Bachelor’s In Biology Jobs in Different Branches

BACHELOR’S IN BIOLOGY JOBS

Biology, as the term suggests, is the study of living organisms of all kinds. This sector carries a great diversity ranging from a complex form of life (Homo sapiens) to the smallest form of life (microorganisms). Studying Bachelor’s in this particular field allows you to know and specialize your skills in the complexity of living forms. An obvious question that comes to mind is what the job opportunities from bachelor’s in biology jobs are after completing the study? 

Having a Bachelor’s in Biology can lead you to a broad spectrum of opportunities. All a student needs to figure out is what specifically is the field that’s fascinating for him/her. The inclination may lie in the animal kingdom, plant kingdom, cellularity & genetics of microorganisms. One shouldn’t be concerned about the jobs this field has to offer. The main confusion lies in the selection of path as it is a diverse field with many opportunities.

To make it simple, it’s better to start understanding the field closely with the branches and their respective purposes.

Biology & Its Branches

Understanding biology in words will give you a brief idea about the subject but understanding it as a whole is god’s game. We grow in an environment surrounded by living organisms, but the ones keen to know about their physical structure, chemical, and molecular interaction, physiological mechanisms, and their evolution truly belong to this field.

Biology is broken down into seven main branches. These areas have an even greater number of sub-fields for a student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Biology to focus on and concentrate on job perspective. The branches are as follows:

  • Evolutionary Biology 

Evolutionary biology tells you about how biology has evolved with time. It also helps to study the pattern of evolution in the future. Sub-fields that come under evolutionary biology are:

  • Ichnology – The study of trace elements that act as evidence of living creatures in the past. 
  • Biogeography helps understand the geographical distribution of living organisms from their evolution depending on climate, weather, and soil.
  • Developmental Biology – It is the study of the processes and changes that occur in the lifetime of a living organism starting from birth till die.
  • Morphology – The study of the outer appearance of living organisms that helps in their identification.
  • Paleontology – It is the study of fossils from prehistoric times.it helps in understanding the past forms of life that are extinct or has evolved
  • Epigenetics – The study of genetics and the role of phenotypes in altering nucleotide sequences. This, in turn, helps to see the pattern and type of mutations in living organisms.
  • Medical Biology

It refers to gaining new knowledge related to functions, diseases of human beings, and alterations. It is again broadly classified in following categories:

  • Physiology – The study of the functioning of the organs and system in the living body such as respiratory, central nervous system, reproductive system.
  • Anatomy – The study of the physical structures of the organs of multicellular organisms at the cellular level.
  • Genetics – The study of hereditary components that are passed on from generation to generation.
  • Immunology – It is the study of defense mechanisms within a living body. When it encounters a foreign body, the immune system initiates the response.
  • Epidemiology – The study at the population level shows how a population is affected by the disease, the pattern, and ways to eradicate the disease.
  • Embryology – The study involves embryos that develop after the fertilization process and are concerned with cell multiplication and development.
  • Endocrinology – The study of glands and hormones in the living body and their effects on the body.
  • Marine Biology 

Marine biology is the study of life forms under the water, essentially involving large water bodies. It is fascinating to know about the diversity that exists in the marine environment.

  • Cellular Biology 

It is the study involving the cellular aspect of a living body, including its functions and structures. It is further sub-classified as:

  • Microbiology – Study of microorganisms that exist in the environment but are not visible through naked eyes. The study requires lab work and microscopic vision.
  • Histology – Study of cellular tissue which comprises of the different or same type of layers of cells.
  • Cytology – The study of the interaction of living organisms with the surrounding nature.
  • Palynology – The study of the interaction of particles found in air, water, and physical deposits with the surrounding nature.
  • Protistology – Study of organisms carrying similar characteristics.
  • Mycology

It is the branch of biology that focuses on the study of fungi and their interaction.

  • Zoology  

It is the branch of biology that deals with the study of animals, their physiology, functioning, behavior pattern.

  • Botany 

It is the branch involving the wide range of plant kingdoms, their characteristics, function, and pattern of reproduction.

