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What do you do with a degree in biology?

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
edited March 27 in Work & Study
Right i decided to study Biology at uni, and thinking about it, apart from research, what else is there to do after this?

I picked biology cause its my favourite subject, and studying it is really interesting, but im not sure i want to spend the rest of my life in a lab

Obviously this isn't a huge problem right now, as im a 1st year student, on a 4 year course but it never hurts to have a think about your options.

anyone offer any guidance?
Post edited by JustV on

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Right i decided to study Biology at uni, and thinking about it, apart from research, what else is there to do after this?

    I picked biology cause its my favourite subject, and studying it is really interesting, but im not sure i want to spend the rest of my life in a lab

    Obviously this isn't a huge problem right now, as im a 1st year student, on a 4 year course but it never hurts to have a think about your options.

    anyone offer any guidance?

    At University of Leeds the careers centre publishes information about where every graduate goes after leaving. It might be worth trying to get a hold of such information to see what the typical options are and whether you like them.

    The trouble is that studying something you don't like to go into an industry that may pay well could be dangerous. I enjoy the field of Computing and studying some of the health services major IT investment issues, but right now I'm sick to death of studying it (about to graduate in July) so I can't imagine being on a course studying material I don't enjoy. I'd probably fail.

    In which case maybe look at MSc possibilities afterwards too? Maybe you can specialise and do something you will enjoy?

    S
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Research isn't a career you'd opt for if money is all you're after!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    A friend of mine read biology then she did a course in journalism after that. She went onto work for some medical journals and health marketing.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    teach it at schools.

    schools are crying out for science teachers.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Be a CSI
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Isn't a biology degree one of the requirements to train as a doctor? I know there are other routes too, but I think you can do a postgraduate course in medicine with biology.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    teach it at schools.

    schools are crying out for science teachers.

    I really dont want to be a teacher, ever, i used to want to be a doctor, so i am thinking about maybe doing medicine after this, but i dunno.

    Any other suggestions of what i can do with a biology degree?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    At my uni at least you can do graduate level medicine (which chops years off the time it takes to get qualified) from a biology degree.

    I guess what I'd ask is WHY biology was your favourite subject? What is the particular aspect of it which fascinates you? That might help in trying to decide what to do afterwards.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I really dont want to be a teacher, ever, i used to want to be a doctor, so i am thinking about maybe doing medicine after this, but i dunno.

    Any other suggestions of what i can do with a biology degree?

    Can you see if it's possible to get some work experience before deciding what you really want to do?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I do not think that a biology degree leads to medicine. Usually one would study medicine as a degree course.

    It might well lead to research, particularly in new drugs, and possibly a career in pharmaceuticals.

    That is assuming you wish to use what you have actually learned in the degree course itself.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I think im most likely to do something biology related once leaving uni, cause that is where my passion is at the end of the day.

    I dunno why i like biology, its the my best subject i think cause i like it, and i'm just interested in like diseases, the causes of them and how to treat them, the way the human body works in general, all that kinda nerdy stuff.

    At the moment (and this is only after first year, anything could happen) im likely to do my final honours year in, immunology, pharmacolgy or phsyiology

    I'm just really looking for different possibilities cause it sorta seems like the only careers leading on from here, would have me stuck in a lab forever
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I study microbiology and I am wondering the same thing. what the hell can I do after I graduate? I'm not sure i want to really do research... decisions.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Isn't a biology degree one of the requirements to train as a doctor? I know there are other routes too, but I think you can do a postgraduate course in medicine with biology.
    Yes. Biology is a great course of study. And there are lots you can do with it. Try going to talk to an advisor at your school. Are you planning to specialize in anything? What about an honors degree?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Become a mad scientist!
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