What Is An Organism In The Human Body
An organism is a living being that has a cellular structure and that can independently perform all physiologic functions necessary for life. In multicellular organisms, including humans, all cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems of the body work together to maintain the life and health of the organism.
Are You Ready To Discover Your College Program
A biology degree opens the door to many professional roles in medicine, genetic engineering, agriculture, zoology, and beyond.
Biology explores the origins, structures, and functions of organisms. Biologists investigate growth, evolution, and interactions among living entities. Degrees in the field introduce students to fundamental knowledge about the natural world while also training them to carry out research, solve problems, and think critically.
Learners wondering, “What can you do with a biology degree?” can consult this guide for information about how the field can pave a pathway to personal and professional success.
Physician Assistant And Nurse Practitioner
Physician assistants and nurse practitioners are in high demand as front-line service providers. Biology provides an excellent foundation for graduate work in these similar professions.
Physician assistants and nurse practitioners must have a sound understanding of human biological systems, anatomy, and physiology to diagnose medical problems. They also need a biology major’s advanced knowledge of the scientific method to interpret emerging research about various treatment options and medications.
Physician assistants and nurse practitioners must have an aptitude for learning and remembering scientific and medical terminology. These careers require at least a masters degree.
Salary and Job Outlook: The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that physician assistants earned a median annual salary of $112,260 in May 2019. The top 10% earned $157,120 or more and the bottom 10% earned $72,720 or less. The BLS projected employment in this field to grow by 31% between 2019 and 2029, much faster than average for all occupations.
Nurse practitioners earned a median annual salary of $115,800 in May 2019. The top 10% earned $184,180 or more and the bottom 10% earned $82,460 or less. The BLS projected that employment in this field will grow by 26% between 2018 and 2028, much faster than average for all occupations.
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What Kind Of Job Can I Get By Studying Biology
Jobs for graduates with a degree in biology can be just as diverse as the nature of the study. Aside from working in a lab, many biologists find themselves in other closely related fields, such as agriculture, food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, health care, research and development and more.
Bachelors Degree Programs In Biology
In addition to biology courses, bachelors degree programs in biology are likely to explore related fields like chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Biology majors can take advantage of minors and electives to build unique sets of skills that can benefit them in the specific career path they intend to pursue after graduation: lobbyists, journalists, environmentalists, etc.
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What You Can Do With A Phd In Biology
The main reason to get a PhD in this field is to become a biologist with the qualifications to perform independent research or work for post-secondary institutions, government agencies, or private employers that require advanced credentials. In general, a biologist studies life, including its underlying processes and the relationships between living matter and the environment. Many biologists also research ways to solve practical problems for the medical field or other industries.
But when you pursue a doctorate degree in biology, you generally choose a special area of focus. That’s because the field of biology is so broad that it’s practically impossible to develop deep expertise in all aspects of it. At this level of education, people choose to study specialties such as microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, zoology, wildlife biology, biophysics, ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, neuroscience, botany, or aquatic biology.
Your career opportunities will likely depend on the specialty or sub-specialty you’ve chosen. For example, with a degree in microbiology, you can pursue jobs related to studying viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, microscopic parasites, or other microorganisms. You may even decide to specialize in the study of one particular type of microorganism. Your career could involve pure research, or you could apply your research to the development of solutions in areas like public health, agriculture, or environmental restoration.
The Many Branches Of Biology
Although there are only four unifying principles, biology covers a broad range of topics that are ;broken into many disciplines and subdisciplines.
On a high level, the different fields of biology can each be thought of as the study of one type of organism, according to “Blackie’s Dictionary of Biology” . For example, zoology is the study of animals, botany is the study of plants and microbiology is the study of microorganisms.
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Within those broader fields, many biologists specialize in researching a specific topic or problem. For example, a scientist may study behavior of a certain fish species, while another scientist may research the neurological and chemical mechanisms behind the behavior.
There are numerous branches and subdisciplines of biology, but here is a short list of some of the more broad fields that fall under the umbrella of biology:;
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A More Practical Approach That’s Often More Satisfying
Here is maybe the most important point to remember: You don’t have to pursue a biology degree in order to attain an enjoyable or good-paying career that capitalizes on your enthusiasm for the subject.
Plus, even if you already have a bachelor’s degree in biology or are currently in pursuit of one, you may have a lot more options than you think. For example, some biology majors have found success as biomedical technologists, conservation or environmental technicians, middle or high school science teachers, or even as forensic investigators, medical illustrators, or pharmaceutical sales representatives.
And the possibilities may expand even more if you’re prepared to get just a little bit of additional training at a vocational school. Colleges and trade schools that focus on preparing students for in-demand vocations tend to have relatively easy admission requirements, short programs, and convenient class schedules.
