Careers in Biology

Identify and describe a variety of careers related to the fields of science under study, as well as the education and training necessary for these careers.

1. Scientific Journalist

Job Description: Scientific journalists write and publish journalist works that have to do with scientific topics. These kinds of journalists must have an interest in and talent for learning about and clearly communicating scientific issues and stories to the public. They can write for newspapers, magazines, websites, or in editorials.

Education or Training Required: Many well-known scientific journalists today are self-taught, however it is recommended that a journalism course or degree be taken or completed at a recognized institution (i.e., a university) before beginning this career. Degrees or diplomas in science journalism are actually offered at some of these institutions. Aspiring scientific journalists should take many opportunities even from youth to write (i.e., for a student newspaper), and keep a portfolio of their work for a potential employer to go through. Trainees often must complete a written test to assess their writing skills and submit a portfolio when applying for a job in science journalism.

2. Fisheries and Wildlife Officer

Job Description: Conservation and fishery officers “enforce the federal and provincial regulations established for the protection of fish, wildlife and other natural resources and collect and relay information on resource management” (Service Canada).

Education or Training Required: Training is often offered by the organizations hiring conservation officers, and most conservation officers require only a high school or a high school and post secondary education to be hired. Some colleges offer programs like a Conservation Enforcement Bachelor of Applied Science (i.e., Lethbridge College) that may be helpful in guaranteeing someone a job in fisheries and wildlife conservation.

3. Physicians

Job Description: Physicians “diagnose and treat the diseases, physiological disorders and injuries of patients. They provide primary contact and continuous care toward the management of patients’ health” (Service Canada). They often work in medical clinics or doctors’ offices, hospitals, or even for themselves.

Education or Training Required: Some kind of bachelor of science degree is always required for one to become a physician. Following this, a medical doctor (MD) program and then postgraduate medical education (i.e., residency training) must be completed in order to obtain the status of a certified physician.

4. Infectious Disease Researchers

Job Description: Infection disease researchers are internal medicine doctors who use an in-depth knowledge and understanding of body anatomy and system functions to diagnose and treat a mysterious infection.

Education or Training Required: ID researchers must complete a bachelor degree followed by four years of medical school. After medical school, postgraduate medical education (i.e., residency training) should be completed before the ID researcher becomes certified and obtains a license to practice medicine. Once this has been done, the ID researcher undergoes another 1-3 years of ID specialty training and higher certification.

5. Geneticists

Job Description: Geneticists examine DNA samples for genetic abnormalities that may be part of inherited diseases. They are also able to help predict whether these genetic abnormalities can be passed on to the next generation (i.e., whether they are inheritable). Most geneticists work in large hospitals or laboratories.

Education or Training Required: Aspiring geneticists must complete a bachelor degree program and a medical doctor (MD) program at a medical school. They must also pass a medical licensing exam if in Canada or the US. The more education a geneticist has, the more likely they are to be able to be given more responsibilities, promotions, and thus higher salaries.

References:

Carter-Edwards, Trent. et. al. Biology 12. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, 2011. Print.

“Conservation and Fishery Officers.” Government of Canada: Service Canada. ServiceCanada. 03 Sep. 2013. 10 June. 2014. Web. http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/qc/job_futures/statistics/2224.shtml

“General Practitioners and Family Physicians.” Government of Canada: Service Canada. ServiceCanada. 03 Sep. 2013. 10 June. 2014. Web.

“How to Become a Geneticist: Career Path Guide.” Academic Invest. AcademicInvest. N.d. 10 June. 2014. Web. http://www.academicinvest.com/science-careers/biology-careers/how-to-become-a-geneticist

“Infectious Disease Specialist Careers: Salary & Job Description.” Diploma Guide. DiplomaGuide. N.d. 10 June. 2014. Web. http://diplomaguide.com/articles/Infectious_Disease_Specialist_Career_Overview.html

 

Metabolic Processes: Dieting and Metabolism

Investigating the following: Why is it important when changing your diet to know how the cells in your body will react to the introduction of new substances or the removal of other substances?

Click here to view Laura Topham’s article on the ineffectiveness of dieting and on the positives of eating as usual; the article discusses how you can increase your metabolism and how you can slow it down, claiming that a fast metabolism is the best way to lose weight.

Context

Recall that metabolism refers to all of the chemical reactions that change or transform matter and energy in cells. Metabolic pathways are sequential series of catalyzed chemical reactions in living cells. The function of many metabolic pathways is to break down energy-rich compounds such as glucose, converting it into a form that the body can use. Lipids/fats are known for long-term energy storage, whereas carbohydrates are known for short-term energy storage. The body first metabolizes carbohydrates before turning to lipids, as the energy in carbohydrates is easier to access.

The endocrine system has a large role in determining one’s metabolism. The thyroid gland in particular, a part of the endocrine system, emits chemicals that control the bodily function of metabolism (the rate at which the body metabolizes carbohydrates, fats, and proteins). Metabolism can also be largely affected by exterior factors; proper nutrition is essential in order to manufacture the energy needed for all of the life-sustaining processes of metabolism.

Knowing all about metabolic processes and the way in which metabolism works in the body is crucial to understanding how you should feed your body and what lifestyle changes you can and should make in order to improve your health. To dates, hundreds of different diets have been created (i.e., the low-carb diet, the raw food diet, the Atkins diet, etc.) that can supposedly make one thinner or lose weight, but how do we know that these diets actually work?

Article Summary

Laura Topham describes her experiences with dieting in her article “Forget dieting: Speeding up your metabolism is the key to slimness”. In spite of constant dieting, she says, Topham was unable to get to her desired body size. It turned out that the culprit behind this problem was the dieting itself. As soon as Topham gave up dieting, not really putting much thought into how many carbs, fats, or proteins she was consuming, she began to lose weight. Somehow, her metabolism increased. In her article, Topham identifies metabolism-boosting factors as muscle formation, increased caffeine consumption, the presence and activation of “brown” or mitochondria-rich fat, increased carb consumption, light exercise, and fidgeting. Among metabolism-slowing factors, Topham names diets, alcohol, hormone imbalances, and binge eating.

Personal Reflection

I can completely see where Laura Topham is coming from. She supports all of her claims with sufficient scientific reasoning. For example, Laura suggests binge eating (i.e., eating only one large meal per day as part of a diet) as a factor that slows down metabolism. Why? This bad habit affects insulin function. Insulin is released after an increase in blood glucose level, with the goal of signalling whether or not to release energy by breaking down food. Another example of a claim Laura makes is muscle toning as being effective in increasing metabolism, as muscles are metabolically active and burn through energy even at rest – unlike fats.

Clearly, lifestyle choices (i.e., choosing exercise over rest), the time intervals in between meals (i.e., frequently eating smaller portions vs. rarely eating larger portions of food), and what you actually eat directly affect metabolism, among other important factors. These are the things that people looking to lose weight should consider. A fast metabolism is so vitally linked to weight loss, yet it is often ignored by eating disorders and things like low-carb diets or diet plans that do not consider exercise.

Social Benefit

I believe that this article can prove to be extremely beneficial to society in a social aspect, as it encourages people to become aware of the dangers of:

1. the common Western diet in all of its French fry, burger, and soda glory.

2. the Western diet “fads” (in other words, the diets that just don’t work).

Thousands of people try to lose weight each year, and finding out the healthy way to do this is something that I think is very valuable to the world today.

Discussion

Let’s hear your views on this topic. Can you relate or find truth in Laura Topham’s metabolism story? Do you think that the factors she listed have major roles in determining one’s temporary metabolism? All of this talk about diets has me thinking about the Western world in general today. If only we could find a solution to the obesity epidemic that is shaking this side of the globe so that we would not have to debate on the best way to lose weight. Thoughts?

References:

Carter-Edwards, Trent. et. al. Biology 12. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, 2011. Print.

“How does the endocrine system work in regards to nutrition and metabolism?” National Science Foundation: UCSB ScienceLine. UCSBScienceLine. N.d. 10 June. 2014. Web. http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=1438

Topham, Laura. “Forget dieting: Speeding up your metabolism is the key to slimness.” Daily Mail. DailyMail. 25 Jan. 2011. 10 Jun. 2014. Web. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1350202/Forget-dieting-Speeding-metabolism-key-slimness.html