Thread: Bio degree

Does anyone here have a degree of any kind in biology? I developed an interest in education reform while getting a bachelor’s degree in biology at Emory University (along with 40 credit hours in history). I have a model baccalaureate curriculum designed for biology and would like to get some input from others that have a biology background.

I have a double major in biology and geology; I currently work in paleontology, a branch of biology (since I do comparative anatomy as a profession).

I got it in Canada, what country are you in?

I only have a PhD in biology and several years of postdoc experience.

Don't know shit about teaching though because I am in one of those 'modern' research only institutes.

Originally Posted by spuriousmonkey

I only have a PhD in biology and several years of postdoc experience.

ONLY?

I have been to school for 5 years..taking German, Spanish, History, Biology, Drama...a mixed bag of schooling...I want to focus now and get a degree in biology..but would it be fruitful to do so?..I want to do research and I'm afraid I won't be able to get a job...

I got a job. It's not that bad finding a job just make sure you don't go into a stagnant field as far as jobs are concerned.

Originally Posted by mormoopid

I got a job. It's not that bad finding a job just make sure you don't go into a stagnant field as far as jobs are concerned.

genetic research...? cancer research...? wait..you're in Canada..what you say probably doesn't apply to the States..

Don't be silly of course it affects the states. All the stuff you listed above happens in both countries and even, believe it or not, in other countires too!

I'm a palaeontologist. The USA has more palaeontologists employed than any country. I'm guessing you didn't look anything up though.

Originally Posted by mormoopid

Don't be silly of course it affects the states. All the stuff you listed above happens in both countries and even, believe it or not, in other countires too!

I'm a palaeontologist. The USA has more palaeontologists employed than any country. I'm guessing you didn't look anything up though.

Nope..I neglected to do my research...thanks for setting me straight cowboy!

I have an undergrad degree in biology and I just started working on my PhD in evolutionary anthropology this year.

Gottspieler, there are a variety of jobs you can get in scientific research, but the another question is whether or not you want to be an assistant or technician, or whether you want to plan and direct your own research. I was able to secure a decent job as an assistant in genetics with just a bachelor's degree, but it was not easy, even though I'd had over a year of experience working in labs at school for credit. For most places they wanted someone with more experience than that. If this is what you want to do, start volunteering to work in a lab at your school ASAP, and amass as much experience as you can.

Directing your own research is a whole other ballgame; it's a long road to a very competitive field, and especially with the current economy securing funding for yourself won't be easy in the coming years. But perhaps by the time you get to that point things will be a little better. I'm hoping that's the case for me.

I have 4 months left until graduation, gah. I feel old, but It's getting near the finish line.

Originally Posted by i_feel_tiredsleepy

I have 4 months left until graduation, gah. I feel old, but It's getting near the finish line.

I'm 24. I've been in school since '03 with nothing to show for it. I have another semester to go before even obtaining my associate's degree so that I can transfer to UNC Charlotte to major in Bio. It took me nearly 5 years to decide upon a major but you know what? I feel that the time I spent contemplating my future..the experience of taking many classes from different disciplines, the extra time I've had to discover myself and the world on my own will work to my benefit. I know many doctors and nurses who are highly intelligent but know no foreign languages, nothing about genes, little about rare diseases. Many unfortunately never think "outside the box", they are rather specialists in what they do. There is nothing wrong with this, except that interdisciplinary studies can open up new windows of insight into different aspects of the problems posed to us, especially by disease. You might argue that such research is done by, well medical researchers...and that's true....but if you've ever seen mystery diagnosis you know that general practitioners and even medical specialists often neglect to discover what's wrong with people when they encounter problems that they've never seen before, yet could have possibly read about if they had taken the time. You may argue that rare diseases are..well rare. Of course, but there are many kinds of rare diseases and there is a good chance that doctors will encounter quite a few of these problems in their lifetimes.