Name ____________________________________________ Date ______________ Period _____________________
Careers in Biotechnology
Directions: Carry this paper with you as you travel through the biotechnology career gallery
walk. Each stop focuses on a different biotechnology jobs. Read the information at each stop
and fill in the required information in the box.
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My conclusions from the gallery walk: ________________________________________________
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What biotechnology job would you most enjoy doing and why? _____________________________
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What biotechnology job would you least enjoy doing and why? ____________________________
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Genetic Counselor
Description
Genetic Councilors act as a liaison between doctors and patients.
Genetic Counselors are used in different situations:
1.
Before conception: If one or both parents carry a certain trait.
2. During pregnancy: If an abnormality is seen in an ultrasound or a woman is older than 35 years old.
3. After birth: If the baby has a birth defect.
4. Childhood: If a child has developmental delays.
5. Adulthood: If an adult is experience symptoms for adult-onset genetic conditions.
Education
Minimum education – Master’s Degree (M.A. or M.s.)
Coursework typical while obtaining degree: clinical genetics, population genetics, cytogenetic, molecular
genetics, psychosocial theory, ethics and counseling techniques.
Salary
$45,000 - $65,000 per year
Median Base in the United States: $54,755 per year
Median Base in 10 selected NC cities: $53,355 per year
Base Range in 10 Selected North Carolina Cities: $49,702 to $60,181 per year
Immunologist
Description
Immunologist is a branch of medicine that deals with disease immunity, and immunologists are
research scientists or practicing specialists who study, analyze and/or treat disease processes that
involve the immune system.
Education
Minimum education – Doctorate (Ph.D. or M.D.)
Immunologist must have a strong knowledge of the field of biology, chemistry and mathematics. It is
beneficial if they have an understanding of computers, electronics, management skills, deductive
reasoning and good at communication.
Scientific research immunologists are required to have a Ph.D. Physicians and pediatricians are required
to have an M.D. and at least three years of primary care residence training and along with two to three
years of specialty training.
Salary
$50,000 - $200,000 per year
Salary depends on the branch and location of immunology job. In most cases, those working in hospitals
or private companies have higher salaries.
The median salary in 2006 for an immunologist in Baltimore and Washington D.C., were $126,000 $121,000 per year. While the median salary in Las Angeles, California were $141,000 to $152,000.
Entomologist
Description
Entomologists are scientist that study insects. They have many important jobs that include the
study of classification, life cycle, distribution, physiology, behavior, ecology and population dynamics
of insects.
Education
Minimum education – Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. or B.S.)
Coursework typical while obtaining degree include classes in math and science (biology, zoology, botany,
ecology and chemistry). They should be familiar with the steps of scientific method. Many
entomologists receive their general undergraduate degree in biology or zoology and then specialize in
entomology at the postgraduate level. Research positions in universities, the government and industrial
organizations require either a master’s degree or a Ph.D. For individuals interested in leading a
research team or teaching at the university level, a Ph.D. is required.
Salary
$25,000 -= $75,000 per year
Average Entry-Level:
Average: $47,740 per year
$29,260 per year
Average Higher-Level:
$71,270 per year
Possible Jobs
Research Opportunities: Integrated pest management helps develop suitable pest control techniques to
keep pests below economically and environmentally injurious levels.
Teaching Positions: Colleges or non-profit educational institutions.
Government Work: U.S. regulatory entomologist help prevent the entrance of harmful, destructive
pests from foreign countries. Pest control on military and government property.
Commercial Sector Work: Field-service work, research, insect-control services, insecticide sales,
&pest control.
Animal Behaviorist
Description
Animal behaviorists study the behaviors and everything an animal does. They study everything
from single-celled organisms, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, retiles, birds to mammals. Animal
behaviorists study the relationships of animals and their environment, as well as other
organisms.
Education
Minimum education – Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. or B.S.)
Some jobs require only an undergraduate degree, but most require advanced degrees, such as a
graduate or doctorate degree.
Salary
$30,000 - $100,000 per year
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, animal behaviorists earned an average salary of
$61,640 as of May 2008.
