How Do I Become a Biological Scientist?

In most places, the minimum level of education required to become a biological scientist is a bachelor’s degree, and you can likely land an entry-level position with this credential. To improve your competitive edge against other job candidates and open the doors for more job opportunities and advancement, however, a master’s degree may prove more beneficial. A doctoral degree is the highest degree you can seek in this field and will likely provide you with an even more favorable job outlook. In addition to education, you may hone your analytical, problem-solving and computer skills in preparation for this career. Once you have met your educational goals and feel well prepared to become a biological scientist, you may then seek a job with a science company, environmental agency, school or government entity.

At minimum, you will typically need a high school diploma or an equivalent credential, such as a General Educational Development (GED) diploma, and a bachelor’s degree to become a biological scientist. This is not your only option for preparing for this career, however. You also could pursue a major in another science, such as chemistry, or double major in biology and another science as you work toward becoming a scientist. No matter which major you choose, you typically will need to take a significant number of classes that include laboratory work to qualify for this job.

After earning a bachelor’s degree, you can move forward by seeking an entry-level job as a biological scientist. This choice, however, may limit the jobs for which you qualify and may even affect your ability to advance as far as you would like. You also may decide to move forward with education and seek a master’s degree. Earning this degree may help you to qualify for more jobs and make it possible for you to advance further in your career. Master’s degree programs usually last for about two years if you attend full time.

To have the best chance of meeting your career goals and going as far as you can in this field, you may decide to pursue a doctoral degree. With this type of degree, you may find it easier to get independent research grants, pursue research jobs with colleges or government organizations, or seek management positions. Earning a doctoral degree may take a few years or more.

When you have completed the educational level you need to pursue the job you want, you may find that you have a number of choices as a scientist. You can apply for a job with a science company or a school, or you can seek employment with a company that focuses on environmental matters. You may even land a job with a government organization. If you are interested in independent research, you may seek grants to fund your work once you have become a biological scientist.