6 Careers You Can Pursue With a Bachelor's in Biology

There are so many exciting and lucrative career opportunities to pursue after obtaining your Bachelor’s degree in Biology.

The physical structure, physiological processes, evolution, and molecular makeup of life and living things are all fascinating to study, particularly if you can make a career out of it.

First-year college or university students are always filled with excitement about what lies ahead of them as they start thinking of what to do after finishing their postsecondary education.

But as their fourth year draws near, they begin to worry about the future and ask if there are any career opportunities for them in biology.

Here, we will reveal the 6 most promising and enjoyable careers you can pursue with a bachelor’s degree in biology. Let’s check them out.

What Is Biology?
What Is a Bachelor’s in Biology?
Important Skills for the Biology Field
Options to Consider with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology
Further Study with your Bachelor’s Degree in Biology
FAQs
Conclusion
References
Recommendations

What Is Biology?

Biology is the study of living things. Scientists study and document the morphology, physiology, and behaviors of diverse organisms, ranging from microscopic amoebas to enormous blue whales.

The study of groups of organisms and their interactions with one another and with their habitats is another aspect of biology.

Having a bachelor’s biology degree can lead to a variety of career opportunities. Numerous biology graduates go on to medical school or work in the healthcare industry. Others choose to work as biochemists, conservation scientists, zoologists, or in other life, physical, or social science fields.

What Is a Bachelor’s in Biology?

Studying the life sciences is the focus of a bachelor’s degree in biology. Graduates of this program are equipped for careers in entry-level positions or for further education, including medical school or master’s programs.

Microbiology, virology, and botany are just a few of the many fields and specializations that make up biology. Specializations in specific areas of interest, such as physiology, cell and molecular biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, or biomedical science, are available in many programs.

Under certain bachelor’s degree programs, students must complete a capstone project that involves independent or guided biological research. Internship opportunities are frequently provided by programs in conjunction with the school’s research facility or arboretum.

While credit requirements vary by institution, many four-year bachelor’s programs have a 120-credit requirement. Typically, the curriculum consists of electives, general education classes, and courses specifically focused on biology.

Important Skills for the Biology Field

A bachelor’s degree or above is required for success in many biology-related careers. In addition to professional training, you may also need a professional certification.

Along with these prerequisites, employers will be looking for certain skills like:

The potential to communicate scientific ideas in simple terms
Strong writing and speaking abilities
Powerful presentation abilities
Familiarity with particular scientific fields, such as biology, ecology, anatomy, etc.
A thorough understanding of medical terms
Strong ability to solve problems

A career in biology-related fields can offer you the chance to collaborate with a wide range of professionals and a diverse population.

Even though there are many well-paying jobs in the biology-related industries, the highest-paying ones often call for more advanced degrees and significant training.

Options to Consider with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology

As someone with a bachelor’s degree in Biology, here are 6 popular career options you can pursue;

1. Biology Careers in Research

For biology graduates, scientific research offers a highly fascinating job path in addition to being essential to society. Research biologists examine living things to learn more about the world we live in.

Given that research can be done in any specialty, careers in research offer arguably the broadest career options for those with a bachelor’s degree in biology.

The most common types of research are those in the medical and biological sciences, which include microbiology, pharmacology, neurology, genetics, and health and disease.

In addition to academics, research institutes, hospitals, and medical facilities, researchers also contribute to the development of social knowledge in a variety of other fields and, with the appropriate supplementary qualifications, can be found in business and industry.

Also read: How do I Become a Medical Research Scientist in 2024? With no Experience)

2. Biology Careers in Healthcare

Developing campaigns to treat and cure diseases like AIDS, cancer, tuberculosis, heart disease, and many other lesser-known illnesses and diseases will be part of your job as a biologist in the healthcare industry.

Even while many positions (such as those of doctors and practitioners) are unaffordable for students with only a bachelor’s degree in biology, the industry has a large hiring capacity, and biologists are in high demand in the medical field.

Qualified and experienced healthcare biologists can find jobs as veterinarians, physicians, nurses, dentists, and other medical professionals.

