Biology
Major
What
is Biology?
Biology is the study of life from the
cellular structure of plants and animals to the environmental
issues of a local or global nature. A biologist investigates
how organisms are structured, how they evolve, how their
life processes function and how they interact with the
rest of the environment. Most biologists conduct research
to answer the basic questions of how organisms are interrelated.
The result of this research can include advances in medicine
and public policy. This major prepares you for a multitude
of employment possibilities including graduate schools
and careers in biomedicine and research, allied health,
private industry, and education. Many pre-medicine, pre-dentistry
and pre-veterinary science majors enroll in biology as
their undergraduate major.
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What
are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?
MyMajors.com cannot pinpoint your interests
beyond recommending this general major. Various specializations
related to this major may be offered by colleges and universities.
These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest
to you. A few of the specializations related to this field
include, but are not limited to:
Anatomy |
Animal
Biology |
Evolutionary
Biology |
Epidemiology |
Animal
Development |
Genetics |
Bioengineering |
Biochemistry |
Immunology |
Biology |
Biological
and Life Sciences |
Medical
Microbiology |
Molecular
Biology |
Biology
Teacher |
Education
Neurobiology |
Virology |
Biomedical
Engineering |
Oceanography |
Zoology |
Biometrics |
Parasitology |
Marine
Biology |
Biostatistics |
Pathology |
Botany |
Biotechnology
Research |
Pre-medical
Biology |
Radiobiology |
Cell
and Molecular Biology |
Reproductive
Biology |
Environmental
Development |
Developmental
Biology |
Toxicology |
Ecology |
Entomology |
|
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What
Kinds of Students Major in Biology?
Biology majors are inquisitive. They
want to know how and why things work and like to analyze
how things are interrelated. This student will likely
enjoy conducting experiments or reading about how things
work. This student is capable of working independently
and has good written and verbal communication skills.
A strong interest in the sciences and mathematics is important.
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What
Courses Do Biology Majors Take?
The required and elective courses you
would take for majors vary considerably among institutions.
Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth
of topics you are likely to experience were you to major
in this field.
Behavior |
Animal
Biology |
Evolution |
Genetics |
Biochemistry |
Immunology |
Biotechnology |
Botany |
Marine
Biology |
Microbiology |
Cell
Biology |
Neurobiology |
Embryonic
Development |
Chemistry |
Parasitology |
Ecology |
Physiology |
|
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What
Types of Positions do Biology Majors Take After College?
These professions and professional organizations
illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for
if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly
related to employment than others, however. You should
consider the likelihood of employment after graduation
carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work
in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work
in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you
should determine what the prospects are for this or any
major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by
the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment
in second major or in a minor.
Animal
Biologist |
Inspector |
Biomedical
Technician |
Research
Associate |
Botanist |
Scientific
Lab Director |
Cell
Biologist |
Veterinary
Surgeon |
Developmental
Biologist |
Vision
Scientist |
Environmental
Consultant |
Zoologist |
Are you interested in detailed information
about the forecasted demand for a particular profession?
Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions
are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you
to search on a particular job, whether listed here or
not, to give you this information.
Bureau
of Labor Statistics
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Related
Links
If you are interested in learning more
about what professionals in this field do and what kinds
of activities they engage in, you might want to begin
with the following web sites. Also check the departmental
web sites of colleges and universities, which offer this
major.
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University
Departments to Consider
The following institutions are the featured
institutions on MyMajors because they support MyMajors
and you in your search for the best major available. They
offer excellent curriculums in well-rounded programs for
you to consider.
Other fine institutions offering this
major offer excellent programs to consider.
Keuka
College (NY)
Biology |
|
Massachusetts
Institute of Tech. (MA)
Biology |
For
information on options available to campuses wishing
to see their majors listed on MyMajors, contact: admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Two-Year
College Curriculums to Consider
Scottsdale
Community College (AZ)
Biology |
| Suggest
to your two-year college advisor that their institution's
majors be included to show you their course requirements
and unique resources. Two-year college representatives
should contact admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Want
More Information? Look at major descriptions prepared
by university academic advisement staffs.
More on Choosing Your College Major 
