Biology is the science that studies living organisms, their communities, and the systems, cells, and processes they’re composed of. If you’re interested in medicine, veterinary science, coral reefs, forest conservation, bugs, biotechnology, the extraordinary abilities of the human body, or any one of countless other subjects related to living systems, a biology degree can provide you with the fundamental knowledge of biological sciences that you’ll need to begin a biology-related career.
With a biology degree, you’ll get an introduction to basic biological principles and processes and gain an appreciation for both the commonality and diversity of the world’s living systems. Biology degree programs typically cover the basics of botany, zoology, microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, cellular biology, genetics, anatomy and physiology, and ecology. Other programs include immunology and endocrinology.
An undergraduate biology degree program will give you the required foundation for careers in applied biology, biological research, or teaching. For most entry-level positions in science, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree, and for graduate programs, a bachelor’s-level biology degree is prerequisite.
Biology Degree Related Careers
A biology degree prepares you for a wide range of careers and graduate programs in the sciences. A bachelor’s-level biology degree may qualify you for research assistant positions in biotechnology, biology, chemistry, or forensic science laboratories, or with M.S. or Ph.D. principal investigators conducting funded biology-related research.
Being a biological research assistant may not sound glamorous, but if you are part of a scientific team working on cutting-edge science, you may find yourself responsible for significant tasks in important research on healthcare and life-threatening diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, and Parkinson’s. Other crucial research relevant to biology degrees includes environment and climate change, marine science, forest ecosystems, conservation, and population studies.
If you love animals, you may be considering a career as a veterinarian. In addition to the conscientious vets who take care of domestic animals, veterinarians are also needed the world over for exotic animals in wildlife reserves, rescue centers, and zoos. (In some cases, a zoo is the last place in which a rare species of animal can be found and saved.) As humans (and their pets) live longer and remain physically active through more of their lives, graduates with a biology degree can help meet the increased demand for qualified researchers and physicians.
What’s the Job Outlook?
With the growth of healthcare, genetics, climate change, new energy, and conservation research, employment for technicians with a biology degree is anticipated to increase about 12% between 2006 and 2016.
How much does it pay?
Potential earnings for laboratory technicians with a biology degree depend a great deal on the type of employer. A university research project or a zoo supported by public funding may pay very little. An environmental clean-up corporation may have a more corporate salary structure.
