Whilst most of the true sciences are included in the following list, there are
some 'ologies' whose claim to scientific status is questionable. The
addition of the suffix -ology to a subject does not necessarily make it a
science.
The suffix -logy refers to the investigative sciences and -graphy refers to
the descriptive sciences. The root sciences, where applicable, are shown in
brackets.
anatomy. Structure of
the parts of the body.
anthropo-. Man.
anthropology.
Natural history of man.
apiology. Bees (biology)
archaeology. Material remains of the past.
architecture. Design and erection of
buildings.
astro-. Greek. star.
astrology. Prediction through celestial
observation.
astronautics. Space flight.
astronomy. Celestial
bodies excluding the Earth.
astrophysics. Physical and chemical
properties of celestial bodies.
bacteriology. Bacteria.
ballistics. Flight patterns of
projectiles.
biochemistry. Chemical composition and
changes in living organisms.
bionomics. See ecology.
biophysics. Physical characteristics of
biological processes.
botany. Plants (biology).
cartography. Maps and Mapmaking.
cetology. Whates (biology).
chemistry. Composition, properties and
changes of substances.
climatology. The climate (meteorology)
cladistics. Classification of animals from
genetic information.
conchology. Seahells
cosmology. Origin and nature of the
universe (astronomy).
criminology. Crimes.
cryogenics. Very low temperatures (physics).
cryptography. Codes and ciphers.
cytogenetics. Heredity and variation in
cells.
cytology. Plant and animal cells.
dendrology. Trees (biology).
demography. Size and distribution of human
populations.
desmology. Branch of Medicene
dealing with ligaments and sinews.
dynamics. Forces
acting on moving objects (mechanics).
ecology. Relationships
between life and its natural habitats.
embryology. Changes in plants and animals
as embryos.
entomology. Insects.
ergonomics. Relationship between worker
and environment.
eschatology. Death and the afterlife.
ethnology. Origins and characteristics of
individual races and peoples (anthropology).
ethology. Natural behaviour of animals.
etiology. Causes of disease.
etymology. Source and development of words
(linguistics).
genealogy. Evolution and descent of a
species or family.
genetics. Heredity and variation in
organisms.
geochronology. Relationship of time to
Earth's history.
geodesy. The position of features on the
Earth's surface (geography).
geography. Natural
features of the Earth's surface.
geology. Structure of
the earth.
geomorphology. Origin and changes of
topographical features (geology).
geophysics.
Physical properties of the Earth: meteorology, oceanography and seismology.
geostatics. Balance of forces in the Earth
(physics).
graphology. Handwriting.
gynaecology. Diseases of the female
reproductive system.
haematology. Blood and its diseases (pathology).
herpetology. Reptiles.
hippology. Horses.
histology. Tissues.
hydrography. Surveying and mapping of the
rivers and seas.
hydrokinetics. Fluids in motion.
hydrology. Distribution and use of the
earth's water.
hydrostatics. Fluids at rest.
ichthyology. Fishes.
ideology. Ideas and concepts.
kinematics. Motion
of bodies without reference to mass or force (mechanics).
kinetics. See dynamics.
lithology. Physical characteristics of
rocks (geology).
mammology. Mammals
mathematics. The
relationships between number, quantity, size and shape.
mechanics. Bodies in
motion: dynamics,
kinematics
and statics (physics).
medicine. Preventing,
diagnosing and curing disease.
metallurgy. Extraction, refining and
alloying of metals.
metallography. Structure of metals and
alloys.
meteorology. The
atmosphere, especially the weather (geophysiscs).
metrology. Measurement.
mineralogy. Composition and
characteristics of minerals (geology).
morphology. 1. Form and structure of
organisms (biology).
2. Form and structure of words (linguistics).
mycology. Fungi (botany).
myrmecology. Ants (biology).
mythology. Interpretation of stories and
myths.
nephology. Clouds (meteorology).
neurology. Nerves and the nervous system.
oceanography. Oceans and seas (geology).
odontology. Teeth (medicine).
ontogeny. The sequence of events in the
development of an organism.
opthalmology. Eyes.
ornithology. Birds
orography. Mountains (geography).
osteology. Bones (medicine).
otology. Ears (medicine).
palaeography. Ancient writings.
palaeontology. Determination of the past
from fossils.
pathology. Causes
and results of disease (medicine).
pedology. Soil (biology).
petrography. Description and
classification of rocks (geology).
petrology. Composition, origin and
formation of rocks (geology).
pharmacology. Drugs and their effect on
the body.
philology. History of language (linguistics).
phonetics. Vocal sounds (linguistics).
phonology. Sounds within a language (linguistics).
philology. Historical language.
philosophy. Explanation of nature and
science by rational argument.
physics. Relationship
between matter and energy.
physiology. Functions of organisms and
their parts.
phylogeny. Origins of plants (botany).
psychology. Human and animal behaviour.
seismology. Earthquakes (geology).
semantics. Meaning of language (linguistics).
semiology. Symptoms of disease.
sociobiology. Social behaviour in humans
and animals.
sociology. Society.
speleology. Caves.
statics. Forces in
equilibrium (mechanics).
statistics. Collection and interpretation
of quantative data.
taxonomy. Classification of animals and
plants (biology).
technology. Practical application of the
arts and sciences.
thanatology. Death.
theology. Religion and the nature of
divinity.
thermodynamics. The relationships between
different forms of energy.
topography. Surface features of a region.
toxicology. Poisons.
uranography. Mapping the stars and
galaxies (astronomy).
virology. Viral diseases.
vucanology. Volcanos.
zoology. Animals.