# Ologies
## List of -ologies
### A

* Acarology, the study of ticks and mites
* Actinobiology, the study of the effects of radiation upon living organisms
* Actinology, the study of the effect of light on chemicals
* Aerobiology, a branch of biology that studies organic particles, such as bacteria, fungal spores, very small insects and pollen, which are passively transported by the air.
* Aerology, the study of the atmosphere
* Aetiology, the medical study of the causation of disease
* Agnoiology, the study of things of which we are by nature ignorant, or of things which cannot be known
* Agrobiology, the study of plant nutrition and growth in relation to soil conditions
* Agrology
** Canada: the art and science of agriculture
** Non-Canada: the study of soils
* Agrostology, the study of grasses
* Algology, the study of algae
* Allergology, the study of the causes and treatment of allergies; a branch of medicine
* Andrology, the study of male health and disease
* Anesthesiology, the study of anesthesia and anesthetics; a branch of medicine
* Angelology, the study of angels
* Angiology, the study of the anatomy of blood and lymph vascular systems
* Anthropology, the study of humans
* Apiology, the study of bees (apiaries)
* Arachnology, the study of spiders and their kind
* Archaeology, the study of past cultures through the analysis of material remains
* Archaeozoology, the study of relationships between humans and animals over time through examination of animal remains at archaeological sites (also see Zooarchaeology)
* Areology, the study of Mars
* Assyriology, the study of the Assyrians
* Astacology, the study of crayfish
* Asteroseismology, the study of the internal structures of stars as revealed by their oscillations (see also Helioseismology).
* Astrobiology, the study of origin of life
* Astrogeology, the study of geology of celestial bodies (e.g., planets, asteroids, comets)
* Astrology, the study of the purported influence(s) of celestial bodies on earthly affairs
* Astrometeorology: using astrology to forecast the weather
* Atmology, the study of the laws and phenomena of aqueous vapors
* Audiology, the study of hearing; a branch of medicine
* Autecology, the study of the ecology of any individual species
* Autology, the attribute (of a word) of being self descriptive. The word "polysyllabic" is autological because it is polysyllabic. (compare heterology)
* Auxology, the study of human growth.
* Axiology, the study of the nature of values and value judgements

### B

* Bacteriology, the study of bacteria
* Balneology, the scientific study of baths, bathing and of their application to disease
* Batology, the study of blackberries
* Beierlology, the study of stalkers
* Bibliology, the study of books, printing, and publishing; also called Bibliography
* Bioclimatology, the study of the effects of climate on living organisms
* Biogeomorphology, or ecogeomorphology, the study of interactions between organisms and geomorphological processes
* Bioecology, the study of the relationship of organisms to each other and to their environment
* Biology, the study of life
* Biometeorology, the study of the effects of atmospheric conditions on living organisms
* Biotechnology industrial use of living organisms or their components to improve human health and food reduction
* Boxology is the study of schematic layouts, for example of corporate org charts.
* Bryology, the study of bryophytes
* Bryozoology, the study of the phylum Bryozoa
* Buddhology, the study of the nature of Buddha

### C

* Campanology, the study and the art of bell ringing
* Cardiology, the study of the heart; a branch of medicine
* Cereology, the study of crop circles
* Cetology, the study of cetaceans - whales, dolphins, and porpoise
* Characterology, the study of character
* Chavezology, study of devil worshipers
* Christology, the theological study of redemption (christos > christein: to sacrament), not only speaking of Christianity but also extended to religion in general
* Chorology, the study of the relationship of biological or other phenomena to their locations
* Chronology the study of things in order of time or the study of time
* Climatology, the study of the climate
* Codicology, the study of the preparation of books and manuscripts (ink, paper, vellum etc)
* Coleopterology, the study of beetles
* Coniology, the study of dust in the atmosphere and its effects on plants and animals, also spelled "koniology"
* Conchology, the study of shells and of molluscs
* Contrology, a neologism for the Pilates method, a system of physical exercise
* Cosmology, the study of the cosmos or our place in it
* Cosmetology, the study of cosmetics and their use
* Craniology, the study of the characteristics of the skull
* Criminology, the scientific study of crime
* Cryology, the study of very low temperatures and related phenomena.
* Cryptology, the study of how to encrypt and decrypt secret messages
* Cryptozoology, the study of animals that may or may not be mythical
* Cynology, the study of dogs
* Cytomorphology, the study of the structure of cells
* Cytology, the study of cells

