How Can You Specialize a Master’s in Biology?
If you have a bachelor's degree in biology and want to advance your education, you may be interested in learning how you can specialize a Master's in Biology. With a specialized graduate degree in biology, you will be able to develop an expertise in a more focused area of study so that you will enjoy more career opportunities in the field that you are passionate about. While all graduate students will be required to take core curriculum, the special topics courses will be entirely on the specialization that you select. Read on, and learn how to go about choosing a specialty and then choosing a program.
Decide What You Want to Do With Your Master's in Biology
There is a plethora of opportunity in the biology field when you have a degree, according to the American Institute of Biological Sciences. You will need to earn a general Bachelor's of Science and then move on to pursuing your graduate degree, but first you need to know which professions are geared towards your personality type and will help you make the most of your strengths. You should know about all of the career paths in biology that exist first.
If you want to be a marine biologist, a wildlife biologist, a plant taxonomist or an environmental scientist, a field ins Biological Research is for you. If you want to work in a medical setting instead of with plants and animals, you may be more interested in molecular biology, anatomy, oncology, physiology, cell biology or other careers in biomedical research. Only after you decide which career path is best suited for you can you select a specialty.
Choosing the Right Specialty to Develop Your Knowledge
After you complete undergraduate training, you will need to select a graduate degree program to land most positions in the field. Before you can select a school and a program that specializes in the subject area that matches the career path you want to take, you need to be sure that you know which specialization is right for you. There are dozens and dozens of specialties to select, because there are so many different career paths in the field. If you want to work as a biomedical professional, you can specialize in cellular biology, molecular biology, biomedical services, genetics, developmental biology, or forensic science. You can also specialize in biological research areas like organismal biology, ecology and evolution.
Selecting the Right Program with the Right School
Once you have chosen a specialty, you then need to choose a school. You should only enroll in a program that is accredited by an agency like the Society of Biology or the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. By focusing only on accredited schools and programs, you will have peace of mind in knowing you will be studying curriculum that meets high standards and will adequately prepare you for your career path of choice. If you need to be licensed to become a biologist, your study will be acknowledged by any licensing board as long as the program is nationally or regionally accredited.
Related Resource: MCAT
The future prospects for graduates with a degree in biology are high because you can go so many directions when you graduate. Be sure you choose a direction where there is a need for professionals to fill in the gap. To do this you will need to do homework and specialize a Master's in Biology.