Investigating the top
majors, Sherlock Holmes is on the case. You can profile
your picks and review the evidence to find the sure-fire academic
answers you've been looking for...
Study Case #4 
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Biology
Faculty:
Arts, Science.
Most common associations:
Research facilities, laboratories, various companies.
Quick description:
Biology is the study of living things. From the tiniest living structures of cells and bacteria to the largest, most complex life systems like humans and elephants, if it's alive, it's in bio. Studying biology will have you looking through microscopes, performing dissections and researching fascinating facts of life. A degree in biology can lead you to many careers and allow you to develop useful skills.
What your major will do for you:
Learning biology is learning about life, and assuming you're alive, this can be important. Study all the facts of life- what constitutes life, how do single-celled organisms function, how evolution works, how all the aspects of the human body interact to sustain life, how animals survive, and much more. Perform research by going directly into what you're studying- grow bacteria cultures and dissect various animals. Get answers from nature in the best, most direct, way possible, and use that knowledge to develop cures for diseases, help animals on the verge of extinction, and in general help make the world a better place.
Careers:
The study of life in general can lead you to any one of countless careers. You can choose to use your biological knowledge to continue studying and become a doctor or a veterinarian, saving human lives and earning a nice income. But there are many other options in academy and industry. You can become a teacher, or else expand on research in many ways- you can look for exotic animals in the wild in jungles or other amazing places, or work in a laboratory environment looking at bacteria and viruses and trying to develop a cure for cancer. Working in the industry, you can help develop machines, instruments and products that benefit animals, plants and humans. Create new types of medicine or medical instruments. Fight pollution or become a forensic scientist and fight crime The possibilities are endless.
Arts, Science.
Most common associations:
Research facilities, laboratories, various companies.
Quick description:
Biology is the study of living things. From the tiniest living structures of cells and bacteria to the largest, most complex life systems like humans and elephants, if it's alive, it's in bio. Studying biology will have you looking through microscopes, performing dissections and researching fascinating facts of life. A degree in biology can lead you to many careers and allow you to develop useful skills.
What your major will do for you:
Learning biology is learning about life, and assuming you're alive, this can be important. Study all the facts of life- what constitutes life, how do single-celled organisms function, how evolution works, how all the aspects of the human body interact to sustain life, how animals survive, and much more. Perform research by going directly into what you're studying- grow bacteria cultures and dissect various animals. Get answers from nature in the best, most direct, way possible, and use that knowledge to develop cures for diseases, help animals on the verge of extinction, and in general help make the world a better place.
Careers:
The study of life in general can lead you to any one of countless careers. You can choose to use your biological knowledge to continue studying and become a doctor or a veterinarian, saving human lives and earning a nice income. But there are many other options in academy and industry. You can become a teacher, or else expand on research in many ways- you can look for exotic animals in the wild in jungles or other amazing places, or work in a laboratory environment looking at bacteria and viruses and trying to develop a cure for cancer. Working in the industry, you can help develop machines, instruments and products that benefit animals, plants and humans. Create new types of medicine or medical instruments. Fight pollution or become a forensic scientist and fight crime The possibilities are endless.
Skills:
Successful biology graduates come out of school with many skills and lessons learned.
Successful biology graduates come out of school with many skills and lessons learned.
- Understanding of nature and life: You'll be
learning so much about so many things, you will possess in-depth
knowledge of many biological concepts. You will develop awareness
of diseases, pollution, crime, and various other things.
Understanding biology will help you not only relate to the world
around you but also benefit society by allowing you to apply these
lessons to real life scenarios and problems.
- Communication and Presentation Skills: Biology
majors are forced to develop communication skills through working
in groups and conducting experiments and dissections in teams. You
will also have to present your findings to the public. Furthermore,
some biologists actually become experts in communications between
animals or humans, which will help a lot with personal
communications throughout your life.
- Research Skills: Learning biology involves a lot of research. You'll be able to locate and identify reliable sources, which will be important. You will be involved in many hands-on experiments which will teach you how to locate and interpret data. Research is an important aspect of biology and science in general These skills are sure to serve you well in the future.
- Critical Thinking: Taking theories, laws and experimental procedures and putting them into real world concepts. This means having the whole picture when coming to a decision. You are able to incorporate so many aspects of nature into everyday life and that's a skill in itself.
- Patience and
Persistence: Growing
bacteria, analyzing the effects of drugs and chemicals on
organisms, and locating and viewing animal life takes a lot of
time, and a lot of patience. As well, sometimes things don't work
as expected, and you'll have to be persistent and keep working on
your projects despite setbacks. Studying biology will allow you to
develop these admirable skills, which will be highly useful in the
future.
Biology 235 Lab by Iofaesofa
How to
Prepare:
Coming out of high school and not sure how to start your biology career? You should have a few courses under your belt. Maths and sciences are obvious picks- trig, algebra, geometry, chemistry, and of course high school biology. But don't be shy about those other courses- English, writing, public speaking, etc. These will improve your writing abilities and help you later on when you have to write lab reports and scientific papers.
Coming out of high school and not sure how to start your biology career? You should have a few courses under your belt. Maths and sciences are obvious picks- trig, algebra, geometry, chemistry, and of course high school biology. But don't be shy about those other courses- English, writing, public speaking, etc. These will improve your writing abilities and help you later on when you have to write lab reports and scientific papers.
Many biology
students benefit from participating in extra curricular activities
that demonstrate things like communication and leadership skills.
To expand your biological activities, compete in a science fair,
join your science club in school, or volunteer as a park or zoo
helper.
If you're thinking of doing a Master's
Degree, you will first need to most likely have an
undergraduate degree, and the
desire to learn and do a lot more research in
biology.
Biology Majors?
It's elementary, my dear Watson. Till next
time!
References
WorldWideLearn. "Biology Major". Last Updated on October 17th,
2007. Accessed on August 1st, 2008. WorldWideLearn.com
Sherlock Holmes. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/features/photogallery/holmes_photogallery1.shtml>
Sherlock Holmes, <http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2007/03/16/sherlock-holmes-edgy.jpg>
Sherlock Holmes. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/features/photogallery/holmes_photogallery1.shtml>
Sherlock Holmes, <http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2007/03/16/sherlock-holmes-edgy.jpg>
