Selachophobia, the fear of sharks, is a widespread phobia, even though sharks kill far fewer people each year than elephants, bees, crocodiles or lightning. According to the International Shark Attack File, out of the approximately 50-75 people attacked by sharks worldwide each year, 8-12 people die. Sharks are a popular focus of research in marine biology, one of many biological disciplines you can study in graduate school.
Types of master's degrees in biology
Biology is the study of life, making it a vast field with multiple career options. Many master degree programs offer specializations, including the following branches of biology:
- Botany
- Entomology
- Marine biology
- Microbiology
- Physiology
- Virology
Dozens of specializations exist, and new ones are regularly added. Recent additions in the field of medicine include bioengineering and stem cell research. Graduate programs award master of arts or master of science degrees in biology. The greatest difference between the two involves the research thesis: An M.A. usually does not require one while an M.S. usually does.
Career options in biology
While most full-time academic university jobs require a Ph.D., the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that master's degrees in biology can qualify you for jobs in the government, private industry or non-profit agencies as well as non-academic university positions such as research. To teach in public high schools, you will need to earn a teaching certification in addition to your degree.
Biology career outlook
Although the BLS expects below average growth for many occupations in the field between 2010 and 2020, industries such as marketing, publishing and research management should provide additional jobs for biology graduates. In addition, the field of health care continues to expand. The BLS reports the following 2010 median salary estimates and anticipated 2010-2020 growth rates for related positions:
- Animal scientists: $58,250; 12.8 percent
- Biological technicians: $39,020; 13.5 percent
- Microbiologists: $65,920; 13.3 percent
- Other biological scientists: $68,220; 6.3 percent
- Technical writers: $63,280; 17.2 percent
- Zoologists or wildlife biologists: $57,430; 7.4 percent
Doctoral programs are available for those seeking high-level positions, especially in academia. Advanced interdisciplinary studies such as biochemistry or biophysics typically result in a doctoral or professional degree, and growth is expected to be faster than average in these careers.
Whether you want to work with sharks, insects or viruses, now is an excellent time to go back to school. Online master's degrees in biology offer scheduling flexibility that makes it easier to maintain your current obligations while you advance your education.
Selachophobia, the fear of sharks, is a widespread phobia, even though sharks kill far fewer people each year than elephants, bees, crocodiles or lightning. According to the International Shark Attack File, out of the approximately 50-75 people attacked by sharks worldwide each year, 8-12 people die. Sharks are a popular focus of research in marine biology, one of many biological disciplines you can study in graduate school.
Types of master's degrees in biology
Biology is the study of life, making it a vast field with multiple career options. Many master degree programs offer specializations, including the following branches of biology:
- Botany
- Entomology
- Marine biology
- Microbiology
- Physiology
- Virology
Dozens of specializations exist, and new ones are regularly added. Recent additions in the field of medicine include bioengineering and stem cell research. Graduate programs award master …