### D

* Deltiology, the study of, but more often the collecting of picture postcards
* Demography, the study of statistics such as births, deaths, income, or the incidence of disease, which illustrate the changing structure of human populations
* Demonology, the study of demons
* Dendrochronology, the study of the age of trees and the records in their rings
* Dendrology, the study of trees
* Deontology, in ethics, the study of duty.
* Dermatology, the study of the skin; a branch of medicine
* Dermatopathology, the field of dermatological anatomical pathology; a branch of medicine
* Desmology, the study of ligaments
* Dialectology, the study of dialects
* Dipterology, the study of flies
* Dudology, the study of men

### E

* Ecclesiology, the study of Church architecture and decoration, or separately the study of the Christian Church
* Ecogeomorphology, or biogeomorphology, the study of interactions between organisms and geomorphological processes
* Ecohydrology, the study of interactions among organisms and the water cycle.
* Ecology, the study of the interrelationships between living organisms and their environment. Sometimes spelled "œcology".
* Economic geology is concerned with earth materials that can be utilized for economic and/or industrial purposes.
* Ecophysiology, the study of the interrelationship between an organism's physical functioning and its environment
* Edaphology, a branch of soil science that studies the influence of soil on life.
* Egyptology, the study of the ancient Egyptians
* Electrophysiology, the study of the relationship between electric phenomena and bodily processes
* Embryology, the study of embryos
* Emetology, the study or knowledge of emetics
* Endocrinology, the study of internal secretory glands; a branch of medicine
* Enigmatology, the study of puzzles
* Enology (or Oenology), the study of wine and winemaking
* Entomology, the study of insects
* Enzymology, the study of enzymes
* Epidemiology, the study of the origin and spread of diseases
* Epistemology, the study of the nature and origins of knowledge
* Escapology, the practice of escaping from restraints or other traps.
* Eschatology, a branch of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or of mankind
* Ethnology, the study of race
* Ethnomusicology, the study of music in society, usually non-western music
* Ethology, the study of animal behaviour
* Etiology, same as Aetiology
* Etymology, the study of word origins
* Eulogy, the speech of praise
* Evolutionary biology, the study of the process of biological evolution
* Evolutionary psychology, the study of the process of (usually) human psychological evolution.
* Exobiology, the study of life in outer space

### F

* Felinology, the study of cats
* Fetology, the study of the fetus, especially when within the uterus. Sometimes spelled foetology.
* Formicology, the study of ants
* Fungology, fungus + -ology, see mycology.
* Fulminology the study of lightning
* Futurology, the study of the future

### G

* Garbology - study of refuse and trash
* Gastrology or Gastroenterology - diseases of stomach and intestines ; a branch of medicine
* Gemmology or Gemology, the study of gemstones and ornamental materials
* Genealogy (commonly misspelled and mispronounced as "geneology"), the study of relationships within families particularly with a view to constructing family trees
* Genecology, the study of genetic differences in relation to the environment
* Geobiology, the study of the biosphere and its relations to the lithosphere and atmosphere.
* Geochronology, the study of the age of the Earth
* Geology, the study of the Earth
* Geomorphology, the study of present-day landforms, traditionally on Earth but with increasing frequency on nearby planetary objects
* Gerontology, the study of old age
* Glaciology, the study of glaciers
* Grammatology, the study of writing systems. Also the study of deconstructive literary criticism, popularized in the 1960s by Jacques Derrida
* Graphology, the study of handwriting for the purpose of analysing the character of the writer
* Grossology, the study of gross and disgusting things. Fictional; book title
* Gynaecology or Gynecology, the study of medicine relating to women, or of women in general

### H

* Hematology/Haematology, the study of blood; a branch of medicine
* Heliology, the study of the Sun
* Helioseismology, the study of vibrations and oscillations in the Sun
* Helminthology, the study of parasitic worms. See Vermeology.
* Hepatology, the study of the liver; a branch of medicine
* Herbology, the study of the therapeutic use of plants
* Herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians
* Heterology, the attribute (of a word) of not being self descriptive. The word "monosyllabic" is heterological because it is not monosyllabic. (compare autology)
* Heteroptology, the study of true bugs
* Hieroglyphology, Egyptian hieroglyphics, an ancient writing system
* Hierographology, the study of sacred texts
* Hierology, a more inclusive term for theology
* Hippology, study of horses
* Histology, the study of living tissues
* Histopathology, the study of the (microscopic) structure of diseased tissues
* Historiology, the study of the writings and practices of historians
* Homology, concept in anthropology, biology, algebraic topology, and sociology, meaning "likeness in structure"
* Horology, the study of making timepieces, measuring time and timekeeping (also the study of time)
* Hydrogeology, the study of underground water
* Hydrology, the study of water
* Hypnology, the study of sleep (also: somnology)
* Hoplology, the study of weapons and armor and/or human combative behavior

