Life Science & Environment

Biochemistry, alternatively referred to as Biological Chemistry, brings together the disciplines of Biology and Chemistry. It is the study of chemical processes of living organisms. Biochemistry tries to understand biological organisms through the study of biological molecules, and the chemical processes that occur within living cells. Using this knowledge, biochemists attempt to understand and solve biological problems. They thus make important contributions to the scientific and medical advancements in a number of areas, including health, environment and agriculture.

Bioinformatics, also referred to as computational biology, is a modern field that combines computer science, statistics, mathematics and engineering with biology. Professionals work on developing tools, techniques and IT systems for analysing and interpreting complex biological data, such as that obtained from biomedical studies. It makes central and globally accessible databases available to scientists, for use in research studies, to analyze data, make comparisons and develop models.

Biology is a branch of the natural sciences, and is concerned with the study of living organisms. Biologists investigate the function, structure, growth, distribution, taxonomy and evolution of living organisms. It is an eclectic field that draws from various disciplines and branches. Their work helps generate awareness and understanding of the natural world in which we live, and forms the basis of many other disciplines like medicine, genetics and biotech

Biophysicists study biological processes through the lens of physics. It is a growing enterprise worldwide, driven primarily by the widespread realization of the major contributions made by biological sciences. Biophysicists study organisms at the cellular and molecular level using the methods and approaches of Physics. The field encompasses the study of a wide range of upcoming academic areas including molecular and cell biology, atomic and molecular physics, organic and physical chemistry, etc.

Botany, also referred to as Plant Biology, involves the study of plants, including their growth, structure, differentiation, evolution and development etc. Botanists study the interactions of plants and the environment, their life processes, observe their growth in different conditions, conduct experiments to see how they convert chemical compounds to complex chemicals, and their genetic properties that control their development. For this end, botanists employ specialized equipment to conduct their researches and prepare reports on their findings.

Entomology is a branch of zoology which studies insects and their interaction and relationships with humans, their environment and other organisms. Entomologists specifically contributes to the welfare of humankind by revealing the contribution of insects in the spread of diseases and determining ways of protecting crops and livestock from being damaged. Entomologists make a sizeable contribution in fields such as agriculture, chemistry, biology, human/animal health, molecular science, criminology and forensics. This field serves as the basis for developments in biological and chemical pest control, food and fiber production and storage, pharmaceuticals epidemiology, biological diversity, and a variety of other fields of science.

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field that integrates physical, biological, and information sciences to study the environment and various environmental problems. Environmental Scientists work on prime subjects such as the understanding of earth processes, evaluating alternative energy systems, pollution control and mitigation, natural resource management, and the effects of global climate change.

Epidemiology is a discipline which studies how diseases occur to different groups of people and why do they occur. All the information regarding diseases is used to plan and develop strategies which is used to prevent illness. Epidemiologists work as statisticians who work in government offices to find patterns in health related problems. Epidemiologists can be grouped into two categories- Research field and Clinical field. Research epidemiologists conduct research as to develop strategies that can eradicate or control infectious diseases. Clinical epidemiologists work in consulting roles at hospitals, informing the medical staff of infectious diseases and providing solutions to prevent illnesses.

Fishery Science is a field concerned with the study, understanding and management of fisheries. Fishery science is rapidly expanding in India, with the growing demands on the fishing industry. Professionals in this field also aim to develop sustainable solutions to prevent disease, and preserve fish populations. Career opportunities are available in government and private organizations, fisheries, consulting, business, environmental law, etc.

It is the study of genes, heredity and genetic variations in living organisms. The field aims to understand the process and function of trait inheritance, including topics such as gene distribution, gene behavior, and molecular structure of genes. Professionals in the field are involved with the investigation of the genetic causes behind various genetic anomalies, hereditary conditions and genetic variations of living organisms.

Marine biology is the study of all marine organisms, right from planktons and microbes, to plants and animals. Marine biologists investigate the behaviors and interactions of marine life with their surroundings. With the increase in environmental degradation, Marine Biologists try to understand how these challenges are affecting marine organisms, and come up with solutions to control and treat them. Methods and techniques employed in this field include trawlers, sonars, and satellites.

