Careers
Depending on the kind of undergraduate degree they choose, graduates in Biology can work as research or laboratory assistants in government or industry; enter a professional school, such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, or law; or pursue graduate work in Biology or a related field, such as biophysics, computer science, or chemical engineering. Other Biology graduates work in technical marketing, sales, or technical writing, or as information specialists, computer programmers, or teachers. A graduate with an associate degree has expertise in equipment and laboratory techniques and is prepared to work as a biological technician.
An excellent resource for more information about Biology careers is through the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
It's never too early to start thinking about your career in Biology. Whether you plan to work in industry, go to graduate school or pursue a professional program, good planning and proper advisement are essential. In addition to coursework, students are strongly encouraged to become involved in a research project and/or internship in Biology or another scientific field.
To find out about different areas of Biology that might be interesting to pursue, attend any of the student, faculty, or guest speaker seminars in Biology or related fields. Attending research conferences is another good way to find out more about Biology and who's doing what. Look for flyers and advertisements for these on the Biology bulletin boards, and in the Chemistry student study lounge (060 Northside).
In addition, the Biology/Chemistry Club and the Physics club have activities such as field trips to local industries and museums, presentations by representatives of local industries, seminars and panel discussions on careers by former IU South Bend students, workshops on writing resumes and personal statements for graduate studies, and informational meetings by heads of admission of medical schools and graduate schools. Check flyers on the bulletin boards and in the Chemistry student study lounge (060 Northside).
The Biology faculty are interested in your career goals. Stop by the office of any faculty member to chat about career opportunities, how you can find out more, and what you can do to enhance your resume.
Students wishing to major in Biology should contact the department chair, Dr. Thomas Clark (tclark2@iusb.edu; 574-520-4882 or 574-520-4233)