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:

$29,260 per year

Average: $47,740 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, and

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

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 $55,000 or $26.44/hr $37,700 or $18.12/hr $73,880 or $35.52/hr

North Carolina Geographical Areas Wages

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:

Writing

High Level of Reading

Active Listening, Learning & Speaking

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.