Microbiology is the scientific study of microscopic organisms and how they interact with other organisms in their environment, including humans, animals, and plants. A key role of microbiology is to investigate and discover how microorganisms affect our lives. For this, it incorporates knowledge and concepts from various subfields of study in biology such as virology, mycology, parasitology, and bacteriology, etc. Microbiologists work in research and clinical settings in various fields including biomedicine, pharmacology, food production and technology, genetics, forensic science, health care, environmental protection, and other domains.

Molecular Biology is a multi-disciplinary field which studies and analyses the molecular basis of biological activity. Molecular biologists carry out research and experiments on nucleic acid such as DNA and RNA and proteins, lipids and carbohydrates to understand the complex interaction of these molecules and how they contribute to life processes. Their work is related to DNA sequencing, cloning, RNA functioning, and studying other cellular behavior in humans, plants, animals and other organisms. They attempt to find specific patterns in some biological materials and replicate the findings of their research in other experiments to frame hypotheses or theories. The understanding of molecular function can then be applied to other fields such as pharmaceutical, agriculture, wildlife, medicine, food industry and other industrial fields.

The study of physical and biological aspects of the ocean is called Oceanography or Ocenology. There are wide range of domains which are studied in oceanography such as ecosystem dynamics, sea life, waves, tides, ocean currents, geology of the sea floor, plate tectonics etc. An oceanographer is a scientist who investigates ecology of marine organisms, chemistry & geology of ocean, physical attributes of ocean such as temperature, waves, tides etc. in detail. Oceanographers play an important role in mitigating the effects of climate change, overpopulation, and overfishing.

It is the study of functions and mechanisms of living organisms. It investigates how organisms, organs, cells and bio-molecules carry out their chemical and physical functions. Human physiology, a specific branch of physiology, studies how our cells, muscles and organs work together and interact. Physiologists use this knowledge to study the methods for treating diseases and coping with the stresses our bodies are exposed to in different environments.

Virology is the study of viruses and virus-like entities, which are submicroscopic parasitic creatures with genetic material enclosed in a protein coat. The main study focuses on the structure, classification, and evolution of viruses, also the methods of infecting and exploiting host cells for reproduction, interactions with host organism physiology and immunity is also included, isolation and culture techniques, and their use in research and therapy. Virology is specialisation, therefore there are only few colleges offer Virology as a special course. Virology's early years were reliant on breakthroughs in the chemical and physical sciences. Viruses have long been thought of as disease-causing entities that need to be controlled or eradicated. They do however, have some favourable features that can be harnessed for good ends, as seen in gene therapy and vaccinology.

Water management involves planning, organizing, allocating and distributing water resources effectively. This profession has to take into account various water regulations and governmental policies in their work. It is a need of the hour to manage natural resources like water efficiently and justly.The demand for professionals in the field of water resources is rising because of global climate change, land usage changes, etc. Various national and state govermental agencies are providing opportunities in water management career. They are also required in most local and rural municipalities for developing appropriate water resource management plans. Flood control strategies, rainwater harvesting strategies, distribution of water in the town is carried out by a water resource manager. These individuals can also work with the private sector like with water conservation industries, some engineering firms, environmental consultancies, and with companies that utilise water resources in manufacturing or extracting work.To become a water resource manager, there are different options available in undergraduate as well as postgraduate degrees, even diplomas.

There is an alarming state in the world with the increasing extinction of animals which would have an adverse impact on the environment. Wildlife conservation is the need of the hour, which is concerned with studying and protection of the animals and their habitat, and those students who are passionate about animals they can pursue with this career and conserve wildlife. This career is tailor-made for the individuals who are passionate about animals, would want to study and protect them. The career opportunities in the field of wildlife conservation are prevalent in the Government agencies, NGOs, academics, wildlife photography, writing journals and so on. The students of wildlife conservation study about survey and research of biodiversity, conservation plans, history, environmental law etc. The job of wildlife conserver involves working to save the environment and animals as well, therefore it involves research work, development of plans for their conservation, spreading awareness etc. Working with an NGO and organizations, gaining experience from there will be advantageous for your profile.

Zoology is a science that involves the study of the animal kingdom, both living and extinct. Zoologists, as a result, are also referred to as Animal Scientists. Zoologists analyze the structure, life processes, physiology, and classification of different species in detail. They also analyze how different animals interact with each other and adapt to their environments. They conduct research on both the species and individual organisms by collecting and analyzing data in laboratories and outdoor environments.