Science (from

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power ...

''scientia'', meaning "knowledge") is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes

knowledge Knowledge can be defined as awareness of facts or as practical skills, and may also refer to familiarity with objects or situations. Knowledge of facts, also called propositional knowledge, is often defined as true belief that is disti ...

in the form of testable

explanation An explanation is a set of statements usually constructed to describe a set of facts which clarifies the causes, context, and consequences of those facts. It may establish rules or laws, and may clarify the existing rules or laws in relat ...

s and predictions about the universe.

Modern science The history of science covers the development of science from ancient times to the present. It encompasses all three major branches of science: natural, social, and formal. Science's earliest roots can be traced to Ancient Egypt and Mesop ...

is typically divided into three major

branches A branch, sometimes called a ramus in botany, is a woody structural member connected to the central trunk of a tree (or sometimes a shrub). Large branches are known as boughs and small branches are known as twigs. The term ''twig'' usually ...

that consist of the natural sciences (

biology Biology is the scientific study of life. It is a natural science with a broad scope but has several unifying themes that tie it together as a single, coherent field. For instance, all organisms are made up of cells that process hereditar ...

, chemistry,

physics Physics is the natural science that studies matter, its fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge which rel ...

astronomy Astronomy () is a natural science that studies astronomical object, celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and chronology of the Universe, evolution. Objects of interest ...

and

Earth science Earth science or geoscience includes all fields of natural science related to the planet Earth. This is a branch of science dealing with the physical, chemical, and biological complex constitutions and synergistic linkages of Earth's four spher ...

), which study

nature Nature, in the broadest sense, is the physical world or universe. "Nature" can refer to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general. The study of nature is a large, if not the only, part of science. Although humans ar ...

in the broadest sense; the

social sciences Social science is one of the branches of science, devoted to the study of society, societies and the Social relation, relationships among individuals within those societies. The term was formerly used to refer to the field of sociology, the o ...

(e.g.

psychology Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Psychology includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, including feelings and thoughts. It is an academic discipline of immense scope, crossing the boundaries betwe ...

sociology Sociology is a social science that focuses on society, human social behavior, patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and aspects of culture associated with everyday life. It uses various methods of empirical investigation and ...

economics Economics () is the social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Economics focuses on the behaviour and interactions of economic agents and how economies work. Microeconomics analy ...

history History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the History of writing#Inventions of writing, invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbr ...

) which study people and societies; and the formal sciences (e.g. mathematics,

logic Logic is the study of correct reasoning. It includes both formal and informal logic. Formal logic is the science of deductively valid inferences or of logical truths. It is a formal science investigating how conclusions follow from premis ...

theoretical computer science Theoretical computer science (TCS) is a subset of general computer science and mathematics that focuses on mathematical aspects of computer science such as the theory of computation, lambda calculus, and type theory. It is difficult to circumsc ...

), which study abstract concepts. There is disagreement, however, on the formal sciences being a science as they do not rely on

empirical evidence Empirical evidence for a proposition is evidence, i.e. what supports or counters this proposition, that is constituted by or accessible to sense experience or experimental procedure. Empirical evidence is of central importance to the sciences ...

. Disciplines that use science, such as engineering and medicine, are described as

applied sciences Applied science is the use of the scientific method and knowledge obtained via conclusions from the method to attain practical goals. It includes a broad range of disciplines such as engineering and medicine. Applied science is often contrasted ...

A

Acanthochronology Acanthochronology is the study of cactus spines or ''Euphorbia'' thorns grown in time ordered sequence (i.e. in series). Physical, morphological or chemical characteristics and information about the relative order or absolute age of the spines or ...

– study of cactus spines grown in time ordered sequence * Acarology – study of mites and ticks *

Aceology A therapy or medical treatment (often abbreviated tx, Tx, or Tx) is the attempted remediation of a health problem, usually following a medical diagnosis. As a rule, each therapy has indications and contraindications. There are many different ...

– science of remedies, or of therapeutics; iamatology * Acology – study of medical remedies * Acoustics – science of sound * Actinobiology – synonymous with

radiobiology Radiobiology (also known as radiation biology, and uncommonly as actinobiology) is a field of clinical and basic medical sciences that involves the study of the action of ionizing radiation on living things, especially health effects of radiation ...

* Adenology – study of glands * Aedoeology – science of generative organs *

Aerobiology Aerobiology (from Greek ἀήρ, ''aēr'', " air"; βίος, ''bios'', "life"; and -λογία, ''-logia'') is a branch of biology that studies organic particles, such as bacteria, fungal spores, very small insects, pollen grains and viruses, ...

– study of airborne organisms * Aerodonetics – science or study of gliding *

Aerodynamics Aerodynamics, from grc, ἀήρ ''aero'' (air) + grc, δυναμική (dynamics), is the study of the motion of air, particularly when affected by a solid object, such as an airplane wing. It involves topics covered in the field of fluid dyn ...

– dynamics of gases; science of movement in a flow of air or gas * Aerolithology – study of aerolites; meteorites * Aeropalynology – study of pollens and spores in atmosphere * Aerology – study of the atmosphere *

Aeronautics Aeronautics is the science or art involved with the study, design, and manufacturing of air flight–capable machines, and the techniques of operating aircraft and rockets within the atmosphere. The British Royal Aeronautical Society identif ...

– study of navigation through air or space *

Aerostatics A subfield of fluid statics, aerostatics is the study of gases that are not in motion with respect to the coordinate system in which they are considered. The corresponding study of gases in motion is called aerodynamics. Aerostatics studies densi ...

– science of air pressure; art of ballooning * Agnoiology – study of ignorance * Agonistics – art and theory of prize-fighting * Agriology – comparative study of primitive peoples * Agrobiology – study of plant nutrition; soil yields *

Agroecology Agroecology (US: a-grō-ē-ˈkä-lə-jē) is an academic discipline that studies ecological processes applied to agricultural production systems. Bringing ecological principles to bear can suggest new management approaches in agroecosystems. T ...

– study of ecological processes applied to agricultural production systems * Agrogeology – study of agrominerals * Agrology – study of agricultural soils *

Agronomics Agricultural economics is an applied field of economics concerned with the application of economic theory in optimizing the production and distribution of food and fiber products. Agricultural economics began as a branch of economics that specif ...

– study of productivity of land * Agrostology – science or study of grasses *

Alethiology Alethiology (or alethology, "the study of aletheia") literally means the ''study of truth'', but can more accurately be translated as ''the study of the nature of truth''. History It could be argued that ''alethiology'' is synonymous with ''epistem ...

– study of truth * Algedonics – science of pleasure and pain *

Algology Algology may refer to: *Algology (medicine), the study of pain *Phycology, also known as algology, the study of algae *Marine botany Marine botany is the study of flowering vascular plant species and marine algae that live in shallow seawater o ...

(

botany Botany, also called plant science (or plant sciences), plant biology or phytology, is the science of plant life and a branch of biology. A botanist, plant scientist or phytologist is a scientist who specialises in this field. The term "bot ...

) – study of algae *

(

medicine Medicine is the science and Praxis (process), practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, Preventive medicine, prevention, therapy, treatment, Palliative care, palliation of their injury or disease, and Health promotion ...

) – study of pain *

Anaesthesiology Anesthesiology, anaesthesiology, or anaesthesia is the medical specialty concerned with the total perioperative care of patients before, during and after surgery. It encompasses anesthesia, intensive care medicine, critical emergency medicine ...

– study of anaesthetics *

Anatomy Anatomy () is the branch of biology concerned with the study of the structure of organisms and their parts. Anatomy is a branch of natural science that deals with the structural organization of living things. It is an old science, having its ...

– study of the structure of the body *

Andragogy Andragogy refers to methods and principles used in adult education. The word comes from the Greek ἀνδρ- (''andr-''), meaning "man", and ἀγωγός (''agogos''), meaning "leader of". Therefore, andragogy literally means "leading men", wher ...

– theory and practice of education of adults *

Andrology Andrology (from grc, ἀνήρ, ''anēr'', genitive , ''andros'', "man"; and , '' -logia'') is a name for the medical specialty that deals with male health, particularly relating to the problems of the male reproductive system and urological p ...

– study of men's physiology * Anemology – study of wind * Angiology – study of blood flow and lymphatic system * Anthropobiology – study of human biology *

Anthropology Anthropology is the scientific study of humanity, concerned with human behavior, human biology, cultures, societies, and linguistics, in both the present and past, including past human species. Social anthropology studies patterns of be ...

– study of human cultures *

Anthrozoology Anthrozoology, also known as human–nonhuman-animal studies (HAS), is the subset of ethnobiology that deals with biological interaction, interactions between humans and other animals. It is an interdisciplinary field that overlaps with other ...

– study of human-animal interaction * Apiology – study of bees *

Aquatic ecology An aquatic ecosystem is an ecosystem formed by surrounding a body of water, in contrast to land-based terrestrial ecosystems. Aquatic ecosystems contain communities of organisms that are dependent on each other and on their environment. The ...

– study of aquatic environment *

Arachnology Arachnology is the scientific study of arachnids, which comprise spiders and related invertebrates such as scorpions, pseudoscorpions, and harvestmen. Those who study spiders and other arachnids are arachnologists. More narrowly, the study of ...

– study of arachnids *

Archaeology Archaeology or archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of Artifact (archaeology), artifacts, architecture, biofact (archaeology), biofacts ...

– study of human material remains * Archelogy – study of first principles * Archology – science of the origins of government * Areology – study of Mars * Aretaics – science of virtue * Aristology – science or art of dining * Aromachology – study of smell and odor *

Arthrology Arthrology is the science concerned with the study of anatomy, function, dysfunction and treatment of joints and articulations. The prefix "arthro-" refers to joints, as in arthrogram, arthroscopy, or arthritis Arthritis is a term often used ...

– study of joints * Arthropodology – study of arthropods like

insects Insects (from Latin ') are pancrustacean hexapod invertebrates of the class Insecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body (head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs ...

and

arachnids Arachnida () is a class of joint-legged invertebrate animals (arthropods), in the subphylum Chelicerata. Arachnida includes, among others, spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites, pseudoscorpions, harvestmen, camel spiders, whip spiders and vine ...

* Astacology – science of crayfish *

Asteroseismology Asteroseismology or astroseismology is the study of oscillations in stars. Stars have many resonant modes and frequencies, and the path of sound waves passing through a star depends on the speed of sound, which in turn depends on local temperatur ...

– study of star oscillations * Astheniology – study of diseases of weakening and aging *

Astrobotany Astrobotany is an applied sub-discipline of botany that is the study of plants in space environments. It is a branch of astrobiology and botany. It has been a subject of study that plants may be grown in outer space typically in a weightless but ...

– study of plants in space *

Astrobiology Astrobiology, and the related field of exobiology, is an interdisciplinary scientific field that studies the origins, early evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. Astrobiology is the multidisciplinary field that investi ...

– study of extraterrestrial life *

Astrodynamics Orbital mechanics or astrodynamics is the application of ballistics and celestial mechanics to the practical problems concerning the motion of rockets and other spacecraft. The motion of these objects is usually calculated from Newton's laws of ...

– study of motion of rockets and spacecraft *

Astrogeology Planetary geology, alternatively known as astrogeology or exogeology, is a planetary science discipline concerned with the geology of the celestial bodies such as the planets and their moons, asteroids, comets, and meteorites. Although the ge ...

