Activities	Research or study cellular structure and functions, or organ system functions, of plants, and animals.
Outlook	Faster-than-average-job growth
Median Income	$66,510 per year in May 2009
Work Context & Conditions	Most biologists spend their time in laboratories conducting research and in offices writing up results and keeping up with the latest research discoveries. Biological scientists typically work regular hours. While the 40-hour workweek is common, some biological scientists work longer hours. Some researchers may be required to work odd hours in laboratories or other locations (especially while in the field), depending on the nature of their research.
Minimum Education Requirements	Bachelor's Degree
Skills	Critical Thinking, Visioning, Operation and Control, Writing, Idea Evaluation, Equipment Selection, Mathematics, Idea Generation, Active Learning, Solution Appraisal, Identifying Downstream Consequences, Identification of Key Causes, Information Gathering, Reading Comprehension
Abilities	Memorization, Category Flexibility, Deductive Reasoning, Flexibility of Closure, Written Comprehension, Near Vision, Information Ordering, Inductive Reasoning, Written Expression

Job Category		Life, Physical, & Social Science
Job Description		Most biological scientists specialize in the study of a certain type of organism or in a specific activity, although recent advances have blurred some traditional classifications. Physiologists study life functions of plants and animals, both in the whole organism and at the cellular or molecular level, under normal and abnormal conditions. Physiologists often specialize in functions such as growth, reproduction, photosynthesis, respiration, or movement, or in the physiology of a certain area or system of the organism. Physiologists conducts research on cellular structure and organ-system functions of plants and animals: Studies growth, respiration, circulation, excretion, movement, reproduction, and other functions of plants and animals under normal and abnormal conditions. Performs experiments to determine effects of internal and external environmental factors on life processes and functions, using microscope, x-ray equipment, spectroscope, and other equipment. Studies glands and their relationship to bodily functions. May specialize in physiology of particular body area, function, or system. May specialize in physiology of animals and be designated Animal Physiologist; of plants and be designated Plant Physiologist; of human organisms and be designated Medical Physiologist). Biological scientists who work in applied research or product development apply knowledge gained through basic research to develop new drugs, treatments, and medical diagnostic tests; increase crop yields; and develop new biofuels. They usually have less freedom than basic researchers do to choose the emphasis of their research, and they spend more time working on marketable treatments to meet the business goals of their employers. Biological scientists doing applied research and product development often work in teams, interacting with engineers, scientists of other disciplines, business managers, and technicians. Those working in private industry may be required to describe their research plans or results to nonscientists who are in a position to veto or approve their ideas. These scientists must consider the business effects of their work. Some biological scientists also work with customers or suppliers and manage budgets. Scientists usually conduct research in laboratories using a wide variety of other equipment. Some conduct experiments involving animals or plants. This is particularly true of botanists, physiologists, and zoologists. Some biological research also takes place outside the laboratory. For example, a botanist might do field research in tropical rain forests to see which plants grow there, or an ecologist might study how a forest area recovers after a fire. Some marine biologists also work outdoors, often on research vessels from which they study fish, plankton, or other marine organisms.
Working Conditions		Most biologists spend their time in laboratories conducting research and in offices writing up results and keeping up with the latest research discoveries. Some biological scientists, particularly botanists, ecologists, and zoologists, do field studies that involve strenuous physical activity and primitive living conditions for extended periods of time. Biological scientists in the field may work in warm or cold climates, in all kinds of weather. Biological scientists usually are not exposed to unsafe or unhealthy conditions. Those who work with dangerous organisms or toxic substances in the laboratory must follow strict safety procedures to avoid contamination. Many biological scientists, particularly those employed in academic settings, depend on grant money to support their research. They may be under pressure to meet deadlines and to conform to rigid grant-writing specifications when preparing proposals to seek new or extended funding. Biological scientists typically work regular hours. While the 40-hour workweek is common, some biological scientists work longer hours. Some researchers may be required to work odd hours in laboratories or other locations (especially while in the field), depending on the nature of their research.
Salary Range		Median annual earnings of all biologist scientist in May 2009 were $66,510. The middle 50 percent earned between $50,420 and $81,650. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $36,750 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $100,580.

