FROM STUDY TO SKILLS
All academic programs offered at the UM help students develop valuable transferable skills. Biologists study life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Subfields range widely from biochemistry and molecular biology to physiology and ecology.
The various biology concentrations are intended to be part of the broad intellectual experience of a liberal arts education; at the same time they may prepare students for graduate and professional school. As a biology concentrator, you will develop project skills from research and investigation to analysis and communication.
Related fields include Program in the Environment, Chemistry, Psychology, Anthropology, Museum Studies, Pharmacy, Public Health, Medicine, and Statistics.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Investigative Skills
Identifying problems
Assessing risks
Defining expected / potential results
Inspecting specimens
Cataloging information
Research / Quantitative Skills
Defining problems
Designing experiments
Utilizing laboratory equipment
Using computers for computation / simulation
Conducting studies
Recording observations
Interpreting results
Utilizing statistical tests to predict outcomes
Preparing statistical reports
Analytical Skills
Examining components of problems / ideas
Reasoning logically
Categorizing data
Making projections from data
Organizing ideas / information
Evaluating the effects of phenomena
Communication Skills
Writing research proposals
Contributing to teams
Summarizing research findings
Explaining complex ideas for technical and nontechnical audiences
Designing charts, graphs and other visual aides
Reporting results and conclusions orally and in writing
Presenting alternative explanations
BUILDING YOUR SKILLS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Employers seek out individuals who can demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, teamwork and interpersonal skills, initiative, and a strong work ethic. Student organizations and campus employment offer valuable opportunities to add to the skills you are developing in your classes. The Society of Biology Students is sponsored by MCB and EEB and presents seminars and sponsors other events, as initiated by the student membership. Other options include study abroad, off-campus employment or volunteering in the community. Finally, a summer internship may be the best way of all to test out a career field and develop marketable skills.
FROM SKILLS TO CAREER
Biology concentrators develop both general and technical skills applicable to a wide range of careers in the sciences, health care, business, government, and education. For example, the ability to conduct investigations and perform analyses may be equally useful whether working as a college administrator, director of biomedical communications, curator of a natural history museum, or teacher. Many concentrators go on to graduate or professional school. The list below is a sample of careers undertaken by Biology graduates.
Investigative Skills
Environmental protection specialist
Public health officer
Water quality inspector
Food and drug inspector
Conservationist
Industrial hygienist
Pest control consultant
Quantitative/Research Skills
Biological researcher
Biochemist
Biostatistician
Data analyst
Aquarist
Parasitologist
Marine biologist
Botanist
Zoologist
Ichthyologist
Entomologist
Curator, botanical garden
Geneticist
Food technician
Toxicologist
Bacteriologist
Epidemiologist
Analytical Skills
Programmer/analyst
Hunger policy analyst
College professor
College administrator
Administrator, nuclear waste program
Ecologist
Bioengineer
Molecular biologist
Veterinarian
Physician
Health policy consultant
Administrator, HMO
Medical librarian
Communication Skills
Park ranger
Park naturalist
K-12 teacher
Fundraiser, environmental organization
Science magazine editor
Technical writer
Wildlife photographer
Medical illustrator
Pharmaceutical sales rep
Trainer
= Green Jobs
= Further Study Required
For more career information, see O*Net at http://online.onetcenter.org/
CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS
The undergraduate biology program offers seven different concentrations: Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB), Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), General Biology, Microbiology, Neuroscience, and Plant Biology. We also participate in interdepartmental concentrations in Anthropology-Zoology, Program in the Environment, Biochemistry, and Biophysics. In addition, we offer minors in Biology, EEB, and Plant Biology, along with an Honors program.
For more information, visit
www.lsa.umich.edu/biology/concentrations.asp
Biology Undergraduate Program
1111 Kraus Natural Science Building
734-764-2446
www.lsa.umich.edu/biology/
Newnan Advising Center
1255 Angell Hall
734-764-0332
www.lsa.umich.edu/advising
NEXT STEPS / RESOURCES
To begin connecting to professionals in fields that interest you, create your own LinkedIn account:
www.careercenter.umich.edu/article/getting-started-linkedin
To identify internships or job opportunities, visit Handshake: https://careercenter.umich.edu/article/handshake
On campus jobs (work-study and non work-study jobs) are listed at: https://studentemployment.umich.edu/JobX_Home.aspx
Maize Pages list hundreds of organizations for students to get involved in: http://studentorgs.umich.edu/maize
The Career Center
3200 Student Activities Building
734-764-7460
www.careercenter.umich.edu
www.facebook.com/careercenter.umich
http://twitter.com/careercenter
The Career Guide series was developed by the University of Michigan Career Center, Division of Student Affairs, in cooperation with the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. ©2011 Regents of the University of Michigan