– study of extraterrestrial geology *

Astronomy Astronomy () is a natural science that studies astronomical object, celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and chronology of the Universe, evolution. Objects of interest ...

– study of celestial bodies and phenomena *

Astrophysics Astrophysics is a science that employs the methods and principles of physics and chemistry in the study of astronomical objects and phenomena. As one of the founders of the discipline said, Astrophysics "seeks to ascertain the nature of the he ...

– study of behaviour of interstellar matter * Atmology – the science of aqueous vapor *

Audiology Audiology (from Latin , "to hear"; and from Greek , '' -logia'') is a branch of science that studies hearing, balance, and related disorders. Audiologists treat those with hearing loss and proactively prevent related damage. By employing vario ...

– study of hearing * Autecology – study of ecology of one species * Autology – scientific study of oneself * Auxology – science of growth *

Avionics Avionics (a blend of ''aviation'' and ''electronics'') are the electronic systems used on aircraft. Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems, and the hundreds of systems that are fitt ...

– science of electronic devices for aircraft * Axiology – science of the ultimate nature of value

B

Bacteriology Bacteriology is the branch and specialty of biology that studies the morphology, ecology, genetics and biochemistry of bacteria as well as many other aspects related to them. This subdivision of microbiology involves the identification, classific ...

– study of bacteria * Balneology – science of the therapeutic use of baths * Batrachology – study of frogs * Barodynamics – science of the support and mechanics of bridges * Barology – study of gravitational force *

Bathymetry Bathymetry (; ) is the study of underwater depth of seabed, ocean floors (''seabed topography''), lake floors, or river floors. In other words, bathymetry is the underwater equivalent to hypsometry or topography. The first recorded evidence of w ...

– study of underwater depth of ocean floors or lake floors *

Batology A bramble is any rough, tangled, prickly shrub, usually in the genus ''Rubus'', which grows blackberries, raspberries, or dewberries. "Bramble" is also used to describe other prickly shrubs, such as roses (''Rosa'' species). The fruits incl ...

– the study of brambles *

Bibliology Bibliography (from and ), as a discipline, is traditionally the academic study of books as physical, cultural objects; in this sense, it is also known as bibliology (from ). English author and bibliographer John Carter describes ''bibliography ...

– study of books * Bibliotics – study of documents to determine authenticity *

Bioecology Ecology () is the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment. Ecology considers organisms at the individual, population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere level. Ecology overl ...

– study of interaction of life in the environment *

Biogeochemistry Biogeochemistry is the scientific discipline that involves the study of the chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes and reactions that govern the composition of the natural environment (including the biosphere, the cryospher ...

– study of chemistry of the surface of the Earth *

Biology Biology is the scientific study of life. It is a natural science with a broad scope but has several unifying themes that tie it together as a single, coherent field. For instance, all organisms are made up of cells that process hereditar ...

– study of life *

Biochemistry Biochemistry or biological chemistry is the study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms. A sub-discipline of both chemistry and biology, biochemistry may be divided into three fields: structural biology, enzymology ...

– study of chemical processes within and relating to living organism *

Biomechanics Biomechanics is the study of the structure, function and motion of the mechanical aspects of biological systems, at any level from whole organisms to organs, cells and cell organelles, using the methods of mechanics. Biomechanics is a branch ...

– study of the structure, function and motion of the mechanical aspects of biological systems *

Biometrics Biometrics are body measurements and calculations related to human characteristics. Biometric authentication (or realistic authentication) is used in computer science as a form of identification and access control. It is also used to identify ...

– study of biological measurement for security purposes * Bionomics – study of organisms interacting in their environments *

Biophysics Biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that applies approaches and methods traditionally used in physics to study biological phenomena. Biophysics covers all scales of biological organization, from molecular to organismic and populations. ...

– study of physics of biological phenomena * Biopsychology – application of the science of biology to the study of psychology * Biotribology – study of friction, wear and lubrication of biological systems *

Botany Botany, also called plant science (or plant sciences), plant biology or phytology, is the science of plant life and a branch of biology. A botanist, plant scientist or phytologist is a scientist who specialises in this field. The term "bot ...

– study of plants * Bromatology – study of food *

Bryology Bryology (from Greek , a moss, a liverwort) is the branch of botany concerned with the scientific study of bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts). Bryologists are people who have an active interest in observing, recording, classifying o ...

– study of mosses and liverworts

C

* Cacogenics – study of racial degeneration * Caliology – study of bird's nests * Calorifics – study of heat * Cambistry – science of international exchange *

Campanology Campanology () is the scientific and musical study of bells. It encompasses the technology of bells – how they are founded, tuned and rung – as well as the history, methods, and traditions of bellringing as an art. It is common to collect t ...

– study of bells * Carcinology – study of crabs and other crustaceans *

Cardiology Cardiology () is a branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the heart and the cardiovascular system. The field includes medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular he ...

– study of the heart *

Caricology ''Carex'' is a vast genus of more than 2,000 species of grass-like plants in the family Cyperaceae, commonly known as sedges (or seg, in older books). Other members of the family Cyperaceae are also called sedges, however those of genus ''Carex'' ...

– study of sedges *

Carpology Carpology is a discipline of botany devoted to the study of seeds and fruits. The German inventor Joseph Gaertner, a doctor and botanist who lived in the 18th century and dedicated his life to the study of natural history, is considered its inve ...

– study of fruit *

Cartography Cartography (; from grc, χάρτης , "papyrus, sheet of paper, map"; and , "write") is the study and practice of making and using maps. Combining science, aesthetics and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality (or an ...

– science of making maps and globes *

Castrametation In the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, the Latin word ''castrum'', plural ''castra'', was a military-related term. In Latin usage, the singular form ''castrum'' meant 'fort', while the plural form ''castra'' meant 'camp'. The singular ...

– art of designing a camp * Catacoustics – science of echoes or reflected sounds * Catallactics – science of commercial exchange * Catechectics – art of teaching by question and answer *

Celestial mechanics Celestial mechanics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the motions of objects in outer space. Historically, celestial mechanics applies principles of physics (classical mechanics) to astronomical objects, such as stars and planets, to ...

– study of motion of objects in outer space *

Cell biology Cell biology (also cellular biology or cytology) is a branch of biology that studies the structure, function, and behavior of cells. All living organisms are made of cells. A cell is the basic unit of life that is responsible for the living a ...

– study of the different structures and functions of both eukaryote and prokaryote cells *

Cetology Cetology (from Greek , ''kētos'', "whale"; and , ''-logia'') or whalelore (also known as whaleology) is the branch of marine mammal science that studies the approximately eighty species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in the scientific order ...

– study of whales and dolphins *

Chalcography Engraving is the practice of incising a design onto a hard, usually flat surface by cutting grooves into it with a burin. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an in ...

– art of engraving on copper or brass * Chalcotriptics – art of taking rubbings from ornamental brasses *

Chaology Chaos theory is an interdisciplinary area of scientific study and branch of mathematics focused on underlying patterns and deterministic laws of dynamical systems that are highly sensitive to initial conditions, and were once thought to have co ...

– study of chaos or chaos theory * Characterology – study of development of character * Chemistry – study of properties and behaviours of substances * Chirocosmetics – beautifying the hands; art of manicure * Chirography – study of handwriting or penmanship *

Chirology Palmistry is the pseudoscientific practice of fortune-telling through the study of the palm. Also known as palm reading, chiromancy, chirology or cheirology, the practice is found all over the world, with numerous cultural variations. Those wh ...

– study of the hands * Chiropody – medical science of feet *

Chorology Chorology (from Greek , ''khōros'', "place, space"; and , ''-logia'') can mean * the study of the causal relations between geographical phenomena occurring within a particular region * the study of the spatial distribution of organisms ( biogeogra ...

– science of the geographic description of anything *

Chrematistics Chrematistics (from Greek: ''χρηματιστική''), or the study of wealth or a particular theory of wealth as measured in money, has historically had varying levels of acceptability in Western culture. This article will summarize histor ...

– study of wealth; political economy * Chromatics – study of color *

Chronobiology Chronobiology is a field of biology that examines Time, timing processes, including periodic (cyclic) phenomena in living organisms, such as their adaptation to sun, solar- and moon, lunar-related rhythms. These cycles are known as biological rh ...

– study of biological rhythms * Chrysology – study of precious metals * Ciselure – art of chasing metal *

Classical mechanics Classical mechanics is a physical theory describing the motion of macroscopic objects, from projectiles to parts of machinery, and astronomical objects, such as spacecraft, planets, stars, and galaxies. For objects governed by classical ...

– study of motion of macroscopic objects *

Climatology Climatology (from Ancient Greek, Greek , ''klima'', "place, zone"; and , ''wiktionary:-logia, -logia'') or climate science is the scientific study of Earth's climate, typically defined as weather conditions averaged over a period of at least 30 ...

– study of climate * Clinology – study of aging or individual decline after maturity *

Codicology Codicology (; from French ''codicologie;'' from Latin , genitive , "notebook, book" and Greek , '' -logia'') is the study of codices or manuscript books. It is often referred to as "the archaeology of the book," a term coined by François Masai. ...

– study of manuscripts * Coleopterology – study of beetles and weevils * Cometology – study of comets *

Computer science Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines (includin ...

– study of processes that interact with data *

Conchology Conchology () is the study of mollusc shells. Conchology is one aspect of malacology, the study of molluscs; however, malacology is the study of molluscs as whole organisms, whereas conchology is confined to the study of their shells. It includ ...

– study of shells *

Connectomics Connectomics is the production and study of connectomes: comprehensive maps of connections within an organism's nervous system. More generally, it can be thought of as the study of neuronal wiring diagrams with a focus on how structural connectivi ...

– study of connectomes *

Contact mechanics Contact mechanics is the study of the deformation of solids that touch each other at one or more points.Johnson, K. L, 1985, Contact mechanics, Cambridge University Press.Popov, Valentin L., 2010, ''Contact Mechanics and Friction. Physical Pr ...

– study of the deformation of solids that touch each other *

Coprology In medicine and biology, scatology or coprology is the study of feces. Scatological studies allow one to determine a wide range of biological information about a creature, including its diet (and thus where it has been), health and diseases su ...

– study of feces *

Cosmetology Cosmetology (from Greek , ''kosmētikos'', "beautifying"; and , ''-logia'') is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty include hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, non-permanent hair removal such as ...

– study of cosmetics *

Cosmochemistry Cosmochemistry (from Greek κόσμος ''kósmos'', "universe" and χημεία ''khemeía'') or chemical cosmology is the study of the chemical composition of matter in the universe and the processes that led to those compositions. This is don ...

– study of the chemical composition of matter in the universe and the processes that led to those compositions *

Cosmology Cosmology () is a branch of physics and metaphysics dealing with the nature of the universe. The term ''cosmology'' was first used in English in 1656 in Thomas Blount's ''Glossographia'', and in 1731 taken up in Latin by German philosophe ...

– study of the universe * Craniology – study of the skull * Criminology – study of crime and criminals *

Cryobiology Cryobiology is the branch of biology that studies the effects of low temperatures on living things within Earth's cryosphere or in science. The word cryobiology is derived from the Greek words κρῧος ryos "cold", βίος ios "life", and λ� ...

