[...]... 6 What Can You Do with a Major in Biology? Then we get to the real- life examples of people who majored in bio as undergraduates and are now working in related careers Here we’ll ask them to talk about their lives They’ll explain what they do, why they chose to major in bio, what other training they did, and what they love (and don’t love) about their jobs Do you know you want to major in bio? Or are... enjoyed your high school biology classes, may have even taken Advanced Placement courses, and think you want to major in biology, you may be looking for a curriculum that offers a broader scope of courses In that case you will be looking at programs that provide you with a greater overview of the various fields from which you can choose 7 8 What Can You Do with a Major in Biology? Major Fields of Study and... courses you will take and the fields of study available to you when you major in biology I’ll also give you a little insight into what it will be like when you major in bio, address at least one of the questions asked earlier—that is, is it possible to switch your major? And we’ll talk about other options for you, including majoring in two disciplines and minoring in biology while majoring in something... are you a little mixed up about it? If so, here’s where we hope you can really get some insight into what you can imagine as you are now choosing a major Finally, in the appendix, I’ll provide you with some resources to help you make your decision about whether to major in bio and the kinds of organizations and societies that exist for graduates and professionals After reading this book, I hope you. .. Essentially, that means you are 12 What Can You Do with a Major in Biology? choosing one primary area of study as well as a secondary specialty This will appear on your transcript when you graduate To minor in bio, students are usually required to take the same introductory courses required of majors, including the lab course, a course in genetics, and three other upper-level biology courses In addition,... know going in that you will likely do a lot of writing if you stay in the biology field You should feel comfortable working with data and information because analysis and interpretation are key parts of being a scientist And you should probably feel comfortable working with scientific equipment if you intend to conduct research Again, these can both be learned in high school and advanced studies Apart... is a popular pastime about which I have very strong negative feelings To me, rankings are of little value to students I say that for a number of reasons: (1) the rankings are quite subjective; (2) a high ranking in one major (or even one area of biology) does not necessarily mean a similar ranking in another major or area; (3) you can find little difference between, say a ranking of 25 and 30; and... contribute, what distance is too far from home, and which schools are on and off your acceptable list 21 22 What Can You Do with a Major in Biology? Be a mirror Your child will be looking at a range of schools When she speaks of attending a large university, ask “Remember when you took that large class? Was that the kind of experience that brings out the best in you? ” Or in questioning his interest in a technical... professional Of course, practical knowledge of the fundamentals of biology and other technical areas, such as chemistry and math, is important, and much of that you can pick up in high school But in addition, there are some other areas in which you should feel comfortable For example, you should have good oral and written communication skills since many positions in 18 What Can You Do with a Major in Biology? ... course, you would have to take all of the courses required of the other department in which you are majoring Although that may require a large commitment of time, many students do so successfully If you are considering majoring in a different subject area and minoring in biology, you should speak with an advisor to make sure it is possible at the college you are attending and that you will be able to . but also love other subjects? Can I major in one and minor in another? And just what is a biology major? What courses do I have to take? What can I do after I graduate? How often counselors and. hope you can really get some insight into what you can imagine as you are now choosing a major. Finally, in the appendix, I’ll provide you with some resources to help you make your decision about. why they chose to major in bio, what other training they did, and what they love (and don’t love) about their jobs. Do you know you want to major in bio? Or are you a little mixed up about it? If