A Guide to Biology and Chemistry Contents

32046_7Biology_Chemistry_Sector_Guide_2018.pdf

A Guide to Biology and Chemistry

This guide has been created to give you an overview of biology and chemistry careers and help you to begin your research. It contains an introduction to biology and chemistry, the different routes into the career sectors, the skill set you should look to develop and useful links to help you find out more. We hope you find it useful and if you have any further questions, please email your local SMF office.

Contents

Overview ....................................................................................................................................... Page 2

Different areas of biology and chemistry .................................................................................... Page 3

Skills ............................................................................................................................................. Page 4

Main routes into the biology & chemistry sector .................................................................. Pages 5-7

Firms in the spotlight ............................................................................................................. Pages 8-10

What should you do now? ................................................................................................. Pages 11-12

Useful links .......................................................................................................................... Pages 12-13

Our Support .............................................................................................................................. Pages 14

2

Overview

If you enjoy biology or chemistry, you might be interested in the exciting options a career in science can give you. With a career in biology and chemistry, you can fight disease, feed the world, protect the environment, solve crime and invent new technology for the 21st century! The UK is at the forefront of research in biology and chemistry, with a record £816 million to be invested into NHS research between 2016 and 2021. Biology and chemistry are at the heart of life sciences and impact these key areas: Because technology and scientific understanding are always changing, biologists and chemists often develop or change their specialism throughout their career, applying their problem- solving skills and knowledge to new challenges.

Task 1:

There are many types of jobs available to those interested in biology and chemistry. Below is a list of the different areas within this career sector.

Follow the link below to start your research:

https://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/science-and-research/advice

For each

area, find out:

1. What the

area involves

2. How to

qualify for a position

3. Which firms

offer this type of work

Key areas

Biotechnology

Cell biology

Human

development and disease

Genetics

Forensics

Pharmacology

Molecular

biology

Plant biology

3

Forensic Scientist:

Pharmacologist:

Microbiologist:

Biomedical Scientist:

Analytical Chemist:

Clinical Biochemist:

Toxicologist:

Immunologist:

Food Scientist:

4

Skills

Over the course of your A Levels/Highers and undergraduate degree, it is important to develop key skills that you can transfer into your career. Besides scientific and mathematical understanding, here are a selection of skills that the graduate careers website www.prospects.ac.uk feel are essential for biology and chemistry careers. Think about how you might start to develop them.

Main routes into the Biology & Chemistry sector

Excellent communication skills:

Why? You will be working with a variety of professionals in the workplace and will therefore often need to communicate instructions and complex information in a clear and concise manner. How? Next time a teacher or tutor asks someone to present an idea to the class, take this as an opportunity to explain the topic clearly and precisely to your peers. Analytical problem-solving skills: Why? Biology and chemistry careers are all about finding creative solutions to complex problems. How? This is a skill that you will develop in STEM subjects (especially Mathematics). Practice and experience really make a huge difference in building these skills so take opportunities where you

will find yourself in situations requiring you to think strategically - For example, SMF residential

programmes at tech companies.

Organisational and time-management skills:

Why? You will be expected to prioritise tasks and manage your time effectively when completing large-scale projects. It is also crucial that you are able to manage available resources, such as colleagues, finances and equipment.

How? Get into the habit of creating a timetable or ͚to do͛ list to help you manage your schedule

and balance study commitments at college and university.

Strong team working skills:

Why? Depending on your role, you will be working in a variety of teams with different people. You will often be required to show leadership and collaboration skills as you manage competing deadlines. How? Take on a variety of roles during team exercises. It is important to have experience of different responsibilities within a team, such as team leader, researcher or spokesperson, so you can then draw upon your experiences in applications. For example: fundraise for a charity, play for a sports team, mentor younger students in school, participate in a school society or go on an

SMF residential programme.

5

What qualifications do I need?

Studying Chemistry

School:

ƒ A strong set of results including Chemistry and at least one other science subject (Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Further Mathematics). ƒ Many universities require Mathematics so check the course specification closely. ƒ Exact grade requirements will depend on the university and course applied for. Most Russell Group universities will ask for an A/A* grade in all science subjects. Research different courses and their requirements on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com

University Degree:

Most courses are simply called ͚Chemistry͛. Howeǀer, you can also choose specialised courses

such as: ƒ Applied Chemistry (general chemistry degree focusing on its practical uses) ƒ Biochemistry (studying processes in living things) ƒ Pharmacology (studying chemicals which affect the body and how to develop new drugs) ƒ Environmental Chemistry (studying natural chemical processes) ƒ Forensic Chemistry (using chemistry to investigate crimes) You can also choose to study a joint honours such as Chemistry with Business or Chemistry and French; however, this will reduce the time spent studying Chemistry to 50-60%. It is important to consider how these courses might affect your future career options. Many jobs within chemical and pharmaceutical industries are only available to graduates who have spent considerable time in teaching laboratories developing their practical skills.

