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biology careers

There is a diversity of jobs/professions which typically require, or at least prefer people with biology degrees. Following is a list of some of these possibilities.

Medical and Medical-Related

• Physicians (many subspecialties), Physician’s Assistant (P.A.)
  
• Nursing
  
• Anesthesiologist
  
• Lab Technician
  
• Medical Research in a variety of areas (usually associated with large hospitals or universities)
  
• Physical & Speech Therapy
  
• Pharmacists
  
• Dentist, Dental Assistant/Technician
  
• Optometrist
  
• Ophthalmologist
  
• Veterinarian, Veterinarian Assistant/Lab Technician
  
• Audiologist
  
• Paramedic
  
• Podiatrist
  
• Radiologist
  
• Coroner
  
• Forensics/Pathology
  
• Mortician
  
• Dietitian/Nutritionist
  
• Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation
  
• Sports Medicine/Sports Trainer
  
• Exercise Physiologist

Education

Teaching science/biology from elementary to university-level (both
private and state). Many specialty areas, especially at the university level.

University Research

University research at universities in many specialty areas. This could be a small or a large part of a university position.

Industry

• Research in a variety of biological areas such as biotechnology, genomics, toxicology, biomonitoring, impact accessment, product testing, etc.
• Science Supply Companies: Technicians, Sales Representatives, etc.
• Medical Supply Companies: Technicians, Sales Representatives, etc.
• Pharmaceutical Companies: Researchers, Technicians, Sales Representatives, etc.
• Food Science (Industry): Nutritionist (human or animal), food testing, research in food genetics & biotechnology, preservation, packaging, etc.

Government Jobs (City, State, or Federal)

• Agricultural research station positions
• Agricultural extension service positions
• E.P.A. positions: Lab, field, & library research, biomonitoring, administration, ect.
• Forest service positions such as forest rangers, agronomists, soil scientists, horticulturists, game wardens, etc.
• Department of the Interior positions
• Wildlife biologist/ecologists positions
• Fisheries biologists
• Disease Control Agency positions (Center for Disease Control)
• Food and Drug inspection positions
• Health & Safety inspections positions
• Sanitation engineers
• Some museum positions (from research to curators)
• Some Zoo, Aquarium, & Arboretum positions
• Customs inspectors of live material, food, and other materials which could be biologically contaminated or illegal

Nursery Work

Running a nursery, horticulture, landscaping, plant breeding, etc.

Science Writing

Textbooks, magazine articles, essays, popular books, etc.

Nature Photography

Used in books, articles, calendars, posters, etc.

Science Illustration

Drawings/paintings for science-related publications

Science Librarian

Beekeeping

Florist

Exterminator

Exterminator of pest species, or research in the pest-control industry

** This cannot be considered to be a complete list of biologically-related areas. You might also look at a list of biology subdivisions (there are a large number of them) to aid in narrowing down you interest and goals in biology.

Updated: Monday, October 27, 2008

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