Biology Career Outlook 2010-2011
Biology Programs Available at Bemidji State University:
Major: Biology (B.S., B.A.), Science Education (B.S.) -Life Science Teacher Licensure, Aquatic Biology (B.S)—see
separate Career Outlook
Fields of Emphasis: Cellular Molecular Biology (B.S.), Wildlife Management (B.A., B.S.)
Related Program: Clinical Laboratory Science (B.S.)—see separate Career Outlook
Minors: Biology, Wetlands Ecology
Department Website: http://www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/departments/biology
Major Highlights:
Biology is the science of life. Biologists study all living things and their interactions with their environments. The study
of human biology helps us to understand ourselves, and the study of other life forms helps us to understand them and the
world we share. Because the field of biology extends to so many areas, from viruses to blue whales, it offers diverse
opportunities for personal and professional study and growth.
Employment Areas:
The "Occupational Outlook Handbook" reports that biological technicians held about 80,200 jobs in 2010. About 31
percent of all biological technicians were employed by colleges, universities, and professional schools; another 25 percent
were employed by research and development in the physical, engineering and the life sciences; and 17% were employed
by the federal government. The majority of the rest of the biological technicians worked in the pharmaceutical and
medicine manufacturing and the healthcare field.
Projected Demand for Biology Majors in Minnesota:
The DISCOVER guidance system reports that biologists will have a moderate growth rate, and the increasing use of
pharmaceuticals as well as the growing importance of biotechnological research are expected to create demand. The
average starting salary offered to four year graduates is about $46,000 per year for biologists, with 300 currently
employed in Minnesota.
Projected Demand for Biology Majors Nationwide:
The DISCOVER guidance system reports the nationwide demand for biologists is growing moderately, with a 1.2%
expected growth rate per year. The average starting salary for biologists with a bachelor’s degree was $21.00 an hour in
2011. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, beginning salary averaged $41,500 per year for
a biologist with a bachelor’s degree in 2010-2011.
Placement Information for Biology Graduates:
Of the Bemidji State University 2009-2010 biology graduates holding a BA, 100.0% reported obtaining related
employment within one year of graduation. Of the 2009-2010 biology graduates holding a BS, 75.0% reported obtaining
related employment within one year of graduation. This does not include students who were not seeking employment,
unavailable, or had unknown status. Almost a third of the biology graduates went on to continue their education.
A Partial List of Employers Who Have Reported Hiring BSU Biology Graduates Since 1997:
(This list only includes employment within one year of graduation.)
3M
ADM
Aerotek Scientific
Aitkin School District
Occupational Health Specialist
Quality Control Inspector
Analytical Chemist
Paraprofessional
St. Paul, MN
Minneapolis, MN
Woodbury, MN
Aitkin, MN
A Partial List of Employers Who Have Reported Hiring BSU Biology Graduates Since 1997:
(This list only includes employment within one year of graduation.)
Aldine ISD
Altru Health Systems
Animal Care Clinic
Area School Districts
Bemidji Veterinary Hospital
Benjamin Sosniecke Photography
Boston Scientific Scimed
Braham School District
Bureau of Land Management
Clay County
Comanche Ranch
Department of Natural Resources
Department of Veterans Affairs
DiaSorin, Inc.
Dodge Nature Center
Ecolab
EMD Biosciences
Farm Service Agency
First Care Hospital
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Com
Gluek Brewing Company
Great Plains Zoo
Headwaters Science Center
Hillsborough Community College
INCS, Inc.
Innovative Surface Technologies
Marine Darling Center
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Med-Save Family Pharmacy
Mercy Medical Center
MeritCare Clinic Bemidji
Minnesota Conservation Corp
MN Department of Natural Resources
MN Department of Natural Resources
MN Department of Natural Resources
MN DNR Ecological Services
MO Department of Natural Resources
MVTL Laboratories
National Park Service
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Nicollet Public School
North Country Regional Hospital
North Dakota State University
Northland Community & Technical College
Outreach
Owatonna Clinic
Precision Treeworks, Inc.
