CAREERS IN BIOLOGY

You've decided on a future in biology, but do you realize just how many choices you have for that future? You might find yourself in research, in health care, in environmental management, or in education. You might specialize in biotechnology, microbiology, genetics, forensic science, biochemistry, anatomy, epidemiology, ecology or molecular biology. Or perhaps your path will lead to a nontraditional career in policy, law, management, marketing, or writing.

Potential careers include:

Pharmaceutical research technician Secondary biology educator Clinical research technician Forensic laboratory technician Scientific writer Research director College professor Lawyer Manager Physician Veterinarian Dentist Optometrist Podiatrist Physical therapist Physician's assistant

Preprofessional Education

At Gwynedd-Mercy College, the School of Arts and Sciences sponsors the Preprofessional Advisory Office and the Preprofessional Evaluation Committee.  The purpose of the Preprofessional Advisory Office is to help GMC students make informed decisions about their futures as doctoral health professionals – physicians, dentists, veterinarians, optometrists, podiatrists.  The Office provides students with up-to-date information about professional school admissions requirements, testing programs, and application procedures.  The Office maintains a library of literature on doctoral health professions education. The Office assists students with the application process and coordinates credentials files; it helps students formulate interim or alternative career plans.

The purpose of the Preprofessional Evaluation Committee is to evaluate the credentials of student applicants and to compose the letter of evaluation sent to professional schools as part of the application process.  Each applicant submits to the Committee a credentials file containing transcripts, a resume, the personal statement and faculty evaluations.   The members of the Committee study the file and interview the applicant to evaluate the potential of the candidate for success in professional school and in the chosen career before formulating the evaluation.

Gwynedd-Mercy College students have an outstanding record of success in application to professional school and once matriculated, no GMC student has failed to graduate from professional school for academic reasons.  GMC graduates are alumni of Boston University School of Medicine, the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Temple University School of Dentistry, Pennsylvania State University School of Medicine, Philadelphia College of Optometry, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern School of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, the American University of the Caribbean and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

If you are interested in a career in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, or podiatry, read the handbook on Preprofessional Education and contact Dr. Barbieri for more information on pre-professional education at Gwynedd-Mercy College.

Physician Assistant Agreement with Arcadia University:

In 2003 the College signed an articulation agreement with Arcadia University that connects the Gwynedd Biology program and the MS degree in Physician Assistant program at Arcadia. This agreement guarantees two places in the Arcadia program to Gwynedd Biology graduates, provided the applicants meet all requirements for admissions to Arcadia . If you are interested in a career as a physician assistant, contact Dr. McEliece for more information about the Arcadia connection.

Resources for career information:

www.aibs.org/careers - American Institute of Biological Sciences
www.sicb.org/careers/index.php3 - Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
www.aamc.org - Association of American Medical Colleges
www.aaas.org - American Association for the Advancement of Science
ExploreHealthCareers.org