Several program options allow students to tailor biology studies to fit their specific needs. Students may opt for a general curriculum suitable for entry into careers in industrial and academic research laboratories or elementary or secondary education.

A pre-graduate/pre-professional option is available for students interested in graduate level biology programs or professions that require advanced degrees in health-related sciences. These include human and veterinary medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, and physical therapy.

Other program options prepare students for working in natural resource management, conservation biology, or ecology. Students interested in hospital, clinical, or forensic laboratory practice or microscopy can choose programs designed specifically for these
career tracks.

What do biologists do? Research and Industry
Conducting research can be a satisfying and challenging experience that runs the gamut from the exhilaration of new discoveries as basic research to the immediate benefits of applied research. Applied research includes agriculture, biotechnology, foods and nutrition, and health-related items including pharmaceuticals. Government agencies employ biologists to carry out basic research and to enforce environmental protection legislation. Researchers often need help from skilled people trained in biology. Laboratory technicians help carry out experiments taking field measurements, manipulating cells, handling animals and chemicals, or using sophisticated instruments.

Many industries require the expertise of microbiologists to ensure the safety of their products, such as the cosmetic industry, food processors, pharmaceutical companies, and the dairy industry. Today new directions for cellular biologists include the environmental and pollution control companies and the biotechnology industry. Biotech companies use the advances in molecular or cellular biology to improve agricultural crops, develop new tests for disease agents, develop new forms of drugs, or harness microbes to recycle wastes. Many of the biotech companies utilize skills of genetic engineering to accomplish their corporate goals.

Many county, state, and federal agencies employ field biologists as wildlife biologists, fisheries biologists, range managers, pollution control technicians, environmental health officers, environmental education specialists, toxicologists, soil scientists, naturalists, and many others. Many of these types of careers involve research and some may be involved in the regulation and enforcement of environmental laws.

Biologists may also find careers in private business or be self-employed as consultants in wildlife management, environmental landscaping, habitat improvement, biotechnology, bioprospecting, etc. Biology-based industries can be very financially successful.

Health Care
To keep people healthy or return sick people to health, requires applied biological knowledge. Physicians, dentists, nurses, medical technicians, and physician’s assistants all must have a solid biology background. While these health care professionals work directly with patients, others work in the area of public health fighting illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, or AIDS and preventing the spread of deadly diseases. Many hospitals and pharmaceutical companies employ biologists for diagnostic analysis and sample screening.

Teaching
Teaching at the junior and senior high school level is exciting and gives the rewards of preparing young people for active and informed citizenship and for continued education at the college level. University and college teaching includes formal classroom teaching as well as mentoring students in the research lab. Teachers at all levels often leave the classroom and provide education to the community.

Informal Education and Media
Biologists sometimes work directly with the public in museums, zoos, or aquaria designing exhibits and providing public lectures. Others may write science articles for newspapers, magazines and books, or develop educational films or television programs. Naturalists lead hikes and plan environmental education programs.

Leadership
Biologists in academe, industry and government are often in positions that require leadership. Business and government need people in decision-making positions who have strong problem-solving skills and a background in the sciences. For example an attorney working to protect endangered species or securing patents for a large corporation would benefit from a strong background in the sciences. Information management, a field called bioinformatics, is growing and will become of prime economic importance.

If I major in Biology, do I have any choices as to what I study?
You will most likely choose a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology. There are many options within the biology major that will prepare you for a variety of careers.  Meet with an academic advisor in the Biology Department who will help you plan your course selections. You will take courses in molecular, cellular and developmental biology as well as courses in organismal biology, evolutionary biology, and ecology. Since biology is an integrative science you will also take courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

How much training will I need?  Can I get a job right out of college? 
It depends upon your career goals and you have plenty of time to make this decision. Some students directly enter the workplace after completing their undergraduate degrees in entry-level positions in industry or government, and as K-12 teachers. Others go into graduate programs because a master's degree prepares you to work as a professional in a technical field and gives you the background to become a community college instructor. The doctorate is required if your career goals include directing research, teaching at the college or university level, or practicing human or animal medicine or dentistry.

Where do I get more information?
Take the initiative early to explore career options. Interview professionals in areas that interest you and arrange to job shadow someone. Acquire practical experience through volunteer work, summer employment, and college courses such as BIO 100, Introduction to Field Biology at Beaver Island. Review current job listings to see what characteristics employers want. Go to the library or Internet and research for careers in biology.

and/or Contact Us: Department of Biology~989-774-3227

and/or visit the following websites:
Careers in Biology
Careers in Biology
The Biology Careers Page
Animal Behavior
Aquatic Science Career Information
What is and Astrobiologist and how do I become one?
You can Teach Science!
Careers in Food, Agricultural and Natural Sciences

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