Career Options in Biology- Eligibility, Course, Jobs

List of career options in Biology

Microbiologist

Microbiologists are the people who deal with microbes. It is the study of various microscopic organisms like fungi, bacteria, viruses, etc. the main purpose of studying organisms is to develop beneficial medicines and vaccines. The subject deals with the interaction between animals, humans, plants, and other microorganisms in the ecology.

A bachelor’s degree in biology will help an aspirant start their career path in the field, But a PhD degree is required to become a professional microbiologist. Microbiologists research and analyze how varied microorganisms affect humans’ lives and the environment at large. The subject consists of bacteriology, parasitology, mycology, etc.

They identify and help control infectious disease, develop new medicines using various molecular biological techniques, and use microorganisms to control pollution and helps to break down toxic substances.

Being a microbiologist enables a person to have a bundle of job opportunities in the respective field such as, as a clinical researcher, lab technician, health sector, quality control, breweries, agriculture, etc. several colleges provide a degree in biology, such as Delhi University, Osmania University, Punjab University, Fergusson University, etc.

Therefore it can prove to be the most lucrative career in biology.

Forensic Scientists

Being a forensic scientist is one of the best career options in biology that one can opt for. Forensic scientists are the people who analyze, investigate, and test various physical and chemical elements to draw inferences for crime and its evidence. It is one of those disciples of science used worldwide to enforce laws and regulations and protect the public domain.

Forensic scientists use various mathematical and scientific techniques to investigate and draw inferences.

It can be demonstrated as the most fruitful career in biology for an individual. An aspirant needs to possess skills such as patience and good observation skills. They should be proficient enough to have an eye over the tiniest detail and have enough skills and interests in interpreting scientific data and samples. A candidate can go for a bachelor’s degree in forensic sciences, a 3-4 year program. The curriculum involves crime victim studies, criminal investigation, and procedures. Fingerprint analyses, constitutional issues, etc. Some top colleges and universities are adamant about undertaking such students. Thus, this career option in biology is a bundle of success. An individual can earn a handsome salary of three to four lakhs per annum.

Online Tutoring

Online tutoring is one of the most rapidly growing part-time jobs for biology students. It is the most convenient and affordable opportunity for students who want to become proficient in this field. Online tutoring provides a medium for earning money, but it is a great platform that helps an individual excel in a particular course and become proficient in their course. Due to technological up-gradation and extensive use of the internet, there is an increase in online approaches. Online tutoring comes out to be the most lucrative mode of part-time job opportunity for biology students.

Several online platforms and companies assist students, such as Chegg. Chegg is a leading student connected learning platform. It makes education accessible and affordable while improving students’ results. It provides an opportunity for students to act as “subject matter experts” and work from home remotely with flexible working hours. Anyone enrolled as a student in diploma, bachelor’s, doctorate, or masters gets into the respective field. The subject matter experts are paid per question they have answered, and an individual can earn an average of INR 30000 to INR 80000 per month without any investment. It exposes the students to earn while they learn, working at an MNC.

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the process of hacking our life elements. It is a combination of biology and technology. They manipulate various biomolecular and cellular processes to develop new products. It is one of the most successful biology-related careers. The field uses living organisms like bacteria and cells for their studies. The job of a biotechnologist is to work in different fields. It has got a wider working opportunity to develop cleaner fuels to improve food production and crop yields. It also includes the development of drugs to deal with infectious diseases.

There are various career opportunities in this respective field. One can get into pharmaceuticals, genetics, and healthcare. Various private and government industries are working in cosmetics, nutrition, agriculture, marine biotechnology, waste management, etc. one can also work in quality control, laboratory assistant, or a field technician.

Some of the top colleges, such as Loyola College, Madras Christian College, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Manipal University, etc., provide a great opportunity for the students to make a career in biology.

Biotechnology is an expansive field that generates a handsome salary for the candidates.

Marine Biology

A marine biologist specializes in the field of oceans and marine life. Marine biologists study marine organisms, their habitat, behaviour, interaction with the environment. It is an expansive and diverse field no job profile calls “marine biologists” this title can be held by professionals involved with marine life and their habitat. Additionally, marine biologist needs to gain proficiency in writing and communication skills, as the job requires expensive writing skills to draft notes and observations regarding the area under research and investigation.

The subject contains various topics ranging from viruses to climate changes to marine mammals. According to the working requirement, marine biologists are likely to work in labs or fields. It generally requires a bachelor’s degree. It is an arduous journey if one earns a degree in marine biology. They are on the safest way to reach their goals.

There are several career options one can find for themself such as an aquaculturist, environmental consultant, researcher, fishery biologist, etc., and a large variety of universities support these career opportunities such as the University of Madras, Indian maritime University, Pondicherry University, National Institute of Oceanography, etc.

Pharmacist

It is a combination of science, technology, healthcare, and research. A pharmacist is a person who works in a chemist shop, dispensary, or medical store. Their job is to supply medicines to the patients according to a doctor’s prescription. Being a pharmacist, one needs to research, prepare and distribute medicines with the help of knowledge that one possesses. As a result, it is mandated that they gain knowledge regarding medicines and their effects even though they do not deal with prescriptions.

Additionally, pharmacists’ job is to give instructions and guidelines regarding the preparation of various medicinal drugs, dosages, and effects. This job profile can be categorized as a recession-proof profession that offers benefits, handsome salary, flexibility, and various opportunities for holistic growth and development. It is a rapidly growing field with a huge scope in the global healthcare scenario; it has given rise to various medicinal manufacturing, marketing, and clinical research and labs.

An aspirant can easily get into this profession. They need to study PCB, PCM, or PCMB in science. A bachelor’s degree in pharmacy is mandatory for further career for an individual. There are wider job opportunities for a pharmacist, such as a job in the pharmaceutical industry, education, research, etc. it is one of the most preferred career options in biology.

Part Time Teaching

Teaching has always been an evergreen opportunity for students in different fields. It is one of the most cherishing part-time jobs that one opts for. This job option in biology provides an insight into an individual regarding how the profession works, if they want to get into it, and helps to polish one’s skills and knowledge at the same time.

Biology is considered one of the trickiest and a demanding subjects, and to excel in it, a student needs to go for additional input apart from what they have been taught. Here comes the need for a biology teacher. The subject involves biology’s fundamentals, such as environmental issues, the relationship between the various living and non-living organisms, genetic relations, and scientific concepts. Apart from books, lectures, or assignments, the task of a biology teacher is to provide practical knowledge to its students.

An aspirant who needs to work for a part-time job can easily get into this. It has got an easy and simple job profile. An individual needs to make the subject relatable and enjoyable for the students. By trying different teaching styles and forms of education, this part-time job opportunity can be the most informative for the student and the aspirant. At the same time, it can also help students achieve their dream career of being a biology teacher. It is a lucrative part-time career in biology.

Genetics

Genetics deals with genes, different variations in hereditary, and characteristics among living organisms. Geneticists are the people who study diseases, mutations, traits, anomalies, and interactions of games in the environment. It can prove to be one of the most renowned biology-related careers.

The job of geneticists ranges from treating and counselling a patient with their hereditary problems to researchers to developing various pharmaceutical and agricultural products. There are wider career opportunities for aspirants, such as becoming an immunologist, forensic DNA analyst, cytogeneticist, pharmacologist, clinical research associate, medical technologist, etc.

Some of the top colleges and universities, such as Bangalore city college, institute of genetics engineering, Kurukshetra University, and many more, give the candidates a chance. However, some great educational institutes in India provide such assistance to students, but they also have a good educational profile abroad. A student in this business can earn a handsome salary based on their qualifications. The field has got a good career in biology.

Environmental Scientist

Environmental scientists are the ones who apply their knowledge of natural sciences to safeguard the environment and indirectly human health at large. Therefore, an individual interested in studying the environment can make this field the best career in biology.

Environmental scientists deal with the components of the environment; they take a keen interest in animals, plants, and other living beings and organisms To find ways and methods to conserve them. The field involves the study of various biological, chemical, and physical interactions of elements of the environment.

Environmental scientists investigate and analyze various environmental problems such as waste management, global warming, pollution, etc., and find ways to deal with these problems. They try to curb these environmental shortcomings by offering solutions and sustainable techniques. It is one of the best biology-related careers that ensure environmental protection.

There are many career opportunities in this particular field. These scientists are hired for research and development in water treatment plants, mines, fertilizers, etc. This course is included in some of the top colleges such as Delhi University, Fergusson college, etc. However, one should note that environmental science is offered at the post-graduation level in India.

Medical Transcription

Medical transcripts are the people who are responsible for the creation of reports and other documents from physician dictated recordings and audios. It can be categorized as one of the easiest part-time jobs that one asks for. The job requires in-depth knowledge of various medical terminologies, medical treatments, and procedures, which is common in biology students.

The job profile includes transcribing, editing grammatical errors, and proper usage of medical terms and usages. They should be aware of different legal requirements and standards to carry out the job smoothly and efficiently.

