Health Careers That Include the Study of Biology

The health care industry employs more than 14 million people, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is poised to generate more than 3.2 million new positions through 2018. Within this industry are careers that require an interest in and the study of human biology, such as medical scientists, epidemiologists, dietitians and medical providers.

Medical Scientists

• A medical scientist studies biological systems to advance treatments, diagnoses and prevention of human diseases and conditions. This research includes working on new vaccines, drugs and other treatment procedures and could involve working in clinical trials or doing independent research in university, hospital or government laboratories.

  Most medical scientists are required to at least hold a Ph.D., but some also hold a medical degree. To administer treatments or interact medically with patients, the scientist must be a licensed physician. For the best opportunities, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recommends holding both degrees. In 2008, approximately 109,400 workers were employed as medical scientists.

Epidemiologists

• There are two types of epidemiologists: Applied epidemiologists respond to disease outbreaks and attempt to contain them, typically working for state health agencies, while research epidemiologists work to prevent future outbreaks by studying diseases.

  Due to the increasing awareness of bioterrorism, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the demand for epidemiologists is increasing increasing faster than average.

  Epidemiologists typically hold a master's degree from a school of public health, although some research epidemiologists require a Ph.D. or medical degree.

Dietitian/Nutritionist

• The job of a dietitian or nutritionist requires knowledge of how nutrition interacts with human biology to promote healthful living. They prevent and treat diseases and conditions by recommending dietary modifications, such as reducing fat and sugar for an overweight or obese patient.

  Dietitians and nutritionists are required to hold at least a bachelor's degree and often must hold a license or certification with the state in which they work. Graduate degrees are available for those interested in postgraduate education.

  In 2008, dietitians and nutritionists held about 60,300 jobs, more than half of which were in hospitals, health care facilities, outpatient care centers or health practitioners' offices, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nursing

• More than 2.4 million registered nurses (RNs) are employed in the United States, making nursing the largest health care occupation in the country. Because nurses work so closely with treating diseases and medical conditions, they must be intimately familiar with the biology of the human body.

  RNs sometimes specialize in a certain area of patient care, either by work setting, a particular disease, a particular body system or type of patient, according to the American Medical Association. For example, an RN specializing by work setting might choose to work in the emergency room or in an ambulance. An RN specializing by disease might work only with cancer patients. A nurse could specialize by body system by working in the neuroscience field, or only work with children as a pediatric nurse.

  About 60 percent of RN positions are in hospitals, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most RNs hold a bachelor's degree in nursing, although some have an associate's degree in nursing or a diploma, which is a 3-year program administered by a hospital.

  The Bureau indicates that employment opportunities for nurses are excellent, although it depends on the geographical location of the nurse.