Having said about the branches, one can figure out the wide range of options and interests these branches carry. But hold on, the equation is not solved here. The tricky part is to figure out your interest and identify whether you can be the right fit for this Bachelor’s degree or any other Bachelor’s degree that would better fit your personality.

Bachelor’s In Biology – Who All Should Go for It?

The answer to this question is simple and lies within you. You need to figure out your interest. You can interact with the people who are already pursuing it to understand the field better. Every person opting for this field has different traits, talents, characteristics, and opinions. Knowing and understanding their experience would give you a clear picture of the subjects and work involved in this field. The most important question you need to ask yourself is, ‘Are you going to enjoy the subject and the work it involves?’ – The moment you figure this out, you are good to go.

The following points will lead you to your answer:

  • First and foremost, individuals who have an interest in science as a whole can think of Biology as an option. The constant desire to learn something new, trying to get to the root cause of the problems, questioning ‘Why is this happening in the first place?’, thriving on challenges, desire to solve equations are the traits that fit well in the science field.

  • Love for natureA desire to go out on the field and explore the different life forms, an urge to explore the wildlife and forests, having fun outdoors, being comfortable in an uncomfortable extreme environment are some of the factors that determine the love for nature and also act as compelling factors in the world of Biology.

  • Interest in laboratory work Studying the smallest living organisms and the elements of nature requires a lot of lab work. It takes hours of sitting in front of the microscope. Laying eyes strenuously to figure out the histology and forms of life requires a lot of patience. Those who do not want to step out can seek work in the laboratory if this aspect fascinates him/them.

  • Keen observer The field involves observation even on the smallest levels. If left out, some details lie within the organisms, which can lead to a wrong conclusion, and therefore it would be the failure of the research. People who are detail-oriented and organized can succeed in this research field. 

  • An active, curious learner – There’s so much to learn about a living organism, be it complex, large forms, or small. Proper knowledge covers each aspect of the organism that includes its functioning, reproduction, anatomy, histology, habitat, etc. One who is not tired of exploring each aspect without getting exhausted or bored finds digging interesting can master this field.

  • Problem-solving abilityThe field of biology requires a trait of stubbornness. Problems do not get solved in a single step or a single try. It requires a good presence of mind to figure out the possible solutions. Sometimes the solution may lie in the hit and try methods that require a feisty trait as well.

Bachelor’s In Biology Jobs in The Future?

Everything being said about the field, there’s no question on how broad this field is and what potential it carries. The first thing to consider is whether you want to get a job after your bachelor’s or pursue higher education using a bachelor’s foundation. Latter will be time taking, but it is worth the hard work put in. One of the famous sayings of Aristotle (Father of Biology), “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in work,” tells you how important it is to love what you are doing. People who want to study further to gain more knowledge and degrees can take a longer route, do a Master’s, and take it further to a Ph.D. This is helpful in research, as the more you study, the more you gain knowledge that can be applied in your work.  However, you need to consider your level of interest in this field. Those who seek a career just after their Bachelor’s, have an impressive range of options as well, which are as follows:

  • Biological Technician
  • Biochemist
  • Health Communication Specialist
  • Biology Teacher
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Pharmaceutical Sales
  • Agricultural and Food Scientist
  • Microbiologist
  • Wildlife Biologist
  • Science Writer
  • Medical Equipment Sales
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Assistant Scientist

According to a survey, people with Bachelor’s in Biology are either landing in a medical school or are working in biology-related careers such as lab manager, agricultural inspector, quality control expert, conservation biologist, and teaching. Again, what matters the most for selecting a career even after completing your Bachelor’s degree is your interest. Select a career as per the eligibility criteria and interest. Confidence and dedication are what it takes to succeed in any field.