The job requires a high degree of attention, analytical, and interpreting skills while carrying out the tasks. It is a type of part-time job opportunity that helps an aspirant familiarise themselves with certain medical terminologies that are new to them and helps them get an insight into the profession of a doctor how it works. Their job is to provide a structured document to the concerned authorities, all edited and structured.

Several companies provide such opportunities to the students to carry out the tasks while learning. One can make a good career in biology by having this task as a part-time job opportunity to polish one’s medical skills and knowledge.

Food Scientist

A food scientist’s occupation is to use their knowledge of physical sciences to develop and create better ways and methods of food processing, producing, and shipping to fulfil regulatory and satisfactory control measures to avoid food contamination and adulteration. It is one of the renowned jobs for biology students.

Food scientists are responsible for several roles such as food packaging, marketing newly developed technologies, ensuring safety compliance, etc. they deal with the safety and processing of food products through research and development. It is an easy process for an aspirant to get into the job. One can take up a BSc in food science and technology as n undergraduate degree as beginner food scientists work for research and development firms and corporations. A graduate scientist can work in labs or fields, researching, observing, and analyzing food production. Food scientists are employed in reputed organizations like FSAI( food safety authority of India) and ISI (Indian Standards Institute). One has got a good career option in biology.

If you still think none of these options is where your interests lie, you can always turn to education as a career option. The world will never be in shortage of good teachers who are willing to educate the next generation. Chegg is an education-based company- the main aim is to help students build their careers. It is one of the best options of an online earning website for students professionals who has expertise in any subject matters like Accounts, Psychology, Computer Science, and many more.

Botany

It is the most renowned and well-established branch and a career in biology. It deals with plant life, growth, structure, etc. they study plants related to nutrition, agriculture, and environmental policy. People in this field are responsible for research and observation to analyze and discover new species interactions of living organisms with plants in an ecology.

Botanists are likely to work in labs or fields. They can find work with private companies, nonprofit organizations, universities, and, most importantly, botanical gardens. It is an exciting field on the cutting edge of a clean environment. There are various career opportunities in the respective field, such as working in landscape industries, environmental consultancies, natural resource centres, or working as a researcher or a taxonomist, etc.

Some of the top colleges and universities like Delhi University, St Teresa’s College, Stella Maris College, Loyola College, etc., one can easily get into this having a bachelor’s or a master’s degree and can assist with research. Still, doctoral degrees are more likely to lead the research studies and development.

Various other careers one can opt for after B.Sc. in biology

Botanist or Ecologist

These two careers after B.Sc. Biology is more and less includes the same duties and responsibilities except for a few.
A botanist is someone who is passionate about expanding the understanding of plant life and how it relates to its surroundings.
The Botanist assists with researches by conducting fieldwork, research, and tests to learn more about how humans, diseases, natural disasters, and other events affect plant processes.
There is more to the role of a botanist which includes-

Studying plants, their environments, relationships, traits, and processes.
Conducting fieldwork, collecting and testing plant samples, and recording observations.
Encouraging desirable traits in plants through breeding techniques.
Analyzing plant responses and reporting possible trends, benefits, or concerns.

An ecologist is a specialized scientist whose main job is on the field mostly analyzing, surveying, and assessing the diversity, profusion, and behavior of the different organisms.
They conduct scientific investigations, classifying plants, animals, and other organisms, and record the data that they accumulate. Ecologist tends to work with private as well as government agencies and companies.

Biological Technicians

• The people who help the students of medical and biology to conduct laboratory tests and experiments are the Biological Technicians. Most of the biological technicians work full time and in the laboratory.
• Setting up, maintaining, and cleaning laboratory instruments and equipment
• Gather and prepare biological samples for laboratory analysis.
• Conduct biological tests and experiments.
• Document their work, including procedures, observations, and results.
• Analyze experimental data and interpret results.
• Write reports that show their findings.

Plant Biochemist

The aim of a biochemist is to improve our quality of life by understanding living organisms at the molecular level.
Biochemists study the chemical and physical principles of living organisms and biological processes, such as cell development, growth, heredity, disease, DNA, and heredity. They work to understand how certain chemical reactions happen in tissues and record the effects of medicines.
They conduct research projects, manage laboratory teams, prepare technical reports, and present research findings to scientists and other interested parties.

