Career Options after Biology: Eligibility, Courses, Colleges and Job Scope

If you are planning to opt for a career in biology, you shall know that it can be immensely exciting and rewarding. Biology courses in India can help a student widen their career horizons in ways more than one. The subjects covered in Biology courses enable an individual to think scientifically, make observations, ask questions, evaluate evidence and thus solve problems.

Biologists essentially study the evolution of living beings and the way living beings work and interact with one another. They also study about the environment, conservation of plants and animals, the natural history of various plants etc. One can also make a bright career in medical research, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Biologists provide a detailed understanding of the natural world and play a vital role in addressing the issues of personal well being and worldwide concern such as threats to human health, environmental degradation etc.

Eligibility Criteria for Biology Courses:

• If you are looking for a bright career in the field of Biology, you should start in Class 11 itself and choose the Science stream with Biology as one of the major subjects.
• Only those students with Biology as a subject at the +2 level are eligible for Life Sciences/ Biological Sciences courses offered at UG level.
• After graduation, students can take up PG studies in the respective field and then proceed to research or job opportunities.
• In all the levels of education, students need to make sure that they get a minimum of 50% marks in qualifying exams.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Biology Courses in India:

Some of the popular biology courses in India are as follows:

• B.Sc Biology/ Biological Sciences
• BS-MS Dual Degree in Biological Sciences
• M.Sc Wildlife Biology and Conservation
• M.Sc Environmental Biology
• M.Sc Environmental Microbiology
• M.Sc Conservation Biology
• M.Sc Biology/ Biological Sciences
• M.Sc Applied Biology
• M.Sc Computational Biology
• M.Sc Biochemistry
• M.Sc Molecular Biology

Fees of Biology Courses in India:

• In India, B.Sc courses in Biological Sciences cost up to Rs. 20,000 per annum. The duration of UG courses is three years.
• The two-year duration M.Sc courses in Biological Sciences or other allied fields will cost you up to Rs. 30,000 per annum.
• If you are interested to take up M.Phil/ Ph.D. courses in Biology, it may cost you around Rs. 50,000 per annum. Many universities in India offer a stipend to Doctoral (Ph.D.) students.

Also Read: Career in Biotechnology: Top Colleges, Courses and Salary

Career Options in Biology:

A person with a higher education degree in Biology/ Biological Sciences/ allied fields has a great career scope. With a Master’s degree in Biology, it will be easy to find lucrative jobs. The following are some of the fields where Biology graduates can find employment:

• Ecologist
• Botanist
• Biological Technician
• Biology Content Developer
• Horticulturist
• Plant Biochemist
• Plant Explorer
• Farming Consultant

Apart from these, Biologists can also take up research work, find employment opportunities in/as healthcare sector, environmental management and conservation, education sector etc. Read on to learn more.

Role of Biologists in Research:

• Biologists can engage themselves in research studies about the natural world with the help of latest scientific tools and techniques in both natural environment and laboratory settings.
• Biology researchers usually engage in understanding the way living things work.
• Researchers work in exotic locations across the world. Their significant discovery increases our understanding of biology and helps one find practical solutions to specific problems.

Role of Biologists in Healthcare Sector:

• Biologists in the healthcare sector are responsible for developing public health campaigns with a motive to bring awareness and defeat illnesses such as AIDS, heart diseases, cancer and tuberculosis.
• Some of the biologists in this sector also work to prevent the spread of rare diseases.
• Biologists also work for organisations to provide healthcare services to underprivileged, tribal or rural regions.
• In order to associate with the healthcare sector, biologists need additional education and training post their undergraduate college.

Role of Biologists in Environmental Management and Conservation:

• Biologists associated with this sector play a premier role in solving environmental problems and conserving the natural world, specifically for future generations.
• They also educate the public on the conservation of natural resources.
• Aquarium and zoo biologists take up programmes like endangered species recovery.
• They also work with NGOs, not-for-profit organisations and wildlife rehabilitation centres with an objective to conserve the environment.

Role of Biologists in Education:

• Biology professors and lecturers teach introductory and advanced biology courses. They also mentor students on direct research programmes and projects.
• Biology/ life sciences professors also publish scientific journals on topics associated with the field.
• A postgraduate/ graduate in Biology can also become a teacher in schools and teach Biology/ Science/ Environmental Science subjects to children up to Class 12.

Top Biology Colleges in India:

• Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore
• Bundelkhand University – Jhansi
• Loyola College – Chennai
• Hansraj College – Delhi
• Hindu College- Delhi
• Islamia Karimia College – Indore
• G.B.Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT), Udham Singh Nagar
• Lal Bahadur Shastri PG College – Jaipur
• AIIMS Delhi
• Christ College – Bangalore
• Madras Christian College – Chennai

We hope that the above information is useful to you. All the Best!

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