Careers in Biology: which degree, which job?

After FSc with Biology

Your book says Biology students understand the many phenomena of life. After FSc with Biology, they can choose further studies for diverse careers. It lists twelve, each with the degree it needs.

Health careers: Medicine and Surgery needs a 5-year MBBS. Dentistry needs a 4-year BDS. Pharmacology needs a BS Pharmacy or a D. Pharm. Physiotherapy needs a 4-year BS in Physical Therapy or Physiotherapy.

Land and animal careers: Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture and Forestry each need a 4-year BS. Farming needs a BS in Agriculture or farming courses. Fisheries and Wildlife need a BS and MS in Zoology, Fisheries or Aquaculture.

Lab careers: Biotechnology and Forensics each need a 4-year BS. A table on p. 10 adds eight more, from Veterinary Medicine to Bioinformatics.

The one number to remember: MBBS is 5 years. BDS and most BS degrees in this list are 4 years.

Key terms

MBBS

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery: the degree for doctors.

BDS

Bachelor of Dental Surgery: the degree for dentists.

Animal Husbandry

Breeding and caring for livestock to improve quality and productivity.

Forensics

Analysing physical evidence from crime scenes.

Short questions with model answers

1. Q1. Short question B3: how is the profession of medicine and surgery different from animal husbandry?

   • Who is served?
   • What is the aim?
   • Which degree?

   Medicine and surgery treat human disease after a 5-year MBBS; animal husbandry breeds and cares for livestock after a 4-year BS.

2. Q2. Horticulture or Forestry: which suits a student who wants to grow flowers and vegetables?

   • Horticulture: fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants.
   • Forestry: manage and conserve forests and wildlife.

   Horticulture, a 4-year BS.

Common mistakes

• ✗ Writing MBBS as a 4-year degree.

  ✓ MBBS is 5 years; BDS is 4 years.

• ✗ Naming MBBS as the degree for Pharmacology.

  ✓ Pharmacology needs a BS Pharmacy or a Doctor of Pharmacy (D. Pharm).

• ✗ Mixing Horticulture with Forestry.

  ✓ Horticulture grows fruits, vegetables and flowers; Forestry conserves forests and wildlife.

MCQs

1. 1. How long is the MBBS degree?

   1. (a) 3 years
   2. (b) 4 years
   3. (c) 5 years
   4. (d) 6 years
   Show answer

   (c) A 5-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (p. 10).

2. 2. Dentists study for a:

   1. (a) 4-year BDS
   2. (b) 5-year MBBS
   3. (c) D. Pharm
   4. (d) MS in Zoology
   Show answer

   (a) Bachelor of Dental Surgery, 4 years (p. 10).

3. 3. Restoring movement with exercise and massage is the work of:

   1. (a) Pharmacologists
   2. (b) Horticulturists
   3. (c) Foresters
   4. (d) Physiotherapists
   Show answer

   (d) Physiotherapy restores physical function (p. 11).

4. 4. Analysing evidence from crime scenes is:

   1. (a) Biotechnology
   2. (b) Forensics
   3. (c) Public Health
   4. (d) Genetic Counselling
   Show answer

   (b) Forensic scientists work in criminal investigations (p. 12).

5. 5. Analysis of biological data using computational tools is the job of:

   1. (a) Bioinformatics
   2. (b) Veterinary Medicine
   3. (c) Forestry
   4. (d) Dentistry
   Show answer

   (a) From the More Careers in Biology table (p. 10).

Quick revision

• FSc with Biology opens careers in health, land and animals, and the lab.
• MBBS is 5 years; BDS and most BS degrees here are 4 years.
• The p. 10 table adds eight more, such as Bioinformatics and Public Health.