### I

* Ichnology, the study of fossil footprints, tracks and burrows
* Ichthyology, the study of fish
* Ideology, the study of ideas throughout society both socially,politically,historically and literary
* Immunology, the study of the immune system; a branch of medicine
* Indology, the study of the history, languages, and cultures of the Indian subcontinent
* Iranology, the study of history, literature, art and culture of Iran (Persia)
* Islamology, the study of the Islam

### J

* Japanology, the study of Japanese people

### K

* Karyology, the study of karyotypes (a branch of cytology)
* Killology, the study of human beings killing other human beings (Grossman's theory)
* Kinesiology, the study of movement in relation to human anatomy; a branch of medicine
* Kremlinology, the study of the Soviet Union
* Kymatology, the study of waves or wave motions

### L

* Laryngology, the study of the larynx, or voice box; a branch of medicine
* Lepidopterology, the study of butterflies and moths
* Lexicology, the study of the signification and application of words
* Limnology, the study of fresh water environments, particularly lakes
* Lithology, the study of rocks
* Ludology, the study of games and play
* Lymphology, the study of the lymph system and glands

### M

* Malacology, the study of mollusks
* Mammalogy, the study of mammals
* Memeology the study of memes
* Mereology, a branch of logic focusing on the study of part-whole relationships
* Meteorology, the study of weather
* Methodology, (properly) the study of methods
* Metrology, the study of measurement
* Microbiology, the study of microorganisms.
* Micrology, the science of preparing and handling microscopic objects for study.
* Mineralogy, the study of minerals
* Mixology, the study or skill of preparing mixed drinks.
* Molinology, the study of windmills, watermills and animal engines.
* Monadology, a book by Leibniz on the study of his theory of monads.
* Morphology, the study of forms that is used in several other fields (biology, linguistics, astronomy, etc.)
* Museology, the study of museum management.
* Musicology, the study of music
* Mycology, the study of fungi
* Myology the scientific study of muscles
* Myrmecology, the study of ants
* Mythology, the study of myths

### N

* Nanotechnology, the study and design of machines at the molecular level
* Nanotribology, the study of friction at very small (atomic) scale
* Nematology, the study of nematodes
* Neonatology, the study of diseases and the care of newborn infants; a branch of pediatrics/paediatrics
* Nephology, the study of clouds
* Nephrology, the study of the kidneys and their diseases, a branch of medicine
* Neurology, the study of nerves; a branch of medicine
* Neuropathology, the study of neural diseases
* Neurophysiology, the study of the functions of the nervous system
* Nosology, the study of disease classification
* Numerology, the study of numbers (often in a non-mathematical sense)
* Nutriology, the study of nutrition

### O

* Oceanology, the study of oceans
* Odonatology, the study of dragonflies and damselflies
* Odontology, the study of the structure, development, and abnormalities of the teeth
* Oenology, the study of wine
* Omnology, the study of everything
* Oncology, the study of cancer; a branch of medicine
* Oneirology, the study of dreams
* Onomatology (also called "onomastics"), the study of proper names
* Ontology, the study of existence
* Onychology, the study of fingernails and toenails
* Oology, the study of eggs
* Ophthalmology, the study of the eyes; a branch of medicine
* Organology, the study of musical instruments (not just organs); alternatively, the study of anatomical organs
* Ornithology, the study of birds
* Orology, the study of mountains and their mapping
* Orthopterology, the study of grasshoppers and crickets
* Osteology, the study of bones
* Otolaryngology, the study of the ear and throat; a branch of medicine
* Otology, the study of the structure, function, and pathology of the ear
* Otorhinolaryngology, the study of the ear, nose and throat; a branch of medicine

