Biologists and Related Scientists
(NOC 2121)
in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information TechnologyBiologists and related scientists research living organisms and ecosystems to manage natural resources and to develop new practices and products related to medicine and agriculture. Biochemists study the chemical composition of living things. Molecular biologists study life at the molecular level, which is the foundation for biotechnology. Botanists study plants and their environment. Zoologists study animals and their origin, behaviour, diseases, and life processes. Marine biologists study plants and animals living in water, specifically saltwater organisms. Ecologists study the relationships between living things and their environment, and the effects of influences like population size, pollutants, rainfall, temperature, and altitude. Entomologists study the classification, biodiversity, life cycles and ecology of insects and other arthropods. Microbiologists study the growth and characteristics of micro-organisms like viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasite and how they interact with the environment. Geneticists study how genes function to make cells and organisms and how hereditary traits ad mutations are passed through generations. Scientists in this group work in both laboratory and field settings for governments, environmental consulting companies, resource and utilities companies, chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnical companies and health and educational institutions. Biologists and related scientists may specialize at the macroscopic level in fields like botany, zoology, ecology and marine biology or, at the cellular and molecular level in fields like genetics, immunology, pharmacology, toxicology, physiology, pathology, bacteriology, virology, biotechnology and bioinformatics.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
Hourly Pay
$24.50
Minimum$42.05
Median$55.38
MaximumAnnual Pay
$7,175
Minimum$54,727
Median$99,967
MaximumCompared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
Hourly Pay
$18.00
Minimum$34.90
Median$54.10
MaximumAnnual Pay
$13,568
Minimum$60,422
Median$107,009
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Biologists and related scientists research living organisms and ecosystems to manage natural resources and to develop new practices and products related to medicine and agriculture. Biochemists study the chemical composition of living things. Molecular biologists study life at the molecular level, which is the foundation for biotechnology. Botanists study plants and their environment. Zoologists study animals and their origin, behaviour, diseases, and life processes. Marine biologists study plants and animals living in water, specifically saltwater organisms. Ecologists study the relationships between living things and their environment, and the effects of influences like population size, pollutants, rainfall, temperature, and altitude. Entomologists study the classification, biodiversity, life cycles and ecology of insects and other arthropods. Microbiologists study the growth and characteristics of micro-organisms like viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasite and how they interact with the environment. Geneticists study how genes function to make cells and organisms and how hereditary traits ad mutations are passed through generations.
Scientists in this group work in both laboratory and field settings for governments, environmental consulting companies, resource and utilities companies, chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnical companies and health and educational institutions. Biologists and related scientists may specialize at the macroscopic level in fields like botany, zoology, ecology and marine biology or, at the cellular and molecular level in fields like genetics, immunology, pharmacology, toxicology, physiology, pathology, bacteriology, virology, biotechnology and bioinformatics.
Job duties
Biologists:
- Study the environment and the population, distribution, structure and functional characteristics and behaviour of plants and animals.
- Conduct ecological and environmental impact studies and prepare reports.
- Study, identify and classify plant and animal specimens.
- Conduct experiments in plant or animal growth, heredity, and breeding.
- Prepare reports and plans for management of renewable resources.
- May supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
Microbiologists and cell and molecular biologists:
- Research the structure, function, ecology, biotechnology, and genetics of micro-organisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and algae.
- Research the structure and functioning of human, animal and plant tissues and cells.
- Study the identification, effects and control of human, plant and animal pathogens and toxins.
- Conduct clinical or laboratory studies to test, evaluate and screen drugs, pharmaceuticals and nanoparticles used in biomedical applications.
- Conduct molecular or biochemical studies and experiments in genetic expression, gene manipulation and recombinant DNA technology to develop new or alternative methods of producing products.
- Conduct research in biotechnology to discover, develop and refine, and evaluate new products.
- May participate in the commercialization of new products.
- May supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
- May conduct biostatistical data analysis using computer modelling techniques.
Sample job titles
- biologist
- botanist
- ecologist
- food scientist
- geneticist
- immunologist
- marine biologist
- naturalist
- pharmacologist
- toxicologist
Skills
- You must be comfortable working with instruments, apparatus, and chemicals. You should be observant of details, enjoy research, and have good judgement for scientific and administrative decision-making. The ability to communicate and cooperate with others is important, as scientists often work in teams. Basic computer and mathematical skills are necessary. You must have physical stamina to do field research in remote areas.
Job requirements
- A bachelor's degree in biology or in a related discipline is required for biologists.
- A master's or doctoral degree in biology or a related discipline is required for employment as a research scientist in biology.
- Post-doctoral research experience is usually required before employment in academic departments or research institutions.
Other considerations
- Diversification of Nova Scotia's economy may provide some job opportunities for biologists with skills appropriate for use in the pharmaceutical and health sciences industries. People in these jobs generally work regular hours in offices and laboratories, although some conduct fieldwork and on-site studies.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$60,815 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$36,523 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$66,346 median annual incomeSouthern
$68,127 median annual incomeCape Breton
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Public administration
Professional, scientific and technical services
Manufacturing
Educational services
Health care and social assistance
What is the age of Employment?
35-44
25-34
55-64
45-54
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Master
$49,573 median annual incomeBachelor
$55,848 median annual incomeDoctorate
$84,998 median annual incomeHigh school
N/ACollege Diploma
N/ACompared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
College Diploma
$59,986 median annual incomeBachelor
$63,965 median annual incomeHigh school
$45,835 median annual incomeMaster
$65,105 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$57,773 median annual incomeEducation & training
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Biology/Biological Sciences
College or University ProgramThis includes any general program of biology at the introductory, basic level or a program in biology or the biological sciences that is undifferentiated as to title or content. These programs include courses in general biology and programs covering a variety of biological specializations.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
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Environmental Biology
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Institutions providing this program
Truro, NS
Environmental Studies
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Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
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Forensic Science and Technology
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Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the scientific study of the ecology and behaviour of microbes, plants, and animals inhabiting oceans, coastal waters, and saltwater wetlands and their interactions with the physical environment. They include courses in chemical, physical, and geological oceanography, molecular, cellular, and biochemical studies, marine microbiology, marine botany, ichthyology, mammalogy, marine population dynamics and biodiversity, reproductive biology, studies of specific species, phyla, habitats, and ecosystems, marine paleoecology and paleontology, and applications to fields such as fisheries science and biotechnology.
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Medical Scientist (MSc, PhD)
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Microbiology
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the scientific study of unicellular organisms and colonies, and subcellular genetic matter and their ecological interactions with human beings and other life. They include courses in microbial genetics, cell biology, cell physiology, virology, pathogenic microbiology, environmental microbiology, immunology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, and laboratory methods including microscopy.
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Neuroscience
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Pathology/Experimental Pathology
University ProgramThese programs focus on the scientific study of the expression, initiation, maintenance and progression of tissue injury and disease, including death, and the relationship of pathogenesis to fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms. They include courses in immunology, microbiology, gene expression, inflammation, cell injury, apoptosis, immunopathology, molecular markers of disease and toxins, neoplasia, growth regulation, and organ- and system-specific investigations.
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Pharmacology
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Physical Sciences
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Sustainability Studies
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