Branches of Biology by Dr. M. Aamir Mehmood


Biology, the study of life, has many aspects to it and many specializations within this broad field. Below is an alphabetical list of many of the branches of biology.
  1. Agriculture - study of producing crops from the land, with an emphasis on practical applications.
  2. Anatomy - the study of the animal form, with an emphasis on human bodies.
  3. Biochemistry - the study of the chemical reactions required for life to exist and function, usually a focus on the cellular level
  4. Bioengineering - the study of biology through the means of engineering with an emphasis on applied knowledge and especially related to biotechnology.
  5. Bioinformatics - also classified as a branch of information technology (IT) it is the study, collection, and storage of genomic data
  6. Biomathematics or Mathematical Biology - the study of biological processes through mathematics, with an emphasis on modeling.
  7. Biomechanics - often considered a branch of medicine, the study of the mechanics of living beings, with an emphasis on applied use through artificial limbs, etc.
  8. Biophysics - the study of biological processes through physics, by applying the theories and methods traditionally used in the physical sciences
  9. Biotechnology - a new and sometimes controversial branch of biology that studies the manipulation of living matter, including genetic modification
  10. Botany - the study of plants
  11. Cell Biology - the study of the cell as a complete unit, and the molecular and chemical interactions that occur within a living cell
  12. Conservation Biology - the study of the preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation, and wildlife
  13. Cryobiology - the study of the effects of lower than normally preferred temperatures on living beings.
  14. Developmental Biology - the study of the processes through which an organism develops, from zygote to full structure.
  15. Ecology - the study of the ecosystem as a complete unit, with an emphasis on how species and groups of species interact with other living beings and non-living elements.
  16. Entomology - the study of insects.
  17. Environmental Biology - the study of the natural world, as a whole or in a particular area, especially as affected by human activity
  18. Ethology - the study of animal behavior.
  19. Evolution or Evolutionary Biology - the study of the origin and decent of species over time
  20. Genetics - the study of genes and heredity
  21. Herpetology - the study of reptiles (and amphibians?)
  22. Histology - The study of cells and tissue, a microscopic branch of anatomy.
  23. Ichthyology - the study of fish
  24. Macrobiology - the study of biology on the level of the macroscopic individual (plant, animal, or other living being) as a complete unit.
  25. Mammology - the study of mammals
  26. Marine Biology - the study of ocean ecosystems, plants, animals, and other living beings.
  27. Medicine - the study of the human body in health and disease, with allopathic medicine focusing on alleviating or curing the body from states of disease
  28. Microbiology - the study of microscopic organisms (microorganisms) and their interactions with other living things
  29. Molecular Biology - the study of biology and biological functions at the molecular level, some cross over with biochemistry
  30. Neurobiology - the study of the nervous system, including anatomy, physiology, even pathology.
  31. Oceanography - the study of the ocean, including ocean life, environment, geography, weather, and other aspects influencing the ocean. See Marine Biology
  32. Ornithology - the study of birds
  33. Paleontology - the study of fossils and sometimes geographic evidence of prehistoric life.
  34. Pathobiology or pathology - the study of diseases, and the causes, processes, nature, and development of disease
  35. Parisitology - the study of parasites and parasitism
  36. Pharmacology - the study and practical application of preparation, use, and effects of drugs and synthetic medicines.
  37. Physiology - the study of the functioning of living organisms and the organs and parts of living organisms
  38. Pre-medicine - a college major that covers the general aspects of biology as well as specific classes relevant to the study of medicine
  39. Zoology - the study of animals and animal life, including classification, physiology, development, and behavior (See also Entomology, Ethology, Herpetology, Ichthyology, Mammology, Ornithology
  40. Anatomy - study of the human body
  41. Astrobiology - The branch of biology concerned with the effects of outer space on living organisms and the search for extraterrestrial life.
  42. Biophysics - biophysics (also biological physics) is an interdisciplinary science that applies the theories and methods of physical sciences to questions of biology.
  43. Botany - The scientific study of plants and related organisms.
  44. Developmental biology - The study of the processes by which an organism develops from a zygote to its full structure. This field includes the study of cellular differentiation as well as body structure development.
  45. Ecology- The scientific study of the relationships between plants, animals, and their environment.
  46. Evolutionary biology - Evolutionary biology is a subfield of biology concerned with the origin and descent of species, as well as their change over time, i.e. their evolution.
  47. Genetics - The branch of biology that deals with heredity, especially the mechanisms of hereditary transmission and the variation of inherited characteristics among similar or related organisms.
  48. Microbiology- The branch of biology that deals with microorganisms and their effects on other living organisms
  49. Molecular Biology - The branch of biology that deals with the formation, structure, and function of macromolecules essential to life, such as nucleic acids and proteins, and especially with their role in cell replication and the transmission of genetic information.
  50. Marine biology - marine biology, study of ocean plants and animals and their ecological relationships.
  51. Medicine - The science which relates to the prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease.
  52. Mathematical biology - mathematical biology or biomathematics is an interdisciplinary field of academic study which aims at modelling natural, biological processes using mathematical techniques and tools. It has both practical and theoretical applications in biological research.
  53. Neurobiology - The branch of biology that deals with the anatomy and physiology and pathology of the nervous system.
  54. Embryology: The study of the development of an embryo. An embryo is defined as any organism in an early stage well before birth or hatching, or in plants, before germination occurs.
  55. Glycobiology: The study of the structure, biosynthesis, and biology of saccharides (sugar chains or glycans) that are widely distributed in nature.
Special Thanks to Dr. M. Aamir Mehmood (PhD, Biotechnology) Cell No: 0300-9662288