High School

High school students interested in a career in biology should take English, biology, physics, chemistry, Latin, geometry, and algebra. English and speech classes will also be useful because biologists prepare reports, write articles for publication in scientific journals, and discuss their findings with colleagues and the public.

Postsecondary Training

Prospective biologists should also obtain broad undergraduate college training. In addition to courses in all phases of biology, useful related courses include organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Modern languages, English, biometrics (the use of mathematics in biological measurements), and statistics are also useful. Courses in computers will be extremely beneficial. Students should take advantage of courses that require laboratory, field, or collecting work.

Nearly all institutions offer undergraduate training in one or more of the biological sciences. These vary from liberal arts schools that offer basic majors in botany and zoology to large universities that permit specialization in areas such as entomology, bacteriology, and physiology at the undergraduate level.

The best way to become a biologist is to earn a bachelor's degree in biology or one of its specialized fields, such as anatomy, bacteriology, botany, ecology, or microbiology. For the highest professional status, a doctorate is required. This is particularly true of top research positions and most higher level college teaching openings. Many colleges and universities offer courses leading to a master's degree and a doctorate. 

Candidates for a doctorate specialize in one of the subdivisions of biology. A number of sources of financial assistance are available to finance graduate work. Most major universities have a highly developed fellowship (scholarship) or assistantship (part-time teaching or research) program.

Organizations, such as the U.S. Public Health Service and the National Science Foundation, make awards to support graduate students. In addition, major universities often hold research contracts or have their own projects that provide part-time and summer employment for undergraduate and graduate students.

Other Education or Training

Keeping up with industry developments is key to success as a biologist. Professional associations at the national, state, and local levels often provide continuing education (CE) opportunities. Here are a few organizations that provide CE classes, seminars, webinars, and workshops: American Institute of Biological Sciences, American Physiological Society, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Plant Biologists, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Botanical Society of America, and the Ecological Society of America. Contact these organizations for more information.

Certification or Licensing

Several professional associations, such as the Ecological Society of America and the American Society for Microbiology, offer voluntary professional certification to biologists.

A state license may be required for biologists who are employed as technicians in general service health organizations, such as hospitals or clinics. To qualify for this license, proof of suitable educational background is necessary.

Any experience one can obtain in the field of biology—such as an internship, volunteering, or a part-time job—will be useful for aspiring biologists.

Biologists must be systematic in their approach to solving the problems that they face. They should have probing, inquisitive minds and an aptitude for biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Patience and imagination are also required since they may spend much time in observation and analysis. Biologists must also have good communication skills in order to effectively gather and exchange data and solve problems that arise in their work.