Education Required		Most biological scientists need a Ph.D. in biology or one of its subfields to work in independent research or development positions. Other positions are available to those with a master’s or bachelor’s degree in the field. A Ph.D. is usually necessary for independent research, particularly in academia, as well as for advancement to administrative positions. A bachelor’s or master's degree is sufficient for some jobs in applied research, product development, management, or inspection; it also may be sufficient to work as a research technician or a teacher. Many with a bachelor's degree in biology enter medical, dental, veterinary, or other health profession schools, or find jobs as high school science teachers. In addition to required courses in chemistry and biology, undergraduate biological science majors usually study allied disciplines such as mathematics, physics, engineering, and computer science. Computer courses are beneficial for modeling and simulating biological processes, operating some laboratory equipment, and performing research in the emerging field of bioinformatics. Those interested in studying the environment also should take courses in environmental studies and become familiar with applicable legislation and regulations. Most colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in biological science, and many offer advanced degrees. Advanced degree programs often emphasize a subfield, such as microbiology or botany, but not all universities offer curricula in all subfields. Larger universities frequently have separate departments specializing in different areas of biological science. For example, a program in botany might cover agronomy, horticulture, or plant pathology. Advanced degree programs typically include classroom and fieldwork, laboratory research, and a thesis or dissertation. A master’s degree generally takes 2 years, and a doctoral degree 5-6 years of full-time study. Biological scientists with a Ph.D. often take temporary postdoctoral positions that provide specialized research experience. Postdoctoral positions may offer the opportunity to publish research findings. A solid record of published research is essential in obtaining a permanent position performing basic research, especially for those seeking a permanent college or university faculty position.
Recommended High School Courses		Biology, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Communications
Postsecondary Instructional Programs		Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Certification and Licensing

Interest Area		Enterprising Involves starting up and carrying out projects, leading people, making many decisions, and dealing with businesses, and it sometimes requires risk taking. Conventional Involves following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. There's usually a clear line of authority to follow. Social Involves working and communicating with, helping, and teaching people. Artistic Involves a degree of self-expression and working with forms, designs, and patterns and without a clear set of rules. Investigative Involves working with ideas and requires an extensive amount of thinking. Realistic Involves working on practical, hands-on problems and solutions, often with real-world materials, tools, and machinery.
Work Values		Achievement Get a feeling of accomplishment. Supervision, Human Relations Supervisors back up their workers with management. Independence Work alone. Working Conditions Good working conditions. Supervision, Technical Supervisors who train their workers well. Recognition Receive recognition for the work you do. Advancement Opportunities for advancement.
Skills		Critical Thinking Use logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches. Visioning Develop an image of how a system should work under ideal conditions. Operation and Control Control operations of equipment or systems. Writing Communicate effectively with others in writing as indicated by the needs of the audience. Idea Evaluation Evaluate the likely success of an idea in relation to the demands of the situation. Equipment Selection Determine the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job. Mathematics Use math to solve problems. Idea Generation Generate a number of different approaches to problems. Active Learning Work with new material or information to grasp its implications. Solution Appraisal Observe and evaluate the outcomes of a problem solution to identify lessons learned or redirect efforts. Identifying Downstream Consequences Determine the long-term outcomes of a change in operations Identification of Key Causes Identify the things that must be changed to achieve a goal. Information Gathering Know how to find information and to figure out what information is essential. Reading Comprehension Understand written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Abilities		Memorization Remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures. Category Flexibility Generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. Deductive Reasoning Able to apply general rules to specific problems to come up with logical answers, including deciding whether an answer makes sense. Flexibility of Closure Identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. Written Comprehension Able to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. Near Vision Able to see details of objects at a close range (within a few feet of the observer). Information Ordering Able to correctly follow rules for arranging things or actions in a certain order, including numbers, words, pictures, procedures, and logical operations. Inductive Reasoning Able to combine separate pieces of information, or specific answers to problems, to form general rules or conclusions. This includes coming up with a logical explanation for why seemingly unrelated events occur together. Written Expression Able to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Related Jobs		Biologist
Job Outlook		Employment of biological scientists is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations although there will continue to be competition for some basic research positions. Employment of biological scientists is projected to grow 21 percent over the 2008—18 decade, much faster than the average for all occupations, as biotechnological research and development continues to drive job growth. Biological scientists enjoyed very rapid employment gains over the past few decades—reflecting, in part, the growth of the biotechnology industry. Employment growth will moderate somewhat as the biotechnology industry matures, with fewer new firms being founded and existing firms merging or being absorbed by larger biotechnology or pharmaceutical firms.
More Information		Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, American Institute of Biological Sciences
References		Occupational Information Network http://www.occupationalinfo.org/onet/24308g.html, http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/041061078.html Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Biological Scientists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos047.htm