Types of Biology Careers
A biologist is a scientist with expert knowledge of living organisms and how they relate to the environment. Biologists study vital life processes and apply their findings to the creation of new processes or products. Most biologists hold doctoral degrees in biology or one of its many subdisciplines. Biologists frequently specialize in the study of one specific type of organism or one specific biological activity. Here are five types of biology careers.
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Research Biologists
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A research biologist studies the natural world with scientific tools and techniques in an attempt to understand how various living systems work. Biologists hired for product development or applied research often create new medical diagnostic methods, medications and health care treatments. A majority of research biologists work for federal government agencies or private industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), general research biologists earned an average annual salary of about $72,000 in 2006.
Biotechnologists
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Biologists who specialize in the area of biotechnology develop and enhance technological advances, tools and products in various fields, particularly medicine, food science and agriculture. Aspiring biotechnologists should enroll in a biology degree program resulting in either a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biotechnology or a BS in Biology. Most biotechnological research projects require biologists with advanced degrees. According to the BLS, the median yearly salary for biotechnologists was about $87,000 in 2006.
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Wildlife Biologists
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Wildlife biologists study the origin, life processes, behavior and diseases of various animals and wildlife. Many wildlife biologists conduct experiments with live wildlife in natural or laboratory environments. Wildlife biologists are typically identified by the type of wildlife they study. For example, mammalogists study mammals, ornithologists study birds and herpetologists study reptiles. Most wildlife biologists hold a doctoral degree in biology or animal science. According to the BLS, the median annual salary of wildlife biologists was just over $53,000 in 2006.
Ecologists
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Ecologists are biologists who focus on studying the relationships between organisms and their environments or between various organisms. Ecologists are responsible for examining the effects of rainfall, altitude, pollutants or temperature on specific organisms. A majority of ecologists work for environmental regulatory agencies, law firms or private industries. Potential ecologists need an advanced degree in biology or environmental studies. The BLS reports that the average median salary of ecologists working for the federal government was about $76,500 in 2006.
Botanists
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Botanists are biologists who examine plants and their environments. Some botanists examine all aspects of plant life, including fungi, algae, lichens and flowering plants. Others specialize in specific areas, such as the function of plant parts, the classification of plants or the cures for plant diseases. According to the BLS, the demand for botanists will increase in the near future. Major employers are federal and state agencies, private industries and educational institutions. The BLS also reports that the median annual salary for botanists was about $67,000 in 2006.
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