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BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES …
Tags: agricultural industry, biological sciences, biotechnology firms, biotechnology research, chemistry physics, colleges and universities, computer technology, computers education, degree areas, fertilizer, genetic counseling, genetics research, government laboratories, laboratory equipment, laboratory research, pharmaceutical companies, plant breeding, undergraduate laboratory, university teaching, what can i do with this degree,Pages: 6
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Created: Mon Mar 23 01:24:24 1914
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BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
What can I do with this degree?
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Research and Development Colleges and universities Become proficient using laboratory equipment and
Laboratory Testing Pharmaceutical companies computers.
Education Agricultural industry including fertilizer Acquire a Ph.D. for college and university teaching
manufacturers and animal and plant breeding and advanced positions in research, development,
and production and management.
Federal and state government laboratories and Take additional courses in chemistry, physics,
agencies mathematics.
Industry, particularly biotechnology firms Complete an undergraduate laboratory research
project with a professor.
GENETICS
Research and Development related to: Colleges and universities Acquire a broad background in sciences,
Animals Pharmaceutical companies mathematics, and computer technology.
Plants Large producers of seed, livestock, and poultry Obtain a Ph.D. for teaching and advanced positions in
Humans Government laboratories such as: research and management.
Genetic Counseling Department of Agriculture Earn a master's degree from an accredited
Education Fish and Wildlife Service program for genetic counseling.
National Institutes of Health Complete an undergraduate research project with a
Biotechnology industry professor.
Hospitals and medical centers Find a related internship with an organization in
the area of your interest.
MICROBIOLOGY
Research and Development Colleges and universities Obtain a Ph.D. for teaching and advanced research
Education Private research foundations and management positions.
Quality Control Government research laboratories and service Develop additional competencies in chemistry,
agencies mathematics, and physics.
Hospitals and public health facilities Take courses related to your field of interest or
Agricultural experiment stations consider an advanced degree to specialize.
Food, chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic Find a related internship with an organization in the
companies area of your interest.
Industry including wood products, paper, textiles, Complete an undergraduate research project with a
optical equipment, leather, and electrical professor.
equipment Develop strong skills using laboratory equipment and
Environmental and pollution control agencies computers.
Biological Sciences, Page 2
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
BOTANY
Education Colleges and universities Conduct undergraduate research with professors.
Research and Development Medical and private research laboratories Join related professional organizations.
Conservation Pharmaceutical industry Take courses in this specialized area or consider an
Production Industries and laboratories involved in production advanced degree for more opportunities.
Quality Control of food, textiles, chemical, and forestry products Take courses in organic chemistry, biochemistry,
Administration State and federal government, especially the and physics.
Departments of Agriculture, Interior, and Health Obtain a Ph.D. for teaching and advanced positions
Botanical gardens and arboretums in research and management.
National and international environmental Complete a related internship with an organization in
organizations the area of your interest.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
Education Colleges, universities, and agricultural colleges Earn a Ph.D. for college and university teaching and
Research and Development Federal agencies including Departments of advanced research and management positions.
Taxonomy Agriculture and Interior Develop excellent laboratory and computer skills.
Conservation State and local agencies Get involved with undergraduate research with
Consulting Private research foundations professors.
Administration Museums Join related professional organizations.
Botanical gardens and arboretums Complete a related internship with an organization in
Zoos and aquariums the area of your interest.
Public health laboratories
Hospitals
National and international environmental
organizations
ENTOMOLOGY
Education Colleges and universities, especially colleges of Acquire a Ph.D. for college and university teaching
Research and Development agriculture and veterinary medicine and advanced research and management
Toxicology Industry including food producers and processors, positions.
Conservation chemicals for insect control, and lumber and pulp Conduct undergraduate research with professors.
Quality Control Chemical companies Join related professional organizations.
Pest control companies Take courses in this specialized area or consider an
Federal and state government advanced degree for more opportunities.
Health agencies Complete a related internship with an organization in
Agricultural experiment stations the area of your interest.
Inspection agencies and control boards
Conservation agencies
Biological Sciences, Page 3
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
MARINE AND AQUATIC BIOLOGY
Research and Development Federal, state, and local government Develop a good foundation in mathematics, physics,
Education Inspection organizations computer science, statistics, and chemistry.
Administration Private recreation organizations Acquire a Ph.D. for college and university teaching
Production Research laboratories and advanced research and management
Quality Control Colleges and universities positions.
Conservation Zoos and aquariums Obtain experience related to fishing and boating.
Fish hatcheries Complete a related internship with an organization in
National and international environmental agencies the area of your interest.
Take specialized courses in this area or consider an
advanced degree for more opportunities.
ZOOLOGY
Animal Care/Training Wildlife preserves and parks Obtain experience working with animals and various
Research and Development Zoos, aquariums, and other collections of animals related laboratory equipment.
Conservation Museums Develop a broad background in biology and other
Administration Research organizations related subjects such as chemistry, physics,
Education Pharmaceutical, chemical, and agricultural mathematics, and statistics.
service industries Obtain a Ph.D. for teaching and advanced research
Federal, state, and local government and management positions.
Colleges and universities Complete a related internship with an organization in
Veterinary hospitals the area of your interest.
Clinics and hospitals A zoological background is good preparation for a
career in veterinary science or medicine, but an
advanced degree is also required to practice.
BIOMEDICAL
Physiology Colleges and universities Obtain a Ph.D. for college and university teaching
Biophysics Professional schools including colleges of pharmacy, and advanced research positions.
Biochemistry dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, and Acquire a background in physics, organic and
Pharmacology agriculture physical chemistry, mathematics, and anatomy.
Immunology Clinics and hospitals Take courses in area(s) of specialization and/or
Pathology Private research foundations consider an advanced degrees; some may require
Research and Development Pharmaceutical companies an M.D.
Education Federal laboratories and regulatory agencies Complete a related internship with an organization in
Quality Control Independent testing laboratories the area of your interest.
Public health departments
Agricultural experiment stations
Industrial laboratories including chemical, petroleum,
food processing, drug, and cosmetic
manufacturers
Biological Sciences, Page 4
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
BIOINFORMATICS
Research and Development Biotechnology industry Double major or minor in computer science.
Education Pharmaceutical companies Acquire experience working in teams.
Government research laboratories Develop in-depth programming and relational
Universities and colleges database skills.
Learn molecular biology packages, web design,
and programming skills.
Complete an internship in your area of interest.
EDUCATION
Teaching Universities and colleges Certification is required for K-12 school teachers,
Non-classroom Education Medical and other professional schools and Ph.D. is needed in universities and
Public and private schools, K-12 colleges.
Museums Gain experience working with students through
Zoos tutoring, interning, or volunteering.
Nature centers and parks Learn to work well with all types of people.
Develop excellent interpersonal and public
speaking skills.
HEALTHCARE
Medicine Hospitals Plan to attend a medical school or other related
Dentistry Medical centers graduate program.
Optometry Nursing homes Maintain an outstanding grade point average,
Podiatry Private practice particularly in the sciences.
Chiropracty Government agencies Secure strong faculty recommendations.
Pharmacy Armed forces Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically.
Veterinary Medicine Home health organizations Join related student organizations. Demonstrate
Allied Health Universities and schools leadership abilities.
Occupational Therapy Nonprofit organizations Obtain a summer job, volunteer position, or an
Physical Therapy internship in a hospital.
Develop a back up plan in case medical/graduate
school admission is denied.
Consider alternative but related careers such as
physician assistant and nurse practitioner.
TECHNICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL SALES
Manufacturing firms including: Develop excellent communication and
Pharmaceuticals interpersonal skills.
Animal pharmaceuticals Take courses in anatomy, pharmacology, and
Laboratory equipment chemistry.
Medical supplies and prostheses Obtain sales experience and/or a business minor.
Hold leadership positions in campus organizations.
Join the student American Marketing Association.
Biological Sciences, Page 5
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
LEGISLATION/LAW
Lobbying Federal and state government Acquire internships in federal or state government.
Regulatory Affairs Law firms Develop excellent communication and
Science Policy Large corporations interpersonal skills.
Patent Law Acquire a Ph.D for advanced positions.
Environmental Law Take courses in history, political science and/or
legal studies.
Earn a J.D. degree to practice law.
BIOLOGICAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Major medical, dental, and veterinary schools Acquire thorough knowledge of photographic
Research centers procedures and technology.
Federal government Become skilled with medical and scientific
Museums instruments including microscopes.
Zoological and environmental societies Take specific courses in biological, medical, and
Publishing houses ophthalmic photography; courses in illustration
Free-lance and printing are also helpful.
TECHNICAL WRITING
Writing Newspapers Take advanced courses in technical writing or
Editing Publishing companies including scientific magazines, journalism classes or consider a minor in either.
professional journals, periodicals, textbooks, and Develop strong writing skills and command of the
online publishers English language.
Medical and veterinary colleges Obtain an advanced degree in scientific journalism.
ILLUSTRATION
Publishing companies including scientific Double major or minor in graphic illustration.
magazines, professional journals, periodicals, Acquire word processing and desktop publishing
textbooks, and online publishers skills.
Educational and scientific software companies Find a part-time, summer, co-op or internship
Medical and veterinary colleges position with a publisher or newspaper.
Biological Sciences, Page 6
GENERAL INFORMATION
· A Bachelor's degree will qualify one for work as a laboratory assistant, technician, technologist, or research assistant in education, industry, government,
museums, parks, and gardens.
· An undergraduate degree can also be used for nontechnical work in writing, illustration, sales, photography, and legislation.
· Master's degrees allow for more opportunities in research and administration. Some community colleges will hire Master's level teachers.
· Doctoral degrees are necessary for advanced research and administrative positions, university teaching, and independent research.
· An advanced degree provides the opportunity to specialize under the different areas of the biological sciences.
· The biological sciences are good preparation for a career in healthcare such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science, but professional degrees and
licenses are also necessary to practice in these fields.
· Learn laboratory procedures and become familiar with equipment.
· Obtain summer, part-time, volunteer, co-op, or internship experience to test the fields of interest and gain valuable experience.
· Develop strong computer, mathematics, and verbal and written communications skills.
· Join professional associations and community organizations to stay abreast of current issues in the field and to develop networking contacts.
· Read scientific journals related to your area of interest.
· Maintain a high grade point average to improve chances of graduate and professional school admission.
· Become familiar with the specific entrance exam for graduate or professional schools in your area of interest.
· Secure strong relationships and personal recommendations from professors and/or employers.
· Consider completing a post doctoral experience after graduate school.
· Learn federal, state, and local government job application process. The federal government is the largest employer of biologists.
· Gain experience with grant writing and fundraising techniques. Often research must be funded in this manner.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (1995, Revised 2000, 2005)
UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer