Molecular Biology

<h2 id="section---IsMolecularBiologyForMe">Is Molecular Biology for Me?</h2> <h3 id="section---CareerSummary">Career Summary</h3> <p>Molecular biology is a biological science in which you strive to comprehend the processes of life through the attributes and functions of the molecules that make up cells. As a molecular biologist, you may delve into subjects such as evolution and genetics. You'll learn about the behavior of cells at the molecular level and work on answering challenging questions about health and disease. You may address topics involving how genes determine physical and physiological traits and how medications affect disease. You might work in scientific research for the government, a private corporation or an academic institution. Additionally, you could possibly work in the pharmaceutical industry or in medicine manufacturing. </p> <h3 id="section---EmploymentOutlookAndSalaryStatistics">Employment Outlook and Salary Statistics</h3> <p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not have specific salary data for molecular biologists (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). However, <i>Payscale.com</i> reported that as of April 2014, the majority of molecular biologists earned between $32,964 and $91,333. The BLS expects the field of biophysics, an area very similar to molecular biology, to experience employment growth of 19% from 2012-2022. The BLS reported that 47% of all biophysicists were employed by scientific research and testing labs in 2012. </p> <h2 id="section---HowCanIWorkInMolecularBiology">How Can I Work in Molecular Biology?</h2> <h3 id="section---Education">Education</h3> <p>The delineation between cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics is not precise. Due to this interdisciplinary nature, you are not strictly limited to a molecular biology degree if you wish to work in the field. However, there are molecular biology degree programs offered from the bachelor's to the doctoral level. Additionally, many colleges have degree programs in the biological sciences, including biochemistry, genetics and cell biology. </p> <p>With a bachelor's degree in molecular or cellular biology, you may be prepared to work in an entry-level position in the biotechnology industry as a research associate, biological technician or lab technician. You may choose to obtain a more advanced degree to work as a doctor, dentist, veterinarian or pharmacist. To do independent research or teach in the academic setting, you'll generally need a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). </p> <h3 id="section---CoursesOfStudy">Courses of Study</h3> <p>Degree programs in the biological sciences are rigorous. In an undergraduate program, you may expect to take several types of chemistry courses, including organic chemistry and biochemistry. You'll study topics such as immunology, virology, microbial genomics and molecular neurophysiology. Moreover, you'll take classes such as plant development, plant cell biology and plant biochemistry. </p> <h3 id="section---GraduatePrograms">Graduate Programs</h3> <p>For admission to a master's degree program, you'll be expected to have a bachelor's degree with a substantial background in chemistry and biology, as well as knowledge of advanced mathematics and statistics. You'll take advanced classes in biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology. Typically, the master's program will be research oriented, requiring a thesis paper describing your original research. However, some programs may have a non-research option. Ph.D. programs typically require you to take a qualifying exam in your second year consisting of written and oral parts. You'll also teach, as well as write a dissertation.</p>