| Education Required |  | For biological scientists, including biochemists, the Ph.D. degree is usually necessary for independent research and for advancement to administrative positions. A master's degree is sufficient for some jobs in applied research or product development and for jobs in management, inspection, sales, and service. The bachelor's degree is adequate for some nonresearch jobs. Some graduates with a bachelor's degree start as biochemical scientists in testing and inspection, or get jobs related to biological science such as technical sales or service representatives. In some cases, graduates with a bachelor's degree are able to work in a laboratory environment on their own projects, but this is unusual. Some may work as research assistants. Others become biological technicians, medical laboratory technologists or, with courses in education, high school biology teachers. Many with a bachelor's degree in biology enter medical, dental, veterinary, or other health profession schools. Advanced degree programs in biochemistry include classroom and fieldwork, laboratory research, and a thesis or dissertation.
Biochemists who have advanced degrees often take temporary postdoctoral research positions that provide specialized research experience. In private industry, some may become managers or administrators within biology. Others leave biology for nontechnical managerial, administrative, or sales jobs. Biochemists should be able to work independently or as part of a team and be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Those in private industry, especially those who aspire to management or administrative positions, should possess strong business and communication skills and be familiar with regulatory issues and marketing and management techniques. Those doing field research in remote areas must have physical stamina. |
| |
|
| Recommended High School Courses | | Biology, Mathematics, Chemistry |
| |
|
| Postsecondary Instructional Programs | | Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology |
| |
|
| Certification and Licensing | | None |
|
