Online Biology Degree Programs

If you've ever had a fascination with nature and how the world works, a career as a biologist could be your calling. An online biology degree can provide the career training for a number of interesting careers, or it can serve as your stepping stone to more specialized degrees. The life sciences, as biology is sometimes called, is both captivating and rewarding, and can lead to a very exciting career.

Facts about Biology Degree Holders

In 2004, biology scientists held 77,000 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Biology degree programs teach the core components of biology (the name means "the science of life") and often provide the basis for later specialization in a particular area of biology.

In 2007, the starting salary for professionals with bachelor's degrees in biology was $35,042, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. The median earnings for professionals with advanced biology degrees ranged from about $55,000 to $74,000. No degree can guarantee a particular job or salary, but those with biology degrees will benefit from growing opportunities in non-research jobs through 2016, according to the BLS.

What to Expect from a Biology Degree Program

Biology degree programs focus on living organisms and how they interact with their environments. In this respect they are distinct from biochemistry programs, which focus more on the chemical components of life. Biology courses cover a broad range of topics. In many degree programs, these include:

• Cell biology
• Plant biology
• Animal physiology
• Anatomy

Bachelor's degree programs in biology often require coursework in related disciplines, such as mathematics, chemistry, physics, and computer science. Master's degree and PhD programs often emphasize a subfield of biology, like botany or marine biology. Universities offer a wide range of specialized biology degrees.

A biology degree of some kind is generally necessary for a career in the life sciences. The degree can provide the foundation you need for other careers such as medicine, nursing, bioengineering, or biochemistry. These career paths can lead to very lucrative jobs in very high-demand fields.

Doing Your Biology Degree Online

Because of the widespread usage of personal computers and the Internet in the home these days, getting your biology degree online has never been easier. Online schools offer you flexibility in scheduling; you have time to work and/or raise a family while getting the same career training you could get at a regular college or university.

The future is bright for biologists. Training in the life sciences is urgently needed in many fascinating research areas, from finding cures for diseases to solving the problems caused by global warming.

• Science
• Biology