What Can I Do With A Major In Biology
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Overview | Return to top
Biology is a science that we encounter daily. As society continues to advance technologically and we expand our connections globally, knowledge of biology has become increasingly important. Medicine, the environment and even the local and global economy are all topics that include significant aspects of biology.
Careers in biology include a wide range of choices attracting people with a variety of talents. Biologists are in demand for research, health care, education and wildlife conservation and management of the environment. In addition, there are many exciting, newly developed fields where a degree in biology is an advantage—such as forensic science, biotechnology and genetic engineering. Employment opportunities exist at a variety of educational levels, you can start a career in biology with a bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree.
Career Titles | Return to top
Employers | Return to top
- Agribusiness Companies
- Agricultural Chemical Companies
- Agricultural Firms-Research
- Animal Refuges
- Aquariums
- Atomic Energy Commission
- Biological Testing Laboratories
- Biomedical and Health Research
- Biomedical Companies
- Biopharmaceutical Companies
- Biotechnology Companies
- Biotechnology Firms
- Botanical Gardens & Arboretums
- Bureau of Land Management
- Center for Disease Control
- Chemical Manufacturers
- Clinics
- Colleges/Universities
- Conservation Organizations
- Consulting Engineering Firms
- Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Environmental Protection
- Department of Health & Human Services
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- Distilleries
- Environmental Consulting Firms
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Farms
- Fish & Wildlife Service
- Fisheries
- Food & Drug Administration
- Food Manufacturers
- Forestry Centers
- Game & Water Fish Commission
- Health Care Facilities
- Health Care Producers
- Horticulture Companies
- Hospitals
- Humane Societies
- Landscaping Companies
- Local, State, Federal Government
- Lumber Industry
- Magazines
- Manufacturing Firms
- Marine and Oceanic Groups
- Medical Laboratories
- Medical Schools
- Museums
- NASA
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- National Institutes of Health
- National Park Service
- Natural History Museums
- Oil Companies
- Park Service
- Peace Corps
- Pest Control Companies
- Pet Stores
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Professional and Technical Journals
- Public Health Departments
- Public Utilities
- Research Facilities
- Research Foundations
- Research Organizations
- Scientific Journals
- Soap/Cosmetics Companies
- State & National Parks
- Testing Labs
- Tobacco Industry
- Wastewater Treatment Facilities
- Water Resource Council
- Wildlife Preserves
- Zoos
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Skills | Return to top
- Ability to use scientific equipment and measuring instruments
- Acute observational skills
- Advanced critical thinking, problem solving, and research skills
- Analytical & quantitative abilities
- Attention to detail
- Biology theory & practical knowledge
- Biology theory & practical knowledge
- Calculating skills
- Capability of conducting research and statistically analyzing the data
- Capacity to tests products and equipment to ensure quality and safety
- Capacity to understand and express complex scientific and technical information
- Careful record keeping skills
- Concentrate for long periods of time
- Curiosity and creativity
- Data analysis
- Data processing
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- Demonstrate abilities in critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Demonstrate knowledge of cellular biology, molecular biology and genetics, organismal biology and population biology.
- Draw conclusions from data
- Evaluate information against appropriate standards-manipulating information using expertise in statistics
- Experiment with ideas/procedures
- Faculty to improve the methods available for processing and storing resources
- Gather data
- Independent worker
- Information handling & organization
- Learn new information quickly
- Logical thinking
- Maintain records/tabulate data
- Makes critical observations and appropriate decisions
- Numerical computation
- Operate scientific equipment
- Oral and written communication skills
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- Organization of data
- Perceive and define cause and effect relationships
- Perception of patterns/structures
- Possesses proficiency for accurate details
- Present/summarize research findings
- Problem solving
- Reads, writes, thinks, questions, analyzes, and problem solves
- Review large amounts of material and extracting essence
- Statistical awareness
- Summarize data
- Teamwork
- Technical skills
- Test an idea/hypothesis
- Use scientific methods and to appreciate the contributions of science and scientists to humanity's present and future welfare.
- Write and speak clearly using scientific terminology.
- Write factual material clearly and concisely
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Salary Information | Return to top
NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) Summer 2012 Average Starting Salary:
- Biological Sciences/Life Sciences Bachelor's Degree: $38,300
Average Salary of SNC Biology Graduates:
- 2009: $25,001 - $30,000
- 2010: $20,001 - $25,000
- 2011: $30,001 - $40,000
For additional salary information, please visit salary.com
Graduate Data | Return to top
The job titles and employers listed below are a sample of the results from the annual St. Norbert College Career Services graduate follow-up survey for the Classes of 2003-2011.
Job Titles
- AIDS Researcher
- Health Unit Coordinator
- High School Science Teacher
- Hydrological Technician
- Lab Technician
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- Major Accounts District Manager
- Micro Lab Tech
- Nursing Assistant
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Program Coordinator
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- Registered Nurse
- Research Technologist
- Scientist
- Teacher
- Teller
- Veterinary Assistant
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Employers
- ADP
- Aaron's Company
- Americorps
- Ashwaubenon School District
- Bianco's Physical Therapy
- Birch Creek Retirement
- Cherny Microbiology Services
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- Churney Microbiological Service
- Holy Family Memorial Medical
- Kimberly Clark
- King Pharmaceutical
- Kobance Pharmacy
- Mayo Clinic
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- Medical College of Wisconsin
- National Forest Service
- Puget Sound Health Center
- St. Vincent Hospital
- Teach for America
- University of Iowa
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Graduate Programs
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences
- Dentistry
- Physician Assistant
- Law
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Graduate Schools
- Des Moines University
- Marquette University
- UW Madison
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Alumni/Intern Profiles | Return to top
Alumni Profiles Tammy Evers Martin Fallon Michael Kempf Molly Wolk
Intern ProfilesKelly Wolff
Links of Interest | Return to top
Career Information Careers Abroad Careers in Biology from Emporia State UniversityCareers in Genetics and the Biosciences Careers in Human Genetics Careers in Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology Careers in Oceanography, Marine Science & Marine Biology Cell and Molecular Biology Career Resources Graduate Programs in Biological Sciences MDApplicants.com Riley Guide to the Natural Sciences Student Doctor Network
Professional Associations
American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
American Aquarium and Zoo Association
American Association of Zoo Keepers
American Institute of Biological Sciences
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
American Society for Cell Biology
American Society for Microbiology
Association for Women in Science
Biotechnology Industry Organization
Entomological Society of America
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
International Biometric Society
National Science Foundation
Society for Conservation Biology
Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
Society for Marine Mammalogy
Society of Wetland Scientists
The American Phytopathological Society
The Botanical Society of America
The Ecological Society of America
Jobs & Internships
American Fisheries Society Job
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
BioMedScientist Jobs
BioSpace
Careers at Seaworld and Busch Gardens Zoological Park
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Employment
Clinical Research Jobs
Environmental Career Opportunities
EnvironmentalCareer.com
Naturejobs
Science Jobs
Tiny Tech Jobs
U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services
Additional Information | Return to top
SNC Biology Department Major Requirements Academic Advising Career Services Job Search Links
Disclaimer: The information included on this page is not all-inclusive. You are encouraged to utilize additional online and print resources when researching majors and careers. Some of the careers listed may require additional education, training, development, licenses and/or certifications. If you feel something should be added, changed, updated or removed, please contact Career Services. The content included on this page will be updated annually each summer. Please contact Career Services if you have any questions about the information on this page or to schedule an appointment.
