What is Biology?

Biology encompasses the study of Biological Sciences, which is effectively the study and characterization of living organisms. This includes animals, plants, and even smaller organisms such as bacteria, which are not visible to the naked eye. The five basic principles of biology in academia today are: cell theory, gene theory, evolution, homeostasis, and the laws of thermodynamics.

One can enter into various specializations within a biology degree at the undergraduate level - generally categorized as General Biology, Cellular, Molecular and Genetic Biology, Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation Biology, Neurobiology, Quantitative Biology – or entering dual-degrees such as Bio-engineering, Chemical Biology etc.

However, in order to study biology, one must be prepared to also explore a bit of chemistry, physics, and mathematics during their undergraduate degree course.

What can one do with a degree in Biology?

Studying the biological sciences trains students to develop good curious, investigative minds – which can be invaluable to potential employers.

For this reason, one can enter a variety of fields after completing an undergraduate degree – working in research, laboratories, hospitals, and field clinics. Other options allow for biologists to enter different fields, which can utilize their specialized skills: including journalism and environmentalism.

Graduate school options abound for those with undergraduate degrees in some tract of Biology: Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, Veterinarian schools; also options are specialized degrees in zoology, environmental biology, geology, meteorology, cellular biology, and forensics.

Some famous Biologists:

Sir Alexander Fleming, Scottish biologist, pharmacologist, and botanist – best known for his discovery of the antibiotic – penicillin (MBBS; St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School London, U.K.). Charles Darwin, 19^th century British naturalist best known for his theory of evolution (BA; University of Cambridge, (incomplete medical degree from the University of Edinburgh, U.K.).