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Career as Biologist
Biology is the study of living things. Biology includes fields such as Agronomy, Animal Husbandry, Biochemistry, Forestry, Horticulture, Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Range Management. New and exciting careers have opened in Oceanography and Marine Biology, High Altitude Biology, Environmental Biology, Bio-instrumentation, Biotechnology, Biophysics, Cryobiology, Bionics, etc.
- About Biologist :
- Job Profile |
- Employment Opportunities |
- How do I get there? |
- Where to study?
Job Profile
- Biologists work in various specializations. All Biologists carry out research and work in laboratories to conduct experiments.
- Anatomists study the causes of degenerative disorders and the possibilities of transplant of body organs.
- Aquatic biologists study the effect of pollutants on aquatic life and investigate the quality of water by assessing salinity, oxygen level, acid and organic waste, temperature and light.
- Agronomists study, research and use improved methods of cultivation, farm management, rotation of crops, soil testing, use of fertilizer etc.
- Bioinformatics uses software to derive some useful information from biological data base.
- Biochemists study chemical composition of living organisms and deal with understanding the bases in reproduction, heredity, metabolism and growth.
- Biophysicists study the physical properties of human systems. They concern themselves with the energy of living cells and deal with vision hearing, nervous system, brain function, nerve conduction, muscle reflexion as well as the life and destruction of human systems and cells.
- Cytologists work relates to breeding and reproduction of plants and animals carrying particular characteristics of hereditary traits.
- Curator looks after rare specimens of biological importance and is involved in their maintenance.
- Economical botanist conduct experiments under controlled conditions to cross breed and develop better yielding plants for mass scale production of crops for use in medicines, oils, gums, fibre or even food crops.
- Ecologist study the atmosphere, environment and its effect on the growth of plant or animal life.
- Entomologists classifies different types of insects and pests and suggests various techniques to destroy them through insecticides or other means.
- Geneticists are involved in the study of heredity and factors governing it. The geneticist is involved in the improvement of plants and animal breeds keeping in view the economic importance.
- Microbiologists study all microscopic or submicroscopic organisms such as algae, bacteria viruses, moulds, yeasts etc. The study of these organisms is used in the food industry, in packaged foodstuffs, as well as for understanding their role in disease and its prevention and control.
- Molecular biologists are involved in bacterial study focusing on improving health care.
- Mycologists analyse fungi useful to agriculture, medicine and industry.
- Palaeontlogists study fossilized remains of plants and animals to understand their evolution.
- Toxicologists study the toxic effects of various substances on humans, plants and animals. Industrial safety and environmental control is their major concern.
- Wild life biologists study habitats of animals and birds, the conditions needed for their conservation and survival and continued wildlife propagation.
- Zoologists are concerned with the study of animal life. The origin, habits, life history, propagation, growth, relation to environment, genetics and all matters concerning their preservation is the concern of zoologists.
Video Clip on Biologist
(Video sourced from YouTube.com - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGtb-BE5MgE)
Employment Opportunities
- Biologists work in research organizations working in the areas of genetics, cellular biology, and biochemical research.
- Many biological scientists work in research and development departments of industries concerned with pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, and chemicals.
- Graduate Biologists work as apprentices or technicians after receiving hands on training.
- Those who have good communication/marketing skills can pursue courses as Business Development Executives.
Recruiting Companies
GP Pant Himalayan Institute 
Oxfam How do I get there?
*Graduate and postgraduate courses are available in most
universities after 10+2 in Zoology, Botany, Chemistry or Geology.
Specialisation can be acquired after post graduation and Ph.D.
5 yr Integrated courses are offered in Institutes of Technology and
selection is based on IITJEE.
Indian Institute of Science
National Center for Biological Sciences
Tata Institute of Fundamental ResearchFeatured Institutes in India
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Content on this page is by Career Expert Mrs. Kum Kum Tandon MA (Psychology), M.Ed, Diploma in Educational Psychology, Vocational Guidance & Counseling (NCERT, Delhi) | View Complete Profile |