### P

* Paleoanthropology, the study of prehistoric people and human origins
* Paleobiology, the study of prehistoric life
* Paleobotany, the study of prehistoric metaphytes (i.e., multicellular plants)
* Paleoclimatology, the study of prehistoric climates
* Paleoecology, the study of prehistoric environments by analyzing fossils and rock strata
* Paleontology, the study of fossils of ancient life
* Paleophytology (see "paleobotany"), the study of ancient multicelled plants
* Paleozoology, the study of prehistoric metazoans (i.e., multicellular animals)
* Palynology, the study of pollen
* Parapsychology, the study of paranormal or psychic phenomenon that defy conventional scientific explanations
* Parasitology, the study of parasites
* Pathology, the study of illness; a branch of medicine
* Pedology (soil study), one of two main branches of soil science
* Pedology (paidology, paedology), the study of children's behavior and development
* Penology, the study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation.
* Personology, a variant of physiognomy
* Petrology, the study of rocks and the conditions by which they form
* Pharmacology, the study of drugs
* Phenology, the study of periodic biological phenomena such as flowering, migration, breeding, etc.
* Phenomenology, the study and science of phenomena as distinct from the science of actual existence or being; also a movement founded by Husserl which studies conscious experience without its metaphysical concerns
* Philology, the study of a language together with its literature
* Phlebology, a branch of medicine that deals with the venous system
* Phonology, the study of vocal sounds
* Phrenology, the derivation of a persons character traits, by studying the shape of their skull
* Phycology, the study of algae
* Physiology, the study of mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of living organisms; a branch of medicine
* Phytology, the study of plants; botany
* Phytopathology ("Plant pathology"), the study of plant diseases
* Phytosociology, the study of the ecology of plant communities
* Piphilology, the mnemonic practice of writing sentences such that the numbers of letters in the words correspond to the consecutive digits of pi
* Planetology, the study of planets and solar systems; more commonly called Planetary science
* Planktology, the study of plankton
* Pneumology, a synonym of Pulmonology
* Polemology, the study of war in an interdisciplinary context.
* Pomology, the scientific study and cultivation of fruits
* Posology, the study of drug dosage
* Primatology, the study of primates
* Proctology, the study of the hind regions (rectum, anus, colon and pelvic floor) of the body
* Psephology, the study, especially statistical, of elections.
* Psychobiology, the study and psychology of organisms with regard to their functions and structures
* Psychology, the study of mental processes in living creatures
* Psychopathology, the study of the mental processes within mental illness or disorders
* Psychopharmacology, the study of psychotropic or psychiatric drugs
* Psychophysiology, the study of the physiological bases of psychological processes
* Pulmonology, the study of the lungs and the respiratory tract; a branch of medicine

### R

* Radiology, the study of rays, usually ionising radiation; a branch of medicine
* Redology, the study of the classical Chinese literary masterpiece Dream of the Red Chamber
* Reflexology, originally the study of reflexes or of reflex responses; but see also non-study list
* Rheology, the study of flow
* Rheumatology, the study of rheumatic diseases, a branch of medicine
* Rhinology, the study of the nose and its diseases
* Ripperology, the study of Jack the Ripper and the crimes associated with him

### S

* Sarcology, a subsection of anatomy that studies the soft parts. It includes myology, angiology, neurology, and splanchnology
* Scatology, the study of feces
* Scientology, the applied religious philosophy created by American writer L. Ron Hubbard
* Sedimentology, a branch of geology that studies sediments.
* Seismology, the study of earthquakes
* Selenology, the study of the moon
* Semiology, the study of signs
* Semitology, the study of Semitic cultures
* Serology, the study of blood serum
* Serpentology, the study of snakes
* Sexology, the study of sex
* Sindonology, the study of the Shroud of Turin
* Sinology, the study of China
* Sitiology, dietetics, the study of diet. Also, a treatise on diet. Also spelled "sitology"
* Sociology, the study of society
* Sociobiology, the study of the effect of evolution on ethology
* Somnology, the study of sleep, also: hypnology
* Somatology, study of human characteristics
* Soteriology the study of the doctrine of salvation, especially as related to Christianity
* Sovietology, the study of communist Soviet Union
* Speleology, the study or exploration of caves
* Sporalogy, a parody of astrology
* Stemmatology, a discipline that attempts to reconstruct the transmission of a text (especially a text in manuscript form) on the basis of relations between the various surviving manuscripts
* Stomatology, study of the mouth and its diseases.
* Sumerology, the study of the Sumerians.
* Symbology, the study and interpretation of symbols, or a set of symbols. Also used for types of barcodes
* Symptomatology, the study of symptoms
* Synecology, the study of the ecological interrelationships among communities of organisms
* Syphilology, the study of syphilis

