EVERYTHING You Need to Know About Studying Biology (incl. Survey)

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Becoming a Biologist – the path to science!

Biology is one of the most diverse and interesting study pathways to embark on within the field of science. It can be studied and worked on alone or linked in to other scientific subjects – think biochemistry, forensics, or biomedical science.

Study of biology can also take you down hundreds of career paths, as it’s useful in so many areas – everything from pharmacy and nursing through to medical device development or even Quality Assurance and laboratory management.

I think I want to study Biology – how do I get started and carry on?

The most straightforward route into a job in biology is through studying – school, college and then university. Biology is a demanding but rewarding subject, if you have the drive and passion for it, and good GCSE and A-level results can be the foundation for an undergraduate place.

Choice of A-level subjects will also be looked at – scientific ones are obviously most useful, but don’t underestimate the importance of maths and English! Both skills are used heavily in biological disciplines to calculate experiment requirements and produce detailed plans and reports.

Most universities have several courses in biological sciences and related subjects, often with options to gain knowledge in other scientific fields alongside the core subject. A BSc qualification can take between 3 and 4 years to obtain, and gap year work is often available should you wish to take a break from academia and gain some practical experience.

After graduation, further specialisation is possible through higher level study – usually Masters and PhD courses. These will vary in length dependent on the particular subject chosen, but are typically another 3-6 years of study.

Examples of well-known universities (aside from the obvious Oxford and Cambridge pair!) that offer excellent biology courses are:

Newcastle University
Northumbria University
Liverpool St John’s
Imperial College London
University of Manchester
Durham University
St Andrew’s

Don’t fancy a purely academic route? Some colleges or universities can offer biology courses in a more practical and job-orientated way, and some workplaces may offer a “day release” style arrangement which allows the student to work while obtaining qualifications.

If time is the issue, or you want to study but want to keep your job, then it may be possible to study a degree via a distance learning course. Several educational institutions offer these, but perhaps the best-known and most specialised is the Open University.

The OU has been offering correspondence courses since its inception, and degrees can be tailored (via a module-pick option) to the student around the subject needs and time requirements. This does not mean that OU study is easy – but it does mean that those who need to keep working alongside their studies can do so.

So what kind of areas will I study during a biology degree?

The answer to this question is “lots”! Courses are generally broken down into modules, each with its own topics, coursework, and tests. There are too many to simply list, so here’s a few examples:

Human physiology
Vertebrate and invertebrate physiology
Immunology
Microbiology
Genetics
Plant Sciences
Cell Biology
Evolution
Neurobiology
Biochemistry
Ecology

These subjects will become more complex during undergraduate study, and should you decide to pursue further qualifications you will have the option to become more specialised in your field of study. Cell Biology or Health and Disease are examples of more specialised courses for further study.

General tips for studying Biology

At the moment, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by the amount of information regarding biology courses that’s being thrown at you. Not to worry – here’s a few failsafe guidelines for helping you get through your years of study!

Firstly, try and sort your living arrangements and work shifts to maximise your studying potential. Look at all scenarios carefully – everything from “don’t attend a party the night before your exams” to “put all the bills on Direct Debit to avoid hassle”. This is obviously personal to each student so an exhaustive list is not possible, but it’s well worth considering this before you start the academic year!

Be organised - don’t try and tackle everything all at once!

Break assignments and revision into bitesize chunks.
Do a timetable if necessary.

Remember all the resources available to you

Internet, library, lecturers, books.
Pool your knowledge with other students! You’re all in the same boat after all.

Do your prep work for practical sessions to get the most out of them. The more you know, the more you’ll learn.

If you don’t know, ask! There’s no such thing as a stupid question.

And last, but not least – plan in some rest and relaxation time! Yes, college and university are not easy, but if you work yourself into the ground then you won’t ever be at your best. Socialise, exercise, and get out there and live.

After Graduation – into the wide work of work!

So – congratulations! You studied hard, and you got through university, and gained a qualification of your choice. Great work... but where to go from here?

Biology qualifications can open up a massive range of job opportunities, the most obvious of which is to become a Biologist. Public sector labs, university labs, and private sector labs employ biologists in various job roles – when checking ads, read carefully as a job that is not immediately described as a biologist role may turn out to be suitable for someone with a biology-related degree.

Quite often, fresh biology graduates will become employed in labs as Technicians or Junior Scientists or Junior Science Officers. These roles take the skills learned in university and apply them to the world of work, in areas that are relevant to the employing company. For example, a technician in a histology lab would be using slide staining techniques, while one in a tissue lab would be using culture techniques. Technician salaries can be anything from £16k per year to £21k per year dependent on employer and location within the UK.

Progression within the biological science sector would usually lead to a Senior Technician, Scientist or Scientific Officer role. This would usually involve planning experiments for the lab, analysing data generated by technicians or other scientists, and can also include training newer members of staff. Scientist/Scientific Officer salaries can range from £18k to £27k upwards, dependent on employer and location within the UK.

Possible further career developments from Scientist level could include progression to Senior Scientist, Senior Scientific Officer, or Laboratory Supervisor, or diverge into areas such as Staff Trainer. Career development paths will usually be very specific to the employer involved.

(Please note that the above figures are based on industry salaries. Research salaries can vary depending on grants and funding, and can often be contract-based rather than permanent vacancies.)

But I’ve done loads in the lab and I want something different now – is there anything else I can do with my Biology degree?

The answer is YES – biology as a subject is tied into so many different occupations that the opportunities can be endless! Let’s detail a few job prospects that aren’t lab-based but may be suitable for a biologist to move into...

Nursing or healthcare.
- May involve further study or on-the-job training, but definitely linked to biology and vacancies are often advertised.
Quality Assurance and Auditing.
- Laboratory and scientific knowledge are an absolute bonus when it comes to QA and general lab standards work. - Possibility for further progression into ISO auditing
Teaching.
- Will require further study (PGCE qualification) but is a great role for those who love to work with people and like to see skills and knowledge passed on. - In the words of the TV advert – those who can, teach! On a related note, lecturing. - Often Masters level or PhD students will be asked to lecture and present to undergraduates, but it’s also a good job to consider if you enjoy it.
Data analyst.
- Some labs employ people to study their data in-depth, looking for trends and patterns and outliers. - You may also be called upon to completely interpret and present said data. - Good for those who like data but maybe not the messy side of lab work.
Public education.
- Some attractions around the UK, such as the Centre for Life in Newcastle, are heavily science-based and may also run workshops for the public to gain more knowledge about the world of science. A biology graduate would be perfect for this!
Scientific writing.
- Scientific journals will always need articles, and there is the possibility that if you take up some freelance work it may lead to a more permanent writing role.

Unfortunately, the job market can be volatile at times, and if your contract comes to an end or your project doesn’t get extra funding, you may find yourself out of a job. Not to worry – the skills you learn during your studies can carry you through a variety of jobs!

Administration or temp-ing.
- Organisational and report writing skills will serve you well here! Many offices take temporary staff on at busy times.
Library assistant.
- Put those indexing skills you learned at university to good use and help current students in the process.
Freelancing.
- As stated above, scientific journals always need articles! Check freelancing sites for other jobs that might utilise your skillset.
Further study?
- Maybe this is the time to develop your skills further, either by going back to university or taking advantage of some free courses. Check out your local college or the Open University website – they have lots of free online courses.

Above all? Keep looking! Biology jobs do come up on job boards and through agencies. Don’t give up!