Biologists will play an increasingly important role in environmental sciences, particularly those involved in the emerging science of biotechnology. Here, biologists use rapidly developing technology to recombine the genetic material of animals or plants, making organisms more productive or disease resistant. Most recently, this technology is being applied to produce bacteria that consume oil spills and dangerous radioactive isotopes. The present and potential uses of this technology are enormous. Several specific biological science fields will play a key role in the environmental sciences. In addition, job growth in these areas is expected to be high. Ecologists or environmental biologists study the relationship among organisms, between organisms and their environments, and the effects of influences, such as population size, pollutants, rainfall, temperature, and latitude, on organisms. Some ecologists study the lives of specific kinds of organisms, such as microbes, plants, or animals. Others study the whole spectrum of living beings within a particular habitat, such as prairies, ponds, or coral reefs. Some focus on the interactions among individuals of single species (population ecology), or among different species (community ecology), or between groups of species and the physical environment (ecosystem ecology). Regardless of their specific focuses, ecologists are united by an intense curiosity about how life works on planet Earth. The work of ecologists has many practical applications related to environmental problems, such as understanding the effects of potential global warming, or understanding how pollutants in rivers change species composition. Others may study the effects of farming practices on pest insects or methods of restoring damaged environments.
Microbiologists investigate the growth and characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, and fungi. They study the effects that these microscopic organisms have on humans and their environment. Microbiologists help answer such questions as, "How do cells use food and oxygen?" and "Which viruses pose the greatest threats to humans?" Their basic research can be applied to help understand the immuniological and other biological functions of all plants and animals. Microbiologists may specialize in environmental, food, agricultural, or industrial microbiology, virology (the study of viruses), or immunology (the study of the mechanisms that fight infections). Many microbiologists are using biotechnology to advance knowledge of cell reproduction and human disease.
Zoologists are life scientists who study animals in both their natural environment and in the laboratory. In particular, they study the origin and development of animal species, their habits and behavior, and the interaction between animals and their environment. In their natural environment, zoologists study mating practices, aggression, life histories, and the group behavior of animals. Zoologists also conduct genetic research in order to discover how animal diseases develop and how traits are passed from generation to generation. Worldwide, thousands of species face extinction due to human settlements and activities in sensitive habitats, and irresponsible hunting practices. Zoologists are scattered around the globe, from the Brazilian rain forests to the dense Siberian forests, conducting research and formulating policy positions on animal issues.
Other biologists working heavily in the environmental sciences are evolutionists, who study the development of plants and animals from the origin of the earth until the present; geneticists, who study the characteristics of heredity; morphologists, who study the form and structure of plants and animals; paleontologists, who study the fossilized remains of plants and animals that existed in former geologic periods; and taxonomists, who study the classification of animals and plants and create systems that categorize living organisms.
Related Professions
- Marine Biologist
- Wildlife Biologist
- Animal Scientist
- Biochemist Animal Breeder
- Veterinarian
The minimal requirement for a career in biology is a bachelor of science (BS) degree in biology or a closely related field. Almost every major university and college offers a degree in biology. Graduates with a bachelor's degree can enter the field as biological technicians, or medical laboratory technologists, or, with courses in education, high school biology teachers. Many with a bachelor's degree in biology enter medical, dental, veterinary, or other health profession schools. With a master's degree, students are qualified to teach, work as research assistants, or pursue careers in management, sales, and service. In order to take full advantage of this field, a doctoral degree is required. A graduate with a Ph.D. and a specific field of study can teach and conduct research in colleges and universities, become an academic administrator, or find a job as a senior staff specialist in government or private industry.
Students interested in biology should have a strong background in math and science. College courses offered during the first two years typically include calculus, statistics, general biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, humanities, liberal arts, and communication. Advanced courses depend heavily upon a student's interests but will require a good deal of laboratory work and usually a research paper. Curriculums for advanced degrees often emphasize a subfield such as microbiology, ecology, or zoology, but not all schools offer all curriculums. Advanced-degree programs include classroom and fieldwork, laboratory research, and a thesis or dissertation.
Professional Certification
There are no special certifications or licenses for this profession.