### T

* Taxology, a synonym for taxonomy
* Teleology, the study of ends or final causes
* Teratology, the study of wonders, or monsters
* Terminology, the usage and study of terms.
* Thanatology, the study of physical, psychological and social problems associated with dying.
* Thermology, the study of heat.
* Theology, the study of religion
* Tibetology, the study of Tibet
* Tocology, the study of childbirth, sometimes spelled "tokology".
* Tonology, the study of intonation in speech
* Topology, the mathematical study of closeness and connectedness
* Toxicology, the study of poisons
* Traumatology, the study of wounds and injuries caused by accidents or assaults and their surgical treatment and repair; a branch of medicine
* Tribology, the study of friction and lubrication
* Trichology, the study of hair and scalp
* Typology, the study of classification

### U

* Urology, (Sometimes spelled "ourology") the study of the urogenital tract; a branch of medicine.
* Ufology, the study of Unidentified flying object (UFO) phenomena.

### V

* Vaccinology, the study of vaccines
* Venereology, the study of venereal diseases
* Vexillology, the study of flags
* Victimology, the study of victims of crime, often applied to characterizing the criminal
* Virology, the study of viruses
* Volcanology (also spelled vulcanology), the study of volcanoes and related phenomena (traps)

### X

* Xenobiology, the study of non-terrestrial life
* Xylology, the study of wood

### Z

* Zooarchaeology, the study and analysis of animal remains at archaeological sites to reconstruct relationships between people, animals, and their environment (also see Archaeozoology)
* Zoology, the study of animals
* Zoopathology ("Animal pathology"), the study of animal diseases
* Zymology, the study of fermentation

## Ologies that are not fields of study

Words ending in -ology that are not fields of study, and thus not "ologies" in the sense of this article, are:
* Anthology, a collection of literary pieces (such as poems).
* Apology
** a statement of regret.
** an explanation for or justification of beliefs.
* Arcology - enormous habitat (hyperstructure) of extremely high human population density.
* Chronology is the arrangement or setting out of past events in order of occurrence; the recording of historical events in date sequence.
* Cosmetology, the art and career of using cosmetics to improve beauty.
* Dilogy is
** ambiguous or equivocal speech, or
** a work composed in two parts (see trilogy)
* Docimology, a treatise on the art of testing, e.g. in assaying metals.
* Doxology, a spoken or sung end of a prayer.
* Eulogy, though not an -ology, is a commemoration of a person's life at his/her funeral.
* Hagiology is literature dealing with the life of a saints|saint or, indeed, any revered person, a biography of an individual, rather than a study of saints, sainthood or saintliness in general.
* Heterology, a dissimilarity of parts often attributable to a difference in origin.
* Homology (biology)|Homology, a similarity often atributable to common origin
* Ideology, sometimes spelled idealogy, is a system of ideas about politics, human life or culture.
* Kibology, joke religion worshiping Kibo.
* Menology, a register of months, or a calendar of the lives of the saints for each day of the year.
* Necrology, a list of people who have died, especially in the recent past or during a specific period.
* Philology, the historical study of languages. This is not a ology in the strict sense, because it is not the study (-ologia) of love (philo-), but the love (philo-) of literature (logia).
* Phraseology is the way words are put together, therefore the style guide|style being used in a Sentence (linguistics)|sentence, or the set of phrases or the choice of words used by any particular group of people, or a type of register (linguistics)|register that reflects the form of language used in a certain social situation in which particular subjects are being discussed.
* Piphilology seems to be a borderline case with some aspects of a field of study, but not a scientific discipline.
* Reflexology, alternative method of massage, manipulative therapy|therapy or pressure on certain points of the sole of the feet as a means of relieving nervous tension.
* Scientology, the belief system/cult religion founded by L. Ron Hubbard, self-described as a study of knowledge.
* Tautology (logic)|Tautology, a self-affirming truth.
* Technology, the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry.
* Terminology, a set of words and/or phrases, usually in relation to some particular canon or field of study e.g. 'mathematical terminology'.
* Tetralogy of Fallot, an abnormality of the heart consisting of four deformities that often occur together.
* Trilogy (although not strictly an -ology) is a body of writing in three parts, as tetralogy is that in four parts. Other words such as pentalogy, hexalogy, and heptalogy or septology cover larger series.
* Tropology, the use of tropes in speech or writing.
* A Zumology is a treatise on the fermentation of liquors.