What can you do with a major in biology?: real people, real jobs, real rewards

141 Pages·2005·1.547 MB·English

by  Bart Astor

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What Can
You Do with
a Major in
BIOLOGY?
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01_576062 ffirs.qxd 1/20/05 5:56 PM Page iii
What Can
You Do with
a Major in
BIOLOGY?
Real people.
Real jobs.
Real rewards.
Bart Astor Jennifer A. Horowitz,
Series Creator
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Copyright © 2005 by Jennifer A. Horowitz. All rights reserved.
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02_576062 ftoc.qxd 1/20/05 5:57 PM Page v
Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
About This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Why I Wrote This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
A Guide to This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
1 Majoring in Biology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Degrees and Curricula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Minor in Biological Sciences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Minors in Other Departments and Double Majors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
College Rankings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Colleges Offering Biology Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Biology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Biochemistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Zoology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Entrance Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Skills and Abilities Required to Succeed in This Major . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Wrap Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
2 Choosing a College for Biology Majors . . . . . . . . . . . .21
To Parents: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
To Students: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
What Admission Officers Look For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
The Transcript . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Test Scores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
The Essay or Personal Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Extracurricular Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
A Final Point About Admission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Paying for the College ofYour Choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Access and Choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Determining Need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Cost of Attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Types of Financial Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Net Cost versus Sticker Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Is It Worth It? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Private Scholarships and Scholarship Search Firms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Wrap Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
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vi What Can You Do With a Major in Biology?
3 Internships and Attending Graduate School . . . . . . . . .35
Biology Internships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Why Would I Want to Be an Intern? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Will I Get Paid? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
How Do I Find an Internship? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Graduate School Programs in Biology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Graduate School Disciplines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Quality Programs and Rankings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Selective Biology Graduate Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Highly Ranked Graduate Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Admission to Grad School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Paying for Graduate School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Similarities between Grad and Undergrad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Differences between Grad and Undergrad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Is It Worth It? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Choices, Choices, Choices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Wrap Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
4 Career Possibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Job Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Health Scientist Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Forester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Medical Instrument Technician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Medical Technologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Patent Examiner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Sanitarian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Quarantine Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Food Scientist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Park Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Pharmacologist/Toxologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Forensic Scientist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Medical Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Public Relations, Pharmaceuticals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Agronomist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Archivist, Curator, and Museum Technician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Dietitian and Nutritionist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Sales Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Biologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Environmental Scientist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Food Scientist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Animal Scientist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
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Table of Contents vii
Medical Librarian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Optometrist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Podiatrist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Chiropractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Audiologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Biomedical Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Pharmacist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Wrap Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
5 Breaking into the Job Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Planning Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Searching for a Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
The Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
How to Budget Your Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Your Job Search Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Don’t Believe the Clichés . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Stay Informed and Be Realistic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Take Advantage of Current Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
How to Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Online Job Searches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Preparing Your Résumé . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Career Center, On-Campus Recruiters, and Career Fairs . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Find Your Own Job Openings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Interviewing for a Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Do Your Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Interview Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
The Interview and Follow Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Wrap Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
6 Case Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Karen, Epidemiologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
What I Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Why I Majored in Biology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
How the Biology Major Prepared Me for My Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Other Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Helpful Moves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Pitfalls to Avoid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
What I Love About My Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Things on the Job I Could Do Without . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
My Work and My Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
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viii What Can You Do With a Major in Biology?
Salaries for Epidemiologists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Some Thoughts About Karen’s Career . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Susan: Education and Outreach Program Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
What I Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
Why I Majored in Biology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
How the Biology Major Prepared Me for My Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Other Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Helpful Moves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Pitfalls to Avoid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
What I Love About My Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Things on the Job I Could Do Without . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
My Work and My Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Salaries for Epidemiologists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Some Thoughts About Susan’s Career . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Sara, Zookeeper/Biologist in the Birdhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
What I Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Why I Majored in Biology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
How the Biology Major Prepared Me for My Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Other Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Helpful Moves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Pitfalls to Avoid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
What I Love About My Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Things on the Job I Could Do Without . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
My Work and My Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Salaries for Zookeepers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Some Thoughts About Sara’s Career . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Rick, Science Reporter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
What I Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Why I Majored in Biology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
How the Biology Major Prepared Me for My Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Other Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Helpful Moves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Pitfalls to Avoid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
What I Love About My Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Things on the Job I Could Do Without . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Salaries for Reporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Some Thoughts About Rick’s Career . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
My Work and My Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Katie, Healthcare Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
What I Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
Why I Majored in Biology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
02_576062 ftoc.qxd 1/20/05 5:57 PM Page ix
Table of Contents ix
How the Biology Major Prepared Me for My Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Other Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Helpful Moves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Pitfalls to Avoid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
What I Love About My Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Things on the Job I Could Do Without . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
My Work and My Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Salaries for Attorneys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Some Thoughts About Katie’s Career . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Gail, Technical Director, Hospital Laboratory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
What I Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Why I Majored in Biology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
How the Biology Major Prepared Me for My Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Other Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Helpful Moves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Pitfalls to Avoid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
What I Love About My Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Things on the Job I Could Do Without . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
My Work and My Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Salaries for Epidemiologists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Some Thoughts About Gail’s Career . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
7 Final Thoughts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Appendix: Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Biology Honor Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Professional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) . . . . . . . . . . .120
Professional Societies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
Job Listing Web Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
College Admission, Search, and Financial Aid Resources . . . . . . . . . . .122
Biology Career Reference Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125