What Can I Do With a Major in... Biological Sciences

 Many biological scientists work in the field of research and development. Most study problems with living organisms or life processes, often involving viruses or bacteria. The majority work for a private industry, the government, or a university. Managerial and administrative positions are possible, after spending time with research or projects.  Most are classified according to what is studied: from Aquatic biologists to zoologists, ecologist to biochemist and thus vary in tasks. Computer knowledge and skills are essential. This field is continuing to grow, and the work environments are usually safe and not dangerous. Ph D degrees have a higher competition than bachelor's and masters degrees.

A bachelor's degree is sufficient for most non-research jobs, a master's degree for most product research jobs, and a Ph D. for independent research.

General Career Information
 
Sample Job Titles

Entery Level

  • Biostatistician
  • Clinical Laboratory Technologist
  • Paleobotanist
  • Researcher
  • Taxonomist
  • Zoologist

Education  + Experience

  • Biology Professor
  • Environmental Programs Supervisor
  • Reliability Microbiology Specialist

 

Show All Job Titles

These job titles are not an exhaustive list, but rather, represent the types of positions most widely recruited for.

  • Agricultural Scientist
  • Agronomist
  • Anatomist
  • Animal Breeder
  • Arborist
  • Assistant Professor of Biology
  • Associate Documentation Specialist
  • Associate Laboratory Director
  • Associate Process Development Scientist
  • Associate Quality Control Chemist
  • Biochemist
  • Biological Aid/Technician
  • Biologist
  • Biology Instructor
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Biophysicist
  • Biostatistician
  • Botanist
  • Clinical Laboratory Technologist
  • Conservationist
  • Crops Geneticist
  • Dental Hygienist
  • Domestic Fisheries Observer
  • Ecologist
  • Embryologist
  • Entomologist
  • Environmental Programs Supervisor
  • Environmental Technican
  • Fish and Game Warden
  • Food Technologist
  • Forensic Scientist
  • Forester
  • Hazardous Waste Manager
  • Herpetologist
  • Horticulturist
  • Ichtyologist
  • Identification Technician
  • Investigator
  • Lab Manager/Supervisor
  • Lab Technician
  • Limnologist
  • Mammologist
  • Marine Biologist
  • Microbiologist
  • Molecular/Cell Biology Researcher
  • Mycologist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Oceanographer
  • Ornithologist
  • Paleobotanist
  • Park Attendant
  • Park Ranger 
  • Pathologist
  • Pharmacist
  • Physcial Therapist
  • Physiologist
  • Plant Ecologist
  • Pollution Prevention Environmentalist
  • Production Scientist
  • Radiation Technologist
  • Research Analyst 
  • Science Education Teacher
  • Senior Scientist
  • Taxonomist
  • Technician
  • Toxicologist
  • Wildlife Specialist
  • Zoologist

 

 
Employment Areas
  • Academia
  • Government
  • Private Corporations
  • Non-Profit Organizations
  • Publicly Traded Corporations
 
Job and Internship Listings
Professional Organizations

 
Organizations That Have Hired UI Students and Alumni
  • Algonquin Animal Clinic
  • The University of Iowa/UIHC
  • Central Microscopy Research Facilities
  • Dows Institute for Dental Research
  • Kemin Industries
  • Kenya Cheetah Conservation Fund
  • Newlink Genetics
  • Mercy Hospital
  • Henry Doorly Zoo-Omaha

This is only a partial list - to view a complete list of organizations that recruit UI students and alumni, please visit: www.careers.uiowa.edu/students/uirecruit.html

 

 
Additional Resources
Print Printable Version of this resource kit

Pomerantz Career Center Resources

UI Websites

UI Student Organizations

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