowest level, because there is nothing below it. However, otherwise you can use lower books than the level immediately below in order to activate that level.

Thus, for the geologist, you can have 6 of the lowest level manuscripts (the total amount allowed) and 4 of the next level to open the tomes. You can then add 5 more manuscripts (for the total of 9 possible) and open up the second row of tomes, without ever using a tome. You would only need to use 5 tomes in order to get the lower layer of codex available. You could also use 15 tomes in either of the levels, and have access to the top codex level. However, you also have to remember that once you use the maximum number of books allowed, you cannot add ANY books, regardless of the level of book or number of books at that level.

That is how I thought it would work - but every guide I have seen says to use 5 per level. As I am not level 50 yet, I can't test it to the top levels.

Say I wanted to go 6/9/9/3/0/3/1 ? Per the Science system tips - I have satisfied the 25 books in the below levels to get to Ore Collector, with one remaining point for Natural Born Digger.

So, according to the the Science System tooltips, it should work - but according to every guide I can find, I wont have satisfied the requirements to get to Natural Born Digger...

Unless you are doing quests for a particular number of codex ect, you can organize them any way you want (assuming the proper talents are unlocked first).

The guides probably weren't updated from back then. Initially introduced was the system as you _have_ to _have_ 5 books in the very row below, but that fortunately got changed and loosend, so you can drop the books anywhere in the levels below to unlock the required numbers for the higher tiers.

I'd recommend, however, to find someone to sellgift you Jollies unless you have them already, and go only for the fast coppermines, the very rest for Geo's is kind of lacklusting and better spent on Explorers or the (soon™) coming General and Island improvements.
With the books taking so long and getting rather expensive fairly soon, you really should make up your mind as soon as you can if you do want to spend them on the Geos.