Biology & Biotechnology
Biologists study humans, plants, animals and the environments in which they live. They may conduct their studies-human medical research, animal research, environmental system research-at the cellular level or the ecosystem level or anywhere in between. Biologists are students of the world, interested in learning from every facet of life. Biotechnicians work with biologists studying living organisms. Many assist scientists who conduct medical research-helping to find a cure for cancer or AIDS, for example. Those who work in pharmaceutical companies help develop and manufacture medicinal and pharmaceutical preparations. Those working in the field of microbiology generally work as lab assistants, studying living organisms and infectious agents. Biological technicians also analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs and some examine evidence in criminal investigations. Biotechnicians working in biotechnology labs use the knowledge and techniques gained from basic research by scientists, including gene splicing and recombinant DNA, and apply these techniques in product development.
Significant Points:
- Job opportunities are expected to be best for qualified graduates of science technician training programs or applied science technology programs.
- A Ph.D. degree usually is required for independent research but a master’s degree is sufficient for some jobs I applied research or product development; a bachelor’s degree is adequate for some non-research jobs.
- Medical scientist jobs require a Ph.D. degree in a biological science, but some jobs need a medical degree.
- Doctoral degree holders face considerable competition for independent research positions; holders of bachelor’s or master’s degrees in biological science can expect better opportunities in non-research positions.
Sample Occupations:
- Biologist
- Dentist
- Ecologist
- Public Health Director
- Zoologist
- Nurse
- Botanist
- Dietician
- Medical Lab Technician
- Research Assistant
- Nutritionist
- Veterinarian
- Environmentalist
- Marketing/Business Development for Biotechnology Products and Services
- Medical Device Making
- Lab Conductor
- Teaching
- Wildlife Conservationist
- Sustainability Project Management
- Environmental Consultants
Skills Required:
- Able to work independently or in a team
- Laboratory experiences
- Computer skills(use of bioinformatics)
- Able to communicate clearly and concisely
- Research experiences
- Ability to analyze scientific literature
- Ability to write and represent scientific data concisely and correctly
- Ability to perform statistical analysis of collected data
- Designing and implementation of experiments
- Creative thinking to solve problems
- Patiently carrying out trial and error methods to carry out experiments
Professional Organizations:
- American Institute of Biological Sciences
- American Physiological Society
- American Society for Microbiology
- >Bioprocess Technology Laboratory
- >Greenhouse
- >Interdisciplinary Plant Research
- >Pre-Health Center
- Careers in Industrial Microbiology
- Careers in Human Genetics
Department:
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Last modified: April 13, 2011 09:23:17