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Hannah Willey

Professor Crombet

ENC 2135

17 February 2023

Biological Science is vaguely seen as the study of life, which most people assume it has

to do with the human body. Though what is phenomenal about this major is the amount of life

there is beyond the human body. Some of these include the study of plants, animals, infectious

disease, and many more (Learn, N/A). These fields not only help the world comprehend the life

of these beings, but how to help and maintain a healthy and safe lifestyle (Princeton, 2021).

Biological Sciences is an incredible major that helps others use science to learn about many

different life forms that exist in our world.

One field within Biological Sciences that grabs the attention of others is Zoology, the

study of animals. Zoologists have a big responsibility when it comes to the health and safety of

wildlife. In order to do this, zoologists must construct hypotheses, regulate data, and promote

animal care by using prior and new knowledge (Indeed, 2022). Zoologists tend to obtain a

bachelor's degree at the minimum, though for higher level positions a masters or PH.D. would be

necessary (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). With obtaining a degree, internships,

management sessions, and conferences assist with further participation and training. This

process, obtaining a degree and training, requires a minimum of four years before officially

becoming a zoologist (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Being a zoologist acquires

important qualities and skills involving communication, critical thinking, observational,

interpersonal, outdoor, and problem solving. Following such, daily tasks of a zoologist are
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reviewing articles, analyzing lab data, constructing reports, and conversing with fellow

colleagues. These factors all play out into studying and gathering data about animals and how

they interact with their environment and with other organisms. In addition, these factors are also

useful when working in laboratories, offices, and the outdoors when it comes to gathering or

testing data. Some zoologists are required to travel around different regions in order to expand

their studies in order to obtain more research. When traveling or working locally, it is very

important to be very cautious around wildlife in order to avoid any risk of injury. In addition

zoologists are trained with technology and data management in order to enhance their studies

(Indeed, 2022). Being skillful in technology allows zoologists to dive deeper into their studies

and learn more about wildlife.

The next field in Biological Sciences is Botany, the study of plants. When first hearing

about botany, the majority of people may not be intrigued by such. Although botany has not only

helped maintain the health of plants, it has also helped our world today when it comes to

medication and climate change (Hutton Institute, 2016). In order to work in Botany, one must

obtain at the minimum a bachelor’s degree, though having a masters degree will help one obtain

higher positions (Guest, D., 2017). Botany contains multiple divisions that each have their own

distinct purpose. To begin, the first field within Botany is plant pathology, which is the science

behind diseases located within plants. The daily tasks in plant pathology include investigating the

factors that explain the reasoning behind failure in development and how to prevent such. There

are a ton of factors that can explain diseases that exist within plants, so this career does take a lot

of time and focus to really understand the science behind it (Guest, D., 2017). The next field is

plant ecology which is the study of the interaction that occurs between plants and their

environment. Most of the data collected is based upon how the environment and other organisms
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impact the development and growth that occurs in plants. This field is structurally designed to

protect the environment and discover issues that occur with plants (Guest, D., 2017). Next, the

field plant physiology focuses on the study of the structure of plants chemically, physically, and

biologically. There are many tasks that are involved in plant physiology such as breeding, yield,

production, management, and physiology. Plant physiology has a huge impact on agriculture and

crops by eliminating diseases in order to increase crop production (Guest, D., 2017). The last

field in botany is plant taxonomy, the study of classifying plants. This field prioritizes research

and verification in order to classify plants based upon their elements. A ton of sketching and

mapping the plant’s structure is also involved when it comes to classification (Guest, D., 2017).

All of these fields take place primarily in laboratories with much experimentation being

conducted (Hutton Institute, 2016). Being a botanist does take a lot of effort and time, but

learning the science behind plants has made a humongous impact in our world today.

This next field, that I am personally intrigued by, in Biological Sciences is Immunology,

the study of the immune system. Immunologists research and gather data in order to understand

the immune system and to provide treatment to any issues that occur. To work in Immunology,

one must have a master’s degree (CareerExplorer, 2021). In addition, three years of training and

two years of participation in an Immunology program are required (CareerExplorer, 2021).

