Sciences and Studies
This list defines 633 sciences, arts and studies of various degrees of respectability and rarity, ranging from the common and esteemed (chemistry) to the obscure and quirky (peristerophily). Over the past century, the range and scope of scientific endeavours has expanded exponentially, so that practically any field of study has a name associated with it. Most of these terms end in 'ology', from the Greek logos, meaning 'word'.
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| acarology | study of mites |
| accidence | grammar book; science of inflections in grammar |
| aceology | therapeutics |
| acology | study of medical remedies |
| acoustics | science of sound |
| adenology | study of glands |
| aedoeology | science of generative organs |
| aerobiology | study of airborne organisms |
| aerodonetics | science or study of gliding |
| aerodynamics | dynamics of gases; science of movement in a flow of air or gas |
| aerolithology | study of aerolites; meteorites |
| aerology | study of the atmosphere |
| aeronautics | study of navigation through air or space |
| aerophilately | collecting of air-mail stamps |
| aerostatics | science of air pressure; art of ballooning |
| agonistics | art and theory of prize-fighting |
| agriology | the comparative study of primitive peoples |
| agrobiology | study of plant nutrition; soil yields |
| agrology | study of agricultural soils |
| agronomics | study of productivity of land |
| agrostology | science or study of grasses |
| alethiology | study of truth |
| algedonics | science of pleasure and pain |
| algology | study of algae |
| anaesthesiology | study of anaesthetics |
| anaglyptics | art of carving in bas-relief |
| anagraphy | art of constructing catalogues |
| anatomy | study of the structure of the body |
| andragogy | science of teaching adults |
| anemology | study of winds |
| angelology | study of angels |
| angiology | study of blood flow and lymphatic system |
| anthropobiology | study of human biology |
| anthropology | study of human cultures |
| aphnology | science of wealth |
| apiology | study of bees |
| arachnology | study of spiders |
| archaeology | study of human material remains |
| archelogy | the study of first principles |
| archology | science of the origins of government |
| arctophily | study of teddy bears |
| areology | study of Mars |
| aretaics | the science of virtue |
| aristology | the science or art of dining |
| arthrology | study of joints |
| astacology | the science of crayfish |
| astheniology | study of diseases of weakening and aging |
| astrogeology | study of extraterrestrial geology |
| astrology | study of influence of stars on people |
| astrometeorology | study of effect of stars on climate |
| astronomy | study of celestial bodies |
| astrophysics | study of behaviour of interstellar matter |
| astroseismology | study of star oscillations |
| atmology | the science of aqueous vapour |
| audiology | study of hearing |
| autecology | study of ecology of one species |
| autology | scientific study of oneself |
| auxology | science of growth |
| avionics | the science of electronic devices for aircraft |
| axiology | the science of the ultimate nature of values |
| bacteriology | study of bacteria |
| balneology | the science of the therapeutic use of baths |
| barodynamics | science of the support and mechanics of bridges |
| barology | study of gravitation |
| batology | the study of brambles |
| bibliology | study of books |
| bibliotics | study of documents to determine authenticity |
| bioecology | study of interaction of life in the environment |
| biology | study of life |
| biometrics | study of biological measurement |
| bionomics | study of organisms interacting in their environments |
| botany | study of plants |
| bromatology | study of food |
| brontology | scientific study of thunder |
| bryology | the study of mosses and liverworts |
| cacogenics | study of racial degeneration |
| caliology | study of bird's nests |
| calorifics | study of heat |
| cambistry | science of international exchange |
| campanology | the art of bell ringing |
| carcinology | study of crabs and other crustaceans |
| cardiology | study of the heart |
| caricology | study of sedges |
| carpology | study of fruit |
| cartography | the science of making maps and globes |
| cartophily | the hobby of collecting cigarette cards |
| castrametation | the art of designing a camp |
| catacoustics | science of echoes or reflected sounds |
| catalactics | science of commercial exchange |
| catechectics | the art of teaching by question and answer |
| cetology | study of whales and dolphins |
| chalcography | the art of engraving on copper or brass |
| chalcotriptics | art of taking rubbings from ornamental brasses |
| chaology | the study of chaos or chaos theory |
| characterology | study of development of character |
| chemistry | study of properties of substances |
