Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 9/20/2009

Question
Hi, I was considering becoming a biologist when I graduate. What kind of career options are open in biology and what kind of schooling does it take to get there? Also, what are the general ups and downs of what you do?
Thank you in advance!

Answer
Dear Emi,

The field of biology is now so vast that there are endless career opportunities, and the road you take will depend on your particular interest.  Subdisciplines in biology include (but are not limited to) genetics, physiology, biochemistry, ecology, marine biology, microbiology, bioinformatics, systematics and taxonomy, biomedical engineering, studies of any individual group of organisms (mammalogy, entomology, mycology, botany, etc.), ...the list is too huge for an email.  

With a Bachelor's degree in biology you can go on to graduate school and study one of the more specialized disciplines.  With an M.S. or Ph.D. you can continue in biological research.  With an M.D. or D.V.M. or D.D.S. you can practice medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry.  You can combine your degree with the humanities and social sciences if you prefer to go into teaching, environmental law, forensics, physical therapy, or any number of medical technologies.

There are pros and cons to each of these fields, of course, and they're specific to each sub-discipline.  What's more important is the area of interest you have, and the instructors you choose to guide you along the way.

You don't say whether you're in grammar school, high school or college, and your current level will also determine how many options you still have, and how much time it will take to get there.

In short, if you can be more specific about your goals, I'll be better able to help you.  But I can tell you for certain that a Bachelor's degree in biology will open as many or more doors for you than a degree in almost any other discipline.

Hope that helps for starters.

Dana