Brompton Academy

Biology

What kind of person do I need to be? Biology is a competitive field so you will need to be passionate about the subject. You’ll need to have an enthusiasm for learning and always work with a clear goal in mind. Equally impor tant is the desire to keep up to date with developments in your field, and to combine the principles of other sciences to better understand your own discipline. On occasion, you’ll need to be able to cope with unfavourable conditions and you’ll need to be patient and systematic to get the results you want. Your chosen career path may require you to have a genuine interest in the welfare of people, a concern for the environment or an interest in animal care. How do I get there? To work successfully as a biologist you will need a relevant degree, a master’s qualification or even a PhD. There is a wide range of bioscience degrees on offer and you can specialise in an area that is of interest to you. Other careers in health care, conservation and animal welfare are available through a variety of degree and diploma courses. Alternatively, if you are keen to work in a scientific suppor t role you could study for a Diploma in Applied Sciences, Laboratory Science or Clinical Healthcare Suppor t. A good star ting point is to achieve a minimum of 5 GCSEs including English, mathematics and science at Grade C or above.

What skills will I learn? A career linked to biology will help you to develop a range of skills depending on your chosen career. Working in health care you could learn how to make a diagnosis, prescribe treatment, provide care and give reassurance. Careers in animal welfare will also help you to develop medical skills but could also improve your interpersonal skills and your ability to handle conflict. As a scientist you will gain an eye for precision while working in a controlled manner at an appropriate pace. You’ll develop the ability to analyse, organise and present results with a conclusion in mind. You will also learn evaluative writing skills and to debate your findings in a logical and reasoned manner.