So if you’re at the beginning of your journey into post-secondary education, then you could be employment-ready in a lot less time than it would take to earn a traditional biology degree. And if you’ve earned such a degree already, then continuing your education at a vocational school may offer you a smoother and easier chance at getting truly employable skills for a career you’ll be happy with.
Bachelor Of Biology Degree
A bachelor’s degree in biology typically takes four years to complete. Some colleges and universities offer both bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in biology. A BA in biology includes more liberal arts coursework, with less of an emphasis on laboratory work and mathematics. A BS program in biology emphasizes research ideal for individuals pursuing medical programs.
A bachelor’s degree in biology includes classes in fundamentals of the discipline, followed by work within specific branches of the field. Students may take courses in marine biology, environmental science, and medical biology. The knowledge and skills developed in a bachelor’s in biology lead to careers as biology teachers, science writers, and environmental scientists.
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Highest Paying Jobs In Biology
Below are the best jobs for biology majors listed by highest paying career to lowest. ; These career paths provide excellent, lifelong career potential coupled with impressive salaries.
Resources For Biology Majors
There are many useful resources and professional organizations related to the field of biology. These organizations create and set professional standards and offer career training and opportunities for biologists.
American Institute of Biological Sciences: Established as part of the National Academy of Sciences in 1947, AIBS now serves over 250,000 members. The institute oversees peer-review standards and helps members with publication. AIBS also operates a vast online library of research articles, findings, and literature. Members benefit from networking opportunities, education programs, awards, and career guidance.
Ecological Society of America: For over 100 years, ESA has advanced ecological knowledge and global sustainability through research, policy, and diversity initiatives. Members can take advantage of educational resources, certification guidance, and frequent professional gatherings. They also benefit from academic scholarships, research grants, and a job board. ESA maintains a vast online library, including articles and reports on topics like capacity building and biological infrastructure.
Plant Biology – University of Maryland: A comprehensive resource for biology students and professionals, University of Maryland’s plant biology course offers several tools, including botanical databases and lecture notes. This course also provides interested readers with maps, biology search engines, and links to journals and podcasts.
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Master’s Degree In Biology
Coursework in a master’s degree in biology enhances learners’ understanding of biological science, with advanced research and didactic classes in areas such as genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. Students build upon existing knowledge to further their careers as biology teachers, agricultural scientists, and wildlife biologists. A master’s degree in biology can also lead to advanced doctoral studies or employment as a biochemist or microbiologist.
Master’s degrees in biology generally last two years. During a master of science or a master of arts in biology, students combine seminar, lecture, and laboratory coursework in anticipation of completing a research project, scholarly paper, or thesis. An MS in biology emphasizes laboratory research, while an MA in biology focuses more on the investigation and interpretation of scientific literature.
What Is The Smallest Unit Of Life
The cell is the smallest structural and functional unit of living organisms, which can exist on its own. Therefore, it is sometimes called the building block of life. Some organisms, such as bacteria or yeast, are unicellularconsisting only of a single cellwhile others, for instance, mammalians, are multicellular.
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How To Start Your Career In Biology
Many universities offer online and on-campus undergraduate degrees in biology. A bachelor’s degree is a good start, as most biology careers require a four-year degree. While pursuing a degree, learners should take advantage of internships, opportunities for additional lab experience, and their college or university’s career services department.
There are biology degrees at every academic level. Certifications and membership in professional organizations can also go a long way toward boosting career opportunities.
Still In High School How To Prepare For A Degree In Biology
Biology requires computer, research, writing, teamwork, communication, organization and time management skills. Since biologists must often involve themselves in grant writing and political debate, the Botanical Society of America encourages biology majors to take an active interest in politics and public affairs. You can demonstrate an early commitment to a career in biology with activities such as:
- Participating in organizations such as the Student Conservation Association;
- Taking part in local science clubs or science fairs;
- Volunteering at your local or state park, wildlife refuge or zoo;
- Enrolling in advanced placement physics, chemistry, earth science, economics, math, and engineering courses;
- Attending community workshops on zoology or botany;
- Joining a debate team or participating in your local Toastmasters chapter;
- Writing articles for your school newspaper or another community publication;
- Improving your photography skills, especially in the wild;
- Expanding your computer literacy to include experience with programming languages.
Jeff Levinton, a marine biology professor, insists that if you do not take a high school physics course, youll regret it once you are in college. The same, he says, is true of calculus. He suggests, as do other college instructors, that a well-rounded high school curriculum is more important than a narrow focus on the sciences. About college training for marine biology, he says,
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What Do You Learn On A Biology Degree Course
The first year of a biology course often entails a broad overview of the subject, which allows students to develop an understanding of some of the major sub-disciplines of biology.
