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.
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:
Suggested Electives:
| BIOS 2744 Microbiology
and Human Disease BIOS 2813 Economic Botany BIOS 2904 Introduction to Marine Zoology BIOS 2954 Comparative Anatomy BIOS 3453 Genetics BIOS 3653 General Ecology BIOS 3854 General Botany BIOS 3944 Vertebrate Zoology BIOS 4003 Biometry BIOS 4224 Techniques of Electron Microscopy BIOS 4513 Population Genetics And Evolution BIOS 4523 Evolutionary Biology |
BIOS 4624
Limnology and Oceanography BIOS 4634 Marine Science BIOS 4644 Animal Behavior BIOS 4713 Advanced Microbiology BIOS 4724 Marine Microbiology BIOS 4814 Marine Botany BIOS 4844 Plant Taxonomy BIOS 4914 Biology of Fishes BIOS 4924 Herpetology BIOS 4944 Invertebrate Zoology BIOS 4954 Biology of Higher Vertebrates |
Appropriate electives in other departments or colleges:
| GEOL 1001 General
Geology, Physical GEOL 1003 General Laboratory, Physical GEOL 1002 General Geology, Historical GEOL 1004 General Laboratory, Historical GEOL 1005 General Geology, Environmental GEOG 2158 Conservation GEOG 2151 Elements of Physical Geography GEOG 4833 Terrestrial Plant Ecology ECON 4253 Environmental Economics |
URBA 4140 Environmental Planning |
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:
SPECIALTY A: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Physiology
Suggested Electives:
| BIOS 3092 Independent Research BIOS 3104 Introductory Biochemistry BIOS 3284 Histology and Cytology BIOS 3354 Vertebrate Physiology BIOS 3453 Genetics BIOS 4003 Biometry BIOS 4114 Biochemistry BIOS 4123 Metabolic Pathways |
BIOS 4153 Molecular Biology BIOS 4334 Cell Physiology BIOS 4343 Endocrinology BIOS 4354 Comparative Animal Physiology BIOS 4363 Mammalian Physiology BIOS 4373 Biology of Aging BIOS 4384 Plant Physiology BIOS 4713 Advanced Microbiology |
SPECIALTY B: Gross and Microscopic Morphology
Suggested Electives:
BIOS 2954 Comparative Anatomy
BIOS 3092 Independent Research
BIOS 3284 Histology and Cytology
BIOS 4224 Tech. of Electron Microscopy
BIOS 4334 Cell Physiology
BIOS 4413/ 4421 Developmental Biology
BIOS 4713 Advanced Microbiology
SPECIALTY C: Organismic Physiology
Suggested Electives:
BIOS 2954 Comparative Anatomy
BIOS 3092 Independent Research
BIOS 3284 Histology and Cytology
BIOS 4003 Biometry
BIOS 4363 Mammalian Physiology
BIOS 4224 Tech. of Electron Microscopy
BIOS 4343 Endocrinology
BIOS 4354 Comparative Animal Physiology
BIOS 4413/ 4421 Developmental Biology
BIOS 4944 Invertebrate Zoology
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:
Suggested Electives:
BIOS 3854 General Botany
BIOS 4384 Plant Physiology
BIOS 4844 Plant Taxonomy Plant Anatomy or Morphology (not offered at UNO)
BIOS 4114 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory
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.
Advising for Allied Health is conducted by the College of Sciences Counselors
Allied Health Advising the Following Fields (568-4271)