Biology Major Related Careers
The following careers are directly or indirectly related to the study of this major. Click the job title to learn more about it. To search for more career options, visit OnetOnline.org.
Biology
Biology is the study of living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution and distribution. The field includes the study of ecology, genetics, microbiology, cellular, developmental, environmental, and molecular biology.
IU offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and a Bachelor of Sciences (BS) degree in Biology.
The BA degree is designed for students planning to enter professions such as medicine, dentistry, and law, but also is great preparation for other careers such as business, scientific writing/journalism, and teaching. The BA allows for more flexibility to choose courses from disciplines across the sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities. It involves fewer courses in math, chemistry, and physics, making room to more easily double major or add a minor in a different field.
The BS degree is designed to prepare students for graduate school or research in industry or government laboratories, as well as for professional schools in medicine, dentistry, law, etc. The BS involves more coursework in chemistry, math, physics, and biology for a broader foundation of skills to prepare for research in biology and other related sciences.
In addition, IU offers three optional concentrations within the Biology BS degree major. These include Biology of Disease, Integrative and Organismal Biology, and Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics.
If you are interested in a biology major, take IUB’s Chemistry Placement Exam (CPE) online. The results of the CPE will determine your placement level for your initial IUB chemistry course. For more details on the CPE, contact the Department of Chemistry at (812) 855-2700.
For detailed information about this major and degree requirements, visit the departmental website and the College of Arts and Sciences Academic Bulletin.
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Academic information
University Division's Explore Programs tool is the place to go for academic information about any IUB major, minor, or certificate.
Open in Explore Programs- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Clinical Research Coordinators
- Life Scientists, All Other
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Animal Scientists
- Biochemical Engineers
- Biochemists and Biophysicists
- Biologists
- Geneticists
- Health Educators
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
- Microbiologists
- Soil and Plant Scientists
- Soil and Water Conservationists
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Career Interests
John Holland developed a theoretical framework consisting of six general themes that describe broad areas interest relating to self and the working world. If you are interested in discovering your career interests, visit our Learn more about yourself page to learn about the Strong Interest Inventory.
This major consists of the following themes:
- Realistic
- Investigative
- Conventional
Biology Major Related Skills
Below is a sampling of skills related to this major mapped from the Skillscan Driver Assessment. The SkillScan assessment provides a simple 3-step process to help you learn about your strengths and weaknesses, the skills you enjoy and want to use in a career and those skills needing development. Consider taking the SkillScan assessment to better understand your skills as it relates to majors at IU.
Analytical
- Solve Problems
- Analyze
- Compute
- Manage Data or Records
Physical or Technical
- Hand Dexterity
- Observe
- Operate Equipment
Communication
- Speak or Interact
- Write
Management or Leadership
- Organize or Plan
Creative
- Conceptualize
- Demonstrate Foresight
Career Guides
Our unique IU Career Guides offers the A-Zs of each field’s preferred educational backgrounds, as well as employment opportunities and insider tips, industry-related interview questions, and a lot more. Below are related career guides for this major.