Career opportunities
Government & Private Research Institutions: Many work in health research for drug companies or
government laboratories.
College Teaching and Research: Conduct independent research.
Zoos and Aquariums: Help with improving the health and reproduction of animals.
Conservation Groups, Museums: Hired as curators or researchers
Microbiologist
Description
Microbiologist study living organisms that are invisible to the naked eye, such as bacteria and
fungi. Although viruses are not living, they are also studied by microbiologists.
Education
Minimum education – Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. or B.S.)
Coursework typical while obtaining degree varies depending on expected job.
Salary
$20,000 - $100,000 per year
Beginners with bachelor’s degree: $20,000 (increase with experience)
Beginners with doctoral degree: $40,000 (increase with experience)
Median Salary for beginning microbiologist with Ph.D.: $38,000
After five to eight years: $70,000
More than eight years: $80,000
Career Opportunities
Hospital/Clinical Laboratories: Work to identify disease-causing bacteria that affect or could
potentially affect patients. Also assist in preventing the spread of disease by containing and treating it.
Food Industry: They work with the food supply that is later distributed to stories.
Environmental: Study how organisms function and react in the environment.
Research Laboratories: Study and test bacteria and other organisms in controlled environments to
better understand them.
Teaching: Lecturing at community colleges and universities.
Zoologist
Description
Zoologists are life scientists who study animals, observing them in the laboratory and in their
natural habitat.
Education
Minimum education – Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. or B.S.)
Students wanting a career in zoology need strong mathematical skills and should like working with
computers. Should be able to work well with others and have good oral and written communication
skills. Although there are career opportunities that require only a bachelor’s degree, but many
require a master’s degree or a Ph.D.
Salary
$30,000 - $80,000 per year
Initial Stage Average Salary: $30,000 - $45,000 per year
After 5 years of experience: $40,000 - $55,000 per year
After 10 years of experience: $45,000 - $65,000 per year
Senior Zoologist (20+ years): $55,000 - $80,000 per year
Typical Job Duties
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Monitoring wildlife healthier and creating recovery plans
Communicating with the public
Setting up equipment to monitor and collect pollutants from sites
Conducting experimental studies indoors and outdoors
Studying the origin, interrelationships, classifications, life histories, disease, development,
genetics and distribution of organisms in basic research.
Quality Control
Associate
Description
Quality control Associates carry out testing and analysis to ensure that biomedical research
studies and biomedical products meet specifications and regulatory guidelines. Before products
can be released to the public and be allowed to directly impact people’s lives, strict Food and
Drug Administration regulations must be followed and documented at every step.
Education
Minimum education – Associate Degree (A.A., A.S., or AAS)
One path to a career as a QC associate is to obtain an Associate Degree in Applied Science (AAS)
from a community college. Areas of specialization might include agricultural, biotechnology,
industrial pharmaceutical or bioprocess technology. Some choose to attend a four-year college or
university, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in chemistry or biology or a more targeted degree
such as biochemistry, microbiology or biopharmaceutical science.
Salary
General Entry-Level Salary Range: $40,000 - $50,000 per year
Career Opportunities
Quality Control Associates often are employed by biomanufacturing or biopharmaceutical companies
when products are created in sterile, or “clean room,” environments. The product might be a
vaccine, a medicine or an enzyme used in food production.
Marine Biologist
Description
The field of marine biology – the study of aquatic organisms, their behaviors and their
interactions with the environment – is considered one of the most all-encompassing fields of
oceanography.
Education
Minimum education – Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. or B.S.)
Preparatory courses: Biology, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics, Biometrics, Mathematics, Statistics &English
Since there are so many offered degrees in marine biology, it would be good to refer to the University
Curricula in the Marine Sciences and Related Fields and contact the schools that interest you to learn
more about the specific programs and degrees they offer. A bachelor’s or master’s degree usually is
required for most entry-level marine biology research jobs, though a Ph.D. usually is required to carry
out independent research in biology.