– study of life under cold conditions *

Cryptology Cryptography, or cryptology (from grc, , translit=kryptós "hidden, secret"; and ''graphein'', "to write", or ''-logia'', "study", respectively), is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of adver ...

– study of codes *

Cryptozoology Cryptozoology is a pseudoscience and subculture that searches for and studies unknown, legendary, or extinct animals whose present existence is disputed or unsubstantiated, particularly those popular in folklore, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Nes ...

– study of animals for whose existence there is no conclusive proof * Ctetology – study of the inheritance of acquired characteristics * Cyclonology – study of tropical cyclones, e.g. hurricanes *

Cynology Cynology (rarely kynology, ) is the study of matters related to canines or domestic dogs. In English, it is a term sometimes used to denote a serious zoological approach to the study of dogs as well as by writers on canine subjects, dog breeders, ...

– scientific study of dogs *

Cytology Cell biology (also cellular biology or cytology) is a branch of biology that studies the structure, function, and behavior of cells. All living organisms are made of cells. A cell is the basic unit of life that is responsible for the living a ...

– study of living cells

D

* Dactyliology – study of rings * Dactylography – study of fingerprints * Dactylology – study of sign language *

Deltiology Deltiology (from Greek , , diminutive of , , "writing tablet, letter"; and , ) is the study and collection of postcards. The word was first coined by Professor Randall Rhoades of Ashland, Ohio, in 1945. However, it took about twenty years for i ...

– collection and study of picture postcards *

Demography Demography () is the statistical study of populations, especially human beings. Demographic analysis examines and measures the dimensions and dynamics of populations; it can cover whole societies or groups defined by criteria such as ed ...

– study of population * Demology – study of human behaviour * Dendrochronology – study of tree rings *

Dendrology Dendrology ( grc, δένδρον, ''dendron'', "tree"; and grc, -λογία, ''-logia'', ''science of'' or ''study of'') or xylology ( grc, ξύλον, ''ksulon'', "wood") is the science and study of woody plants ( trees, shrubs, and lianas) ...

– study of trees *

Deontology In moral philosophy, deontological ethics or deontology (from Greek: + ) is the normative ethical theory that the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules and principles, ...

– theory or study of moral obligation * Dermatoglyphics – study of skin patterns and fingerprints *

Dermatology Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin.''Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.'' Random House, Inc. 2001. Page 537. . It is a speciality with both medical and surgical aspects. A List of dermatologists, dermatologist ...

– study of skin * Desmology – study of ligaments * Diabology – study of devils * Diagraphics – art of making diagrams or drawings *

Dialectology Dialectology (from Greek , ''dialektos'', "talk, dialect"; and , '' -logia'') is the scientific study of linguistic dialect, a sub-field of sociolinguistics. It studies variations in language based primarily on geographic distribution and their asso ...

– study of dialects * Dietetics – study of prevention of health conditions and diseases through human nutrition and regulation of diet *

Dioptrics Dioptrics is the branch of optics dealing with refraction, similarly the branch dealing with mirrors is known as catoptrics. Dioptrics is the study of the refraction of light, especially by lenses. Telescopes that create their image with an obje ...

– study of light refraction *

Diplomatics Diplomatics (in American English, and in most anglophone countries), or diplomatic (in British English), is a scholarly discipline centred on the critical analysis of documents: especially, historical documents. It focuses on the conventions, ...

– science of deciphering ancient writings and texts * Diplomatology – study of diplomats * Docimology – art of assaying * Dosiology – study of doses * Dynamics – study of forces and their effects on motion *

Dysgenics Dysgenics (also known as cacogenics) is the decrease in prevalence of traits deemed to be either socially desirable or well adapted to their environment due to selective pressure disfavoring the reproduction of those traits. The adjective "dysgeni ...

– study of racial degeneration

E

Ecclesiology In Christian theology, ecclesiology is the study of the Church, the origins of Christianity, its relationship to Jesus, its role in salvation, its polity, its discipline, its eschatology, and its leadership. In its early history, one of t ...

– study of church affairs * Eccrinology – study of excretion *

Ecology Ecology () is the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment. Ecology considers organisms at the individual, population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere level. Ecology overl ...

– study of environment *

Economics Economics () is the social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Economics focuses on the behaviour and interactions of economic agents and how economies work. Microeconomics analy ...

– study of material wealth (production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services) * Edaphology – study of soils *

Egyptology Egyptology (from ''Egypt'' and Greek , '' -logia''; ar, علم المصريات) is the study of ancient Egyptian history, language, literature, religion, architecture and art from the 5th millennium BC until the end of its native religious ...

– study of ancient Egypt * Eidology – study of mental imagery *

Ekistics Ekistics is the science of human settlements Doxiadis, Konstantinos ''Ekistics'' 1968 including regional, city, community planning and dwelling design. Its major incentive was the emergence of increasingly large and complex conurbations, tendin ...

– study of human settlement *

Electrochemistry Electrochemistry is the branch of physical chemistry concerned with the relationship between electrical potential difference, as a measurable and quantitative phenomenon, and identifiable chemical change, with the potential difference as an outc ...

– study of relations between electricity and chemicals *

Electrodynamics In physics, electromagnetism is an interaction that occurs between particles with electric charge. It is the second-strongest of the four fundamental interactions, after the strong force, and it is the dominant force in the interactions o ...

– study of the effects arising from the interactions of electric currents with magnets, with other currents, or with themselves * Electrology – study of electricity *

Electrostatics Electrostatics is a branch of physics that studies electric charges at rest (static electricity). Since classical times, it has been known that some materials, such as amber, attract lightweight particles after rubbing. The Greek word for am ...

– study of static electricity *

Electromagnetism In physics, electromagnetism is an interaction that occurs between particles with electric charge. It is the second-strongest of the four fundamental interactions, after the strong force, and it is the dominant force in the interactions o ...

– study of electromagnetic force *

Embryology Embryology (from Greek ἔμβρυον, ''embryon'', "the unborn, embryo"; and -λογία, '' -logia'') is the branch of animal biology that studies the prenatal development of gametes (sex cells), fertilization, and development of embryos an ...

– study of embryos * Emetology – study of vomiting * Emmenology – study of menstruation * Endemiology – study of local diseases *

Endocrinology Endocrinology (from ''endocrine'' + '' -ology'') is a branch of biology Biology is the scientific study of life. It is a natural science with a broad scope but has several unifying themes that tie it together as a single, coherent field ...

– study of glands *

Energetics Energetics is the study of energy, and may refer to: * Thermodynamics * Bioenergetics * Energy flow (ecology) Energy flow is the flow of energy through living things within an ecosystem. All living organisms can be organized into producers and ...

– study of energy under transformation within various fields *

Engineering studies Engineering studies is an interdisciplinary branch of social sciences and humanities devoted to the study of engineers and their activities, often considered a part of science and technology studies (STS), and intersecting with and drawing from e ...

– study of engineering * Enigmatology – study of enigmas (puzzles) *

Entomology Entomology () is the scientific study of insects, a branch of zoology. In the past the term "insect" was less specific, and historically the definition of entomology would also include the study of animals in other arthropod groups, such as arach ...

– study of insects * Entozoology – study of parasites that live inside larger organisms * Enzymology – study of enzymes * Ephebiatrics – branch of medicine dealing with adolescence *

Epidemiology Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the distribution (who, when, and where), patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in a defined population. It is a cornerstone of public health, and shapes policy decisions and evide ...

– study of diseases and epidemics * Epileptology – study of epilepsy *

Epistemology Epistemology (; ), or the theory of knowledge, is the branch of philosophy concerned with knowledge. Epistemology is considered a major subfield of philosophy, along with other major subfields such as ethics, logic, and metaphysics. Episte ...

– study of grounds of knowledge * Eremology – study of deserts * Ergology – study of effects of work on humans *

Ergonomics Human factors and ergonomics (commonly referred to as human factors) is the application of psychological and physiological principles to the engineering and design of products, processes, and systems. Four primary goals of human factors learnin ...

– study of people at work *

Escapology Escapology is the practice of escaping from restraints or other traps. Escapologists (also classified as escape artists) escape from handcuffs, straitjackets, cages, coffins, steel boxes, barrels, bags, burning buildings, fish-tanks, and o ...

– study of freeing oneself from constraints *

Eschatology Eschatology (; ) concerns expectations of the end of the present age, human history, or of the world itself. The end of the world or end times is predicted by several world religions (both Abrahamic and non-Abrahamic), which teach that neg ...

– study of death; final matters *

Ethnobiology ] Ethnobiology is the scientific study of the way living things are treated or used by different human cultures. It studies the dynamic relationships between people, biota, and environments, from the distant past to the immediate present.culture ...

– study of dynamic relationships between peoples *

Ethnobotany Ethnobotany is the study of a region's plants and their practical uses through the traditional knowledge of a local culture and people. An ethnobotanist thus strives to document the local customs involving the practical uses of local flora for m ...

– study of a region's plants and their practical uses through the traditional knowledge of a local culture and people * Ethnogeny – study of origins of races or ethnic groups * Ethnochoreology – study of dances and its implication in culture *

Ethnology Ethnology (from the grc-gre, ἔθνος, meaning 'nation') is an academic field that compares and analyzes the characteristics of different peoples and the relationships between them (compare cultural, social, or sociocultural anthropology) ...

– study of cultures *

Ethnomethodology Ethnomethodology is the study of how social order is produced in and through processes of social interaction.Garfinkel, H. (1974) 'The origins of the term ethnomethodology', in R.Turner (Ed.) Ethnomethodology, Penguin, Harmondsworth, pp 15–18. I ...

– study of everyday communication and social interaction *

Ethnomusicology Ethnomusicology is the study of music from the cultural and social aspects of the people who make it. It encompasses distinct theoretical and methodical approaches that emphasize cultural, social, material, cognitive, biological, and other dim ...

– study of comparative musical systems *

Ethology Ethology is the scientific study of animal behaviour, usually with a focus on behaviour under natural conditions, and viewing behaviour as an evolutionarily adaptive trait. Behaviourism as a term also describes the scientific and objective ...

– study of natural or biological character * Ethonomics – study of economic and ethical principles of a society *

Etiology Etiology (pronounced ; alternatively: aetiology or ætiology) is the study of causation or origination. The word is derived from the Greek (''aitiología'') "giving a reason for" (, ''aitía'', "cause"); and ('' -logía''). More completely, e ...

– science of causes, especially of disease *

Etymology Etymology () The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) – p. 633 "Etymology /ˌɛtɪˈmɒlədʒi/ the study of the class in words and the way their meanings have changed throughout time". is the study of the history of the form of words ...

– study of origins of words *

Euthenics Euthenics () is the study of improvement of human functioning and well-being by improvement of living conditions. "Improvement" is conducted by altering external factors such as education and the controllable environments, including environment ...

– science concerned with improving living conditions * Exobiology – study of extraterrestrial life *

Exoplanetology This page describes exoplanet orbital and physical parameters. Orbital parameters Most known extrasolar planet candidates have been discovered using indirect methods and therefore only some of their physical and orbital parameters can be determi ...

– study of exoplanets

F

* Felinology – study of felines * Finance – science or study of money management *

Floristry Floristry is the production, commerce, and trade in flowers. It encompasses flower care and handling, floral design and arrangement, merchandising, production, display and flower delivery. Wholesale florists sell bulk flowers and related s ...