Talking about other career paths in Masters:

  • Masters in Biology
  • Master’s in Public Health
  • Masters in Health Administration

Master in Health Administration takes you to the business aspect of health and hospitals. Those who have an interest in business and administration can look up to this option. On the other hand, a Master’s in Public Health opens the door to career paths that offer an opportunity to significantly impact the entire community, even on a global level and future generations. This option can be taken by those who feel to get into the root cause of disease and believe in the saying “Precaution is better than cure.” Biotechnology is another sector to look into. It will take you to the research aspect of biology combined with chemistry. Biotechnology is of four types:

  • Medical Biotechnology 
  • Agricultural Biotechnology
  • Industrial Biotechnology
  • Environmental Biotechnology

Even after so much elaboration, if you want to build a good career in this field, your research on various fields would be helpful. So never hesitate to work hard and take some time out for what you desire from your career.

Various Jobs and Designations

Different companies have different eligibility criteria for the jobs they offer. Some companies are welcoming when it comes to freshers, and some have criteria of previous job experiences. A daily check-up on the job vacancies and their eligibility is advisable.

Jobs Offered with Expected Salary in the USA:

  1. Health Communication Specialist – Duties involve staying up to date with the disease, taking precautionary measures in a community prone to disease, writing and discussing the health care and diseases to a large audience. 

Average salary: $57,530 per year 

  1. Microbiologist – The job involves lab as well as fieldwork. A microbiologist study about the microorganisms, examine them under a microscope and characterizes them. It is a research work that involves the collection of samples.

Average salary: $64,965 per year

  1. Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives – Duties involve the promotion of new pharmaceutical drugs to health professionals and hospitals. Attending calls, making sales calls, and submitting the weekly record is also involved.

Average salary: $65,543 per year

  1. Respiratory Therapist – It involves examining and diagnosing the respiratory patients, performing respiratory diagnosing tests on patients. They team up with the physician and design a treatment plan for the patient. Maintaining the patient’s oxygen level by life support equipment, exercises, and medicines are also a part of this job.

Average salary: $68,536 per year

  1. Environmental Scientist – They work on protecting the environment and environmental resources. Research work, working on funds, working in the welfare of both plants and animals are other responsibilities.

Average salary: $69,356 per year

  1. Registered Nurse – They work close to doctors. They have responsibilities to take care of the patients, act on the treatment plan given by the doctor and perform legal basic procedures on the patients such as injections and take care of the healthcare routine of the patients.

Average salary: $70,460 per year

  1. Physical Therapist Assistant – They assist patients in their exercises, especially work with patients who have undergone surgery or traumatic patients whose body movements are limited. They also work closely on the treatment plan.

Average salary: $76,492 per year

  1. Genetic Counselor – They work on the statistics that help determine the risk of passing genetic illness from parents to their offspring. Their job also involves counseling the ‘to be parents’ or adults under the threat of developing the genetic illness.

Average salary: $80,370 per year

  1. Biochemist – They research projects and are related to the biotechnology lab area. They perform testing of certain new healthcare products. It also works to secure necessary funds.

Average salary: $84,073 per year

  1. Medical and Health Services Manager – They create and manage programs related to the medical and science industry. They also manage the medical staff members in terms of policies and procedures. They are involved in supervising the health professionals, staff, and associated researchers.

Average salary: $89,688 per year

  1. Pharmacist – They counsel patients, manage prescriptions, supervise pharmacy technicians. They look after the well-being of patients. They are responsible for distributing medications to help patients with their illnesses.

Average salary: $93,558 per year

  1. Veterinarian – They look after the wellness of stray animals and pets. They carry out treatment plans for animals and provide their owners with suitable medications. If required, they are also involved in surgeries.

Average salary: $95,718 per year

  1. Dentist – They are concerned with oral hygiene. Performing procedures on the decayed tooth, painful tooth, absent tooth are some of the primary functions they perform. Examining, diagnosing, working on a treatment plan, performing oral surgeries are a few of the many responsibilities. 

Average salary: $196,417 per year

Conclusion

These are some of the highest-paying jobs in the field of biology. You can explore more options in your research. As a fresher, the pay scale may be less when compared to the experienced candidates. This may be disappointing, but disappointment is the nurse of wisdom. Optimism can do wonders in any field. My suggestion here is don’t run after money. Run after the experience, and with due course of time, money will follow your path. Interest in what you are doing and hard work is where success lies.

Also read Part-Time Jobs For Biology Majors

Bachelor’s In Biology Jobs in Different Branches

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