Salary
$30,000 - $110,000 per year
Starting Salary (less than a year of experience): $33,000 per year
Mean Salary: $55,000 per year
Private Industry: > $80,000 per year
Government, academic and nonprofit: $60,000 - $70,000 per year
>30 years experience median salary: $103,000 per year
Food Biotechnology
Description
Food Biotechnologist use genetic engineering techniques to create foods with desirable traits,
such as resistance to pests. They also use chemistry, microbiology, engineering and other
sciences to analyze food content (such as vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein), discovering new
food sources, research ways to make processed foods safer and healthier, as well as applying
food science knowledge to determine the best ways to process, package, preserve, store and
distribute food.
Education
Minimum education – Graduate Degree
Training requirements depend on your specialty and on the type of work performed.
Salary
$51,220 per year
Entry Annual Wage: $31,230
Experienced Annual Wage: $74,390
North Carolina Metropolitan Areas Wages
Region
Average
Entry Level
Experienced
Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill NC-SC MSA $47,960 or $23.06/hr $38,990 or $18.74/hr $61,880 or $29.75/hr
Raleigh-Cary MSA
North Carolina Geographical Areas Wages
$55,000 or $26.44/hr $37,700 or $18.12/hr $73,880 or $35.52/hr
Region
Average
Entry Level
Experienced
Other North Carolina nonmetropolitan
area
$47,570 or
$22.87/hr
$28,040 or
$13.48/hr
$70,860 or
$34.07/hr
Biomedical Engineer
Description
Biomedical Engineering is a combination of engineering, biology, and biomechanical. They work on
designing, developing and evaluating biological and health systems. They are also responsible for the
products such as artificial organs and prostheses.
Education
Minimum education – Bachelor’s Degree
It is very important that you get a good foundation in science. Once in university, students can pursue a
range of options. You can either specialize in a branch of engineering followed by a master's in
biomedical engineering, or focus on the life sciences first, followed by a master's degree in engineering.
Both routes are acceptable, although many experts say the strong early foundation in the life sciences is
preferred.
Salary
$90,410 per year
Entry Annual Wage
$57,250
Experienced Annual Wage
$134,360
Region
Average
Entry Level
Experienced
Raleigh-Cary MSA
$74,260 or $35.70/hr
$56,050 or $26.95/hr
$99,720 or $47.94/hr
Durham-Chapel Hill MSA
$99,710 or $47.94/hr
$58,900 or $28.32/hr
$142,500 or $68.51/hr
Winston-Salem MSA
$74,710 or $35.92/hr
$48,180 or $23.16/hr
$101,220 or $48.66/hr
Agricultural Engineer
Description
Agricultural Engineers applies knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural
problems concerned with power and machinery, structures, soil and water conservation as well as
processing of agricultural products.
Skills needed for a career in Agricultural Engineer include, but not limited to:
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Writing
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High Level of Reading
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Active Listening, Learning & Speaking
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High Level of Mathematics & Science
Education
Minimum education – Bachelor’s Degree
Anyone interested in an Agricultural Engineering career is should consider getting a degree in
engineering. Graduate training is essential for engineering faculty positions and many research and
development programs.
Salary
$77,370 per year
Average Annual Range: $44,750 - $115,680 per year
Process Technician
Description
Process technicians perform and document the daily manufacturing operations in biomedical,
biopharmaceutical and bioindustrial setting. They operate process equipment “on-the-floor,”
usually in sterile or clean-room environments.
Education
Minimum education – Associate Degree (A.A., A.S. or AAS)
Process technician positions generally require a two-year Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)
degree, and many community colleges have created degrees and certificates aimed specifically at
readying individuals for process technician work. These degrees or certificates may be named
biowork, biotechnology, bioprocess technology or industrial pharmaceutical technology.
Salary
$30,000 to $45,000 per year
Average Starting Salary: $30,000 per year
With more Experience: $45,000 per year
Career Opportunities
Process technicians will find many opportunities at biomedical biopharmaceutical and
biomanufacturing organizations where products such as vaccines, medicines, enzymes and cell
cultures are created. Opportunities at agricultural, energy and chemical companies also exist.