– art of cultivating and selling flowers *

Fluid dynamics In physics and engineering, fluid dynamics is a subdiscipline of fluid mechanics that describes the flow of fluids—liquids and gases. It has several subdisciplines, including '' aerodynamics'' (the study of air and other gases in motion) ...

– study of flow of fluids *

Fluid mechanics Fluid mechanics is the branch of physics concerned with the mechanics of fluids (liquids, gases, and plasmas) and the forces on them. It has applications in a wide range of disciplines, including mechanical, aerospace, civil, chemical and ...

– study of fluids behaviour at rest and in motion *

Fluid statics Fluid statics or hydrostatics is the branch of fluid mechanics that studies the condition of the equilibrium of a floating body and submerged body "fluids at hydrostatic equilibrium and the pressure in a fluid, or exerted by a fluid, on an imme ...

– study of fluids behaviour at rest * Fluviology – study of watercourses *

Folkloristics Folklore studies, less often known as folkloristics, and occasionally tradition studies or folk life studies in the United Kingdom, is the branch of anthropology devoted to the study of folklore. This term, along with its synonyms, gained currenc ...

– study of folklore and fables *

Forestry Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests, woodlands, and associated resources for human and environmental benefits. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands. ...

– study of the creation, management, use, conservation, and repair of forests and associated resources *

Fracture mechanics Fracture mechanics is the field of mechanics concerned with the study of the propagation of cracks in materials. It uses methods of analytical solid mechanics to calculate the driving force on a crack and those of experimental solid mechanics ...

– study of the propagation of cracks in materials *

Futurology Futures studies, futures research, futurism or futurology is the systematic, interdisciplinary and holistic study of social and technological advancement, and other environmental trends, often for the purpose of exploring how people will li ...

– study of future

G

Garbology Garbology is the study of modern refuse and trash as well as the use of trash cans, compactors and various types of trash can liners. As an academic discipline it was pioneered at the University of Arizona and long directed by William Rathje. The ...

– study of garbage *

Gastroenterology Gastroenterology (from the Greek gastḗr- “belly”, -énteron “intestine”, and -logía "study of") is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders. The digestive system consists of the gastrointestinal tract ...

– study of the digestive system *

Gastronomy Gastronomy is the study of the relationship between food and culture, the art of preparing and serving rich or delicate and appetizing food, the cooking styles of particular regions, and the science of good eating. One who is well versed in gastr ...

– study of fine dining * Gemmology – study of gems and jewels *

Gender Studies Gender studies is an interdisciplinary academic field devoted to analysing gender identity and gendered representation. Gender studies originated in the field of women's studies, concerning women, feminism, gender, and politics. The field ...

– study of gender *

Genealogy Genealogy () is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kins ...

– study of descent of families * Genesiology – study of reproduction and heredity *

Genetics Genetics is the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in organisms.Hartl D, Jones E (2005) It is an important branch in biology because heredity is vital to organisms' evolution. Gregor Mendel, a Moravian Augustinian friar worki ...

– study of genes *

Geochemistry Geochemistry is the science that uses the tools and principles of chemistry to explain the mechanisms behind major geological systems such as the Earth's crust and its oceans. The realm of geochemistry extends beyond the Earth, encompassing the ...

– study of chemistry of the earth's crust *

Geochronology Geochronology is the science of determining the age of rocks, fossils, and sediments using signatures inherent in the rocks themselves. Absolute geochronology can be accomplished through radioactive isotopes, whereas relative geochronology is p ...

– study of measuring geological time *

Geography Geography (from Greek: , ''geographia''. Combination of Greek words ‘Geo’ (The Earth) and ‘Graphien’ (to describe), literally "earth description") is a field of science devoted to the study of the lands, features, inhabitants, a ...

– study of surface of the earth and its inhabitants *

Geology Geology () is a branch of natural science concerned with Earth and other astronomical objects, the features or rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change over time. Modern geology significantly overlaps all other Ea ...

– study of the rocks of a planet *

Geometry Geometry (; ) is, with arithmetic, one of the oldest branches of mathematics. It is concerned with properties of space such as the distance, shape, size, and relative position of figures. A mathematician who works in the field of geometry is c ...

– study the sizes, shapes, positions angles and dimensions of things. * Geomorphogeny – study of the characteristics, origins, and development of land forms *

Geomorphology Geomorphology (from Ancient Greek: , ', "earth"; , ', "form"; and , ', "study") is the scientific study of the origin and evolution of topographic and bathymetric features created by physical, chemical or biological processes operating at or ...

– study of landforms and landform evolution * Geoponics – study of agriculture *

Geotechnics Geotechnical engineering is the branch of civil engineering concerned with the engineering behavior of earth materials. It uses the principles of soil mechanics and rock mechanics for the solution of its respective engineering problems. It al ...

– study of increasing habitability of the earth *

Geratology Gerontology ( ) is the study of the social, cultural, psychological, cognitive, and biological aspects of aging. The word was coined by Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov in 1903, from the Greek , ''geron'', "old man" and , ''-logia'', "study of". The fi ...

– study of decadence and decay * Gerocomy – study of old age *

Gerontology Gerontology ( ) is the study of the social, cultural, psychological, cognitive, and biological aspects of aging. The word was coined by Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov in 1903, from the Greek , ''geron'', "old man" and , ''-logia'', "study of". The fiel ...

– study of the elderly and aging * Gigantology – study of giants *

Glaciology Glaciology (; ) is the scientific study of glaciers, or more generally ice and natural phenomena that involve ice. Glaciology is an interdisciplinary Earth science that integrates geophysics, geology, physical geography, geomorphology, c ...

– study of ice ages and glaciation * Glossology – study of language; study of the tongue * Glyptography – art of engraving on gems * Glyptology – study of gem engravings *

Gnomonics Gnomonics (from the ancient Greek word γνώμων, , meaning 'interpreter, discerner') is the study of the design, construction and use of sundials. The foundations of gnomonics were known to the ancient Greek Anaximander (ca. 550 BCE), which au ...

– the art of measuring time using sundials *

Gnosiology Gnosiology ("study of knowledge") is "the philosophy of knowledge and cognition". In Soviet and post-Soviet philosophy, the word is often used as a synonym for epistemology. The term is also currently used in regard to Eastern Christianity. Etymol ...

– study of knowledge; philosophy of knowledge * Gnotobiology – study of life in germ-free conditions * Graminology – study of grasses *

Grammatology In modern usage, the term grammatology refers to the scientific study of writing systems or scripts.Gelb, Ignace. 1952. ''A Study of Writing''. Chicago: University of Chicago Press This usage was first elucidated in English by linguist Ignace G ...

– study of systems of writing *

Graphemics Graphemics or graphematics is the linguistic study of writing systems and their basic components, i.e. graphemes. At the beginning of the development of this area of linguistics, Ignace Gelb coined the term '' grammatology'' for this discipline ...

– study of systems of representing speech in writing *

Graphology Graphology is the analysis of handwriting with attempt to determine someone's personality traits. No scientific evidence exists to support graphology, and it is generally considered a pseudoscience or scientifically questionable practice. Howe ...

– study of handwriting * Gromatics – science of surveying *

Gynaecology Gynaecology or gynecology (see spelling differences) is the area of medicine that involves the treatment of women's diseases, especially those of the reproductive organs. It is often paired with the field of obstetrics, forming the combined a ...

– study of women's physiology * Gyrostatics – study of rotating bodies

H

* Haemataulics – study of movement of blood through blood vessels *

Hagiology A hagiography (; ) is a biography of a saint or an ecclesiastical leader, as well as, by extension, an adulatory and idealized biography of a founder, saint, monk, nun or icon in any of the world's religions. Early Christian hagiographies might ...

– study of saints * Halieutics – study of fishing *

Hamartiology In Christianity, sin is an immoral act considered to be a transgression of divine law. The doctrine of sin is central to the Christian faith, since its basic message is about redemption in Christ. Hamartiology, a branch of Christian theolo ...

– study of sin *

Harmonics A harmonic is a wave with a frequency that is a positive integer multiple of the '' fundamental frequency'', the frequency of the original periodic signal, such as a sinusoidal wave. The original signal is also called the ''1st harmonic'', ...

– study of musical acoustics * Hedonics – part of ethics or psychology dealing with pleasure * Helcology – study of ulcers * Heliology – science of the sun *

Helioseismology Helioseismology, a term coined by Douglas Gough, is the study of the structure and dynamics of the Sun through its oscillations. These are principally caused by sound waves that are continuously driven and damped by convection near the Sun's sur ...

– study of sun's interior by observing its surface oscillations * Helminthology – study of worms *

Hematology Hematology ( always spelled haematology in British English) is the branch of medicine concerned with the study of the cause, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to blood. It involves treating diseases that affect the pro ...

– study of blood *

Hemodynamics Hemodynamics or haemodynamics are the dynamics of blood flow. The circulatory system is controlled by homeostatic mechanisms of autoregulation, just as hydraulic circuits are controlled by control systems. The hemodynamic response continuously ...

– study of the dynamics behind blood circulation *

Hepatology Hepatology is the branch of medicine that incorporates the study of liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas as well as management of their disorders. Although traditionally considered a sub-specialty of gastroenterology, rapid expansion ...

– study of liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas *

Heredity Heredity, also called inheritance or biological inheritance, is the passing on of traits from parents to their offspring; either through asexual reproduction or sexual reproduction, the offspring cells or organisms acquire the genetic info ...

– study of passing of traits from parents to offspring *

Heresiology In theology or the history of religion, heresiology is the study of heresy, and heresiographies are writings about the topic. Heresiographical works were common in both medieval Christianity and Islam. Heresiology developed as a part of the emergi ...

– study of heresies * Hermeology – study of Mercury *

Herpetology Herpetology (from Greek ἑρπετόν ''herpetón'', meaning " reptile" or "creeping animal") is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians (including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians (gymnophiona)) and r ...

– study of reptiles and amphibians *

Hierology Sacred describes something that is dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity; is considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspires awe or reverence among believers. The property is often ascribed to objects (a ...

– science of sacred matters * Hippiatrics – study of diseases of horses *

Hippology {{Cleanup, date=December 2021, reason=unorganized and notability issues with exam Hippology (from Greek: ἵππος, ''hippos'', "horse"; and λόγος, ''logos'', "study") is the study of the horse. Today, hippology is the title of an equine ...

– study of horses *

Histology Histology, also known as microscopic anatomy or microanatomy, is the branch of biology which studies the microscopic anatomy of biological tissues. Histology is the microscopic counterpart to gross anatomy, which looks at larger structures vi ...

– study of the tissues of organisms *

Histopathology Histopathology (compound of three Greek words: ''histos'' "tissue", πάθος ''pathos'' "suffering", and -λογία '' -logia'' "study of") refers to the microscopic examination of tissue in order to study the manifestations of disease. Sp ...

– study of changes in tissue due to disease *

Historiography Historiography is the study of the methods of historians in developing history as an academic discipline, and by extension is any body of historical work on a particular subject. The historiography of a specific topic covers how historians hav ...

– study of writing history * Historiology – study of history *

Homiletics In religious studies, homiletics ( grc, ὁμιλητικός ''homilētikós'', from ''homilos'', "assembled crowd, throng") is the application of the general principles of rhetoric to the specific art of public preaching. One who practices or ...

