Biology Degrees

Essentially the scientific study of life and life systems, biology is a broad field that is relevant to a number of industries and careers. Pharmaceutical companies, oceanographers, crime scene investigators, doctors, farmers, and botanists all use biology in their daily work. And these only represent a small fraction of the areas that rely on this expansive field. With sufficient biology training, you can also work in public policy, business, horticulture, and countless other career fields.

Biology Training

The level and type of training required ultimately depends on what type of career you require. Farmers, for example, can often get by with high school training in chemistry and biology, while full-fledged biological scientists typically need a doctorate degree in the field. Each successive year of training can expose you to more opportunities within the biological sciences. But in almost all cases, the bulk of your coursework focuses on life systems, respiratory processes, anatomy, reproduction, disease & immunology, cellular regeneration, circulatory systems, food chains, environmental science, information technology, and computer science. Thereafter, you can specialize as necessary.

Career Outlook in Biology

Career prospects and industry growth vary considerably due to biology's broad reach. Farmers might find opportunities growing increasingly scarce due to limited land space and global competition. Biomedical engineers and those who work in the pharmaceutical industry might discover the opposite. Healthcare is expected to grow considerably over the next 8-10 years, with biology remaining one of the central forces driving innovation. The best job prospects are likely to be in areas where biology is used to advance technology, rather than to simply enhance our understanding (although both areas are important).