Biologists are engaged by groups like the Peace Corps to provide sophisticated healthcare to war-torn and underdeveloped nations, in addition to being employed by hospitals and other medical facilities.

3. Biology Careers in Environmental Conservation

Solving environmental issues and assisting in the preservation of natural resources, plant and animal life, and the environment for future generations are priorities for environmental biologists.

This category includes careers involving marine and/or aquatic biology, zoo and conservation biology, ecology, and environmental management, among others, that require a bachelor’s degree in biology.

These positions involve biologists conducting public education campaigns and managing recovery efforts for threatened or endangered species. The public sector, the government, nonprofit groups, and ecological consulting firms are among the hiring industries.

4. Biology Careers in Education

You will be eligible to work in education if you have a bachelor’s degree in biology and a teaching license. Working with youngsters and inspiring them to learn about the world—whether in a lab, museum, lecture hall, or classroom—will be a pleasure for you.

The more qualifications you need, the higher up the educational ladder you go. For example, a university lecturer typically needs a master’s or PhD, while a primary or secondary school teacher typically just needs an undergraduate degree and teacher training certification.

Should you decide to pursue graduate studies and work in higher education, you might end up able to conduct your research, publish your findings, and/or join an advisory board in your area of expertise.

5. Careers in Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the application of scientific concepts to the development and improvement of technology in various sectors, such as business and industry, consumer goods, and technology.

Jobs in biotechnology are mostly concentrated in the fields of agriculture, food science, and medicine.

Biotechnologists working in these fields can work on medication discovery, genetic engineering, and the advancement of medical technologies like nanotechnology.

With your bachelor’s degree in biology, you can go ahead to pursue a career in biotechnology.

6. Careers in Forensic Science

You can also pursue a career in forensic science with your bachelor’s degree in biology.

To test and process evidence acquired in criminal investigations, forensic scientists operate in the legal sector alongside police departments or law enforcement authorities.

Working in forensic science, scientists might specialize in fields including dental evidence (forensic odontology), decomposition analysis (forensic anthropology), crime scene investigation, and medical examiner duties (requiring more higher learning).

You may also read: What is a Forensic Investigation in 2023? Courses, Certifications

Further Study with your Bachelor’s Degree in Biology

It is important to carefully assess the careers that biology graduates choose, as some may require or benefit from further study. Graduates in biology may have an interest in the following postgraduate programs:

MSc Environmental Consultancy
MSc Marine Conservation
MSc Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries
MSc Sustainable Environmental Management
MSc Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Biology
MRes Marine Biology
ResM Biological Sciences
ResM Marine Sciences
PhD Biological Sciences

FAQs

Can a biologist work in a hospital?

Pursuing a biology degree prepares you to work in various fields, including health care, and in a variety of settings, including a hospital. Whether you want to pursue a career as a physician or nurse, a biology degree provides you with the educational background to succeed.

What is the career path of BS bio?

Careers with a bachelor’s degree in biology who fall under this remit include marine and/or aquatic biologists, zoo biologists, conservation biologists, ecologists, and environmental managers. Biologists in these roles carry out recovery programs for endangered species and provide education for the general public.

When can you call yourself a biologist?

If you have a biology-related degree. You’re pretty safe to call yourself a biologist.

Is there a career in biology?

Biology is the study of living organisms. The field is also subdivided into specialized areas focusing on topics like anatomy and behavior. Careers for a biology major include roles related to research and teaching, public policy, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Does biology have a future?

Biologists have a vital role to play in exciting developments for the future, working to produce new and innovative technologies and preparing us for the impact and consequences of climate change. Many new technologies are closer than you think. Follow a career in biology and you can make a difference.

Conclusion

A bachelor’s degree in biology offers various career paths, including becoming a doctor, high school biology teacher, ecologist, nurse practitioner, environmental scientist, or dentist. You can also pursue specialized research with a university.

Know that while a biology degree can be a starting point for some of these careers, advanced education or specialization may be necessary for progression in some cases. So, keep your timeline in mind before deciding on a career path.