– art of preaching *

Home Economics Home economics, also called domestic science or family and consumer sciences, is a subject concerning human development, personal and family finances, consumer issues, housing and interior design, nutrition and food preparation, as well as texti ...

– deals with home and economics * Hoplology – study of human combative behavior and performance * Horography – art of constructing sundials or clocks *

Horology Horology (; related to Latin '; ; , interfix ''-o-'', and suffix '' -logy''), . is the study of the measurement of time. Clocks, watches, clockwork, sundials, hourglasses, clepsydras, timers, time recorders, marine chronometers, and atomi ...

– science of time measurement *

Horticulture Horticulture is the branch of agriculture that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of plant cultivation. It includes the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and no ...

– study of gardening *

Hydrobiology Hydrobiology is the science of life and life processes in water. Much of modern hydrobiology can be viewed as a sub-discipline of ecology but the sphere of hydrobiology includes taxonomy, economic and industrial biology, morphology, and physiolo ...

– study of aquatic organisms * Hydrodynamics – study of movement in liquids *

Hydrogeology Hydrogeology (''hydro-'' meaning water, and ''-geology'' meaning the study of the Earth) is the area of geology that deals with the distribution and movement of groundwater in the soil and rock (geology), rocks of the Earth's crust (ge ...

– study of ground water *

Hydrography Hydrography is the branch of applied sciences which deals with the measurement and description of the physical features of oceans, seas, coastal areas, lakes and rivers, as well as with the prediction of their change over time, for the primary ...

– study of investigating bodies of water * Hydrokinetics – study of motion of fluids *

Hydrology Hydrology () is the scientific study of the movement, distribution, and management of water on Earth and other planets, including the water cycle, water resources, and environmental watershed sustainability. A practitioner of hydrology is calle ...

– study of water resources *

Hydrometeorology Hydrometeorology is a branch of meteorology and hydrology that studies the transfer of water and energy between the land surface and the lower atmosphere. Hydrologists often use data provided by meteorologists. As an example, a meteorologist m ...

– study of atmospheric moisture *

Hydropathy Hydrotherapy, formerly called hydropathy and also called water cure, is a branch of alternative medicine (particularly naturopathy), occupational therapy, and physiotherapy, that involves the use of water for pain relief and treatment. The term ...

– study of treating diseases with water *

Hydrostatics Fluid statics or hydrostatics is the branch of fluid mechanics that studies the condition of the equilibrium of a floating body and submerged body "fluids at hydrostatic equilibrium and the pressure in a fluid, or exerted by a fluid, on an imme ...

– study of fluids behaviour at rest * Hyetology – science of rainfall * Hygiastics – science of health and hygiene * Hygienics – study of sanitation; health * Hygiology – hygienics; study of cleanliness *

Hygroscopy Hygroscopy is the phenomenon of attracting and holding water molecules via either absorption or adsorption from the surrounding environment, which is usually at normal or room temperature. If water molecules become suspended among the substance ...

– study of humidity *

Hygrometry Psychrometrics (or psychrometry, ; also called hygrometry) is the field of engineering concerned with the physical and thermodynamic properties of gas- vapor mixtures. Common applications Although the principles of psychrometry apply to any ...

– science of humidity * Hymnography – study of writing hymns *

Hymnology Hymnology (from Greek ὕμνος ''hymnos'', "song of praise" and -λογία ''-logia'', "study of") is the scholarly study of religious song, or the hymn, in its many aspects, with particular focus on choral and congregational song. It may be mo ...

– study of hymns * Hypnology – study of sleep; study of hypnosis * Hypsography – science of measuring heights

I

* Iamatology – study of remedies * Iatrology – treatise or text on medical topics; study of medicine * Iatromathematics – archaic practice of medicine in conjunction with astrology * Ichnography – art of drawing ground plans; a ground plan * Ichnology – science of fossilized footprints *

Ichthyology Ichthyology is the branch of zoology devoted to the study of fish, including bony fish ( Osteichthyes), cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes), and jawless fish ( Agnatha). According to FishBase, 33,400 species of fish had been described as of Octob ...

– study of fish *

Iconography Iconography, as a branch of art history, studies the identification, description and interpretation of the content of images: the subjects depicted, the particular compositions and details used to do so, and other elements that are distinct fro ...

– study of drawing symbols *

Iconology Iconology is a method of interpretation in cultural history and the history of the visual arts used by Aby Warburg, Erwin Panofsky and their followers that uncovers the cultural, social, and historical background of themes and subjects in the visu ...

– study of icons; symbols * Ideogeny – study of origins of ideas * Ideology – science of ideas; system of ideas used to justify behaviour * Idiomology – study of idiom, jargon or dialect * Idiopsychology – study of the psychology of one's own mind *

Immunochemistry Immunochemistry is the study of the chemistry of the immune system. This involves the study of the properties, functions, interactions and production of the chemical components (antibodies/immunoglobulins, toxin, epitopes of proteins like CD4, a ...

– study of chemistry of the immune system *

Immunogenetics Immunogenetics or immungenetics is the branch of Medical Immunology and Medical Genetics that explores the relationship between the immune system and genetics. Autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, are complex genetic traits which res ...

– study of genetic characteristics of immunity *

Immunology Immunology is a branch of medicineImmunology for Medical Students, Roderick Nairn, Matthew Helbert, Mosby, 2007 and biology that covers the medical study of immune systems in humans, animals, plants and sapient species. In such we can see ther ...

– study of immunity * Immunopathology – study of immunity to disease * Insectology – study of insects * Irenology – study of peace *

Iridology Iridology (also known as iridodiagnosisCline D; Hofstetter HW; Griffin JR. ''Dictionary of Visual Science''. 4th ed. Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston 1997. or iridiagnosis) is an alternative medicine technique whose proponents claim that patterns ...

– study of the iris; diagnosis of disease based on the iris of the eye

K

* Kalology – study of beauty * Karyology – study of cell nuclei * Kinematics – study of motion *

Kinesics Kinesics is the interpretation of body motion communication such as facial expressions and gestures, nonverbal behavior related to movement of any part of the body or the body as a whole. The equivalent popular culture term is body language, a term ...

– study of gestural communication *

Kinesiology Kinesiology () is the scientific study of human body movement. Kinesiology addresses physiological, anatomical, biomechanical, pathological, neuropsychological principles and mechanisms of movement. Applications of kinesiology to human health ...

– study of human movement and posture *

Kinetics Kinetics ( grc, κίνησις, , kinesis, ''movement'' or ''to move'') may refer to: Science and medicine * Kinetics (physics), the study of motion and its causes ** Rigid body kinetics, the study of the motion of rigid bodies * Chemical k ...

– study of forces producing or changing motion * Koniology – study of atmospheric pollutants and dust * Ktenology – science of putting people to death * Kymatology – study of wave motion

L

* Labeorphily – collection and study of beer bottle labels * Larithmics – study of population statistics *

Laryngology Laryngology is a branch of medicine that deals with disorders, diseases and injuries of the larynx, colloquially known as the voice box. Laryngologists treat disorders of the larynx, including diseases that affects the voice, swallowing, or upper ...

– study of larynx * Lepidopterology – study of butterflies and moths *

Leprology Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease (HD), is a long-term infection by the bacteria '' Mycobacterium leprae'' or ''Mycobacterium lepromatosis''. Infection can lead to damage of the nerves, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. This nerve damag ...

– study of leprosy *

Lexicology Lexicology is the branch of linguistics that analyzes the lexicon of a specific language. A word is the smallest meaningful unit of a language that can stand on its own, and is made up of small components called morphemes and even smaller eleme ...

– study of words and their meanings * Lexigraphy – art of definition of words *

Lichenology Lichenology is the branch of mycology that studies the lichens, symbiotic organisms made up of an intimate symbiotic association of a microscopic alga (or a cyanobacterium) with a filamentous fungus. Study of lichens draws knowledge from severa ...

– study of lichens *

Limacology Limacology (from Latin , "slug", and Greek , ''-logia'') is the branch of zoology which deals with slugs, i.e. shell-less gastropod mollusks. A person that studies limacology is referred to as a limacologist. However, slugs are an extremely pol ...

– study of slugs * Limnobiology – study of freshwater ecosystems *

Limnology Limnology ( ; from Greek λίμνη, ''limne'', "lake" and λόγος, ''logos'', "knowledge") is the study of inland aquatic ecosystems. The study of limnology includes aspects of the biological, chemical, physical, and geological characteris ...

– study of bodies of fresh water *

Linguistics Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. It is called a scientific study because it entails a comprehensive, systematic, objective, and precise analysis of all aspects of language, particularly its nature and structure. Lingu ...

– study of language * Liturgiology – study of liturgical forms and church rituals * Loimology – study of plagues and epidemics * Loxodromy – study of sailing along rhumb-lines *

Ludology Game studies, also known as ludology (from ''ludus'', "game", and ''-logia'', "study", "research"), is the study of games, the act of playing them, and the players and cultures surrounding them. It is a field of cultural studies that deals with ...

– study of games

M

* Macroeconomics – branch of economics dealing with the performance, structure, behavior, and decision-making of the whole economy * Magirics – art of cookery * Magnanerie – art of raising silkworms * Magnetics – study of magnetism *

Magnetohydrodynamics Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD; also called magneto-fluid dynamics or hydromagnetics) is the study of the magnetic properties and behaviour of electrically conducting fluids. Examples of such magnetofluids include plasmas, liquid metals ...

– study of electrically conducting fluids *

Magnetostatics Magnetostatics is the study of magnetic fields in systems where the currents are steady (not changing with time). It is the magnetic analogue of electrostatics, where the charges are stationary. The magnetization need not be static; the equatio ...

– study of magnetic fields in systems where the currents are steady *

Malacology Malacology is the branch of invertebrate zoology that deals with the study of the Mollusca (mollusks or molluscs), the second-largest phylum of animals in terms of described species after the arthropods. Mollusks include snails and slugs, clams ...

– study of molluscs * Malariology – study of malaria *

Mammalogy In zoology, mammalogy is the study of mammals – a class of vertebrates with characteristics such as homeothermic metabolism, fur, four-chambered hearts, and complex nervous systems. Mammalogy has also been known as "mastology," "theriology," a ...

– study of mammals * Manège – art of horsemanship *

Mariology Mariology is the theological study of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mariology seeks to relate doctrine or dogma about Mary to other doctrines of the faith, such as those concerning Jesus and notions about redemption, intercession and grace. ...

– study of the Virgin Mary *

Marine biology Marine biology is the scientific study of the biology of marine life, organisms in the sea. Given that in biology many phyla, families and genera have some species that live in the sea and others that live on land, marine biology classifie ...

– study of the ocean's ecosystem * Mastology – study of mammals * Mathematics – study of magnitude, number, and forms * Mazology – mammalogy; study of mammals *

Mechanics Mechanics (from Ancient Greek: μηχανική, ''mēkhanikḗ'', "of machines") is the area of mathematics and physics concerned with the relationships between force, matter, and motion among physical objects. Forces applied to objects ...

– study of action of force on bodies * Meconology – study of or treatise concerning opium * Media studies – study of

mass media Mass media refers to a diverse array of media technologies that reach a large audience via mass communication. The technologies through which this communication takes place include a variety of outlets. Broadcast media transmit informatio ...

Medicine Medicine is the science and Praxis (process), practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, Preventive medicine, prevention, therapy, treatment, Palliative care, palliation of their injury or disease, and Health promotion ...

