Biology Department - Career Information

Biology Department

Career Information

Biology is the science of living matter. It is comprised of a variety of branches or specialties and has applications in agriculture, forestry, and health science. Some of the specialties include:

Zoology – the scientific study of animals
Botany – the study of plants
Microbiology – the study of microorganisms, bacteria, yeasts, fungi, protozoa, and one-celled algae.
Physiology – is concerned with how organisms work, how the respond to changes in their external and internal environments.
Pharmacology – is concerned with how drugs work.
Biochemistry is the study of the effects of foods, hormones, drugs, and toxins on plants, animals, and single cells.
Ecology – is concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments.
Ethology – the study of animal behavior.
Immunology – the study of how the body defends itself against invasion by foreign substances.
Genetics – the study of heredity.

Marketable Skills of Biology Majors

Ability to make critical observations and appropriate decisions
Ability to operate scientific equipment
Ability to concentrate for long periods of time
Proficiency for accurate details
Ability to conduct and interpret scientific research
Ability to organize and maintain accurate records
Proficiency in reading, writing, thinking, analyzing, and problem solving

Related Careers and Hiring Institutions

About one-third of all life scientists work in research and development in business and industry, in government labs or on college campuses. About one-fifth teach in college and universities. One-fourth are managers and administrators, running research programs. The rest are inspectors of foods and drugs, consultants to business and government, technical writers, technical sales and service representatives.

A bachelor's degree qualifies you for some technician positions, for sales and service jobs, and for support positions such as technical writer. A master's qualifies you for some jobs in applied research such as research assistant of field technician. A doctorate is essential for most positions in college teaching, independent research, and management.

The following is a partial list of organizations/institutions which hire biology graduates:

Aquariums	Lumber Companies
Arboretums	Medical Clinics
Botanical Gardens	Medical Laboratories
Chemical Industries	Museums
Colleges and Schools	National and State Parks
Consulting Firms	Pharmaceutical Companies
Cosmetic Companies	Publishers
Food Processors	Research and Development Firms
Hospitals	Zoological Parks

Government Agencies:

Agriculture Department Health and Human Services Department
Energy Department National Institutes of Health
Environment Protection Agency National Science Foundation
Food and Drug Administration Peace Corps
Fish and Wildlife Service Vista

Need More Information?

For more information concerning career options for Biology majors

What Can I Do With This Major/Degree?
http://career.brooklyn.cuny.edu/majors/default.html

The Magner Center for Career Development
http://career.brooklyn.cuny.edu/students/index.html

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