Career Opportunities
The following information is provided to help undergraduates prepare for a career in biology. For convenience, biology has been divided into three general areas: (I) Environmental Biology and Public Health; (II) Biochemistry, Physiology and Morphology, (III) Plant Sciences. Included for each are examples of employment opportunities and lists of appropriate electives.
List of departmental advisors and their fields of specialization are included. Students are urged to discuss their career interests with appropriate members of the faculty. The faculty are eager to offer guidance which may be helpful to the student.
The B.S. Curriculum in Biological Sciences is outlined in the University Catalog. Training in Computer Science is recommended.
Opportunities exist for outstanding students to do independent library or laboratory research under the direction of an appropriate faculty member. There are also internships available in some areas of biology which provide a student with practical experience, as well as college credit. As much undergraduate laboratory experiences as possible is encouraged.
Environmental Biology | Biochemistry, Physiology and Morphology | Plant Sciences | Departmental Advisors
Environmental Biology
Training in this area prepares students for careers which deal with environmental matters and with public health problems which have an environmental basis.
Examples of jobs and types of employers:
Federal Government
- Inspector-Food and Drug Administration
- Administrator-Environmental Protection Agency
- Naturalist-National Park Service
- Administrator-Environmental Protection Agency
- Administrator or Technician-Public Health Service
- Consultant-Corps of Engineers
- Curator, Associate, or Assistant-Natural History Museum
Colleges and Universities
- Technician in field research (B.S. or M.S.)
- Teaching and/or research (Ph.D. usually required, some teaching positions with M.S.)
Other
- Keeper-Curator at Zoological Park
- Interpreter-Naturalist at Nature Centers
State of Louisiana
- Biologist-Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
- Biologist-Department of Natural Resources
- Biologist-Department of Health and Human Resources
- Biologist-Department of Environmental Quality
- Inspector-Department of Agriculture
Private Industry
- Environmental Consultant-Chemical Companies
- Industrial Hygienist-Oil Companies
- Quality Controller-Beer Breweries
- Toxicologist or Entomologist-Insecticide Companies
| Appropriate electives in other departments or colleges: | |||
| GEOL 1001 | General Geology, Physical | GEOG 4833 | Terrestrial Plant Ecology |
| GEOL 1003 | General Laboratory, Physical | ECON 4253 | Environmental Economics |
| GEOL 1002 | General Geology, Historical | URBA 4140 | Environmental Planning |
| ENCE 4323 | Design of Water & Wastewater Treatment Systems | ENCE 4320 | Water Resource Management and Preservation |
| GEOL 1005 | General Geology, Environmental | GEOL 1004 | General Laboratory, Historical |
| GEOG 2158 | Conservation | ENGL 2152 | Technical Writing |
| GEOG 2151 | Elements of Physical Geography | ANTH 4721 | Cultural Resource Management and Preservation Archaeology |
Biochemistry, Physiology & Morphology
Careers in this area include those that involve laboratory research in government, industry, university and medical schools. Laboratory experience is essential for those considering a career in this area. This category is subdivided below into three specialties: (A) Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Physiology, (B) Gross and Microscopic Anatomy and Morphology, (C) Organismic Physiology
Examples of jobs and types of employers:
Federal and State Government
- Technician or administrator in various government laboratories such as:
- The Department of Agriculture
- Public Health Service
- Department of Wildlife
- Fisheries
Colleges, Universities and Medical Schools
- Research technician (B.S. or M.S.)
- Teacher and/or researcher (Ph.D. usually required, some teaching positions available with M.S.)
Private Industry
- Research technician for industry, such as petroleum companies, insecticide companies, or in new biotechnology industries.
- Sales or public relations representative for chemical industries.
- Quality control technician for drug company
- Technician in medical diagnostics laboratory
Private Professions
- Physician (M.D. required)
- Dentist (D.D.S. or D.M.D. required)
Plant Sciences
Careers in plant sciences generally involve either basic academic research, or agriculturally related applied research. The most frequent employers of plant scientists are industries providing plant related products, industries involved with the genetic engineering of agricultural plants, and the research-oriented United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Examples of jobs and types of employers:
Federal and State Government
- Research technician-U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
- Administrator or technician-Environmental Protection Agency
- Biologist-Army Corps of Engineers
- Biologist-Federal and State Department of Forestry
Colleges and Universities
- Technician in a faculty directed research program (B.S., M.S.)
- Teaching and/or Research (Ph.D. usually required, some teaching positions with M.S.)
Private Industry
- Research technician for agriculture-related industries, (e.g., agricultural chemical company, food product development company, genetic engineering company).
Departmental Advisors
Students interested in any of the programs listed below should contact the designated advisor for more detailed information. Some of these programs are two-year, non-degree programs which interphase with programs at various professional schools in the state, while other require completion of a B.S. Degree. Links to program pre-requisites can be found here.
- General Undergraduate Advisor: Dr. Wendy Schluchter
- Pre-medical/Pre-dental/Pre-Optometry: Dr. Wendy Schluchter
- Pre-veterinary Advisor: Dr. Kelly Boyle
- Pre-physical Therapy and Pre-physician Assistant Advisor – Dr. Rachel Clostio
- Pre-pharmacy Advisor - See the Chemistry Department website
Advising for Allied Health is conducted by the College of Sciences
- Pre-nursing Advisor - College of Science Academic Advisors
For more information on Allied Health Advising in the fields below, contact LSU School of Allied Health at (504) 568-4246. Their website
- Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Occupational Therapy
- Dental Hygiene
- Cardio-Pulmonary Science