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Yogesh
Student
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
3
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What are the qualifications should be attained to become a biologist?
Hello! I'm Yogesh. I'm interested to become a biologist. But, I have several doubts in achieving my goal. So, please tell me the right way to become a biologist. #college #science #college-major #scientist #environmental-science #biologist
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2 answers
Bryce Cromer
Student Teacher
89
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Fort Myers, Florida
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Bryce’s Answer
Hi Yogesh,
Biologists is a very general term and in most cases people specialize in specific areas of biology. For example, there a fields in biology like marine biology, evolutionary biology, organismal biology and many more. That being said the first thing you need to do is decide what area of biology you would like to go into. Then you will have a much better idea of what you need to do. You don't have to make this decision right away though. Upon going to university you could go in as a general biology major. You could actually finish you bachelors degree as a general biology major. Since, most jobs in biology require a masters or some type of research, you can wait till then to decide actually what area of biology you would like to go to. In college you will experience a large amount of biology courses from general biology classes, to cell biology, genetics, and anatomy. You will also experience a large amount of chemistry classes like general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry. So, prepare yourself for a lot of science classes by taking classes in high school seriously. I hope this gave you a better idea on what you will have to do to become a biologists.
Biologists is a very general term and in most cases people specialize in specific areas of biology. For example, there a fields in biology like marine biology, evolutionary biology, organismal biology and many more. That being said the first thing you need to do is decide what area of biology you would like to go into. Then you will have a much better idea of what you need to do. You don't have to make this decision right away though. Upon going to university you could go in as a general biology major. You could actually finish you bachelors degree as a general biology major. Since, most jobs in biology require a masters or some type of research, you can wait till then to decide actually what area of biology you would like to go to. In college you will experience a large amount of biology courses from general biology classes, to cell biology, genetics, and anatomy. You will also experience a large amount of chemistry classes like general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry. So, prepare yourself for a lot of science classes by taking classes in high school seriously. I hope this gave you a better idea on what you will have to do to become a biologists.
Thank you so much ... Now I'm doing my final year of bachelor's degree in Biochemistry. And I'll do my master's degree to reach my goal. Thank you for your guidance
Yogesh
Nicholas Clark
Bioprocess Development Scientist at Algaeon, Inc.
5
Answers
Updated
Nicholas’s Answer
Hello Yogesh,
There are a lot of different sub-areas in biology to consider. It will be impossible to specialize in them all. So you should consider what specialty you'd prefer to go into (e.g. molecular biology, genetics, etc.). Take a few courses that go into some of the specialties and find the one that you like the most.
To also become very adept you'll want to consider approaching some of your professors to do some extracurricular laboratory research (for either academic credit, pay, or experience). This will help you tremendously in acquiring the lab skills needed to be a great biologist.
That being said the biology field itself is flooded as with most other fields. In order to have a successful career and to have an easier time of getting there I would suggest combining your pursuit of biology with something in the chemical engineering or genetic engineering fields. If you go the engineering route you will have a much easier time in obtaining a job (and a lot more money than just a general biologist). If not then you'll definitely want to consider attaining your PhD in order to be competitive in the marketplace.
Additionally, talk with your professors. All of them. Utilize their office hours and ask for their personal advice and what they would do in your position.
Best of luck,
Nick
There are a lot of different sub-areas in biology to consider. It will be impossible to specialize in them all. So you should consider what specialty you'd prefer to go into (e.g. molecular biology, genetics, etc.). Take a few courses that go into some of the specialties and find the one that you like the most.
To also become very adept you'll want to consider approaching some of your professors to do some extracurricular laboratory research (for either academic credit, pay, or experience). This will help you tremendously in acquiring the lab skills needed to be a great biologist.
That being said the biology field itself is flooded as with most other fields. In order to have a successful career and to have an easier time of getting there I would suggest combining your pursuit of biology with something in the chemical engineering or genetic engineering fields. If you go the engineering route you will have a much easier time in obtaining a job (and a lot more money than just a general biologist). If not then you'll definitely want to consider attaining your PhD in order to be competitive in the marketplace.
Additionally, talk with your professors. All of them. Utilize their office hours and ask for their personal advice and what they would do in your position.
Best of luck,
Nick