IS MEDICINE THE ONLY CHOICE FOR BIOLOGY STUDENTS – CAREER CHOICES IN BIOLOGY

Most students pursuing biology in high school aspire to build a career in medicine. But getting into medical college is daunting, considering the stiff competition and limited seats. However, not getting in is not the end of the road. As a Biology student, you have several career options to explore down the road.

Besides the extensive variety, these career routes are alluring and lucrative. In fact, you may end up doing something far beyond your expectations even if your plan to become a doctor backfires. Clearly, medicine is not the only choice for biology students. Here is a list of the most popular career choices you can consider after class 12.

CLINICAL RESEARCH

If you are great at research and experimentation, clinical research is an ideal field for building a career. You may conduct research on a broad range of topics with diverse population samples.  The opportunities range from clinical trials to biotechnology, bioequivalence studies, Bio-IT training, and more. You can work in roles such as clinical research associate, clinical researcher, clinical project manager, and research pharmacist.

Courses & Programmes

  • B.Sc Clinical Research
  • M.Sc Clinical Research

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Biotechnology is an interesting academic field where you study Biology and Technology together in the industrial context. You can work in domains like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, genetics, and clinical research after pursuing a course in biotechnology. The scope of work in the field includes developing medicines and vaccines for epidemic diseases, improving crop yields, creating better fuels, and monitoring the proper production of food items.

Courses & Programmes

  • B.Sc Biotechnology
  • M.Sc Biotechnology

BIO INFORMATICS

Like biotechnology, bioinformatics covers academic fields like biology, IT, and computer science. As a professional, you can work with pharma companies, healthcare organizations, and biotechnology companies. The potential roles include Bio Analysts, Clinical Research Associates, and medical coders.

Courses & Programmes

  • B.Sc Bioinformatics
  • M.Sc Bioinformatics

BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE

Another field you can discover as a biology student isbiomedical sciences. Since the role involves a study of functioning of cells and organs in the human body, it is quite similar to a career in medicine. You can work as a biomedical scientist, forensic scientist, clinical researcher, toxicologist, or immunologist after a degree in biomedical science.

Courses & Programmes

  • B.Sc Biomedical Science
  • M.Sc Biomedical Science

GENETICS

Genetics is an area where you learn about genes and genetic variations in living organisms and genetic disorders. You may work as a Geneticist, Immunologist, Cytogeneticist, or medical technologist. Beyond a career in the medical or healthcare industry, you can work as a forensic DNA Analyst with law enforcement agencies.  

Courses & Programmes

  • B.Sc Genetics
  • M.Sc Applied Genetics
  • M.Sc Human Genetics
  • M.Sc Biomedical Genetics

PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Getting into the field of Public Health Administration is another lucrative career option for biology students. It entails the promotion and improvement of public health, making it a role of responsibility. Public health professionals undertake programmes and campaigns to monitor and enhance the health of the community.

Courses & Programmes

  • B.Sc Public Health
  • MPH Master of Public Health

FOOD SCIENCE

A career in food science requires an in-depth understanding of the biological and chemical processes affecting plants, food, and dairy. You can work in industries like agronomy, horticulture, agricultural engineering, and dairy technology after completing a course in the discipline. The professional options include working as a food technologist or a process development scientist.

Courses & Programmes

  • B.Sc Food Science
  • M.Sc Food Science

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Biology students can also pursue a career in the field of environmental science, where they can work on interesting subjects such as pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, and other environmental factors. You can explore employment opportunities in industries like mines, fertilizer plants, and water-treatment plants. Alternatively, you may work with government departments and agencies, such as agriculture, forestry, and pollution board control.

Courses & Programmes

  • B.Sc Environmental Science
  • M.Sc Environmental Science

PHARMACY

If you want to work first-hand in the medical field, you can explore a career in pharmacy. The potential opportunities in the area include manufacturing, packaging, marketing, and Research and Development. You can even become a Medical writer. Other roles include drugs inspector, drugs controller, computational pharmacist, and hospital pharmacist.

Courses & Programmes

  • B.Pharma
  • M.Pharma

PHYSIOLOGY

Physiology is another excellent choice for biology students looking beyond medicine. It is the study of the physical mechanisms and activities and includes research areas such as Anatomy, Cells, muscles, organs, and the interaction between them. The career opportunities are diverse, as you can work as a physiotherapist, sports physiologist, clinical-exercise physiologist, or biomedical assistant.

Courses & Programmes

  • B.Sc Physiology
  • M.Sc Physiology

SUMMING UP

Biology students have a broad range of career options even if they miss out on admission to a medical college. They open excellent opportunities in lesser-tapped fields, so you can expect to be in demand in the future. Explore them and choose the one that matches your interest and aim.

If you are considering studying abroad why don’t you discuss your prospects and opportunities with experts at Lurnable’s dedicated study abroad counselling division LurnPathways?


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