| chirocosmetics | beautifying the hands; art of manicure |
| chirography | study of handwriting or penmanship |
| chirology | study of the hands |
| chiropody | medical science of feet |
| chorology | science of the geographic description of anything |
| chrematistics | the study of wealth; political economy |
| chronobiology | study of biological rhythms |
| chrysology | study of precious metals |
| ciselure | the art of chasing metal |
| climatology | study of climate |
| clinology | study of aging or individual decline after maturity |
| codicology | study of manuscripts |
| coleopterology | study of beetles and weevils |
| cometology | study of comets |
| conchology | study of shells |
| coprology | study of pornography |
| cosmetology | study of cosmetics |
| cosmology | study of the universe |
| craniology | study of the skull |
| criminology | study of crime; criminals |
| cryobiology | study of life under cold conditions |
| cryptology | study of codes |
| cryptozoology | study of animals for whose existence there is no conclusive proof |
| ctetology | study of the inheritance of acquired characteristics |
| cynology | scientific study of dogs |
| cytology | study of living cells |
| dactyliology | study of rings |
| dactylography | the study of fingerprints |
| dactylology | study of sign language |
| deltiology | the collection and study of picture postcards |
| demology | study of human behaviour |
| demonology | study of demons |
| dendrochronology | study of tree rings |
| dendrology | study of trees |
| deontology | the theory or study of moral obligation |
| dermatoglyphics | the study of skin patterns and fingerprints |
| dermatology | study of skin |
| desmology | study of ligaments |
| diabology | study of devils |
| diagraphics | art of making diagrams or drawings |
| dialectology | study of dialects |
| dioptrics | study of light refraction |
| diplomatics | science of deciphering ancient writings and texts |
| diplomatology | study of diplomats |
| docimology | the art of assaying |
| dosiology | the study of doses |
| dramaturgy | art of producing and staging dramatic works |
| dysgenics | the study of racial degeneration |
| dysteleology | study of purposeless organs |
| ecclesiology | study of church affairs |
| eccrinology | study of excretion |
| ecology | study of environment |
| economics | study of material wealth |
| edaphology | study of soils |
| Egyptology | study of ancient Egypt |
| ekistics | study of human settlement |
| electrochemistry | study of relations between electricity and chemicals |
| electrology | study of electricity |
| electrostatics | study of static electricity |
| embryology | study of embryos |
| emetology | study of vomiting |
| emmenology | the study of menstruation |
| endemiology | study of local diseases |
| endocrinology | study of glands |
| enigmatology | study of enigmas |
| entomology | study of insects |
| entozoology | study of parasites that live inside larger organisms |
| enzymology | study of enzymes |
| ephebiatrics | branch of medicine dealing with adolescence |
| epidemiology | study of diseases; epidemics |
| epileptology | study of epilepsy |
| epistemology | study of grounds of knowledge |
| eremology | study of deserts |
| ergology | study of effects of work on humans |
| ergonomics | study of people at work |
| escapology | study of freeing oneself from constraints |
| eschatology | study of death; final matters |
| ethnogeny | study of origins of races or ethnic groups |
| ethnology | study of cultures |
| ethnomethodology | study of everyday communication |
| ethnomusicology | study of comparative musical systems |
| ethology | study of natural or biological character |
| ethonomics | study of economic and ethical principles of a society |
| etiology | the science of causes; especially of disease |
| etymology | study of origins of words |
| euthenics | science concerned with improving living conditions |
| exobiology | study of extraterrestrial life |
| floristry | the art of cultivating and selling flowers |
| fluviology | study of watercourses |
| folkloristics | study of folklore and fables |
| futurology | study of future |
| garbology | study of garbage |
| gastroenterology | study of stomach; intestines |
| gastronomy | study of fine dining |
| gemmology | study of gems and jewels |
| genealogy | study of descent of families |
| genesiology | study of reproduction and heredity |
| genethlialogy | the art of casting horoscopes |
| geochemistry | study of chemistry of the earth's crust |
| geochronology | study of measuring geological time |
| geogeny | science of the formation of the earth's crust |
| geogony | study of formation of the earth |
| geography | study of surface of the earth and its inhabitants |
| geology | study of earth's crust |
| geomorphogeny | study of the origins of land forms |
| geoponics | study of agriculture |