Studying Biology

School:

ƒ A strong set of results including Biology and at least one other science subject (Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics). ƒ You will need Chemistry to study molecular and cellular biology. ƒ Exact grade requirements will depend on the university and course applied for. Most Russell Group universities will ask for an A/A* grade in all science subjects. Research different courses and their requirements on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com

University Degree:

Apart from general Biology degrees, you can specialise with courses such as:

ƒ Zoology (the study of animals)

ƒ Marine Biology (studying life in the oceans) ƒ Genetics (studying genes and how traits develop) ƒ Microbiology (studying microorganisms such as bacteria) ƒ Biomedical Science (biology directed towards medical research) 6 You can also choose to study a joint honours such as Biology with Management or Biology and a Foreign Language. However, this will reduce the time spent studying Biology to 50-60%. If you are unsure about the amount of Biology included in a degree programme, you can check if it is recognised by the Royal Society of Biology. The Society only recognises degrees with

50% or more Biology; this is important if you wish to advance into the careers listed on pages

2-3. Visit their site to find out: https://www.rsb.org.uk/

What type of degree can I study?

Bachelor͛s Degree (BSc)

The majority of professional posts in STEM industries require you to have at least a bachelor͛s degree in a relevant STEM subject. They last for 3-4 years. They are often flexible, allowing you to choose from a range of courses in your first year and then specialising in your final years of study. They can include a year working in industry/ abroad. Can be followed by a 1 year MSc.

Master͛s Degree (MSc, MBiol, MBiolSci, MChem)

Many professional posts in STEM industries require a postgraduate degree such as a masters or a PhD as a prerequisite; for example, in order to become a community pharmacist, you must first attain a master͛s in pharmacy. They last for 4-5 years (or 1-2 years in addition to an undergraduate degree). They can include a year working in industry/ abroad. Includes a significant research project and/ or a work placement. Possible benefits include: a chance to specialise in a particular area of interest, a potentially higher salary after graduation, the opportunity to continue in academia and study a PhD.

Do I need work experience?

Getting work experience through a work placement can help you: Get real-life experience of a biology/chemistry related career. Edžperience what it͛s like to work in a professional environment. Decide what types of jobs are right for you. Learn new skills. Improve your CV and personal statement. 7 Look at the ͚Year in Industry͛ website to find out about work placements. They offer paid, degree-relevant work in a year out, either before or during a university course. Universities may have different views on such placements. Search here: http://www.etrust.org.uk/ The Nuffield Foundation offer research placements for year 12/S5 students looking to study STEM subjects at university. These places provide students with the opportunity to work alongside professional scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians. Find out more about how to apply here: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/nuffield-research-placements

How much can I expect to earn?

Starting salaries in good science-related graduate posts tend to average between £18,000 and £25,000, though earnings can increase beyond £100,000 for those who progress to the top jobs in the industry. For a more in-depth look at the salary, typical employers and necessary skills required to progress into the specific area of chemistry/biology you wish to work in, follow this link: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/browse-sector/science-and-pharmaceuticals 8

Firms in the spotlight

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. They support the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities. Their support includes public engagement, education and the application of research to improve health.

Find out more here: https://wellcome.ac.uk/home

Find out about their graduate scheme here:

http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/About-us/Jobs/Graduate-Development-Programme/index.htm The British Science Association is a charity established in 1831. They organise major initiatives across the UK aimed at engaging the public in science. These events include the annual British Science Festival; National Science & Engineering Week; programmes of regional and local events and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. Their aim is to make science accessible to all members of the public. Find out more about careers in science communication here: http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/ GSK is one of the world͛s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies.

They deǀelop and supply medicines to improǀe patients͛ Ƌuality of life. GSK employ almost

100,000 people in over 150 countries with 16% of their global workforce based in the UK.

They develop a range of products including: prescription medicines, vaccines and nutritional healthcare products. Their vaccines are included in immunisation campaigns in 182 countries. Around 13,000 people work in their research teams discovering new medicines.

Find out more here: http://www.gsk.com/uk

9 The National Health Service was established in 1948. Caring for the health of sixty-five million people is an enormous challenge. The NHS Graduate Scheme is designed to recruit graduates to train as the future leaders of the NHS. Their scheme covers four career options: Finance management (tackling financial challenges to get the best value for money and ensure the NHS spends more on delivering vital services) General management (work on the front line ensuring services are managed and delivered in the best possible way for patients) Human Resources management (ensure that the NHS has the best workforce to deliver patient care) Health Informatics management (ensure everyone has the information needed to make informed decisions about patient care) Find out more here: http://www.nhsgraduates.co.uk/ Find out about other careers with the NHS, including work as a psychologist, here: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles NHS Scotland: http://www.scotmt.scot.nhs.uk/careers/ The Francis Crick Institue is a biomedical research institue based in London established in

2007. Namesake of molecular biologist, biophysicist and neuroscientist Francis Crick, the

institute is a partnership between King͛s College London, Imperial College London, Cancer Research UK, the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council and University College London, and works to better understand the most basic questions, including, ͚How does a living organism acquire form and function͍͛ and ͚How does cancer start, spread and respond