What Can I Do With a Major in Biology?

Biologists study the living world around us, from the very large level (biosphere and extraterrestrial) down to the very small (cellular, bacterial and viral) as well as the processes within/between organisms and the environment. There are a huge number of careers available to you, and many more await at the end of a Web search entitled “What can I do with a major in biology?”  Some require additional training.

As you read the list below (and others), remember that chances are you can claim a number of skills from various classes. BIO 249 and 289 are relatively unique to Alma so you should pay special attention to skills from those classes that other students (your competition outside Alma) may not have developed yet.

  • Biological content knowledge (from all classes)
  • Practical knowledge, lab and field skills
  • Operate scientific equipment (don’t forget chemistry classes - make a list of very familiar with and somewhat familiar with)
  • Cooperative approach and teamwork
  • Able to work independently when needed
  • Problem solving and analysis
  • Experience with statistical analysis, quantitative ability
  • Oral communication in Biology (think of Bio 280 and lots of others)
  • Written Communication (preparation of a research proposal)

The most famous career handout located on the web is HERE.
Another well maintained site is Emporia State University HERE.

Ready? Set? Go!  (a list made from many websites)
Agriculture Scientist      
Agronomist      
Anesthesiologist
Animal Breeder     
Animal Rights Advocate     
Animal Scientist,
Agriculture
Animal Trainer     
Aquarium Manager     
Aquarium Technician
Bacteriologist     
Biochemist     
Bioengineer
Biological Illustrator     
Biological Supply House Specialist     
Biometrician
Biotechnologist     
Botanist     
Brewery Lab Assistant
Chiropractor     
Community Ecologist     
Conservation Biologist
Consumer Safety Officer     
Criminologist     
Cryptologist
Dentist     
Ecologist     
Electron Microscope Technician
Emergency Medical Technician     
Endangered Species Specialist     
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Impact Assessor     
EPA Inspector     
Epidemiologist
Fisheries Conservationist     
Flavors/Fragrances Researcher     
Food and Drug Inspector
Forensic Pathologist     
Forest Technician     
Genetic Counselor, Human
Genetic Engineering Research Assistant     
Genetics Researcher     
Health Officer
Histopathologist     
Horticulture Scientist     
Hydrologist
Immunologist     
Invertebrate Zoologist
Lieutenant in Armed Services (Health Service)
Marine Biologist     
Marine Resource Analyst     
Medical Assistant
Medical Illustrator     
Medical Lab Technician     
Medical Technologist
Microbiologist     
Molecular Biologist     
Molecular Geneticist
Mycologist     Oceanographer     
Oceanographer Technician
Ornithologist     
Paleontologist     
Parasitologist
Park Ranger     
Pathologist     
Peace Corps/Vista Worker
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative     
Physical Therapist     
Physician
Plant Ecologist     
Plant Morphologist     
Plant Physiologist
Plant Quarantine Inspector     
Plant Scientist     
Plant Taxonomist
Professor     
Psychologist, Research     
Public Health Statistician
Radiologist     
Science Lab Technician     
Scientific Photographer
Soil Scientist     
Surgeon     
Taxonomist
Teacher, Biology,    
Technical Salesperson     
Technical Writer/Communicator     
Toxicologist
Veterinarian     
Veterinary Technician     
Virologist
Water/Wastewater Plant Operator     
Wild Animal Park Manager     
Wildlife Biologist
Wildlife Refuge Manager     
Zoo Manager     
Zoological Ecologist
Zoological Morphologist     
Zoological Physiologist     
Zoological Taxonomist
Zoologist

Whew!  The end of the list and the start of an amazing adventure! 

 

In December 2011, Alma College students, faculty and staff designed and hosted a conference in Washington, D.C., on the 500th anniversary of human rights advocacy. Earlier in the year, Alma College became one of the first undergraduate colleges in the United States to belong to the International Criminal Court Student Network, joining Duke University School of Law, The University of Cambridge and other prestigious institutions in a global community that connects students who share an interest in the ICC.

 

Faculty Profile

Mike Bishop

Mike Bishop
Departments: Biology

A childhood interest in nature became a love of bird watching for Alma College lab instructor Mike Bishop.

“A few people have called my interest in birds obsessive,” he says. “I prefer passionate.”

Bishop has been teaching at Alma since 1998 and directs the Alma College Bird Observatory, located on the College’s 200-acre ecological station.