WHAT IS BIOLOGY?
Biology is the science and the study of life and living systems. It is an immensely broad and diverse scientific field which encompasses as many specialty areas of study as there are living things, ranging from the smallest of individual molecules to large, complex communities.
Environmental Biology is the study of the processes by which plants, animals and microorganisms function, the interactions between living organisms and their environment and how factors such as air, soil and water affect life; it includes (but is by no means limited to) animal ecology, microbial ecology, plant ecology, conservation biology, ecotoxicology and ecophysiology
WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS?
Biology students will study many of the basic aspects of biological science, including cell structure and reproduction, development, genetics and hereditary, environmental interaction, quantitation and mathematical analysis. From there, the range of emphases and sub-disciplines in which Biology majors may focus is seemingly endless, even when considering only the environmental field: Aquatic Biology, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Entomology, Environmental Biology, Livestock Biology, Marine Biology, Plant Biology, Taxonomy, Toxicology, Wilderness Biology, Zoology, and more. When considering a major in Biology, students should be careful to consider the sub-disciplines available at each university or college.
However, not all institutions require that a sub-discipline or emphasis be declared. Specific biology courses we've seen which often apply to any emphasis include:
- Ecosystems
- Plants, Food and World Hunger
- Human Heredity
- Human Development
- Genetics
- Mammalian Anatomy and Physiology
- Freshwater Ecology
- Invertebrate Biology
- Animal Behavior
- Embryology
- Survey of the Plant Kingdom
- Developmental Biology
- Vertebrate Histology
- Immunology
- Quantitative Ecology
Prospective students who are certain of the biological field in which they would like to specify should be certain that the Biology program of choice offers an emphasis or, at least, adequate courses in that field. For those who are uncertain, it would be wise to choose a program with a variety of emphasis options and/or flexibility in the required course structure.
CAREERS AND SALARY OUTLOOK
Biology graduates have a wide array of career options, depending on the emphasis. But even beyond the field of scientific research, biologists of all types are more and more in demand in the environmental field, and many graduates combine their biological knowledge with other professional training. For example, environmental advocacy organizations seek people with technical biological understanding to represent their concerns; biotechnology companies \ need biological input to evaluate patents; and companies that sell seeds, drugs, and other biologically-based products \ often want biological experts to represent their interests in regulatory affairs. Some specific job titles we've seen include:
Biochemist
Microbiologist
Crime Lab Analyst
Quality Control Technician
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BiologyJobs.com
BiologyJobs.com
"Created as a targeted resource for job seekers and employers in the Life Sciences, BiologyJobs.com allows job seekers who register to use online tools to create a resume, post an existing resume, search job openings in the Life Sciences, create matching agents, and receive e-mail notifications relating to opportunities in the Life Sciences."
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Food & Drug Inspector
Laboratory Supervisor
Science Journalist
Geneticist
Environmental Researcher
Environmental Health Inspector
Industrial Hygienist
Public Health Microbiologist
Public Health Service Officer
Policy Analyst
Pollution Control Technician
Respiratory Therapist
Teacher
Zoologist
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual earnings biochemists and biophysicists were $60,390 in 2002; those working in research and development earned an average of $64,390. Microbiologists earned an average of $51,020 that year, and zoologists and wildlife biologists averaged $47,740. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, bachelor's degree recipients in biological and life sciences received beginning salary offers of an average of $29,456 in 2003; $33,600 was the average offered to master's degree recipients; and $42,244 for doctoral degree recipients. Biological scientists employed by the Federal government earned an average salary of $66,262 in 2003. Check out full report from BLS on careers in Biology here.
RELATED AREAS OF STUDY
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