Life Sciences- an overview
By definition, life science refers to the study of living organisms from the most simple unicellular organisms to complex ones like human beings, animals, fungi, and plants.
Life Science is a field involving advanced biology, also commonly called Biological Science. It is a booming industry and a demanding course to pursue, majorly because of the advancement of science and technology in this generation. Life Sciences is an inspiring discipline of studies that requires in-depth research and analyses but has immense potential overall.
Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Ecology, Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular biology, etc. are different fields of Life Sciences.
Considering a career in life sciences?
After completing a degree in life sciences, students are offered various career opportunities.
Genetic Engineering and biotechnology
There is a vast scope for jobs in genetic engineering and biotechnology for students. Students can opt for careers in research or as assistant professors. They can also enter into the agriculture and food industry or even opt for genetic counselling. There are ample opportunities in hospitals, genetic diagnostic laboratories and scientists in forensic labs.
Genomics
Scientists and many professionals around the globe are using discoveries in genetics to revolutionize the world. This implies that ample career opportunities are booming in genetics and genomics. Some popular choices among them (across academia, healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry or even under the government) are:
Computational Genomics and Data Scientist
Technology Development
Genomics Researcher
Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Research
Genomic Medicine Clinician
Clinical and Laboratory Geneticist
Genetic Counsellor
Proteomics
This industry especially demands students interested in protein and analytical chemists, bioinformaticians, biochemists and business development officers.
Bioinformatics
There is a wide variety of job roles in pharma and biotech industries as well as in healthcare and academia. Jobs range from:
Bioinformatics Scientist
Research Scientist
Biostatistician
Microbiologist
Bioinformatician
Zoologist
Wildlife Biologist
Molecular Biologist
Biomaterials
The various job roles for students interested in this field are:
Bio-mechanical engineers
Biochemical engineers
Bioinstrumentation
Biomaterials engineers
Biomechanics
Clinical engineering
Dialysis engineers
Genetic engineers
Rehabilitation engineering
Systems physiology
Epidemiology
Generally, epidemiologists can be grouped into two categories- Research, and Clinical. Career opportunities in this field are:
Survey researchers and statisticians
Community health workers
Veterinary Epidemiologists
Pharmaceutical epidemiologist
Molecular Epidemiologist
Disaster Epidemiologist
Supervisory Epidemiologist
Infection Control Epidemiologist
Microbiology
Microbiology is a popular subject among science graduates. Students taking up this course can look out for jobs like:
Research Assistant
Food, Industrial or Environmental Microbiologists
Quality Assurance Technologists
Sales or Technical Representative
Clinical and Veterinary Microbiologists
Medical Technologists
Biomedical Scientist
Clinical Research Associate
Food science
A career in food science has immense scope. Popular FMCG companies are dependent on food scientists for product development and research. Some popular job roles in food science are:
Food technologist:
Production, Operation, Quality Assurance, and Quality Control
Research & Development:
New Product & Process Development
Marketing & Sales
Business Development & Marketing analysis
Procurement & Supply chain management
Application of life sciences
1. Agriculture
Life science is applied widely in agriculture. It is used in engineering better seeds, crops, fertilisers and manure etc. For example, biotechnology and genetic modification- a branch of life sciences, has been pivotal in creating crop varieties that can withstand harsh environments. It is also applied in livestock and poultry farming.
2. Human health
Life science on health, or health care, are core subjects of the curriculum. Life science aids in-depth research of diseases and disorders, which is studied under epidemiology. Life science also helps in managing patient health thus promising a better and healthier life.
3. Stem cell technology
Stem cells are the body’s raw material. They are pluripotent i.e. they have the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. Stem cell therapy promotes the repair response of diseased, dysfunctional or injured tissue. It has the potential to prevent the need for organ transplants as well.
4. Precision Medicine
An emerging approach for disease treatment- which takes into account individual variability in genes (nature), and environment (nurture). This allows medical practitioners and researchers to accurately predict which treatment and prevention strategies will work for the target group.
5. Environment Management
Life sciences enable an understanding of the environment and other living species with whom we share the earth- this knowledge guides conservation efforts and really helps us save our shared planet.
Top Universities for studying Life Sciences in India:
Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha (Under Dept. of Biotechnology, Government of India)
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
SRM University, Chennai
University of Delhi
National Institute of Technology, Rourkela and Durgapur
Manipal University, Noida
Amity University, Karnataka
Top Universities for studying Life Sciences abroad:
Australian National University, Australia
Yale University, USA
Harvard University, USA
Imperial College London, UK
Virginia Tech, USA
Written by: Anmol Arora & Kasturi Gouri