Majority of diseases that occur in organisms as a result of a deficiency that exists in the immune

system. Immunologists can examine patients and perform an official diagnostics if there is an

issue at hand. Parasites, bacteria, viruses, and more are constantly attempting to enter the human

body which can result in numerous diseases. There are various organizations that exist within

Immunology that each have the same goal to vaccinate and eleminite diseases. Immunologists in

health services specialize in allergies and diseases located in the human body. These employers
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spend their time researching and conducting experiments in laboratories in order to discover

vaccines. They must be very knowledgeable in the world of science and be capable of working

with other scientists. Moving on, immunologists that work in bio-technical industries design and

construct technology to help discover and confirm diseases (CareerExplorer, 2021). The

technologies constructed can relate to determining a disease, finding a vaccine and medication,

and establishing therapies. These immunologists are also known to work with multiple scientists

to either ameliorate or generate products. Immunologists that are employed in universities help

enhance others when it comes to the immune system. They spend the majority of their time

teaching others through lectures or experimentation in order to help students comprehend

information (CareerExplorer, 2021). Employers may also design and conduct their own research

to enhance their understanding of the immune system as well. Lastly, immunologists who work

in veterinary sciences help research and treat disease that occur in animals. As with the rest of

the fields, immunologists also assist in researching diseases and how to treat and prevent them.

In all, the majority of the time of immunologists is spent in laboratories in order to examine,

cure, and prevent diseases that exist that could be dangerous to organisms.

Another field in Biological Sciences is Ecology, the study of relationships between

organisms and their environment. The main goal of Ecology is to construct reports of species and

their relationships in order to protect and help organisms develop in a healthy manner. Ecologists

are required to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in order to begin their career (Team, G. C.,

N/A). To achieve this, there are many daily tasks that an ecologist must do such as visiting

different regions, researching influences in a specified region, collecting and analyzing data,

releasing reports with data and solutions, and establishing projects to help maintain a safe and

healthy habitat. While being an ecologist, it is essential to converse and take care of the
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environment and report any concern or issues that occur (Team, G. C., N/A). With this career,

being capable of traveling is vital towards research and gathering data. Traveling to different

regions can allow one to visualize various organisms and compare and contrast their relationship

with multiple environments. When talking to ecologist Laura Quinn, former ecologist, Quinn

starts by stating how she enjoys investigating the impact humanity has had on the environment,

specifically on “habitat fragmentation”. When working in the field, Quinn will travel to various

regions in order to investigate what insects plants are present within that specific region. While

investigating, she primarily observes which insects encounter which plants and records down the

impact that occurs between the relationships. After the data is collected, Quinn begins to research

what occurs if certain plants go extinct and how it would influence other organisms and the

environment, and vice versa. Quinn states the importance of ecology as, “Our survival as humans

will be impacted greatly if we lose certain species” (Quinn, 2023). One example of this that

Quinn gave was how insects pollinate plants, such as bumblebees, that produce crops for humans

to eat. Another aspect of ecology that Quinn enjoyed was how she collected data as if she was in

the Victorian Era, although she is able to analyze that data using technology. This shows how

methods from decades or centuries ago are still impactful in ecology (Quinn, 2023). Through this

interview, Quinn truly exhibited the benefits of ecology and how it has helped our world today.

The last field in Biological Sciences is Biology, the study of organisms. The task of a

biologist is to gather data and samples in order to comprehend and gain knowledge on how

organisms interact with their environment. Unlike the other fields, biology is a very broad

subject where studies are not focused on one organism but all. To be a Biologist, one must have a

bachelor’s degree and an internship experience (Chron, 2021). The only thing studied

specifically is how organisms reproduce, commune, and behave with fellow species. Being a
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biologist does require years of experience and training in order for employees to grasp an idea of

the world of biology. Some of the skills needed to be a biologist are communication, capability to

work with others, knowledge of technology, and inclination to travel. With these skills biologists

will conduct experiments, collect samples, and gather research in order to understand organisms

through one another or their environment (Chron, 2021). A key aspect to being a biologist is

having a creative mindset in order to comprehend the relationship organisms have, good or bad.