| geotechnics | study of increasing habitability of the earth |
| geratology | study of decadence and decay |
| gerocomy | study of old age |
| gerontology | study of the elderly; aging |
| gigantology | study of giants |
| glaciology | study of ice ages and glaciation |
| glossology | study of language; study of the tongue |
| glyptography | the art of engraving on gems |
| glyptology | study of gem engravings |
| gnomonics | the art of measuring time using sundials |
| gnosiology | study of knowledge; philosophy of knowledge |
| gnotobiology | study of life in germ-free conditions |
| graminology | study of grasses |
| grammatology | study of systems of writing |
| graphemics | study of systems of representing speech in writing |
| graphology | study of handwriting |
| gromatics | science of surveying |
| gynaecology | study of women’s physiology |
| gyrostatics | the study of rotating bodies |
| haemataulics | study of movement of blood through blood vessels |
| hagiology | study of saints |
| halieutics | study of fishing |
| hamartiology | study of sin |
| harmonics | study of musical acoustics |
| hedonics | part of ethics or psychology dealing with pleasure |
| helcology | study of ulcers |
| heliology | science of the sun |
| helioseismology | study of sun's interior by observing its surface oscillations |
| helminthology | study of worms |
| hematology | study of blood |
| heortology | study of religious feasts |
| hepatology | study of liver |
| heraldry | study of coats of arms |
| heresiology | study of heresies |
| herpetology | study of reptiles and amphibians |
| hierology | science of sacred matters |
| hippiatrics | study of diseases of horses |
| hippology | the study of horses |
| histology | study of the tissues of organisms |
| histopathology | study of changes in tissue due to disease |
| historiography | study of writing history |
| historiology | study of history |
| homiletics | the art of preaching |
| hoplology | the study of weapons |
| horography | art of constructing sundials or clocks |
| horology | science of time measurement |
| horticulture | study of gardening |
| hydrobiology | study of aquatic organisms |
| hydrodynamics | study of movement in liquids |
| hydrogeology | study of ground water |
| hydrography | study of investigating bodies of water |
| hydrokinetics | study of motion of fluids |
| hydrology | study of water resources |
| hydrometeorology | study of atmospheric moisture |
| hydropathy | study of treating diseases with water |
| hyetology | science of rainfall |
| hygiastics | science of health and hygiene |
| hygienics | study of sanitation; health |
| hygiology | hygienics; study of cleanliness |
| hygrology | study of humidity |
| hygrometry | science of humidity |
| hymnography | study of writing hymns |
| hymnology | study of hymns |
| hypnology | study of sleep; study of hypnosis |
| hypsography | science of measuring heights |
| 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 | study of fish |
| iconography | study of drawing symbols |
| iconology | 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 | psychology of one's own mind |
| immunogenetics | study of genetic characteristics of immunity |
| immunology | study of immunity |
| immunopathology | study of immunity to disease |
| insectology | study of insects |
| irenology | the study of peace |
| iridology | study of the iris; diagnosis of disease based on the iris of the eye |
| kalology | study of beauty |
| karyology | study of cell nuclei |
| kidology | study of kidding |
| kinematics | study of motion |
| kinesics | study of gestural communication |
| kinesiology | study of human movement and posture |
| kinetics | 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 |
| labeorphily | collection and study of beer bottle labels |
| larithmics | study of population statistics |
| laryngology | study of larynx |
| lepidopterology | study of butterflies and moths |
| leprology | study of leprosy |
| lexicology | study of words and their meanings |
| lexigraphy | art of definition of words |
| lichenology | study of lichens |
| limacology | study of slugs |
| limnobiology | study of freshwater ecosystems |
| limnology | study of bodies of fresh water |
| linguistics | study of language |
| lithology | study of rocks |
| liturgiology | study of liturgical forms and church rituals |
| loimology | study of plagues and epidemics |
| loxodromy | study of sailing along rhumb-lines |
| magirics | art of cookery |
| magnanerie | art of raising silkworms |
| magnetics | study of magnetism |
| malacology | study of molluscs |
| malariology | study of malaria |
| mammalogy | study of mammals |
| manège | the art of horsemanship |
| Mariology | study of the Virgin Mary |
| martyrology | study of martyrs |
| mastology | study of mammals |
| mathematics | study of magnitude, number, and forms |
| mazology | mammalogy; study of mammals |
| mechanics | study of action of force on bodies |