Commercial Horticulturist

Commercial horticulturists are involved with overseeing the growth, harvesting, packaging, selling, and distribution of crops. They conduct many activities like overseeing the cultivation and maintenance of plants and crops, managing weed, pest, or disease control programs, ensuring compliance with the government., like organic cultivation requirements, organizing horticultural trials, analyzing horticultural yields, operational costs and financial returns, maintaining financial and administrative records and writing and modifying business plans, etc.

Biology researcher

A biological researcher studies the living organisms and the world around us. They are the research scientists who examine the living organisms relate to the environment.
There are a variety of career specialties that a biology researcher can have for example ecology, zoology, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, and marine biology.
They analyze plants, research mammal habitats, study relationship patterns, and test specimens.
As the job opportunities as a biology researcher are increasing and are suspected to increase even more makes it a very good career option after B.Sc. biology.

Farming/Agriculture Consultant

A specialist who provides advice related to the technical, financial, and commercial aspects of farming and agriculture to the public sector. They visit farms to conduct analyses and collect data, measure, analyze and interpret data, conduct land valuations, and provide advice about the business strategy and financial options, etc after preparing reports,s, etc.
An experienced agriculture consultant can be promoted to senior consultant positions or to the management committee.
With an increase in the policies for farmers’ use of pesticides, technology, etc an agricultural consultant is a good career after B.Sc. biology.

The other career options after B.Sc. biology are-
Biology Content Developer
Conservationist
Horticulturist
Molecular Biologist
Plant Explorer
Plant Biochemist
Weed Scientist
Science Advisor
Forest Ranger

Part-time jobs for B.Sc. Biology

1. Online Teaching:
   You can opt for the option of teaching also. A stable job that does not just pay you fairly but also broadens your subject and knowledge.
   An online teaching job gives you an advantage of learning about the global insight of your subject as well as ensures flexibility in your schedule, the comfort of working in a safe environment.
   CHEGG is an online learning platform that acts as a bridge between the students and teachers. It provides hundreds of students the knowledge beyond the classrooms. CHEGGhires experts for multiple subjects including accountancy. “Experts” are the teachers who provide solutions to the students’ questions from all over the world.
   You can get yourself registered with some easy steps:

Get yourself registered
Take a subject test
Adhere to the guidelines
Take a guidelines test
Upload your documents for document verification
An expert in CHEGG gets paid on the basis of the correctly answered questions.

2. Writing content:
   Content writing is a comfortable way to earn money for those who have a niche for writing. The basic requirements for a content writer are:
   Just your typing gadget,
   An internet connection,
   The ability to submit your work/project/article within the given time set and
   Quite fair grammatical skills.
   You can find writing jobs on writing job sites and various freelancing sites which will generally include blog posts and copies for the webpage.
3. Network Marketing:
   Network marketing is also called pyramid marketing, multi-level marketing, referral marketing.
   In simple words, it is a strategy for the sale of goods and products where a person gets compensation when it makes other people join the company. It can also be said as word of mouth marketing.
   The more people you bring into the firm, the more will be your commission.

The career options after BSC biology is following a rising trend not just in some specific sectors but is widely spread. The above-written job profiles can be done in various sectors and organizations in India. Some of them are mentioned below-

Agricultural Research Services
Botanical Gardens
Botanical Survey
Hospitals
Horticulture
Medical research
Medical laboratories
Wildlife and fishery departments
Science centers
Food Institutes
Schools
Seed and Nursery companies

Or if required one can also opt for masters or doctorate courses after BSC biology. It enhances one’s career in terms of pay, knowledge, and experience. Some of the courses are mentioned below:

• Master of Science in Biology
  • Master of Science in Biological Sciences
  • Master of Science in Applied Biology
  • Master of Science in Conservation Biology
  • Master of Science in Computational Biology
  • Master of Science in Environmental Biology
  • Master of Science in Environmental Microbiology
  • Master of Science Biochemistry
  • Master of Science Biomedical Science
  • Master of Science Bio-technology
  • Master of Science Botany
  • Master of Science Food science
  • Master of Science Genetics
  • Master of Science Molecular Biology
  • Master of Science Toxicology
  • Master of Science Virology
  • Master of Science in Zoology
  • Master of Philosophy in Plant Molecular Biology
  • Master of Philosophy in Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Molecular Biology
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Computational Biology
  • Master of Business Administration (for getting into Management of Biology Field)

Final Thoughts

There are enough career options in biology to get one’s mind going in all possible directions. A biology degree will equip an individual with transferable skills and exceptional knowledge.

A biology degree opens up a door to various successful career opportunities. The above-listed career options in biology will provide a useful insight into the biological world, its scope and future avenues. Biology is not just restricted to being a doctor, but an individual can play several roles in the stream.