Biology is the study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment. It is the foundation for many other biological and biomedical disciplines, including genetics, microbiology, and ecology.

Key Topics

• Genetics

• Microbiology

• Human Anatomy

• Evolutionary Biology

•  Ecology

Estimated Salaries

Starting Salary:

$45,000–$55,000 annually

Salary After 5 Years:

$55,000–$75,000 annually

Recommended High School Courses

AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus AB, AP Statistics, AP Physics 1/2/C, AP English Language & Composition

Career Paths

Biomedical Researcher
Studies diseases and biological processes to develop treatments.

Environmental Consultant
Advises organizations on sustainable practices and environmental conservation.

Genetic Counselor
Helps individuals understand genetic risks and conditions through counseling and testing.

Environmental Consultant
Environmental consultants help businesses and government agencies assess environmental risks, comply with regulations, and develop strategies for sustainability. They work in fields like waste management, air and water quality, and land use planning.

Laboratory Technician
Laboratory technicians in biology work in medical laboratories, research facilities, and pharmaceutical companies and assist with experiments, data collection, and sample analysis to support research and diagnostic work.

Science Writer/Journalist
Science writers or journalists communicate complex biological research and discoveries to the public through articles, blogs, research papers, or books. 

Bioengineering or biomedical engineering combines engineering principles with biological sciences to create medical technologies and devices, such as prosthetics, medical imaging systems, and robotic surgery tools.

Key Topics

• Biomechanics

• Biomaterials

• Medical Imaging

• Biofluid Mechanics

• Robotics

Estimated Salaries

After Graduation: $65,000–$75,000 per year

After 5 Years: $85,000–$110,000 per year

Recommended High School Courses

AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1/2/C, AP Calculus AB/BC, any engineering or technology-related courses, especially those involving robotics or electronics

Career Paths

Biomedical Engineer
Designs and develops medical devices and therapeutic technologies.

Clinical Engineer
Ensures medical devices function properly in clinical settings and hospitals.

Medical Device Engineer
Works to design and improve medical devices used in diagnostics and treatments.

Biomaterials Engineer
Specializes in the design and development of materials that interact with biological systems, such as implants, prosthetics, and scaffolds for tissue engineering. 

Rehabilitation Engineer
Designs assistive technologies and devices that help individuals with disabilities, including prosthetics, orthotics, and adaptive devices that improve the quality of life for patients with mobility, vision, or hearing impairments.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Ensures that medical devices and health-related technologies comply with government regulations and industry standards. 

Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms. It bridges the gap between biology and chemistry, focusing on understanding how molecules like proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids interact to sustain life. Biochemists explore the molecular foundations of cellular functions, metabolism, genetics, and disease, providing insights that can lead to advancements in medicine, biotechnology, and environmental science.

Key Topics

• Biochemistry

• Organic Chemistry

• Molecular Biology

• Enzyme Kinetics

• Cellular Biology

• Genetics

Estimated Salaries

After Graduation: $50,000–$80,000 per year

After 5 Years: $75,000–$130,000 per year

Recommended High School Courses

AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus AB/BC, Statistics, Physics, AP English Language and Composition

Career Paths

Biochemist
Conducts research to understand biochemical processes and develop new therapeutic techniques or products.

Pharmaceutical Scientist
Works on drug development, focusing on how molecules interact with the body to treat diseases.

Clinical Biochemist
Analyzes biological samples to diagnose diseases and monitor treatment efficacy, typically in a lab setting.

Biotech Researcher
Develops innovative technologies and solutions using biochemistry principles, particularly in biotechnology and environmental sciences.

Forensic Biochemist
Works in law enforcement or criminal labs to analyze biological samples for evidence, such as toxins, drugs, or DNA.

Environmental Biochemist
Studies the effects of pollutants and chemicals on ecosystems and human health, often working with government agencies or environmental organizations.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist (Biotech)
Ensures that biochemistry-related products, such as drugs or medical devices, comply with government regulations and standards.

Neuroscience explores the brain and nervous system, focusing on their functions and how they relate to behavior, cognition, and neurological disorders.

Key Topics

• Neurobiology

• Neurophysiology

• Brain and Behavior

• Cognitive Neuroscience

Estimated Salaries

After Graduation: $45,000–$55,000 per year

After 5 Years: $60,000–$85,000 per year

Recommended High School Courses

AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Psychology, AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Statistics, AP English Language and Composition

Career Paths

Neuroscientist
Studies the nervous system to better understand the brain and its impact on behavior and disease.

Clinical Neurophysiologist
Diagnoses and treats neurological conditions using techniques like EEGs and EMGs.

Neuropsychologist
Studies how the brain and nervous system influence behavior and cognitive functions. They work in clinical, research, and academic settings to understand the relationship between brain injuries, neurological disorders, and cognitive functioning.

Cognitive Neuroscientist
Focus on understanding the neural mechanisms behind cognitive processes such as memory, attention, perception, and decision-making. They often work in research labs or academic institutions.

Neuropharmacologist
Studies how drugs affect the nervous system, focusing on the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders. They work in research labs, pharmaceutical companies, or academic institutions.

Biotechnology is a rapidly advancing field that harnesses biological processes, organisms, or systems to develop products and technologies to improve human health, agriculture, and the environment. This interdisciplinary field combines biology, chemistry, engineering, and computer science to innovate in pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, and agricultural biotechnology.

Key Topics

• Genetics

• Molecular Biology

• Biochemistry

• Cell Biology

• Bioinformatics

• Biotechnology Principles

Estimated Salaries

After Graduation: $55,000–$65,000 per year

After 5 Years: $75,000–$100,000 per year

Recommended High School Courses

AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Statistics, AP Physics 1/2/C, AP Computer Science A/Principles, AP English Language & Composition

Career Paths

Biotech Research Scientist
Works in laboratories to research new drug treatments, vaccines, or biotechnological innovations.

Bioprocess Engineer
Focuses on optimizing processes for large-scale production of biological products, like vaccines or enzymes.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Ensures that biotechnology products comply with government regulations and standards.

Biotech Product Manager
Manages the development and commercialization of biotech products, working closely with research teams and marketing.

Biotechnology Sales Representative
Responsible for selling biotech products such as laboratory equipment, diagnostic tools, and biotech drugs. 

Clinical Research Associate
Ensures that clinical trials are conducted ethically, meet regulatory requirements, and yield reliable results.

Molecular biology investigates the molecular mechanisms within cells, particularly focusing on how genes, proteins, and other molecules interact to regulate cellular processes.

Key Topics

• Molecular Genetics

• Protein Biochemistry

• Gene Cloning

• Cell Signaling

Estimated Salaries

After Graduation: $50,000–$60,000 per year

After 5 Years: $75,000–$120,000 per year

Recommended High School Courses

AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB/BC, AP English Language & Composition

Career Paths

Molecular Biologist
Researches molecular and cellular processes to understand diseases like cancer better.

Biotech Researcher
Works in biotech companies to develop new treatments or medical technologies based on molecular biology.

Molecular Diagnostics Specialist
Uses molecular biology techniques, such as PCR and DNA sequencing, to identify genetic disorders, infections, and cancers at the molecular level. 

Structural Biologist
Study the 3D shapes and structures of proteins, nucleic acids, and other macromolecules to understand their functions in cells and diseases. This knowledge is crucial for drug development and biomedical research.

Research and Development (R&D) Scientist
Focus on developing new technologies and techniques to address biological problems, such as creating more effective diagnostic tools or discovering new therapies. These scientists often work in pharmaceutical or biotech companies.

Genetics focuses on the study of genes, heredity, and genetic variation. Students in this field study gene expression, genetic disorders, and the applications of genetics in medicine.

