WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN...

BIOLOGYwww.sc.edu/career

bi·ol·o·gy

The science of life and of living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution.

* "Biology." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 24 Jul. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Biology>.

Last updated 3/2011 by A. Bervine

Biology Majors Study

• Organisms on a cellular and molecular level, the genetics and development of organisms, the function processes of living things or the interrelationships of organisms within their environment

• Provides a valuable background for those interested in science but uncertain of their choice of concentration

...and more

Specializations

Bachelor's Degree/Entry Level

– Clinical data processor – Pharmaceutical sales

representative. – Environmental educator – Research technician – Assistant/associate scientist– Scientific laboratory

technician

Further Education Required

– Research biologist – Microbiologist – Geneticist – Public health administrator – Veterinarian – Physician – Marine biologist

Most undergraduate programs offer a general course of study as well as many specializations that can be pursued with additional study. These include, but are not limited to:

Biology Degrees Available At The University Of South

Carolina

Ph.D

MS

BS

Biology At The University Of South

Carolina

Undergraduate Options

Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS)Major: Biological SciencesMinors: Biology, Neuroscience

Biology At The University Of South

Carolina

Research Programs Non-Researched Based

Integrative Biology: Ecology, Evolutionary and Organismal Biology (EEOB)Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB)Plant BiologyEnvironmental MicrobiologyEvolutionary Biology

Professional Master's Program in BioinformaticsProfessional Master's Program in Biotechnology Master's in Teaching (MAT)

Graduate Degree: Master of Science (MS)

Biology At The University Of South

CarolinaGraduate Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Integrative Biology (EEOB) Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB)Plant BiologyEnvironmental MicrobiologyEvolutionary Biology

Biology Majors Develop Skills In

• Operating scientific equipment

• Information handling & organization

• Problem solving• Teamwork

• Analytical & quantitative abilities

• Biology theory & practical knowledge

• Oral & written communication

Biology Majors Develop Skills In

• Independent working • Curiosity and creativity • Technical skills

• Numerical computation • Innovative talents • Statistical awareness

Employment

• The undergraduate degree alone in biology does not directly lead to a career as a physician or other professional occupation.

• The degree does provide you with an excellent biological science background and is valuable for almost any type of work involving both physical and life sciences.

Employment settings

• Business & Commerce: Includes management and direction of for-profit organizations including the development of business plans, marketing strategies, product development, and human resource management.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Business &

Commerce

• Environmental Protection Worker

• Ergonomist• Hospital Administrator• Park Manager• Market Research

Analyst• Industrial Hygienist

• Public Health Worker• Wildlife Resources

Worker• Beach Manager• Environmental Health

Specialist• Forester• Systems Analyst

Employment Settings

• Outdoor Field Work:

Includes both studying and working with and in the outdoors. Encompasses everything from management to wildlife resources working.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Outdoor

Field Work

• Agronomist• Coastal Resources

Worker• Environmental

Protection Worker• Meteorologist• Mycologist• Park Manager• Horticulturist• Toxicologist

• Veterinarian• Wildlife Biologist• Animal Scientist• Aquatic Biologist• Botanist• Beach Manager• Soil Conservationist• Ecologist• Forester• Zoologist

Employment Settings

• Research:

Includes technicians, researchers, and technologists. Also incorporates laboratory work and the education of peers.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Research

• Aquarium Technician• Biotechnologist• Genetic Engineering

Researcher• Limnological Technician• Bioengineer• Environmental Engineer

• Hydrographic Survey Technician

• Microbiologist• Net Designer• Test and Inspection

Technician• Water Quality

Technician• Science Laboratory

Technician

Employment Settings

• Education: Includes classroom instruction, curricula development, research, writing, administration, program management, and lecturing.

Teaching and research positions at colleges and universities require an advanced degree. Most other teaching positions require proper certification.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Education

• Administrator• Admissions Evaluator• Author/Writer• Career Counselor• College or University

Professor• Financial Aid Director• Guidance Counselor• Health Educator • Lecturer

• Primary School Teacher• Program Manager• Residence Hall Director• Secondary School

Teacher• Student Affairs

Professional • Text Writer• Medical Librarian

Employment Settings

• Health Services: Includes healing, both physical and mental, hospital/doctor’s office services, and some technician positions.

Most physician and counseling positions require the completion of a certification or advanced study program.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Health

Services

• Dentist• Genetic Engineering

Researcher• Medical Laboratory

Technician• Physician• Dietitian/Nutritionist• Health Officer

• Medical Librarian• Pharmacy Technician• Chiropractor• Coroner• Medical Illustrator• Mortician• Nurse• Physical Therapist

Other Possible Employment Settings For Biology Majors

• Aquariums• Arboretums• Business Industry• Chemical Industry• Colleges/Universities• Cosmetic Companies• Government Agencies• Hospitals• Medical Supply

Companies• Zoos

• Mining Companies• National/State Parks• Nurseries• Petroleum

Manufactures• Pharmaceutical

Companies• Technical/Medical

Libraries• Technical Journals• Utility Companies

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You

Want• Pursue an excellent

academic record• Obtain part-time,

summer, or internship work experience

• Volunteer with service and counseling organizations

• Become fluent in a foreign language

• Obtain an advanced degree and/or certification in order to perform substantive counseling work

• Obtain a minor in an additional area of interest (i.E. Language, business, education)

• Develop strong writing and speaking skills

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want

• Develop strong quantitative and statistical skills

• Become comfortable working with people from different backgrounds and cultures

• Acquire sales experience

• Become active in peer mediation groups if available

• Secure leadership positions in campus or community groups

• Obtain teaching certification

• Shadow the work of a professional

Books And Web Resources

BooksGreat Jobs for Biology Majors by Blythe Camensen

Life Sciences – Research Teaching Strategies for the Successful Job Hunt by The American Society for Cell Biology

Scientists by The American Society for Cell Biology

Web ResourcesAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) - http://www.aibs.org/careers/

The BioCareer Center - http://www.biocareer.com/index.cfm

Resources For More Information

Department Of Biologywww.biol.sc.edu/index.html

Career Center Libraryhttp://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html

Biology Related Websites www.sc.edu/career/la/bio.html

CAS Career Development Websitewww.sc.edu/career/cascdp/index.html

Career Center Contact Information

University of South Carolina Career Center6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)Columbia, SC 29208Phone: (803) 777-7280On-call counseling without an appointment: M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm (Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the website at www.sc/edu/career)