1. The mythological ability to turn into a werewolf.
2. The ability to shift mental/physical state into that of a wolf.
3. A spiritual connection to wolves and canines.
One who studies the biology, culture and transmutation of lycanthropes,(werewolves). Most are slightly neurotic about becoming, meeting or being eaten by lycanthropes, and enlist in the study of lycanthropology to prepare for the worst case scenario. More experienced practitioners also delve into the psycho-spiritual phenomena of totemic obsession.
I met a lycanthropologist today, whilst wondering through the highlands. He looked like he could use a shave......
Lycanthium is a type of chemical in an infected persons saliva. If such a person were to turn into a lycan and bite a human, that so called person would either turn or die due to the chemical. The Lycanthium in a persons genes would begin to break down and build back up the infected one's cells so that person can transform on comand swiftly and safely; giving them the ability for their bones to shift, grow and/or shrink during the transformation.
"The abnormally large wolf then clamped its jaws around my arm, little did I know the Lycanthium in its saliva would change everything..."