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Contact Information: Biology Department 414 E. Clark Street Vermillion, SD 57069 phone: 605-677-5211 fax: 605-677-6557 Biology@usd.edu Last Modified: 02/22/07 |
careers in biology The good news is that, with a background in science, a degree in biology offers virtually unlimited opportunities. It is important that you begin investigating those opportunities as early as possible and that you take an active role in planning and preparing for your future. The success you find following graduation hinges upon your preparedness now; consider your college education a time to explore and develop your interests while investing in your future success. Most students' interests in biology follow one of two tracks. The first of these tracks includes subjects related to health science and the other includes subjects pertaining to theoretical, experimental, or applied biology. In simple terms, the first group includes students interested in studying the structure, function, health, and/or treatment of the human body (or in the case of veterinary medicine, other animals). The second group includes students interested in studying the structure, function, behavior, and/or distribution of other living organisms at either the microscopic, organismic, population, community, or ecosystem level and how to apply this knowledge. In addition to these two broad categories of study, there are many other biology-related degrees that allow you to combine an interest in the biological sciences with other job skills. Students in any undergraduate biology program are required to take certain classes considered fundamental to the field of biology in addition to general education requirements required by the school. (Click [here] to learn more about the requirements for undergraduate study at USD.) While you may feel fairly focused at this point and feel that some of these classes lie outside your area of interest, they are designed to provide you with as broad of exposure as possible to all aspects of biology early in your career. You may find that there are several areas of biology that appeal to you and learning this early will give you plenty of time to investigate those interests through your choices in elective classes. In addition to your required classes you should arrange to "shadow", for a period of time, a professional in a field that interests you. This can be a valuable opportunity for you to assess first-hand the benefits and demands of your chosen career and ask specific questions of the best-qualified people to answer them. This web site was designed to provide you with links that will be helpful in learning more about specific career opportunities within the field of biology. Much of the information contained in these pages was obtained from the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the federal government's Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is a valuable resource for finding job descriptions, outlooks, and information about working conditions and necessary training required of positions in virtually any field. Consult the handbook for information about careers not featured here or for which information is not yet provided. Hard copy of this handbook, as well as the South Dakota Occupational Outlook Handbook, is located in the reference section of I.D. Weeks library; online access can be gained by clicking on the underlined title above. Materials for your use available in the Biology office (Churchill-Haines 191) include The Complete Guide to Environmental Careers in the 21st Century compiled by The Environmental Careers Organization, Making A Living While Making A Difference: The Expanded Guide to Creating Careers with a Conscience by Melissa Everett, and a notebook of pamphlets, flyers, and other information. Click on the highlighted career groups below to obtain more information about careers in the area of Biology. For more help and information about beginning Biology Career Information and Links Science's Next Wave, An Electronic Network for the Next Generation of Scientists American Institute of Biological Sciences Careers in Biology Page - provides several helpful resources for planning a career in biology as well as links to some other career projects/sites. Bioplanet Home Page
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