Certificate in Biology

A degree in Biology can open up several career paths for students. The discipline focuses on concepts relating to the scientific processes that come into play within living things and ecosystems. The students are able to acquire knowledge on the function and growth of living organisms through botany, marine biology and zoology that prepare them to take up positions in respective fields. Some of the common jobs that graduates can pursue are those of teachers, biotechnologists, research biologists and veterinarians.

What Biologists Do
Research biologists study the natural world using scientific tools and techniques in order to understand how various living systems work while biotechnologists attempt to bring about technological advances and develop products associated with food science and medicine. The ones who specialize in Biology learn about the relationships between organisms and their environments. Botany is another subdivision of biology that focuses on examining plants and their environments.

Biology Programs
Biology degree programs are offered from the associate to doctorate levels. The undergraduate programs provide learners with the fundamentals of biology and prepare students for entry-level positions in scientific research facilities or labs. The advanced programs allow students to gain in-depth knowledge and choose a specialty area such as zoology or botany.

Some online schools also offer degrees in biology. The distance learning programs are more flexible compared to programs offered at the brick and mortar schools. They can be very suitable for the ones engaged in part-time or full-time jobs or those who want to switch careers.

Coursework
The curriculum in the biology programs includes lab work in addition to classroom-based learning. Some of the courses of study students can pursue are cells and membranes, genetics, human biology, organic molecules, electrophoresis and ecology. Students can also pursue courses in animals, bacteria, viruses, biochemistry, immunology, marine biology and evolutionary biology. The curriculum is subject to the program level and the specialization area.

Certificate in Biology
In addition to degree programs, a number of certificate programs are also available in biology. These programs are designed for working professionals seeking to upgrade their knowledge and skills to expand their career prospects. As the competition in the job market is getting fierce, a certificate can be very useful to secure the best jobs.

Students can enroll in the full-time or part-time certificate programs and work while continuing their education. Online schools also offer certificates in biology, allowing students to earn valuable credentials maintaining the balance between their work and play.

Employment Opportunities
Employment of biological technicians is predicted to grow 14% during the next decade, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. The demand is rising due to the advancements in biotechnology research. Students with a biology education can find positions as biochemists, biophysicists, science writers or teacher. They can find jobs in colleges, universities, vocational schools, pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, research and development in the physical, engineering as well as life sciences. Most biological technicians work full-time. They can make between $24,000 and $62,000 a year. The ones who want to find the best jobs should gain laboratory experience, either through coursework or previous work experience.

States with the highest employment level in this occupation:

State	Employment	Employment per thousand jobs	Location quotient	Hourly mean wage	Annual mean wage
California	1660	0.11	1.26	18.13	37720
Florida	1130	0.14	1.68	17.97	37370
Illinois	960	0.16	1.92	17.9	37240
Texas	760	0.07	0.78	16.62	34570
New York	650	0.07	0.85	20.12	41840

Source: bls.gov