Department of Biological Sciences

Biology Overview

Special thanks to Theo Schultz for his assistance in producing this part of our website.

What do biologists do?

There are several career paths you can follow as a biologist, including:

Research: Research biologists study the natural world, using the latest scientific tools and techniques in both laboratory settings and the outdoors, to understand how living systems work. Many work in exotic locations around the world, and what they discover increases our understanding of biology and may be put to practical use to find solutions to specific problems.

Applied: Many biologists have jobs doing biology. Department of Natural Resources workers, field workers for research projects, genetic technicians, greenhouse managers, workers in zoos and aquaria: All of these are ways in which a biology major is applied to solving a problem.

Health care: Biologists may develop public health campaigns to defeat illnesses such as tuberculosis, AIDS, cancer, and heart disease. Others work to prevent the spread of rare, deadly diseases, such as the now infamous Ebola virus. Veterinarians tend to sick and injured animals, and doctors, dentists, nurses, and other health care professionals maintain the general health and well being of their patients.

Environmental management and conservation: Biologists in management and conservation careers are interested in solving environmental problems and preserving the natural world for future generations. Park rangers protect state and national parks, help preserve their natural resources, and educate the general public. Zoo biologists carry out endangered species recovery programs. In addition, management and conservation biologists often work with members of a community such as landowners and special interest groups to develop and implement management plans.

Education: Life science educators enjoy working with people and encouraging them to learn new things. Employment opportunities include:

New directions in biological careers: There are many careers for biologists who want to combine their scientific training with interests in other fields. Here are some examples:

  • Biotechnology: Biologists apply scientific principles to develop and enhance products, tools, and technological advances in fields such as agriculture, food science, and medicine.
  • Forensic science: Forensic biologists work with police departments and other law enforcement agencies using scientific methods to discover and process evidence that can be used to solve crimes.
  • Politics and policy: Science advisors work with lawmakers to create new legislation on topics such as biomedical research and environmental protection. Their input is essential, ensuring that decisions are based upon solid science.
  • Business and industry: Biologists work with drug companies and providers of scientific products and services to research and test new products. They also work in sales, marketing, and public relations positions.
  • Economics: Trained professionals work with the government and other organizations to study and address the economic impacts of biological issues, such as species extinctions, forest protection, and environmental pollution.
  • Mathematics: Biologists in fields such as bioinformatics and computational biology apply mathematical techniques to solve biological problems, such as modeling ecosystem processes and gene sequencing.
  • Science writing and communication: Journalists and writers with a science background inform the general public about relevant and emerging biological issues.
  • Art: The illustrations in your biology textbook, as well as in newspaper and magazine science articles, were created by talented artists with a thorough understanding of biology.

If you are interested in learning more about nontraditional science careers, see Guide to Non-Traditional Careers in Science. There you can find the experiences of nearly 100 scientists along with case studies and career options. The guide is organized by profession and includes one-on-one interviews, job-hunting advice, and comprehensive lists of resources.

Please stop by Waggoner 372 or call (309) 298-1546 to see one of the biology advisors or go to http://www.aibs.org/careers/ for more information about being a biology major.

How can I prepare for a career in biology?

If you are interested in becoming a biologist, there are some things you can do along the way to prepare yourself.

In high school

  • Take courses in math and science. Biologists need a solid understanding of math, chemistry, physics, and of course biology. Taking these courses in high school will provide you with an excellent background and allow you to explore what scientists do.
  • Talk to biologists. If you are interested in a health care career, visit doctors or veterinarians and ask for a moment to talk to them about their careers. If you are interested in outdoor work, talk to park rangers, land managers, and other professionals in your area.
  • Explore your college options. Deciding where to go to college and what to study can be a daunting task. Research schools of interest. Talk to your guidance counselor, as well as to admissions counselors, faculty, and current students at these schools. There are excellent programs at a wide range of institutions, from large research universities to small liberal arts and community colleges.
  • Have fun! While studies are important, remember to get out and enjoy yourself as well. Participate in any extracurricular activities of interest: a school club, a science fair, a sports team, or volunteer work. You'll learn teamwork while developing leadership and social skills, making you stand out not only as a future biologist but also as an individual.