Key Topics

• Genetic Engineering

• Molecular Genetics

• Bioinformatics

• Genomic Medicine

Estimated Salaries

After Graduation: $50,000–$60,000 per year

After 5 Years: $70,000–$95,000 per year

Recommended High School Courses

AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Statistics, Calculus, AP English Language and Composition

Career Paths

Genetic Counselor
Provides genetic testing and counseling services to individuals and families regarding inherited conditions.

Clinical Geneticist
Diagnoses and treats genetic disorders, offering personalized medical guidance.

Geneticist Researcher
Studies genes, genetic variations, and heredity to understand how genetic factors influence health, development, and disease. 

Forensic Geneticist
Applies genetics to solve legal cases by analyzing DNA samples from crime scenes, victims, or suspects.

Pharmacogenomics Specialist
Studies how an individual's genetic makeup affects their response to medications. They work to develop personalized medicine strategies, optimizing drug prescriptions based on genetic information to improve treatment efficacy and minimize side effects.

Public health focuses on the health of populations rather than individuals, emphasizing disease prevention, health education, and the improvement of healthcare systems.

Key Topics

• Epidemiology

• Environmental Health

• Public Health Policy

• Health Promotion

Estimated Salaries

After Graduation: $45,000–$55,000 per year

After 5 Years: $60,000–$85,000 per year

Recommended High School Courses

AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Statistics, Calculus, AP English Language & Composition, AP US Government & Politics

Career Paths

Epidemiologist
Studies the distribution and causes of diseases in populations to develop prevention strategies.

Health Policy Analyst
Researches health-related data to influence public health policies and government regulations.

Environmental Health Specialist
Focuses on how environmental factors—such as air and water quality, sanitation, and chemical exposure—impact human health. They work in both public and private sectors to ensure compliance with environmental health regulations and develop strategies to reduce health risks.

Public Health Educator
Designs and implements programs that promote healthy lifestyles and prevent diseases within communities. They often work in schools, non-profits, healthcare organizations, and government agencies.

Biostatistician
Applies statistical methods to biological, medical, or health-related research. They analyze data from clinical trials, public health studies, and epidemiological research to identify trends, test hypotheses, and inform public health decisions.

The growing field of personalized medicine and genomic research relies heavily on bioinformatics. By analyzing complex biological data, bioinformaticians are unlocking new insights into human health and disease. Bioinformatics and Computational Biology apply techniques from computer science, biology, and statistics to solve problems in genetics and genomics. These fields focus on processing and analyzing biological data to make discoveries in healthcare and medicine. 

Key Topics

• Genome sequencing

• Biostatistics

• Computational biology

• Data mining and machine learning in biology

Estimated Salaries

After Graduation: $60,000–$75,000 per year

After 5 Years: $85,000–$105,000 per year

Recommended High School Courses

AP Calculus AB, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Computer Science A (Java-based), AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Microeconomics

Career Paths

Data Scientist
Data scientists in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries work with large datasets (such as genomic sequences, clinical data, or drug efficacy results) to identify trends, develop algorithms, and support drug development or personalized medicine.

Genomics Data Analyst
A genomics data analyst specializes in managing and analyzing DNA, RNA, and other genomic data to uncover genetic variations linked to disease, traits, and drug responses. 

Bioinformatics Software Engineer
Develops computational tools and software to process, analyze, and visualize biological data. 

Bioinformatics Analyst
Analyzes biological data, particularly genetic information, using computational tools to uncover insights in fields like genomics and molecular biology.

Computational Biologist
Applies mathematical models, algorithms, and simulations to understand biological processes and solve complex biological problems.

Geneticist
Studies genes, heredity, and genetic variations in organisms to understand diseases, traits, and biological functions.

Healthcare Data Scientist
Analyzes health data using statistical methods and machine learning to improve patient care, optimize healthcare systems, and drive research.