– science of diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of disease *

Melissopalynology Melissopalynology is the study of pollen contained in honeyHarm ...

– study of honey * Melittology – study of bees * Melology – study of music; musicology *

Mereology In logic, philosophy and related fields, mereology ( (root: , ''mere-'', 'part') and the suffix ''-logy'', 'study, discussion, science') is the study of parts and the wholes they form. Whereas set theory is founded on the membership relation be ...

– study of part-whole relationships * Mesology – ecology * Metallogeny – study of the origin and distribution of metal deposits *

Metallography Metallography is the study of the physical structure and components of metals, by using microscopy. Ceramic and polymeric materials may also be prepared using metallographic techniques, hence the terms ceramography, plastography and, collecti ...

– study of the structure and constitution of metals *

Metallurgy Metallurgy is a domain of materials science and engineering that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their inter-metallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are known as alloys. Metallurgy encompasses both the sci ...

– study of alloying and treating metals *

Metaphysics Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that studies the fundamental nature of reality, the first principles of being, identity and change, space and time, causality, necessity, and possibility. It includes questions about the nature of conscio ...

– study of principles of nature and thought * Metapolitics – study of politics in theory or abstract *

Metapsychology Metapsychology (Greek: ''meta'' 'beyond, transcending', and ''ψυχολογία'' 'psychology') is that aspect of any psychological theory which refers to the structure of the theory itself (hence the prefix "meta") rather than to the entity it d ...

– study of nature of the mind *

Metascience Metascience (also known as meta-research) is the use of scientific methodology to study science itself. Metascience seeks to increase the quality of scientific research while reducing inefficiency. It is also known as "''research on research''" ...

– study of science *

Meteoritics Meteoritics is the science that deals with meteors, meteorites, and meteoroids. It is closely connected to cosmochemistry, mineralogy and geochemistry. A specialist who studies meteoritics is known as a ''meteoriticist''. Scientific research in ...

– study of meteors *

Meteorology Meteorology is a branch of the atmospheric sciences (which include atmospheric chemistry and physics) with a major focus on weather forecasting. The study of meteorology dates back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did no ...

– study of weather *

Methodology In its most common sense, methodology is the study of research methods. However, the term can also refer to the methods themselves or to the philosophical discussion of associated background assumptions. A method is a structured procedure for bri ...

– the study or description of methods * Methyology – study of alcohol * Metrics – study of versification *

Metrology Metrology is the scientific study of measurement. It establishes a common understanding of units, crucial in linking human activities. Modern metrology has its roots in the French Revolution's political motivation to standardise units in Fra ...

– science of weights and measures * Microanatomy – study of microscopic tissues *

Microbial ecology Microbial ecology (or environmental microbiology) is the ecology of microorganisms: their relationship with one another and with their environment. It concerns the three major domains of life— Eukaryota, Archaea, and Bacteria—as well as vi ...

– study of microbial environment *

Microbiology Microbiology () is the scientific study of microorganisms, those being unicellular (single cell), multicellular (cell colony), or acellular (lacking cells). Microbiology encompasses numerous sub-disciplines including virology, bacteriology, ...

– study of microscopic organisms * Microclimatology – study of local climates * Microeconomics – branch of economics that studies the behavior of individual households and firms in making decisions on the allocation of limited resources * Micrology – study or discussion of trivialities *

Micropalaeontology Micropaleontology (American spelling; spelled micropalaeontology in European usage) is the branch of paleontology (palaeontology) that studies microfossils, or fossils that require the use of a microscope to see the organism, its morphology and it ...

– study of microscopic fossils * Microphytology – study of very small plant life *

Microscopy Microscopy is the technical field of using microscopes to view objects and areas of objects that cannot be seen with the naked eye (objects that are not within the resolution range of the normal eye). There are three well-known branches of mi ...

– study of minute objects *

Mineralogy Mineralogy is a subject of geology specializing in the scientific study of the chemistry, crystal structure, and physical (including optical) properties of minerals and mineralized artifacts. Specific studies within mineralogy include the proce ...

– study of minerals *

Molecular biology Molecular biology is the branch of biology that seeks to understand the molecular basis of biological activity in and between cells, including biomolecular synthesis, modification, mechanisms, and interactions. The study of chemical and phys ...

– study of the molecular basis of biological activity in and between cells * Molinology – study of mills and milling * Momilogy – study of mummies * Morphology – study of forms and the development of structures * Muscology – study of mosses *

Museology Museology or museum studies is the study of museums. It explores the history of museums and their role in society, as well as the activities they engage in, including curating, preservation, public programming, and education. Terminology Th ...

– study of museums * Musicology – study of music *

Mycology Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their genetic and biochemical properties, their taxonomy and their use to humans, including as a source for tinder, traditional medicine, food, and entheogens, a ...

– study of funguses * Myology – study of muscles *

Myrmecology Myrmecology (; from Greek: μύρμηξ, ''myrmex'', "ant" and λόγος, ''logos'', "study") is a branch of entomology focusing on the scientific study of ants. Some early myrmecologists considered ant society as the ideal form of society an ...

– study of ants *

Mythology Myth is a folklore genre consisting of Narrative, narratives that play a fundamental role in a society, such as foundational tales or Origin myth, origin myths. Since "myth" is widely used to imply that a story is not Objectivity (philosophy), ...

– study of myths; fables; tales

N

* Naology – study of church or temple architecture * Nasology – study of the nose * Nautics – art of navigation * Necroplanetology – study of the destruction of planets *

Nematology Nematology is the scientific discipline concerned with the study of nematodes, or roundworms. Although nematological investigation dates back to the days of Aristotle or even earlier, nematology as an independent discipline has its recognizabl ...

– study of nematodes *

Neonatology Neonatology is a subspecialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants, especially the ill or premature newborn. It is a hospital-based specialty, and is usually practised in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). T ...

– study of newborn babies * Neossology – study of nestling birds *

Nephology In meteorology, a cloud is an aerosol consisting of a visible mass of miniature liquid droplets, frozen crystals, or other particles suspended in the atmosphere of a planetary body or similar space. Water or various other chemicals may compo ...

– study of clouds *

Nephrology Nephrology (from Greek'' nephros'' "kidney", combined with the suffix ''-logy'', "the study of") is a specialty of adult internal medicine and pediatric medicine that concerns the study of the kidneys, specifically normal kidney function (r ...

– study of the kidneys *

Neurobiology Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system (the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system), its functions and disorders. It is a multidisciplinary science that combines physiology, anatomy, molecular biology, developmen ...

– study of anatomy of the nervous system *

Neuroeconomics Neuroeconomics is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to explain human decision-making, the ability to process multiple alternatives and to follow through on a plan of action. It studies how economic behavior can shape our understanding of the ...

– study of human decision making and the ability to process multiple alternatives and to choose an optimal course of action *

Neurology Neurology (from el, νεῦρον (neûron), "string, nerve" and the suffix -logia, "study of") is the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of conditions and disease involving the brain, the spinal ...

– study of nervous system *

Neuropsychology Neuropsychology is a branch of psychology concerned with how a person's cognition and behavior are related to the brain and the rest of the nervous system. Professionals in this branch of psychology often focus on how injuries or illnesses of t ...

– study of relation between brain and behaviour * Neurypnology – study of hypnotism * Neutrosophy – study of the origin and nature of philosophical neutralities * Nomology – the science of the laws; especially of the mind * Noology – science of the intellect *

Nosology Nosology () is the branch of medical science that deals with the classification of diseases. Fully classifying a medical condition requires knowing its cause (and that there is only one cause), the effects it has on the body, the symptoms that ...

– study of diseases * Nostology – study of senility * Notaphily – study and collecting of bank-notes and cheques *

Numerology Numerology (also known as arithmancy) is the belief in an occult, divine or mystical relationship between a number and one or more coinciding events. It is also the study of the numerical value, via an alphanumeric system, of the letters in ...

– pseudoscientific study of numbers *

Numismatics Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, medals and related objects. Specialists, known as numismatists, are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, but the discipline also inclu ...

– study of coins * Nymphology – study of nymphs *

Nanotechnology Nanotechnology, also shortened to nanotech, is the use of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale for industrial purposes. The earliest, widespread description of nanotechnology referred to the particular technological goal o ...

– study of nanite

O

Obstetrics Obstetrics is the field of study concentrated on pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. As a medical specialty, obstetrics is combined with gynecology under the discipline known as obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), which is a surg ...

– study of midwifery * Oceanography – study of oceans *

Oceanology Oceanography (), also known as oceanology and ocean science, is the scientific study of the oceans. It is an Earth science, which covers a wide range of topics, including ecosystem dynamics; ocean currents, waves, and geophysical fluid dynamics ...

– study of oceans *

Odontology Dentistry, also known as dental medicine and oral medicine, is the branch of medicine focused on the teeth, gums, and mouth. It consists of the study, diagnosis, prevention, management, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions o ...

– study of teeth * Odonatology– study of dragonflies and damselflies *

Oenology Oenology (also enology; ) is the science and study of wine and winemaking. Oenology is distinct from viticulture, which is the science of the growing, cultivation, and harvesting of grapes. The English word oenology derives from the Greek word ' ...

– study of wines * Oikology – science of housekeeping * Olfactology – study of the sense of smell * Ombrology – study of rain *

Oncology Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, treatment, diagnosis and prevention of cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an ''oncologist''. The name's etymological origin is the Greek word ὄγκος (''ó ...

– study of tumours * Oneirology – study of dreams *

Onomasiology Onomasiology (from el, ὀνομάζω ''onomāzο'' 'to name', which in turn is from ὄνομα ''onoma'' 'name') is a branch of linguistics concerned with the question "how do you express X?" It is in fact most commonly understood as a branch of ...

– study of nomenclature *

Onomastics Onomastics (or, in older texts, onomatology) is the study of the etymology, history, and use of proper names. An '' orthonym'' is the proper name of the object in question, the object of onomastic study. Onomastics can be helpful in data mining, ...

– study of proper names *

Ontology In metaphysics, ontology is the philosophical study of being, as well as related concepts such as existence, becoming, and reality. Ontology addresses questions like how entities are grouped into categories and which of these entities ...

– science of pure being; the nature of things *

Oology Oology (or oölogy) is a branch of ornithology studying bird eggs, nests and breeding behaviour. The word is derived from the Greek ''oion'', meaning egg. Oology can also refer to the hobby of collecting wild birds' eggs, sometimes called egg c ...

– study of eggs * Ophiology – study of snakes *

Ophthalmology Ophthalmology ( ) is a surgical subspecialty within medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. An ophthalmologist is a physician who undergoes subspecialty training in medical and surgical eye care. Following a med ...

– study of eye diseases *

Optics Optics is the branch of physics that studies the behaviour and properties of light, including its interactions with matter and the construction of instruments that use or detect it. Optics usually describes the behaviour of visible, ultra ...

– study of light * Optology – study of sight *

Optometry Optometry is a specialized health care profession that involves examining the eyes and related structures for defects or abnormalities. Optometrists are health care professionals who typically provide comprehensive primary eye care. In the Un ...

– science of examining the eyes * Orchidology – study of orchids *

Ornithology Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the "methodological study and consequent knowledge of birds with all that relates to them." Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and th ...

