The life science branch is gaining a lot of importance in recent years. The life science industry is in need of skilled professionals. There are many job roles and careers available for M.Sc Life Science students, but here are some of the important roles available for students. These roles offer good career growth and better salary packages
The present article tries to discuss a few of such roles in detail.
Marine Biologist
Marine biology basically involves the study of sea and its complex ecosystems, and is one of the most popular careers chosen by many M.Sc Life Science students. As a Marine Biologist one is responsible to study about the life of sea creatures and their effects on the environment.
Role of a Marine Biologist
As a Marine Biologist one is responsible to study all the aspects of life in the sea and the environment on which it depends. This includes marine plants, animals and other organisms both vertebrate and invertebrate in deep oceans, shallow seas and also in laboratories.
Duties of a Marine Biologist
As a Marine Biologist one is responsible for:
- Conducting species inventories, testing and monitoring sea creatures exposed to pollutants
- Collecting samples and data using processes such as coring techniques, geographic information systems (GIS), visual recording and sampling
- Analysing samples in a lab and developing new research theories from them
- Preserving specimens and samples of unknown species and diseases and mapping the distribution, ranges or movements of marine population
- Scuba diving to survey endangered organisms and implementing preservation strategies
- Designing scientific experiments and collating findings
- Preparing detailed reports for agencies, funders, commercial organisations, governmental bodies
- Carrying out environmental impact assessments evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, including socio-economic, cultural and human health impacts
Skills required for a Marine Biologist
To become a successful Marine Biologist, one requires the following skills:
- A passion for knowledge of the marine world
- A thirst for discovery and making a difference to future generations
- An interest in travelling for foreign field work and living abroad