| meconology | study of or treatise concerning opium |
| melittology | study of bees |
| mereology | study of part-whole relationships |
| mesology | ecology |
| metallogeny | study of the origin and distribution of metal deposits |
| metallography | study of the structure and constitution of metals |
| metallurgy | study of alloying and treating metals |
| metaphysics | study of principles of nature and thought |
| metapolitics | study of politics in theory or abstract |
| metapsychology | study of nature of the mind |
| meteoritics | the study of meteors |
| meteorology | study of weather |
| metrics | study of versification |
| metrology | science of weights and measures |
| microanatomy | study of microscopic tissues |
| microbiology | study of microscopic organisms |
| microclimatology | study of local climates |
| micrology | study or discussion of trivialities |
| micropalaeontology | study of microscopic fossils |
| microphytology | study of very small plant life |
| microscopy | study of minute objects |
| mineralogy | study of minerals |
| molinology | study of mills and milling |
| momilogy | study of mummies |
| morphology | study of forms and the development of structures |
| muscology | the study of mosses |
| museology | the study of museums |
| musicology | study of music |
| mycology | study of funguses |
| myology | study of muscles |
| myrmecology | study of ants |
| mythology | study of myths; fables; tales |
| naology | study of church or temple architecture |
| nasology | study of the nose |
| nautics | art of navigation |
| nematology | the study of nematodes |
| neonatology | study of newborn babies |
| neossology | study of nestling birds |
| nephology | study of clouds |
| nephrology | study of the kidneys |
| neurobiology | study of anatomy of the nervous system |
| neurology | study of nervous system |
| neuropsychology | study of relation between brain and behaviour |
| neurypnology | study of hypnotism |
| neutrosophy | study of the origin and nature of philosophical neutralities |
| nidology | study of nests |
| nomology | the science of the laws; especially of the mind |
| noology | science of the intellect |
| nosology | study of diseases |
| nostology | study of senility |
| notaphily | collecting of bank-notes and cheques |
| numerology | study of numbers |
| numismatics | study of coins |
| nymphology | study of nymphs |
| obstetrics | study of midwifery |
| oceanography | study of oceans |
| oceanology | study of oceans |
| odology | science of the hypothetical mystical force of od |
| odontology | study of teeth |
| oenology | study of wines |
| oikology | science of housekeeping |
| olfactology | study of the sense of smell |
| ombrology | study of rain |
| oncology | study of tumours |
| oneirology | study of dreams |
| onomasiology | study of nomenclature |
| onomastics | study of proper names |
| ontology | science of pure being; the nature of things |
| oology | study of eggs |
| ophiology | study of snakes |
| ophthalmology | study of eye diseases |
| optics | study of light |
| optology | study of sight |
| optometry | science of examining the eyes |
| orchidology | study of orchids |
| ornithology | study of birds |
| orology | study of mountains |
| orthoepy | study of correct pronunciation |
| orthography | 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 | study of bones |
| otology | study of the ear |
| otorhinolaryngology | study of ear, nose and throat |
| paedology | study of children |
| paedotrophy | art of rearing children |
| paidonosology | study of children's diseases; pediatrics |
| palaeoanthropology | study of early humans |
| palaeobiology | study of fossil plants and animals |
| palaeoclimatology | study of ancient climates |
| palaeolimnology | study of ancient fish |
| palaeolimnology | study of ancient lakes |
| palaeontology | study of fossils |
| palaeopedology | study of early soils |
| paleobotany | study of ancient plants |
| paleo-osteology | study of ancient bones |
| palynology | study of pollen |
| papyrology | study of paper |
| parapsychology | study of unexplained mental phenomena |
| parasitology | study of parasites |
| paroemiology | study of proverbs |
| parthenology | study of virgins |
| pataphysics | the science of imaginary solutions |
| pathology | study of disease |
| patrology | study of early Christianity |
| pedagogics | study of teaching |
| pedology | study of soils |
| pelology | study of mud |
| penology | study of crime and punishment |
| periodontics | study of gums |
| peristerophily | pigeon-collecting |
| pestology | science of pests |
| petrology | study of rocks |
| pharmacognosy | study of drugs of animal and plant origin |
| pharmacology | study of drugs |
| pharology | study of lighthouses |
| pharyngology | study of the throat |
| phenology | study of organisms as affected by climate |
| phenomenology | study of phenomena |
