Biology is the study of life. It encompasses everything that lives including treetops, ocean trenches, ecosystems, organ systems, dinosaurs and DNA. Whether you are an outdoor or indoor person, a team player or solo innovator, or interested in people, animals or plants, there is always something to learn when it comes to biology.
If you are thinking of becoming a biologist, it’s one of the most exciting times to become one. Most biologists are working tirelessly to solve some of the biggest challenges often faced by the planet. Additionally, they are finding new ways to protect the environment, fight disease and feed the growing population. Biologists work in different settings globally such as hospitals, laboratories, classrooms, offices, boats, factories, submarines, airplanes, jungles, museums, caves, forests, cliffs and treetops.
Here are some of the reasons why you should become a biologist today.
1. Protecting The Planet
Environmental managers, ecologists, and conservation biologists always travel around the world documenting the environment and monitoring the impact of global warming. Their job also involves protecting natural habitats from destruction by harmful species as well as rebuilding any damaged ecosystems.
2. Feeding The Hungry
Geneticists, plant scientists and molecular biologists are working tirelessly to improve yields from the best food crops and prevent further destruction by pests, drought and disease. Additionally, biologists also improve nutritional healthy by adding essential vitamins to the food we eat. Toxicologists, on the other hand, ensure that the food we eat is safe.
3. Fuelling Up
There is an ongoing race to find a new and sustainable source of fuel for the future. Biochemists and biotechnologists have combined chemistry and biology as well as new engineering techniques to come up with new sources of energy. As such, they have come up with greener fuels from sunlight, algae and carbon dioxide.
4. Finding The Cure
Biologists work in different health-related environments. Here, they offer their services as physiologists, clinical biologists or pharmacologists. Their job involves developing new medicines and conducting human trials, testing blood and tissue for diseases and also advising medical practitioners on the best treatments for their patients. On the other hand, geneticists are looking for ways by antibody screening and selection to replace defective genes, and restore immune systems and sight.
5. Winning Gold
Physiologists, human biologists and sports scientists focus on the study of human anatomy. Here, they study genes, muscles and joints as well as cell growth. Their job involves uncovering how genetics, diet, environment and culture interact to determine the performance of an athlete or what makes them unique.
6. Updating Their Status
A lot of biologists are working in education, science and communication and their job involves moving biology from the lab to the public. You will find them designing museum exhibits, classrooms, newspaper publications, media engagements and using online tools such as social networks and blogs.
7. Swinging The Vote
Science advisors also work in various political governments. Here, they advise policymakers on various issues such as the contribution of biology to the economy, the prevention of contagious infections and much more.
8. Blurring The Boundaries
Note that, the most exciting work in biology is found at the boundaries with other techniques from physics, chemistry, maths and engineering. Therefore, biologists also get involved in other disciplinaries such as;
- Biochemistry- Here, they investigate the chemical processes of life where biology is combined with chemistry to understand life at a cellular and molecular level.
- Bio-maths and computational biology – Here, they rely on mathematical techniques to solve biological problems.
- Biotechnology – it involves combining biology with chemistry and engineering to come up with biology-based technologies.
- Biophysics – It involves the use of physics to understand the structure and movement of anything as well as answer biological questions.
- Bioengineering – It involves the combination of biological knowledge and engineering to produce innovative products.
Final Thoughts
Study biology at the university to gain valuable skills, knowledge and experience. You can use these skills in different career paths to improve life in general.