In addition, being organized is vital when it comes to handling and reporting data during

experimentation. Biologists tend to work with other professionals to obtain various opinions and

perspectives on organisms (Chron, 2021). I was able to speak with biologist, Lalo English, and

obtain more intel into what it is like being a biologist. English states how the first part of

working as a biologist is to plan ahead and determine which region he will visit in order to

collect data (English, 2023). Being able to plan ahead allows English to know what he should be

looking out for and when it is appropriate to do so. These include the weather, species, and

environment so one can obtain an idea of what the region may be like. English then goes into the

region and uses technology and tools in order to help him get a clear perspective and record any

data needed. English states that he enjoys going to various regions because there is always

something new to discover, which brings him excitement (English, 2023). Once English

completes his exploration, he returns back to his office and begins to write out the data gathered.

Writing out the data is similar to storytelling, as English gets to share his experience and

thoughts on what he viewed. It allows his audience to feel as if they were present and could

envision what English was seeing. English concludes that though there will always be challenges

to being a biologist, whether it is viewing sites and reporting data, being able to explore many

regions brings much excitement (English, 2023).

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To conclude, the world of Biological Science has much to offer for those who wish to

pursue science as a career. Even though each field may focus on various topics, they all contain

results of protecting the safety and health of organisms and the environment. There is a lot to

learn through the world of science that can greatly impact our world. Each field has their own

unique way of teaching others the science behind this world and how to improve it. Whether it

may be through the study of plants, animals, diseases, environment, relationships between

organisms and more, all of these play a factor into the study of life (Learn, N/A).
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Learn.org -. (n.d.). https://learn.org/articles/What_are_the_Main_Fields_of_Biology.html

This article elucidates the multiple fields located within the major of Biological Sciences.

Biological science is known as the study of life and how it adapts to their environment. Within

Biological Sciences there are forms of life that are narrowed down and categorized into various

fields based on their lifeform and adaptation to certain environments. These fields include, but

are not limited to: botany, microbiology, zoology, biology, ecology, immunology, etc. In this

article, certain fields of Biological Sciences are broken down and explained in order to help the

audience comprehend each field.

The Princeton Review. (2021, July 26). What Can You Do With Your Biology Degree? (Psst! You

Don’t Need to Be Pre-Med!) | College & Careers [Video]. YouTube.

In this video, Rob Franek explains multiple career paths one could choose from that fall under

Biological Sciences, pre-med or not. He also includes how the biology field is expanding and

what biology careers can expect to see within the next decade. How the biology field will

increase as compared to other careers and the various locations one may work at. Franek

summarizes the similarities that occur within these fields and goes into detail about daily tasks

and salaries. He lastly goes into even more details on many fields or career paths that most

people wouldn’t not assume to be a biology major. This showcases the multiple options one has

when obtaining a biology major and how they’re all unique in their own way.
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Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor

Statistics. (2022b, September 8).

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/zoologists-and-wildlife-biologis

ts.htm

This article goes into the daily tasks and goals of a zoologist and the various tasks that one could

do. Many of these options include the study of animal and wildlife genesis, lifestyle, illnesses,

genealogy, and evolution of life. Animal studies and preservation are also a profession. It is

possible to gather and evaluate information to estimate the ecological impacts of current and

projected both land and water ecosystem development. As they acquire knowledge and skills,

zoologists and wildlife rehabilitators often obtain more authority and freedom in their profession.

Furthermore, zoologists and wildlife rehabbers examine animals and other forms of wildlife, as

well as how they communicate with their surroundings. They research animal physical traits,

behavioral genetics, and the effects of people on wildlife and ecosystems.

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Zoologist Job Description. (2022, December 20). Indeed.

https://www.indeed.com/hire/job-description/zoologist

The article explains many aspects of being a zoologist and the tasks that are required. These

include overall goals, daily tasks, skills needed, and degree required. Zoologists are biologists

that focus on the examination of different animal species. Such studies might involve looking at

animal habits and traits, as well as how they communicate with their surroundings. Zoologists

work in research, veterinary care, or teaching. Zoologists may specialize in a subset of the

sciences, such as mammalogy, herpetology, ichthyology, or ornithology. Zoologists can even

concentrate more by concentrating on a particular species. Zoologists contain tasks such as

overall goals, daily tasks, skills needed, and degree required.