In college

  • Talk to your advisor. Your faculty advisor or guidance counselor is a great source of information for advice on classes to take, career path options, and job opportunities.
  • Consider how long you want to be in school. For some biology jobs, a two-year college degree is sufficient. But most life science careers require at least a bachelor's degree and often an advanced degree, such as a master's degree. Research jobs typically require a doctorate, which may take five or six years of intense and demanding training.
  • Ask your professors about part-time jobs. Many professors hire student assistants to help with library, field, and laboratory research. Not only will you earn some money and experience, but you'll also develop a professional relationship with someone who can give you career advice and write letters of recommendation.
  • Find summer internships. Internships are a good way to learn about a career, make contacts, and gain experience in biology. Some internships may provide opportunities to do an original research project — a very rewarding experience that will show you how science works and get you thinking about graduate school.

Why You Should Consider the WIU Biology Department

News Release December 2014: WIU Biology Graduates Excel in Medical Fields

Few biology departments offer research and field experiences to undergraduates - a strength of our department is our commitment to undergraduate research. If you want to do research, we have several ways you can get involved. Look into our Honor's program and the RISE Program. Talk to an individual faculty member about taking an Independent Study (Biology 477) with her or him. Ask a faculty member if you can volunteer. Work in the herbarium.

Faculty diversity and experience

Most of our faculty members hold Ph.D. degrees and have active, productive research programs.Our faculty work with undergraduate and master's students to help them excel in their learning and research and research activities. Our faculty study a diverse spectrum of biological disciplines:

  • Botany and Mycology
    • Plant Ecology
    • Fire Ecology
    • Algal Ecology and Systematics
    • Fungal Infection of Plants and Animals
  • Microbiology
    • Molecular Biology
    • Virology
    • Industrial Microbiology
    • Archaea
  • ZoologyScience Education
    • Invertebrate Biology
    • Vertebrate Biology
    • Animal Ecology
    • Evolutionary Biology
    • Human Biology

Commitment to undergraduate education

  • Our courses are taught by faculty members, not graduate students.
  • Our institution has an active faculty advisor program and an active career advising/career development program.
  • The comprehensive university environment of WIU provides a curriculum which includes a variety of courses that provide a strong background in the natural and social sciences, humanities, and writing, while still allowing students to pursue their individual interests.
  • We have libraries with Internet access to biology journals, and easily accessible computer labs for student use.

Research opportunities for undergraduates

  • Faculty welcome students into their research groups as part-time workers, interns, and research assistants (see our Faculty page).
  • Opportunities are available for undergraduates to pursue independent research projects (see our Faculty page).
  • Our diverse department offers many field and laboratory opportunities for students to pursue biology research.

What is the job outlook for the future?

While there will always be a need for bright, energetic, and educated individuals with a strong understanding of biology, opportunities vary depending on the status of local and national economies. For current job outlook information, check the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published every two years by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The handbook is searchable by topic, and there are over 45 job descriptions that match the keyword "biology."
Job growth is expected in a number of areas, biotechnology and molecular biology in particular. Business leaders have begun to address the issue of creating more science and technology jobs in the United States to prevent them from being exported. For more information, take a look at the report (in PDF format)  Tapping America's Potential: The Education for Innovation Challenge. Also, the number of openings in federal government agencies charged with managing natural resources, such as the Interior and Agriculture Departments and the Environmental Protection Agency, is expected to grow; see the report (in PDF format)  Federal Natural Resources Agencies Confront an Aging Workforce and Challenges to Their Future Roles. These openings will become available as many senior-level biologists and life scientists retire in the coming years.

What are the salaries for biologists?

Salaries may vary greatly depending on geographic location, job type, experience and education. Higher salaries may be found in private research companies and government agencies where you may have more job security, advancement opportunities, and independence in your work. While jobs in nonprofit groups or academic institutions may in general have lower salaries, many biologists find great personal reward in working for an organization that is affecting change and has an emphasis on teamwork and collaboration.

Where can I find more information about people who have become biologists?

If you think there's one type of person who becomes a biologist, think again. People with diverse talents are drawn to careers in biology for many reasons. Get to know a few and you'll see. Here are links to profiles of biologists in a variety of fields who come from a wide range of backgrounds:

Where can I find more information and job postings for biology-related careers?

General career development and job hunting sites:

Internship listings

Museum Studies - Illinois Region

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs