Friday, January 11, 2013

Fields of Science

Science is derived from Latin word called "scienta" which literally means "knowledge". Science is the study of nature. It is a natural philosophy which describes how things work in nature. Science is a way of understanding the world.

It is because of the scientific laws and equations that helped us to predict the motion of objects which helped us to invent machinery. Science helps us to determine how the nature can be used to enhance our living. Science extends and enriches our lives, expands our imagination and liberates us from the bonds of ignorance, doctrine and superstition. It is because of the development in science and technology that our life is changing everyday. As an example, we can compare our present life with the life just a decade ago. TO see more contrast, we can compare our life with the people from previous centuries. Therefore, it is important for all to realize some important basic scientific laws which we use in our daily life. Being scientifically illiterate, someone misses the advantage of making their life easier to perform everyday activities. Here are some important scientific theories that everybody should at least know to enrich the knowledge and realize how life has started and how nature works.

Here are many of the terms used to describe various fields of scientific study.

FieldsDescriptions
AcousticsThe study of sound.
AeronauticsAircraft design, construction and navigation.
AgronomyScience of soil management and crop production.
AnatomyThe study of organisms and their paths.
AnthropologyThe study of the origin, behavior and the physical, social and cultural development of humans.
ArchaeologyThe study of past human lives by examining remaining material evidence.
AstronomyThe study of outer space.
AstrophysicsThe branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of stellar phenomena.
BacteriologyThe study of bacteria, in relation to medicine and agriculture.
BiochemistryThe study of the chemical substances and processes in living organisms.
BiologyThe science of life and living organisms.
BotanyThe study of plants.
CardiologyThe medical study of the heart.
CartographyThe art of technique of making maps or charts.
ChemistryThe science of the composition, structure, properties, and reaction of matter. The study of chemicals, elements, atoms, metals, etc.
CosmologyThe study of the physical universe considered as a totality of phenomena in time and space.
CrystallographyThe science of crystal structure and phenomena.
EcologyThe study of organisms and their environment.
EmbryologyThe study of the formation, early growth, and development of living organisms.
EndocrinologyThe study of the glands and hormones of the body.
EntomologyThe scientific study of insects.
EnzymologyThe study of the biochemical nature and activity of enzymes.
ForestryThe science and art of cultivating, maintaining, and developing forests.
Fluid DynamicsThe study of flow of fluids,  effect on fluids due to disturbance of moving of objects in fluids especially water and air.
GelotologyThe study of laughter.
GeneticsThe study of heredity and inherited traits.
GeochemistryThe chemistry of the composition and alterations of the solid matter of the earth or a celestial body.
GeodesyThe geologic science of the size and shape of the earth.
GeographyThe study of the earth and its features.
GeologyThe scientific study of the origin, history, and structure of the earth.
GeophysicsThe physics of the earth and its environment, including the physics of fields such as meteorology, oceanography, and seismology.
HematologyThe study of the blood and blood-producing organs.
HistologyThe study of the microscopic structure of animal and plant tissues.
HorologyThe science of measuring time and making time pieces.
HydrologyThe study of the properties and effects of water on earth.
IchtyologyThe study of fish.
ImmunologyThe study of the immune system of the body.
LinguisticsThe study of language and phonetics.
MechanicsDesign, construction, and use of machinery or mechanical structures.
MedicineThe science of diagnosing and treating disease and damage to the body.
MeteorologyThe study of weather and atmospheric conditions. The science of measurement
MicrobiologyThe study of microorganisms and their effects on other living organisms.
MineralogyThe study of minerals, including their distribution, identification, and properties.
MycologyThe branch of botany that deals with fungi.
NeurologyThe study of the nervous system and disorders affecting it.
NucleonicsThe study of the behavior and characteristics of nucleons or atomic nuclei.
NutritionThe study of food and nourishment.
OceanographyThe exploration and study of the ocean.
OncologyThe study of the development, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tumors.
OpticsThe study of light and vision.
PaleontologyThe study of prehistoric life through fossils.
PathologyThe study of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences.
PetrologyThe study of the origin, composition, structure, and alteration of rocks.
PharmacologyThe science of the composition, use, and effects of drugs.
PhysicsThe science of matter and energy and interactions between the two.
PhysiologyThe study of the functions of living organisms.
PsychologyThe study of the mental process and behavior.
RadiologyThe use of radioactive substances in diagnosis and treatment of disease.
RoboticsThe science of technology to design, fabrication, and application of robots.
SeismologyThe study of earthquakes.
SpectroscopyThe study of radiant light.
SystematicsThe science of systematic classification.
ThermodynamicsThe study of relationships and conversions between heat and other forms of energy.
ToxicologyThe study of poisons and the treatment of poisoning
VirologyThe study of viruses and viral diseases.
VolcanologyThe study of volcanoes and volcanic phenomena.
ZoologyThe study of the structure, physiology, development, and classification of animals.