Science, Challenges, Investigation

Biologists study living things. Most professionals specialize in particular types of them. For example, zoologists study animals, botanists study plants, and microbiologists study microscopic organisms, including both plant and animal. Some researchers study viruses, bacteria, and other living things that spread diseases. Most biological scientists work in university or government laboratories, but many work in private industry.

Biological scientists must be experts in their specialties, but they must also be able to explain their work to people who are not experts. Sometimes they must convince agencies or companies to fund their work, and sometimes they represent businesses that seek profits from living things. Frequently, biologists must work in teams with engineers, other scientists, technicians, business managers, suppliers, and customers. Most research is expensive, so biologists must be efficient budget managers to control costs. Their work involves using computers and other equipment, such as microscopes, sophisticated measuring instruments, and many types of tools. Although much of the work occurs in laboratories, much of it occurs outside in all types of climates and terrains.

If Biological Science is for you, visit our program at:
http://www.etsu.edu/biology/.

This information came from the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook at http://bls.gov/oco/ocos047.htm. (Retrieved April 17, 2005)

For more information, visit our website at: Biological Sciences.

Life Science, Laboratory, Field Study