Biologist
Job overview
Biology is the scientific study of living things.
What do people do in this job?
Biologists study all aspects of living organisms, including the relationship between animals and plants and their environment.
They undertake research on the origin, relationships, development, derivation, anatomy, functions, heredity and other basic characteristics of plant, animal and microbial life.
An individual biologist usually specialises in research on the development of a specific plant, animal, insect or micro-organism.
Biologists?'? work covers:-
The study of the origin, development, physiology, reproduction, distribution, interdependence, classification and other aspects of plants.
The botanist?'?s field of specialisation can include plant morphology, plant ecology, economic botany and plant genetics.
The study of the origin, development, physiology, reproduction, distribution, interdependence, behaviour, classification and other aspects of animals.
Fields of specialisation are morphology, taxonomy, genetics, zoogeography, embryology, behavioural studies and aquaculture.
The study of insects. Research can be in the fields of taxonomy, behaviour, insect pest control, etc.
The study of the chemical building blocks and components of living organisms.
A biochemist examines the structure and functions of chemical compounds in all living organisms -? ?plants, animals, insects, viruses and microbes.
He/she studies aspects such as metabolism, and interrelationships between structures.
The study of micro-organisms that play important roles in disease, food manufacturing, spoilage of perishable foods etc.
The microbiologist can specialise in food microbiology, industrial microbiology, soil microbiology, plant pathology and medical microbiology.
Many microbiologists and biochemists are involved in research and development of new or improved products e.g. food and biotechnological and pharmaceutical products.
What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Biologists must obviously have an interest in biological science and be observant, patient and able to work accurately and in a determined, disciplined way.
What qualifications are needed?
At least a BSc with major components in one of botany, zoology, entomology, biochemistry or microbiology, preferably reinforced by postgraduate studies concentrating on one of these sub-disciplines.