– study of birds *

Organology Organology (from Ancient Greek () 'instrument' and (), 'the study of') is the science of musical instruments and their classifications. It embraces study of instruments' history, instruments used in different cultures, technical aspects of how ...

(

) – study of form, structure, development, and functions of plant or animal organs *

( musicology) – study of musical instruments in relation to history, culture, construction, acoustic properties and classification *

Orology Mountain research or '' montology'', traditionally also known as ''orology'' (from Greek ''oros'' ὄρος for 'mountain' and ''logos'' λόγος), is a field of research that regionally concentrates on the Earth's surface's part covered by ...

– study of mountains * Orthoepy – study of correct pronunciation *

Orthography An orthography is a set of conventions for writing a language, including norms of spelling, hyphenation, capitalization, word breaks, emphasis, and punctuation. Most transnational languages in the modern period have a writing system, and mo ...

– study of spelling * Orthopterology – study of cockroaches * Oryctology – mineralogy or paleontology * Osmics – scientific study of smells * Osmology – study of smells and olfactory processes * Osphresiology – study of the sense of smell *

Osteology Osteology () is the scientific study of bones, practised by osteologists. A subdiscipline of anatomy, anthropology, and paleontology, osteology is the detailed study of the structure of bones, skeletal elements, teeth, microbone morphology (biolo ...

– study of bones *

Otology Otology is a branch of medicine which studies normal and pathological anatomy and physiology of the ear (hearing and vestibular sensory systems and related structures and functions) as well as their diseases, diagnosis and treatment. Otologi ...

– study of the ear *

Otorhinolaryngology Otorhinolaryngology ( , abbreviated ORL and also known as otolaryngology, otolaryngology–head and neck surgery (ORL–H&N or OHNS), or ear, nose, and throat (ENT)) is a surgical subspeciality within medicine that deals with the surgical a ...

– study of ear, nose and throat

P

* Paedology – study of children * Paidonosology – study of children's diseases; pediatrics * Palaeoanthropology – study of early humans *

Palaeobiology Paleobiology (or palaeobiology) is an interdisciplinary field that combines the methods and findings found in both the earth sciences and the life sciences. Paleobiology is not to be confused with geobiology, which focuses more on the interactio ...

– study of fossil plants and animals *

Palaeoclimatology Paleoclimatology (British spelling, palaeoclimatology) is the study of climates for which direct measurements were not taken. As instrumental records only span a tiny part of Earth's history, the reconstruction of ancient climate is important to ...

– study of ancient climates *

Palaeoichthyology Prehistoric fish are early fish that are known only from fossil records. They are the earliest known vertebrates, and include the first and extinct fish that lived through the Cambrian to the Quaternary. The study of prehistoric fish is called '' ...

– study of ancient fish *

Palaeolimnology Paleolimnology (from Greek: παλαιός, ''palaios'', "ancient", λίμνη, ''limne'', "lake", and λόγος, ''logos'', "study") is a scientific sub-discipline closely related to both limnology and paleoecology. Paleolimnological studies ...

– study of ancient lakes *

Palaeontology Paleontology (), also spelled palaeontology or palæontology, is the scientific study of life that existed prior to, and sometimes including, the start of the Holocene epoch (roughly 11,700 years before present). It includes the study of fossi ...

– study of fossils * Palaeopedology – study of early soils *

Paleobotany Paleobotany, which is also spelled as palaeobotany, is the branch of botany dealing with the recovery and identification of plant remains from geological contexts, and their use for the biological reconstruction of past environments (paleogeog ...

– study of ancient plants * Paleo-osteology – study of ancient bones *

Palynology Palynology is the "study of dust" (from grc-gre, παλύνω, palynō, "strew, sprinkle" and ''-logy'') or of "particles that are strewn". A classic palynologist analyses particulate samples collected from the air, from water, or from deposits ...

– study of pollen *

Papyrology Papyrology is the study of manuscripts of ancient literature, correspondence, legal archives, etc., preserved on portable media from antiquity, the most common form of which is papyrus, the principal writing material in the ancient civilizations ...

– study of paper * Paradoxology – study of paradoxes *

Parapsychology Parapsychology is the study of alleged psychic phenomena (extrasensory perception, telepathy, precognition, clairvoyance, psychokinesis (also called telekinesis), and psychometry) and other paranormal claims, for example, those related to near- ...

– study of unexplained mental phenomena *

Parasitology Parasitology is the study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationship between them. As a biological discipline, the scope of parasitology is not determined by the organism or environment in question but by their way of life. This means it f ...

– study of parasites * Paroemiology – study of proverbs * Parthenology – study of virgins * Pataphysics – science of imaginary solutions *

Pathology Pathology is the study of the causes and effects of disease or injury. The word ''pathology'' also refers to the study of disease in general, incorporating a wide range of biology research fields and medical practices. However, when used in ...

– study of disease *

Patrology Patristics or patrology is the study of the early Christian writers who are designated Church Fathers. The names derive from the combined forms of Latin ''pater'' and Greek ''patḗr'' (father). The period is generally considered to run from ...

– study of early Christianity *

Pedagogics Pedagogy (), most commonly understood as the approach to teaching, is the theory and practice of learning, and how this process influences, and is influenced by, the social, political and psychological development of learners. Pedagogy, taken ...

– study of teaching *

Pedology Pedology (from Greek: πέδον, ''pedon'', "soil"; and λόγος, ''logos'', "study") is a discipline within soil science which focuses on understanding and characterizing soil formation, evolution, and the theoretical frameworks for modeling ...

– study of soils * Pelology – study of mud *

Penology Penology (from "penal", Latin ''poena'', " punishment" and the Greek suffix '' -logia'', "study of") is a sub-component of criminology that deals with the philosophy and practice of various societies in their attempts to repress criminal activit ...

– study of crime and punishment *

Periodontics Periodontology or periodontics (from Ancient Greek , – 'around'; and , – 'tooth', genitive , ) is the specialty of dentistry that studies supporting structures of teeth, as well as diseases and conditions that affect them. The supporting ...

– study of gums * Peristerophily – pigeon-collecting * Pestology – science of pests *

Petrology Petrology () is the branch of geology that studies rocks and the conditions under which they form. Petrology has three subdivisions: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary petrology. Igneous and metamorphic petrology are commonly taught together ...

– study of rocks *

Pharmacognosy Pharmacognosy is the study of medicinal plants and other natural substances as sources of drugs. The American Society of Pharmacognosy defines pharmacognosy as "the study of the physical, chemical, biochemical, and biological properties of drug ...

– study of drugs of animal and plant origin *

Pharmacology Pharmacology is a branch of medicine, biology and pharmaceutical sciences concerned with drug or medication action, where a drug may be defined as any artificial, natural, or endogenous (from within the body) molecule which exerts a biochemi ...

– study of drugs * Pharology – study of lighthouses * Pharyngology – study of the throat *

Phenology Phenology is the study of periodic events in biological life cycles and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate, as well as habitat factors (such as elevation). Examples include the date of emergence of leav ...

– study of organisms as affected by climate *

Phenomenology Phenomenology may refer to: Art * Phenomenology (architecture), based on the experience of building materials and their sensory properties Philosophy * Phenomenology (philosophy), a branch of philosophy which studies subjective experiences and a ...

– study of phenomena * Philematology – act or study of kissing * Phillumeny – collecting of matchbox labels *

Philology Philology () is the study of language in oral and written historical sources; it is the intersection of textual criticism, literary criticism, history, and linguistics (with especially strong ties to etymology). Philology is also defined as ...

– study of ancient texts; historical linguistics * Philosophy – science of knowledge or wisdom * Phoniatrics – study and correction of speech defects *

Phonology Phonology is the branch of linguistics that studies how languages or dialects systematically organize their sounds or, for sign languages, their constituent parts of signs. The term can also refer specifically to the sound or sign system of a ...

– study of speech sounds *

Photobiology Photobiology is the scientific study of the beneficial and harmful interactions of light (technically, non-ionizing radiation) in living organisms. The field includes the study of photophysics, photochemistry, photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis, vis ...

– study of effects of light on organisms *

Photonics Photonics is a branch of optics that involves the application of generation, detection, and manipulation of light in form of photons through emission, transmission, modulation, signal processing, switching, amplification, and sensing. Though ...

– study of photons *

Phraseology In linguistics, phraseology is the study of set or fixed expressions, such as idioms, phrasal verbs, and other types of multi-word lexical units (often collectively referred to as '' phrasemes''), in which the component parts of the expression t ...

– study of phrases *

Phrenology Phrenology () is a pseudoscience which involves the measurement of bumps on the skull to predict mental traits.Wihe, J. V. (2002). "Science and Pseudoscience: A Primer in Critical Thinking." In ''Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience'', pp. 195–203. C ...

– study of bumps on the head *

Phycology Phycology () is the scientific study of algae. Also known as algology, phycology is a branch of life science. Algae are important as primary producers in aquatic ecosystems. Most algae are eukaryotic, photosynthetic organisms that live in ...

– study of algae and seaweeds *

Physics Physics is the natural science that studies matter, its fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge which rel ...

– study of properties of matter, force and energy *

Physiology Physiology (; ) is the scientific study of functions and mechanisms in a living system. As a sub-discipline of biology, physiology focuses on how organisms, organ systems, individual organs, cells, and biomolecules carry out the chemic ...

– study of processes of life *

Phytology Botany, also called plant science (or plant sciences), plant biology or phytology, is the science of plant life and a branch of biology. A botanist, plant scientist or phytologist is a scientist who specialises in this field. The term "botany ...

– study of plants; botany * Piscatology – study of fishes * Pisteology – science or study of faith *

Planetology Planetary science (or more rarely, planetology) is the scientific study of planets (including Earth), celestial bodies (such as moons, asteroids, comets) and planetary systems (in particular those of the Solar System) and the processes of their ...

– study of planets * Plumology – study of feathers * Plutology – political economy; study of wealth *

Pneumatics Pneumatics (from Greek ‘wind, breath’) is a branch of engineering that makes use of gas or pressurized air. Pneumatic systems used in industry are commonly powered by compressed air or compressed inert gases. A centrally located and ...

– study of mechanics of gases * Pneumonology – study of diseases involving the respiratory tract *

Podiatry Podiatry () or podiatric medicine () is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and leg. A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), or a podiatrist, is a healthcare ...

– study and treatment of disorders of the foot; chiropody *

Podology Podiatry () or podiatric medicine () is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and leg. A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), or a podiatrist, is a healthcare p ...

– study of the feet * Polemology – study of war *

Pomology Pomology (from Latin , “fruit,” + ) is a branch of botany that studies fruit and its cultivation. The term fruticulture—introduced from Romance languages (all of whose incarnations of the term descend from Latin and )—is also used. Pomol ...

– study of fruit-growing * Pogonology – study of beards * Posology – science of quantity or dosage * Potamology – study of rivers *

Praxeology In philosophy, praxeology or praxiology (; ) is the theory of human action, based on the notion that humans engage in purposeful behavior, contrary to reflexive behavior and other unintentional behavior. French social philosopher Alfred Espina ...

– study of practical or efficient activity; science of efficient action *

Primatology Primatology is the scientific study of primates. It is a diverse discipline at the boundary between mammalogy and anthropology, and researchers can be found in academic departments of anatomy, anthropology, biology, medicine, psychology, veter ...