| philately | study of postage stamps |
| philematology | the act or study of kissing |
| phillumeny | collecting of matchbox labels |
| philology | study of ancient texts; historical linguistics |
| philosophy | science of knowledge or wisdom |
| phoniatrics | study and correction of speech defects |
| phonology | study of speech sounds |
| photobiology | study of effects of light on organisms |
| phraseology | study of phrases |
| phrenology | study of bumps on the head |
| phycology | study of algae and seaweeds |
| physics | study of properties of matter and energy |
| physiology | study of processes of life |
| phytology | study of plants; botany |
| piscatology | study of fishes |
| pisteology | science or study of faith |
| planetology | study of planets |
| plutology | political economy; study of wealth |
| pneumatics | study of mechanics of gases |
| podiatry | study and treatment of disorders of the foot; chiropody |
| podology | study of the feet |
| polemology | study of war |
| pomology | study of fruit-growing |
| posology | science of quantity or dosage |
| potamology | study of rivers |
| praxeology | study of practical or efficient activity; science of efficient action |
| primatology | study of primates |
| proctology | study of rectum |
| prosody | study of versification |
| protistology | study of protists |
| proxemics | study of man’s need for personal space |
| psalligraphy | the art of paper-cutting to make pictures |
| psephology | 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 | study of mind |
| psychopathology | 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 |
| pyretology | study of fevers |
| pyrgology | study of towers |
| pyroballogy | study of artillery |
| pyrography | study of woodburning |
| quinology | study of quinine |
| raciology | study of racial differences |
| radiology | study of X-rays and their medical applications |
| reflexology | study of reflexes |
| rhabdology | knowledge or learning concerning divining rods |
| rhabdology | art of calculating using numbering rods |
| rheology | science of the deformation or flow of matter |
| rheumatology | study of rheumatism |
| rhinology | study of the nose |
| rhochrematics | science of inventory management and the movement of products |
| runology | study of runes |
| 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 | collection of bond and share certificates |
| sedimentology | study of sediment |
| seismology | study of earthquakes |
| selenodesy | study of the shape and features of the moon |
| selenology | study of the moon |
| semantics | 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 |
| siderography | art of engraving on steel |
| sigillography | study of seals |
| 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 |
| somatology | science of the properties of matter |
| sophiology | science of ideas |
| soteriology | study of theological salvation |
| spectrology | study of ghosts |
| spectroscopy | study of spectra |
| speleology | study and exploration of caves |
| spermology | study of seeds |
| sphagnology | study of peat moss |
| sphragistics | study of seals and signets |
| 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 |
| stemmatology | study of relationships between texts |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| systematology | study of systems |
| taxidermy | art of curing and stuffing animals |
| 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 |
| teratology | study of monsters, freaks, abnormal growths or malformations |
| 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 |
| theology | study of religion; religious doctrine |
| theriatrics | veterinary medicine |
| 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 |
| tonetics | study of pronunciation |
| 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 |
| turnery | art of turning in a lathe |
| typhlology | study of blindness and the blind |
| typography | art of printing or using type |
| typology | study of types of things |
| ufology | study of alien spacecraft |
| uranography | descriptive astronomy and mapping |
| uranology | study of the heavens; astronomy |
| urbanology | study of cities |
| urenology | study of rust molds |
| urology | study of urine; urinary tract |
| venereology | study of venereal disease |
| vermeology | study of worms |
| vexillology | study of flags |
| victimology | study of victims |
| vinology | scientific study of vines and winemaking |
| virology | study of viruses |
| vitrics | glassy materials; glassware; study of glassware |
| volcanology | study of volcanoes |
| vulcanology | study of volcanoes |
| xylography | art of engraving on wood |
| xylology | study of wood |
| zenography | study of the planet Jupiter |
| zoiatrics | veterinary surgery |
| zooarchaeology | study of animal remains of archaeological sites |
| zoochemistry | 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 |
