Do you love studying plants and animals? How they behave and interact with each other in the environment? Have you ever wondered why we act the way we do? How did we come into existence and how did evolution take place?
The only way of satisfying your curious nature and answer these questions is Biology. This field has emerged as the dominating field in modern science over the past few years making it a great choice among students. It is a branch of Natural Sciences.
Who are Biologists?
Biology is the scientific study of life and the living organisms like humans, plants, microorganisms and animals that inhabit the environment.
Biologists are the scientists and researchers whose responsibility is studying different living organisms and their interaction with the environment they live in and the role of external factors on them.
They examine the origin, structure, growth, function and distribution of living beings and classify them accordingly. They travel around the world researching animals, investigating microorganisms in the laboratory and developing medical advances in life sciences.
Education and Eligibility
- Completion of 10+2 with biology as the major subject from a recognized board.
- Pursue Bachelor courses in associated fields of biology like Zoology, Botany, Aquatic Biology, Biotechnology, Fishery Science, Marine Biology etc.
- Pursue masters in biology or associate courses like cell biology, microbiology, immunology, bacteriology and marine biology since specialization offers better job prospects. Aspiring biologists can also specialize their skills by undertaking internships, getting laboratory experience and work experience in their focus area.
- Complete an internship for building practical experience in a biology career. Biology interns can work in various settings as in laboratories as research assistants or assisting experienced biologists in their offices or in zoos/wildlife sanctuaries as wildlife biology interns.
- Interested candidates can take up M.Phil or PhD for career advancement like for research and development roles and specialization of their skills.
Specializations for Biologists
The following are the diverse fields of biology that an aspiring biologist can specialize in:
- Anatomy (Human, Animal and Plant Anatomies).
- Morphology.
- Histology.
- Ecology.
- Physiology.
- Cytology.
- Embryology.
- Taxonomy.
- Genetics.
- Palaeontology.
- Biotechnology.
Top Universities in India offering biology courses
- Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai.
- The University of Delhi.
- Banaras Hindu University.
- Vellore Institute of Technology.
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.
- Aligarh Muslim University.
- Indian Institute of Sciences.
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.
- Galgotia University, Greater Noida.
- NIMS Medical College (NIMS University), Jaipur.
Skills Required
- Excellent communication skills.
- Team Work skills since coordination with other scientists is frequent
- Expertise in technical writing since biologists needs to apply for grants, writing of reports or research papers.
- Laboratory training is essential.
Employment Areas
The Biologists can find many opportunities in various sectors like:
- Healthcare and Research.
- Environment management and Conservation.
- Teacher or Lecturer or Professor Positions.
- Pharmaceuticals and units of chemical manufacturing.
- Zoo, Aquarium, parks, Science Museums.
Job Profiles
The following are the varied job profiles of a biologist after obtaining their degree and gaining of necessary skills.
- Researcher.
- Microbiologists.
- Biomedical Engineer.
- Environmental Scientist.
- Food Scientist.
- Biotechnologist.
- Forensic Scientist.
- Lecturer or Professor.
Top recruiting organizations for Biologists
The following are some of the top companies that hire Biologists.
- Biocon
- Serum Institute of India Ltd.
- Jubilant Life Sciences Ltd.
- Syngene International Ltd.
- Biological E.
- Nuziveedu Seeds
- AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd.
- Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company
- Bharat Biotech
- Glaxo Smith Kline Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Salary and Career Outlook
In the United States, the average salary of a biologist is $ 68,848 yearly. The average salaries of these professionals can range from $39,234 to $ 120,814. These payments are dependent on the experience, education and location of the biologist.
Every company wants skilled and experienced biologists and researchers. So it is obvious that they are paid more than less experienced biologists. The average starting salary structure for different biologists is:
- Lecture/ Professor- INR 2 LPA.
- Microbiologist- INR 2.9 LPA.
- Biomedical Engineer- INR 3.3 LPA.
- Food Scientist- INR 3.4 LPA.
- Environmental Scientist- INR 3.6 LPA.
- Forensic Scientist- INR 4 LPA.
- Biotechnologist- INR 4 LPA.
The projected growth rate in employment of Biologists is 9% that is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations between 2016 and 2026.
The career advancement options are getting promoted to research positions and later to assistant directors of research. Some researchers avail themselves of the opportunities by joining professional organizations or advisory committees by getting lucratively paid and earning the reputation of a research scientist.
– Samiya Firdous