– study of primates *

Proctology Colorectal surgery is a field in medicine dealing with disorders of the rectum, anus, and colon. The field is also known as proctology, but this term is now used infrequently within medicine and is most often employed to identify practices relati ...

– study of rectum, anus, and colon * Prosody – study of versification *

Protistology Protistology is a scientific discipline devoted to the study of protists, a highly diverse group of eukaryotic organisms. All eukaryotes apart from animals, plants and fungi are considered protists. Its field of study therefore overlaps with the ...

– study of protists *

Proxemics Proxemics is the study of human use of space and the effects that population density has on behaviour, communication, and social interaction. Proxemics is one among several subcategories in the study of nonverbal communication, including haptic ...

– study of man's need for personal space * Psalligraphy – art of paper-cutting to make pictures *

Psephology Psephology (; from Greek el, ψῆφος, psephos, pebble, label=none) or political analysis is a branch of political science, the "quantitative analysis of elections and balloting". As such, psephology attempts to explain elections using the ...

– study of election results and voting trends * Pseudology – art or science of lying * Pseudoptics – study of optical illusions * Psychobiology – study of biology of the mind * Psychogenetics – study of internal or mental states * Psychognosy – study of mentality, personality or character *

Psychology Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Psychology includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, including feelings and thoughts. It is an academic discipline of immense scope, crossing the boundaries betwe ...

– study of mind *

Psychopathology Psychopathology is the study of abnormal cognition, behaviour, and experiences which differs according to social norms and rests upon a number of constructs that are deemed to be the social norm at any particular era. Biological psychopathol ...

– study of mental illness * Psychophysics – study of link between mental and physical processes * Pteridology – study of ferns * Pterylology – study of distribution of feathers on birds * Punnology – study of puns * Pyretology – study of fevers * Pyrgology – study of towers * Pyroballogy – study of artillery *

Pyrography Pyrography or pyrogravure is the free handed art of decorating wood or other materials with burn marks resulting from the controlled application of a heated object such as a poker. It is also known as pokerwork or wood burning. The term means " ...

– study of woodburning *

Pyrotechnics Pyrotechnics is the science and craft of creating such things as fireworks, safety matches, oxygen candles, Pyrotechnic fastener, explosive bolts and other fasteners, parts of automotive airbags, as well as gas-pressure blasting in mining, quarry ...

– study of combustion through fire or explosions

Q

* Quinology – study of quinine. *

Quantum computing Quantum computing is a type of computation whose operations can harness the phenomena of quantum mechanics, such as superposition, interference, and entanglement. Devices that perform quantum computations are known as quantum computers. Thou ...

– the exploitation of collective properties of quantum states, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform computation. *

Quantum mechanics Quantum mechanics is a fundamental theory in physics that provides a description of the physical properties of nature at the scale of atoms and subatomic particles. It is the foundation of all quantum physics including quantum chemistry, q ...

– a fundamental theory in physics which describes nature at the smallest scales of energy levels of atoms and subatomic particles * Queer theory – study of issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity

R

* Raciology – study of racial differences *

Radiobiology Radiobiology (also known as radiation biology, and uncommonly as actinobiology) is a field of clinical and basic medical sciences that involves the study of the action of ionizing radiation on living things, especially health effects of radiation ...

– study of the scientific principles, mechanisms, and effects of the interaction of ionizing radiation with living matter *

Radiochemistry Radiochemistry is the chemistry of radioactive materials, where radioactive isotopes of elements are used to study the properties and chemical reactions of non-radioactive isotopes (often within radiochemistry the absence of radioactivity leads t ...

– study of ordinary chemical reactions under radioactive circumstances *

Radiology Radiology ( ) is the medical discipline that uses medical imaging to diagnose diseases and guide their treatment, within the bodies of humans and other animals. It began with radiography (which is why its name has a root referring to radiati ...

– study of X-rays and their medical applications *

Reflexology Reflexology, also known as zone therapy, is an alternative medical practice involving the application of pressure to specific points on the feet, ears, and hands. This is done using thumb, finger, and hand massage techniques without the use of ...

– study of reflexes *

Rheology Rheology (; ) is the study of the flow of matter, primarily in a fluid (liquid or gas) state, but also as "soft solids" or solids under conditions in which they respond with plastic flow rather than deforming elastically in response to an appli ...

– science of the deformation or flow of matter *

Rheumatology Rheumatology (Greek ''ῥεῦμα'', ''rheûma'', flowing current) is a branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis and management of disorders whose common feature is inflammation in the bones, muscles, joints, and internal organs. Rheumatolog ...

– study of rheumatism * Rhinology – study of the nose * Rhochrematics – science of inventory management and the movement of products *

Robotics Robotics is an interdisciplinarity, interdisciplinary branch of computer science and engineering. Robotics involves design, construction, operation, and use of robots. The goal of robotics is to design machines that can help and assist human ...

– deals with the designing, construction, and operation of robots *

Runology Runology is the study of the Runic alphabets, Runic inscriptions and their history. Runology forms a specialized branch of Germanic linguistics. History Runology was initiated by Johannes Bureus (1568–1652), who was very interested in the lin ...

– study of runes

S

* Sarcology – study of fleshy parts of the body * Satanology – study of the devil * Scatology – study of excrement or obscene literature * Schematonics – art of using gesture to express tones * Sciagraphy – art of shading *

Scripophily Scripophily is the study and collection of stock and bond certificates. A specialized field of numismatics, scripophily is an area of collecting due to both the inherent beauty of some historical documents as well as the interesting historical co ...

– collection of bond and share certificates *

Sedimentology Sedimentology encompasses the study of modern sediments such as sand, silt, and clay, and the processes that result in their formation (erosion and weathering), transport, deposition and diagenesis. Sedimentologists apply their understanding of mo ...

– study of sediment *

Seismology Seismology (; from Ancient Greek σεισμός (''seismós'') meaning "earthquake" and -λογία (''-logía'') meaning "study of") is the scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of elastic waves through the Earth or through other ...

– study of earthquakes *

Selenodesy Selenography is the study of the surface and physical features of the Moon (also known as geography of the Moon, or selenodesy). Like geography and areography, selenography is a subdiscipline within the field of planetary science. Historical ...

– study of the shape and features of the moon * Selenology – study of the moon *

Semantics Semantics (from grc, σημαντικός ''sēmantikós'', "significant") is the study of reference, meaning, or truth. The term can be used to refer to subfields of several distinct disciplines, including philosophy, linguistics and compu ...

– study of meaning * Semantology – science of meanings of words * Semasiology – study of meaning; semantics * Semiology – study of signs and signals * Semiotics – study of signs and symbols * Serology – study of serums * Sexology – study of sexual behaviour * Siderology – study of iron and its alloys, including steel * Significs – science of meaning * Silvics – study of tree's life * Sindonology – study of the shroud of Turin * Sinology – study of China * Sitology – dietetics * Sociobiology – study of biological basis of human behaviour * Sociology – study of society * Solid mechanics – study of behaviour of solid materials * Somatology – science of substances * Sophiology – science of ideas * Soteriology – study of theological salvation * Snow hydrology – study of snow * Spectrology – study of ghosts * Spectroscopy – study of spectra * Speleology – study and exploration of caves * Seed, Spermology – study of seeds * Sphagnology – study of peat moss * Sphygmology – study of the pulse * Splanchnology – study of the entrails or viscera * Spongology – study of sponges * Stasiology – study of political parties * Statics – study of bodies and forces in equilibrium * Stellar astronomy – study of stars, their origins, and their evolution. * Stemmatology – study of relationships between text * Stereochemistry – study of chemistry of the relative spatial arrangement of atoms that form the structure of molecules and their manipulation. * Stoichiology – science of elements of animal tissues * Stomatology – study of the mouth * Storiology – study of folk tales * Stratigraphy – study of geological layers or strata * Stratography – art of leading an army * Stylometry – studying literature by means of statistical analysis * Suicidology – study of suicide * Supramolecular chemistry – study of the chemistry of assembled molecular sub-units * Symbology – study of symbols * Symptomatology – study of symptoms of illness * Synecology – study of ecological communities * Synectics – study of processes of invention * Syntax – study of sentence structure * Syphilology – study of syphilis * Systematics – study of the diversification of living forms, both past and present * Systematology – study of systems

T

* Taxidermy – art of curing and stuffing animals * Taxonomy (biology), Taxonomy – study of plant, animals and microorganisms classification * Tectonics – science of structure of objects, buildings and landforms * Tegestology – study and collecting of beer mats * Teleology – study of final causes; analysis in terms of purpose * Telmatology – study of swamps * Tempestology – study of tropical cyclones, e.g. hurricanes * Teratology – study of birth defects and later abnormalities in living organisms * Terrestrial ecology – study of terrestrial environment * Teuthology – study of cephalopods * Textology – study of the production of texts * Thalassography – science of the sea * Thanatology – study of death and its customs *Thaumatology – study of miracles * Theoretical computer science – science combining computer science and mathematics * Theriogenology – study of animals' reproductive systems * Thermodynamics – study of relation of heat to motion * Thermokinematics – study of motion of heat * Thermology – study of heat * Therology – study of wild mammals * Thremmatology – science of breeding domestic animals and plants * Threpsology – science of nutrition * Tidology – study of tides * Timbrology – study of postage stamps * Tocology – obstetrics; midwifery * Tokology – study of childbirth * Tonetics – study of pronunciation * Topography – study of the shape and features of land surfaces * Topology – study of places and their natural features * Toponymics – study of place-names * Toreutics – study of artistic work in metal * Toxicology – study of poisons * Toxophily – love of archery; archery; study of archery * Traumatology – study of wounds and their effects * Tribology – study of friction and wear between surfaces * Trichology – study of hair and its disorders * Trophology – study of nutrition * Tsiganology – study of gypsies * Turbology – study of tornadoes * Turnery – art of turning in a lathe * Typhlology – study of blindness and the blind * Typography – art of printing or using type * Typology (disambiguation), Typology – study of types of things

U

* Uranography – descriptive astronomy and mapping * Uranology – study of the heavens; astronomy * Urbanology – study of cities * Urenology – study of rust molds * Urology – study of urine and the urinary tract

V

* Venereology – study of venereal disease * Veterinary medicine – study of medicine in domesticated animals * Vexillology – study of flags * Victimology – study of victims * Vinology – scientific study of vines and winemaking * Virology – study of viruses * Vitrics – study of glassy materials; glassware * Volcanology – study of volcanoes

X

* Xenobiology – study of biological systems which do not exist in nature * Xylography – art of engraving on wood * Xylology – study of wood

Z

* Zenography – study of the planet Jupiter * Zooarchaeology – study of animal remains of archaeological sites * Zoochemistry – study of chemistry of animals * Zoogeography – study of geographic distribution of animals * Zoogeology – study of fossil animal remains * Zoology – study of animals * Zoonomy – animal physiology * Zoonosology – study of animal diseases * Zoopathology – study of animal diseases * Zoophysics – physics of animal bodies * Zoophysiology – study of physiology of animals * Zoophytology – study of plant-like animals * Zoosemiotics – study of animal communication * Zootaxy – science of classifying animals * Zootechnics – science of breeding animals * Zygology – science of joining and fastening * Zymology – science of fermentation * Zymurgy – branch of chemistry dealing with brewing and distilling * Zythology – study of beer

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Branches of science Indexes of science articles, Branches, science index Science-related lists

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

X

Z

See also

References