Biology is the study of life or living things, but it encompasses more than just the study of life, it also includes the structure, growth, how the living things function and also evolution. Biology as a course of study is very large and it is broadly divided into three major parts of; zoology: the study of animals, botany: the study of plants and also microbiology: the study of microscopic organisms.
With the development and modern researches, biology has often been overlapped with other science disciplines which have resulted in different fields such as; biochemistry, biomedicine and biophysics, all of which still have a part in the biology course outline.
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Biology as a University Degree; Course Outlook and Course Requirements
A degree in biology is well respected and it can be used to work in almost any sphere of life, wherever life is been studied, a biology degree holder has a greater chance of employment. Examples are in the hospital, laboratories, and zoos and so on.
Biology is a very wide field of study and contains a lot of modules and course outline. During the undergraduate course, students are been introduced to biology and its effects in living things, but going further for masters or other postgraduate studies, biology is then broken down into different spectrums which can be treated as a specialization.
Some of the biology degrees derived from biology as a whole include:
- Human biology
- Molecular biology
- Marine biology
- Cell biology
- Life science
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- microbiology
Basic requirements for studying biology as a graduate course may vary large depending on the university or country of study. While some countries may have additional requirements, others stick to the basic ones. Some of these requirements include;
- Students possessing A-level in biology or equivalent studies
- For Nigerian students and ECOWAS countries such as Ghana, students are required to possess (WAEC) that West African Examination Council report.
- For postgraduate studies, students would be required to tend some qualifications and degree in biology or relevant courses.
Basics for a Biology Degree
Just as it is with any other field of study, biology also has its own unique study pattern or methods which are incorporated into the course in the university. Some of the study methods include;
- Practical/laboratory work: many science field of study usually conduct their experiment in the laboratory with different equipment suitable for the course. Biology is in no way different as most of its practical work is laboratory based.
- Fieldwork: fieldwork is usually conducted outside the walls of the university and that is why it is termed field work. Biology makes use of this module of teaching in order to broaden the learning methods of students and also the ability to study living things in their natural habitat.
- Class lectures: biology also makes use of class lectures in its studies, and this generally involves listening to the lecturers and taking notes of all that is been taught.
- Seminars and workshop: this is usually conducted when students are divided into smaller groups and given a topic to discuss or make a presentation to the class. This method is usually used in order to broaden the scope of research and study of students.
- Computer sessions: biology deals with a little bit of statistics and as such needs the knowledge of computer in collating and imputing results of experiment or research work carried out.
Top 5 Destinations for Nigerian Students to Study Biology
Planning to study abroad as a Nigerian student, there are certain features you should consider like; the cost of living in your new country, educational standard, the cost of tuition, available course of study and also the language of the country. Nigerians are more familiar with the English language since it is the country’s lingua franca and it may be quite difficult to learn a new language in order to study in another country. In this article, we have tried to put together top five study abroad destinations which are not only affordable but also boasts of higher level of education in your chosen field; biological science.
- South Africa: this country is widely known for its cultural diversity, nature beauty and also as a great study destination among foreign students. South Africa offers a very affordable cost of living and education which usually varies about $9,000 to $6000 respectively each year. The country is home to some of the world rank universities like the well acclaimed university of Cape Town which is currently South Africa’s highest ranked university and university if the Western Cape.
- Malaysia: this is another country to study biology abroad by Nigerian students particularly its cost of living and also in tuition fees. The country is home to some of the campus branch of notable universities such as the University of Nottingham in the UK and Monash University in Australia. Per year, international students in Malaysia are expected to spend approximately $3,550 on living expenses and about $4000 on tuition. Malaysian universities offer both graduate and postgraduate biological studies in accredited institutions.
- India: this is one of the countries in the Asian continent known for its advance studies in medicine and related fields such as biological studies. The country is also very cheap to live and study in as a Nigerian student. At an average, students can budget to spend about $4,600 per year on living expenses, while the cost of tuition would vary depending on the University of Choice. Studying in India is quite easy since the English language is its language of instruction and the country is also cultural diversified making it livable for students from every race or country.
- Ghana: the educational system in Ghana has improved over the years and now, the country offers more accredited courses which are comparable to countries such as the United Kingdom. As members of the ECOWAS community which Nigeria and Ghana belong to, it makes it quite easy for Nigerian students to gain access to the county and study courses of their choice. The Ghanaian universities are doing quite well in their research and development studies which make it an ideal destination for international students waiting to study the sciences. Also the cost of living is quite affordable, but the cost of tuition would generally vary according to the university one attends.
- Canada: the Canadians are usually known to be friendly and very welcoming to foreigners and this has endeared so many foreign students to study in the country. The cost of tuition is quite affordable and the Canadian government has also made available scholarships and other types of support grants available to international students of which Nigerian students are benefactors as well. The Canadian system of education is quite similar to that of the American educational system and also getting employed after graduation and residence is very much feasible.
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What Can I do With a Degree in Biology?
2. Many people believe that a biologist can only work in laboratories with a white laboratory coat and a microscope, but that is not true because biology has a wide range of career paths which many would be surprised at knowing. Some of the well-known jobs of a biologist include; biology teacher, laboratory assistant, health worker, microbiologist, biochemist and others. Here are 6 unique career paths of a biology degree holder.
- Oncologist: these professional deals with the treatment of cancer patients which may include chemotherapy and radiation. The oncologist also helps the cancer patients to plan and follow through a treatment plan which is targeted at their recovery. A degree in biology is required for this career field.
- Genetic counselor: this genetic counselors work closely with families or expectant parents awaiting the arrival of their children in order to plan and provide them with the statistical risk of the parents genetic makeup and how this can be passed down to the future generation. The main duty of a genetic counselor is to counsel parents who might have genetic disorders which can be transferred to their children.
- Environmental scientist: these individuals are focused on the care of the environment and the living things around it; the humans and animals. They are in charge of performing researches for the better health of the environment.
- Pharmacist: a pharmacist dispenses drugs according to the prescription of a physician to help patients to recover from the illness and maintain wellbeing. Generally, the pharmacist manages not only drugs but also prescription inventory and he or she takes note of the new drugs and how the hospital or medical center makes use of the drugs in its possession.
- Pharmaceutical sales representative: the duties of this representative include, promoting new drugs and medical equipment to clinics, medical centers and hospitals. The individual also handles the sales report and other duties attached to the job description. This job requires one with a vast knowledge in the science in order to be able to work efficiently.
- Respiratory therapist: This individual handles patients who have respiratory disorders and they assist by proffering treatment plans as well as diagnosis. They work closely with the physicians and also handle all the aspect of life support equipment, analyzing blood samples and also administering medications to patients.
Studying abroad is usually not easy when one thinks about the cost of education and living away from home. Aside from these numerous hardships, many Nigerian students seem to go abroad more often than is expected and this may be so when the weight of the advantages is large enough to convince and propel one’s actions. Undertaking any study abroad for Nigerian students makes available more opportunities for a better life and high quality of education.
