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Life Science Descriptions Anatomy is a vibrant and growing discipline, truly the backbone of biomedical science. In addition, Wikipedia, it is a branch of biology and medicine which studies primarily the internal structure and design of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy (zootomy), and plant anatomy (phytotomy). (American Association of Anatomists)Agronomists are plant and soil scientists who work to improve crops and agricultural productivity while effectively managing pests and weeds. Agronomists make this possible through the application of soil and plant sciences to crop production that incorporates the wise use of natural resources and conservation practices to produce food, feed, fuel, fiber, and pharmaceutical crops while maintaining and improving the environment. (American Society of Agronomy) Animal Science is concerned with the science and business of producing domestic livestock species, including but not limited to beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, and swine. An animal scientist applies principles of the biological, physical, and social sciences to the problems associated with livestock production and management. Animal Science is also concerned with foods of animal origin: meat, dairy, and eggs. The food industry is one of the largest and most important industries in the United States. In addition, animal science is concerned with aspects of companion animals, including their nutrition, care, and welfare. (American Society of Animal Science) Biochemistry is at the heart of life science. It is a fascinating, diverse, and sprawling discipline which makes it near impossible to define concisely. Biochemists are able to provide new ideas and experiments, essential for understanding how life works; support our understanding of health and disease; drive the discovery of new ways to use molecular systems and their biological functions; and contribute essential innovative information to the technology revolution. ( Biochemical Society) Biophysics is that branch of knowledge that applies the principles of physics and chemistry and the methods of mathematical analysis and computer modeling to understand how biological systems work. Biophysics is a molecular science. It seeks to explain biological function in terms of the molecular structures and properties of specific molecules. (Biophysics Society) Botany is the scientific study of plants which includes algae, fungi, lichens, mosses, ferns, conifers, and flowering plants. Botanical research increases and improves our supply of medicines, foods, fibers, building materials, and other plant products. Conservationists use botanical knowledge to help manage parks, forests, range lands, and wilderness areas. Public health and environmental protection professionals depend on their understanding of plant science to help solve pollution problems. (Botanical Society of America) Modern Cell Biology is a dynamic discipline that combines the interests of a variety of scientific fields including molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, microbiology, physiology, developmental biology, cytology, and genetics--fields that were once almost completely independent of each other cell biologists are at the core of scientific research, investigating the basic structural and functional units of life: the cells that compose all living organisms.. Many different approaches are used in the study of cellular processes including biochemical and physical analysis of molecules and cells in culture, mathematics and computer sciences, light and electron microscopy, and molecular genetics. (American Society for Cell Biology) Crop Scientists are at the intersection of plant and soil science and work to improve crops and agricultural productivity while effectively managing pests and weeds. They make this possible through the application of soil and plant sciences to crop production that incorporates the wise use of natural resources and conservation practices to produce food, feed, fuel, fiber, and pharmaceutical crops while maintaining and improving the environment. (Crop Science Society of America) Dairy Scientists learn the biology and chemistry behind managing dairy animals and making dairy products, such as milk and cheese. Classes cover such topics as animal and nutrition sciences, food science and technology, and human and animal health and safety. (College Board) Ecology is the study of interactions and relationships between organisms and their environment. Ecologists contribute significantly to our understanding and preservation of the natural world. They provide knowledge to assess ecological issues in a wide range of environments, to solve problems in meeting the food, shelter, and health needs of humans, and to enrich the lives of people everywhere through a greater insight into the mysteries of the biosphere. (Ecology Society of America) Entomology is the study of insects and their relationships to the environment, humans, and other organisms. The science of entomology provides many choices and opportunities for those interested in the diversity of nature. While some entomologists work in the field, others work in the laboratory or classroom, and others find niches in regulatory entomology or the pest control industry. (Entomological Society of American) (Additional Information) Fishing and Fisheries Scientists learn about the biology and ecology of fish and shellfish and study the areas where they live. They also examine the ways we produce, manage, and use these animals to ensure their protection. If you choose this major, you'll learn to look at the big picture and use methods from the biological, physical, and social sciences to make sure that fish populations, like the Pacific salmon, remain healthy. (College Board) Food science is the discipline in which biology, physical sciences, and engineering are used to study the nature of foods, the causes of their deterioration, and the principles underlying food processing. A food scientist studies the physical, microbiological, and chemical makeup of food. Depending on their area of specialization, food scientists may develop ways to process, preserve, package, or store food, industry and government specifications and regulations. (Institute of Food Technologists) Forestry is the profession embracing the science, art, and practice of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources for human benefit and in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values. Please be advised that the broad field of forestry consists of those biological, quantitative, managerial, and social sciences that are applied to forest management and conservation; it includes specialized fields such as agroforestry, urban forestry, industrial forestry, nonindustrial forestry, and wilderness and recreation forestry. (Society of American Foresters) (Additional Information) Genetics is a component of virtually every area of biology, and can be found in many subfields within biology, including evolution, behavior genetics, developmental biology, cytogenetics, population genetics, and molecular genetics. The role of genetics in medicine and the fields of genetic counseling and medical genetics are rapidly growing areas of specialization. Geneticists study genes to learn and understand how they are duplicated and transferred; changed by mutation and selection during evolution; expressed to produce cells and organisms; and how they can be manipulated to improve agriculture and cure genetic diseases. (Genetics Society of America) Marine Biology is typically a graduate pursuit, you should first obtain an undergraduate degree in a science such as biology preferably from an institution that offers graduate-level Marine Biology programs. If your undergraduate school doesn't offer upper-level Marine Biology programs, you could take summer or weekend marine-related courses or even an internship with nearby schools or marine labs. A career in marine biology encompasses an almost infinite number of opportunities for there is much to be discovered about marine life. There are a number of career paths to choose from, and deciding where to study marine biology is a critical step in determining which path to choose. (MarineBio Society) A Microbiologist is a scientist who studies living organisms and infectious agents many of which can only be seen with a microscope. They also study the interaction of microorganisms with people. Everyday microbiologists around the world explore, investigate and discover how these organisms, called microbes exist and affect our lives. Microbiologists investigate the fascinating world of organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye. (American Society for Microbiology) A Molecular Biologist studies macromolecules and the macromolecular mechanisms found in living things, such as the molecular nature of the gene and its mechanisms of gene replication, mutation, and expression. In addition, Wikipedia defines molecular biology as field that overlaps with other areas of biology and chemistry, particularly genetics and biochemistry. It involves the understanding of the interactions between the various systems of a cell, including the interactions between DNA, RNA, and protein biosynthesis, as well as, learning how these interactions are regulated. (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, advances the understanding of human thought, emotion, and behavior. The nervous system consists of two main parts. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes the nerves that serve the neck and arms, trunk, legs, skeletal muscles, and internal organs. Neuroscientists use tools ranging from computers to special dyes to examine molecules, nerve cells, networks, brain systems, and behavior. From these studies, they learn how the nervous system develops and functions normally and what goes wrong in neurological disorders. (Society for Neuroscience) Physiology is the study of life, specifically, how cells, tissues, and organisms function. Physiologists are constantly trying to answer key questions in areas ranging from the functions of single cells to the interactions between human populations and our environment here on earth, the moon, and beyond. Physiology is important because it is the foundation upon which we build our knowledge of what "life" is, how to treat disease, and how to cope with stresses imposed upon our bodies by different environments. (American Physiological Society) Poultry Science is a large scale and highly advanced entity with numerous job opportunities for well trained and motivated young men and women who wish to achieve a high level of career advancement. Can you visualize yourself as a broiler processing plant manager, a flock service technician, a quality control manager, a feedmill manager, a hatchery manager, a poultry veterinarian, a nutritionist, an agricultural engineer, a geneticist, or a marketing specialist? These are just a small handful of positions available for college educated individuals with a desire to specialize in poultry science. (Poultry Science Association) A Soil Scientist, or pedologist, studies the upper few meters of the earth's crust in terms of its physical and chemical properties; distribution, genesis, and morphology; and biological components. Soils are complex mixtures of minerals, water, air, and organic matter (both dead and alive), forming at the surface of land. The soil performs many critical functions in almost any terrestrial ecosystem (whether a farm, forest, prairie, or suburban watershed). (Soil Science Society of America) Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists study animals and wildlife by studying their origin, behavior, diseases, and life processes. Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists also may collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of current and potential uses of land and water areas. Zoologists usually are identified by the animal group they study for example ornithologists study birds; mammalogists study mammals; herpetologists study reptiles, and ichthyologists study fish. (Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
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