Biology Careers
Table of Contents:
What Can I Do with a Biology Degree?
Graduate Studies
Over 80% of our graduates continue in graduate or professional schools. Both the Biology B.A. and B.S degrees prepare students for pursuing a variety of health career fields including chiropractic medicine, dentistry, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and veterinary medicine, as well as non-health careers and graduate studies in ecology, animal behavior, evolutionary biology, immunology, reproductive biology, parasitology, botany, plant pathology, genetics, systematics, conservation biology, physiology, molecular biology, and biotechnology.
NWU’s pre-professional programs start preparing students for careers in optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatry, and physician assistant. See also, Preparing for Medical or Dental School Acceptance.
Job Opportunities
Learn more about career and employment opportunities in biology studies at the NWU Career Center and visit their “What can I do with this degree?” page. Also, be sure to see the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Biological Technician and Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists.
The Career Assistance Network can connect you to receptive alumni who are already established in your field and eager to help fellow Prairie Wolves.
Job opportunities for Biology degree undergraduates include the following:
- Biomass and Biofuels Technician
- Conservation Specialist
- Ecologist
- Environment: Outreach and Education
- Environmental Management
- Fish and Game Technician/Biologist
- Fish and Game Warden
- Fisheries Biologist
- Food Technician
- Forensic Biologist
- Forester
- High School Teacher
- Legislative Aid
- Lobbyist
- National Park Service Ranger
- Park and Recreation Worker
- Peace Corps Volunteer (crop production, biofuels, water purification, etc.)
- Pharmaceutical Technician
- Plant/Animal Breeder
- Research Assistant/Technician (biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, forest products, agro-industry, etc.)
- Science/Technical Marketing
- Science/Technical Sales (biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, forest products, agro-industry, scientific equipment, science publisher, etc.)
- Science Museum Educator
- Science Writing/Editing/Illustrating
- Soil Conservationist
- Water District Technician
- Water/Sewage Technician
- Wetland Ecologist
- Wildlife Biologist
- Zoo Technician/Biologist
What Can I Do with a Chemistry and Molecular Biology Degree?
Overview
A molecular biologist examines genes, variation in the genes, and expressions in the genes for people, animals and plants, as well as viruses and bacteria. This field overlaps particularly with genetics and biochemistry.
Many of our Chemistry and Molecular Biology degree students pursue professional health school opportunities (medical, dental, pharmacy, etc.).
Pre-professional Health Program: Chemistry and Molecular Biology degree students also regularly study in any of Nebraska Wesleyan’s health-related pre-professional programs, such as pre-veterinary medicine, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy, pre-chiropractic, and pre-physician assistant.
Graduate Studies
Most molecular biology occupations require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). A degree in molecular biology does not always mean working in a laboratory. Some teach, while those with an interest in journalism can work as a technical or science writer.
Careers that involve teaching or directing scientific research at a university, a government laboratory or a biotech company require at least a master of science (M.S.) degree and preferably, a doctorate (Ph.D.) degree.
Job Opportunities for Chemistry and Molecular Biology Majors
For detailed information about Chemistry career opportunities, see also O*NET OnLine: Molecular and Cellular Biologists.