Rainy River Veterinary Hospital
Red Lake Watershed District
Red River Zoo
Regions Hospital
REM Northstar
Riverbend Nature Center
Riverwood Healthcare Center
Sclitz Audubon Nature Center
Sherburne County
St. Luke's Hospital
Skills Specialist-Title I
Pathology Lab Clerk
Veterinary Assistant
Substitute Teacher
Kennel Staff
Freelance Nature Photographer
Lab Technician
Substitute Teacher
Botanist
Environmental Assessment
Wildlife Intern
Technician
Medical Technologist
Lab Technician
Naturalist
Account Manager
Production Scientist
Temporary Program Technician
Medical Technologist
Biologist
Quality Control
Zookeeper
Collections Manager
Lab Technician
Assistant Director of Education
Staff Scientist
Lobster Settlement Intern
Clinical Lab Science
Lab Technician
Pharmacy Technician
Phlebotomist
X-Ray Department Receptionist
Crew Member
Resource Management
Wildlife Lake Specialist
Natural Resource Technician
Natural Resource Specialist
Wastewater Permit Writer
Lab Technician
GIS Specialist/Biologist
Conservation Officer
Science Teacher
Phlebotomist
Research Specialist
Biology Instructor
Patient Advocate
Patient Accounts
President
Veterinary Aide
Survey Construction
Animal Keeper
Lab Services Technician
Coordinator
Naturalist Intern
Medical Lab Technician
Office Staff
Forest Technician Assistant
Medical Technologist
Houston, TX
Grand Forks, ND
Bemidji, MN
Bagley, MN
Bemidji, MN
Jamestown, ND
Maple Grove, MN
Braham, MN
Grangeville, ID
Moorhead, MN
Carrizo, TX
White Earth, MN
Minneapolis, MN
Stillwater, MN
St. Paul, MN
St. Paul, MN
Madison, WI
Park Rapids, MN
Fosston, MN
West Palm Beach, FL
Cold Spring, MN
Sioux Falls, SD
Bemidji, MN
Tampa, FL
West Palm Springs, FL
St. Paul, MN
Walpole, ME
Rochester, MN
Rochester, MN
Bemidji, MN
Des Moines, IA
Bemidji, MN
Guthrie, MN
Bemidji, MN
Brainerd, MN
Lake Itasca, MN
Bemidji, MN
Jefferson City, MO
New Ulm, MN
International Falls, MN
Lincoln, NE
Nicollet, MN
Bemidji, MN
Fargo, ND
Thief River Falls, MN
Duluth, MN
Owatonna, MN
Bemidji, MN
Baudette, MN
Thief River Falls, MN
Fargo, ND
St. Paul, MN
Ada, MN
Faribault, MN
Aitkin, MN
Milwaukee, WI
Elk River, MN
Duluth, MN
A Partial List of Employers Who Have Reported Hiring BSU Biology Graduates Since 1997:
(This list only includes employment within one year of graduation.)
State of Minnesota
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
Underwater Adventures
US Fish & Wildlife Service
US Geological Service
US Navy-Radiobiology Research Institute
USDA Forest Service
USDA- Natural Resources Conservations Service
Viro Med/Lab Corp
White Earth Reservation-Natural Resource
Human Service Technician
Intern Biologist
Animal Educator
Biological Science Technician
Biological Science Technician
Radiation Health Officer
Recreation Technician
Environmentalist
Client Service Representative
Ag Inventory Specialist
Faribault, MN
Eureka Spring, AR
Bloomington, MN
Devils Lake, ND
Fergus Falls, MN
Bethesda, MD
Walker, MN
Winona, MN
Minnetonka, MN
Mahnomen, MN
Colleges and Universities Where BSU Biology Graduates Have Gone to Continue Their
Education:
Argosy University, Tampa, FL
Augsburg College of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN
Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN
Dartmouth University, Hanover, NH
East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, NC
George Washington University, Washington, DC
Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, MN
Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
Northwestern College of Chiropractic, Bloomington, MN
Northwestern Health Sciences University, Bloomington, MN
Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR
South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, TN
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
State University of New York, Buffalo, NY
University of Houston, Houston, TX
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
University of MN College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, MN
University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN
University of Wisconsin- La Crosse, La Crosse, WI
University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI
Note 1: Some of the above job/career titles require advanced degrees or specialized training.
Note 2: Degrees alone do not get students jobs. Internships, summer jobs, volunteer work, part-time jobs, work-study
positions, and active participation in student organizations on campus are all ways to become more competitive in a
tight job market.
Note 3: Personal Competencies: it is also recommended that individuals be competent in a variety of communication
methods, and computer skills are a must.
Bibliography:
Annual Graduate Follow-Up Study 1997-2010. Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN (2011)
Bemidji State University Undergraduate Catalog 2011-2012. Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN (2011)
DISCOVER. The American Testing Program, Educational Technology Center, Hunt Valley, MD (2011)
MnCareers/iSeek. Research and Statistics Office, MN Dept. of Economic Security, St. Paul, MN (2011)
Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Dept. of Labor, JIST Publishing Inc., Indianapolis, IN (2010)
Salary Survey 2010-2011. National Association of Colleges and Employers, Bethlehem, PA (2011)
For more information, please contact the Career Services Office in 102 Sanford Hall
or call us at 218-755-2038 or toll free at 800-657-3726.