This often means a lot of lectures, as well as practical work and in-course assessment. As the course progresses, students should expect to spend less time in lecture halls and more time in laboratories or doing fieldwork, and in most cases students must elect more specialised modules as they progress toward a final research project, which usually comes at the end of the degree course.
Assessment occurs throughout the duration of most biology courses as a combination of exams, assessed practical work, short-answer tests, essays and presentations.
Some universities offer more specialised courses, such as ecology or biochemistry, which have a similar structure to a broader biology degree course but are more focused on one branch of biology. Therefore, most students who opt for a more specialised course are already aware of their main area of interest within the huge array of different biological studies.
Most undergraduate biology courses run for three or four years and a lot of universities offer work experience and overseas study opportunities. As with many science-based subjects, biology majors regularly contain a high number of contact hours, allowing students to experience a rigorous curriculum and preparing them for life after university.
Biology Degree Career Paths
National average salary:$14.33 per hour
Primary duties: A park ranger or park warden is entrusted with preserving and protecting local, state or national parks and the natural resources within them. The requirements for this career can be differ based on location. The duties of park rangers are dynamic, and park rangers often serve as environmental experts, historians and law enforcement officers.
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college.
National average salary:$15.45 per hour
Primary duties: Agricultural or food science technicians help scientists track data, maintain laboratory equipment, oversee food production and analyze the quality of food products, crops and soil. Food science technicians often work for regulatory agencies or private businesses.
Educational requirements: An associate’s degree in biology, crop or animal science, chemistry or related field.
National average salary:$15.88 per hour
Primary duties: Biological research assistants collect and prepare biological samples such as blood, food and bacteria for biologists or medical scientists. Biological technicians also assist scientists with other laboratory functions, such as maintaining equipment, documenting research results and performing fieldwork.
Educational requirements: A Bachelor’s Degree in Biology or associated field along with laboratory experience.
National average salary:$16.26 per hour
National average salary:$17.29 per hour
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What Is Concepts In Biology
What is concepts in biology?
What is a concept in biology?;Key concepts are the big ideas and understandings that we hope will remain with our students long after they have left school.
What are the five concepts of biology?;Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education outlined five core concepts intended to guide undergraduate biology education: 1) evolution; 2) structure and function; 3) information flow, exchange, and storage; 4) pathways and transformations of energy and matter; and 5) systems.
What are the major biological concepts?;Biology is the science of life. All living organisms share several key properties such as order, sensitivity or response to stimuli, reproduction, adaptation, growth and development, regulation, homeostasis, and energy processing. Evolution is the source of the tremendous biological diversity on Earth today.
Pharmaceutical / Medical Product Sales Representative
Pharmaceutical or medical product sales representatives sell medical supplies, IT products, medicines, and more to hospitals, clinics, and other medical practices.
Pharmaceutical sales representatives must have a strong knowledge of chemistry, anatomy, and physiology so that they can explain to doctors how a new drug will affect their patients.
These workers need to have the technological knowledge to explain how a product works. They also need the scientific knowledge to be able to explain how this product will benefit both doctor and patient.
Pharmaceutical or medical product sales representatives need strong communication and interpersonal skills. A bachelors degree is often enough education to get started in this occupation.
Salary and Job Outlook: The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that sales representatives of technical and scientific products earned a median annual salary of $81,020 in May 2019. The top 10% earned $158,580 or more and the bottom 10% earned $41,080 or less. The BLS projected that employment in this field will grow by 2% between 2019 and 2029, slower than average for all occupations.
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Biology More than Cells, Plants, and Bugs
Biology, simply defined, is the study of living organisms and the processes that make life possible. The Department of Biology is host to outstanding research programs in various fields across the spectrum of modern biology. To address the breadth and depth essential to educating biologists, the biology major is structured to include both a broad foundation through core courses and opportunity for specialization within a biological subfield through biology electives.
While the major is designed to prepare the student for a post-baccalaureate profession in biology, for advanced professional training in the health sciences, or for graduate study in basic and applied areas of the biological sciences, biology majors can and do work in a wide variety occupational professions. The Department of Biology offers research opportunities, training, and instruction at all levels, undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral.
What skills does studying biology develop?
- generate original ideas and solve problems – conduct research and interpret data using laboratory instrumentation
- gather information, conduct research and laboratory experimentation
- analyze and evaluate data, write and present reports
- calculate, compute and apply formulas
- collaborate with fellow biologists and other scientists
- understand the building blocks of the systems of life
- understand the behavior of the environment
Career Opportunities