Guest, D. (2017). Plant Pathology, Principles. Encyclopedia of Applied Plant Sciences, 129–136.

https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-394807-6.00056-3

This article goes into plant pathology and the tasks behind such a career. Plant pathology is the

study of the living and nonliving factors that cause plants to not utilize their potentiality, as well

as the establishment of therapies to enhance plant growth, minimize yield loss, and increase food

production. Accurate assessment, a deep understanding of the illness cycle and biology, and

viable treatments such as resistance gene, confinement, sanitation and health, soil and irrigation

maintenance, and pesticides are all required for effective treatment of plant diseases.
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James Hutton Institute. (2016, November 14). A week in the life of a plant scientist [Video].

YouTube.

This video shows viewers what a work week is like as a botanist at Hemsley Labs in the

University of Dundee. The video exhibits an experiment that is conducted in order to determine

the task of protein particles in plants. This process is done when plant specialists produce seeds,

crush it into a particles, add solutions and agents, evaluate the brightness, extract molecular

signals from the enzymes, combine the mixtures, add microstructural particles, rinse the particles

repeatedly, add a reloading solution, and reheat the specimens to extract the enzyme.

CareerExplorer. (2021, January 8). What does an immunologist do? CareerExplorer. Retrieved

February 6, 2023, from https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/immunologist/

This article explains what Immunology is and what responsibilities come with. Immunology is

the study of an individual's immune system, as well as in health and in sickness. Many hazardous

microorganisms, such as infections, pathogens, and parasitic, are continually attempting to enter

the immune system and, if effective, may cause a variety of catastrophic disorders.

Immunologists operate in a variety of biological research fields, such as medicine, agricultural,

and pollution management. Immunologists in the medical sector are in charge of identifying and

managing immunological problems in people. Other scientists refer their clients to

immunologists; the patient's clinical problem is related to the immune system.

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Team, G. C. (n.d.). Ecologist Job Description (What Do Ecologists Do?). Go Construct.

https://www.goconstruct.org/construction-careers/what-jobs-are-right-for-me/ecologist/

This article depicts what tasks and responsibilities are entitled to being an ecologist. Ecologists

investigate the interactions between flora, wildlife, and their surroundings. They investigate how

plants and organisms live in a certain habitat and evaluate the potential effects of any design and

building activity. Based on the employment, people may work outside, in a university, in an

industry, or in a research lab. When being an ecologist, one will be accountable for site

inspections to conduct wildlife, flora, and habitat investigations and surveys to guarantee positive

data on the impact of building projects. An ecologist's tasks include site seeing, conducting

investigation, analyzing the data acquired, and writing reports.

Laura Quinn, The life of an ecologist (personal communication, February 5, 2023)

This interview, with Laura Quinn, explains to audiences her experience as an ecologist and the

impacts it has had on our world today. Quinn starts by stating what information she researches in

order to become aware of the region. She elucidates the preparation that is needed in order to be

safe and protect regions. Quinn explains in detail what she specifically searches for and how

prior research applies when she visits various sites. She also includes how she uses multiple

forms of research in order to confirm and report the data collected.

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What is the Job Description of a Biologist? (2021, December 21). Work - Chron.com.

https://work.chron.com/job-description-biologist-19925.html

This article explains the goals and responsibilities that come with being a biologist. A biologist's

goal is to study the fundamental elements of both animal and plant life, such as development,

structure, and behavior. They also gather and analyze genetic information that demonstrates how

organisms engage with their surroundings. After completing their study, biologists produce

reports on their discoveries and offer it to consumers, public sectors, or the general population.

They may also be required to showcase their findings at conventions, lab specialists, and develop

technology to save, interpret, and examine data.

Lalo English, The life of being a biologist (personal communication, February 6, 2023)

This interview with Lalo English gives insight into the daily life of a biologist. English first

states the responsibilities required as a biologist and how they apply into the field of biology. He

then explains how he prepares to go out to sites and what tools and prerequisites are needed.

Then English goes into detail about his experience while visiting multiple sites and gathering

data. Obtaining a perspective from a biologist will allow readers to understand how these factors

play out into being a biologist.