Start main page content

What to do with your Biological Sciences BSc degree

Possible fields of employment with a degree from the School of Molecular & Cell Biology (MCB)

A BSc in Molecular Biology provides a foundation for countless postgraduate research opportunities and career paths in fields allied to the Life Sciences. Graduates from MCB work in the following sectors:

  • Medical and Pharmaceutical industries
  • HIV and cancer research
  • Industrial, environmental and agricultural sector

Typical vocations include

  • Clinical researcher (e.g. HIV and cancer research)
  • Drug design and discovery
  • Environmental bioremediation
  • Plant genetic engineering
  • Bioprocess development

Possible fields of employment requiring a degree from the School of Animal, Plant & Environmental Sciences (APES)

  • Nature Conservation: National or conservation agencies, private wildlife enterprises,  environmental NGOs, environmental consultancy
  • Research: In government and university institutions, e.g. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Agriculture, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Department of Sea Fisheries, Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Veterinary Research Institute, medical and biological departments at universities
  • Environmental Impact Assessment: Legislation now requires most developments to have an Environmental Impact Assessment done, which has provided huge career and business opportunities for zoologists, plant scientists and ecologists.
  • Museums: Ditsong National Museum of Natural History (formerly Transvaal Museum) is one example, South African National Biodiversity Institute, including the National Herbarium, another. There are many others.
  • Education: High school teaching, universities, universities of technology, corporate training
  • Scientific Journalism: Newspapers, journals, broadcasting, natural history documentaries.
  • Commerce: Private consulting firms, environmental divisions of large corporations, marketing, scientific services, mining and forestry companies
  • Industry: Numerous industries are concerned with research and development and supply of biological products and materials.
  • Law, Commerce & Medicine: A basic BSc degree forms an excellent first degree for any of these professions.

Three broad career lines, each corresponding to a major, are offered in the School of APES:

  • Ecology and Conservation
  • Biodiversity
  • Organismal Biology

Students are encouraged to discuss their careers and selection of majors as well as the courses these comprise with staff members.

Share