BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES STUDENTS
—are broadly trained and, as a result, have diverse career paths. Our students work in an array of fields including medicine, public health, environmental science, biotechnology, law, and education.
They work in governmental and non-governmental agencies, zoos/aquaria, and private foundations. Many of our students pursue postgraduate education in medicine, dentistry, allied health fields, or research (MS/Ph.D. and MD/Ph.D.).
For illustrated career paths, please review the following resources. If you have more questions about career opportunities, connect with your academic advisor or a Career Advisor from the University Career Center.
Career Path Packets
Career Paths for the Biological Sciences Major [ILLUSTRATED PDF]
Career Paths for the Biological Sciences Major [PLAIN TEXT PDF]
Careers by Major Specialization
—Created in collaboration with the University Career Center using alumni data
Undergraduate Teaching Assistants for Biological Sciences
—Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (UTAs) are hired for some lower-level and upper-level biological sciences (BSCI) classes. Each UTA works under the supervision of the lab/discussion coordinator or class instructor.
UTA work varies depending on the course assignments. Duties include teaching lab or discussion sections, facilitating in-class learning activities, holding review sessions, and grading exams, papers, worksheets, and problem sets. UTAs are expected to be mature, responsible, and attentive to requirements.
UTA work requires an average of 10 hours per week, depending on the course. New UTAs will also be required to attend a weekly 1-credit teaching seminar. The stipend is determined by the current minimum wage policy at UMD and is paid as an hourly wage for 150 hours per semester. Application information is available on Canvas.
If you have questions, email DR. DANIELLE ADAMS at dadams37@umd.edu.
Explore Careers on Peer Institution Websites*
*Resources from UMD peer institutions offer valuable information. While most of the information can be used by any student regardless of where they are enrolled, note that some links may provide contact information/resources that are available only to that particular institution. Special thanks to our peer institutions.
What can I do with a major in Biological Sciences? (Purdue University)
Asa Futurescape®, Brief Career Assessment
Created by a national nonprofit called American Student Assistance, the ASA Futurescape® is a free resource intended to help students figure out their careers and education plans. The brief assessment should take less than 10 minutes to complete.
Results for any career assessment are not prescriptive, and are advised to be further discussed with a professional career advisor.
Pre-Health? Get Started with HPAO
The Reed-Yorke Health Professions Advising Office (HPAO) uses a holistic, individualized approach to support students in their development as future healthcare professionals. They provide guidance and resources to help students interrogate and refine their motivation, and encourage them to develop cultural competency, a global perspective, and an appreciation for the broader social determinants of health.
Their mission is to prepare students for a successful application to professional school and a life-long career in the health professions.
Biological Sciences students are instructed to review HPAO’s online resources and to watch or attend one of their introductory workshops prior to scheduling an advising session with their team.
$60k by 2026
The average starting salary for a teacher in Maryland will be $60,000 in 2026 for a 10-month contract.
Become a STEM Educator with Terrapin Teachers
Terrapin Teachers allows you to complete a middle school math or science education major OR a double major in your STEM content area and secondary education- all in four years!
Why teach? There is a high demand for STEM teachers across Maryland and throughout the nation. Loan forgiveness and scholarship programs are available for science and math teachers.
Thinking about adding or switching majors?
—Make an informed decision with Handshake
COMPLETE a Focus2 Assessment to learn your career interests
EXPLORE career paths for all majors using the What Can I Do With This Major Tool
Login and create your free profile via umd.joinhandshake.com to get started.
9 Exclusive Career Resources for UMD Students
—Login via umd.joinhandshake.com and click Career Center on the left side of the landing page. Then, click Resources
LinkedIn Learning
Develop new skills to make you more marketable to the types of employers you are seeking out.
PathwayU
Pathway U is a platform that acts as a career compass that guides you in discovering education and career pathways that fit your unique interests and values.
GoinGlobal
GoinGlobal is a premier database service providing students and professionals the resources to find career opportunities domestically and internationally.
Terrapins Connect
UMD Alumni Networking Database, Terrapins Connect, has discussion groups, job postings, and other networking tools to conduct informational interviews with alums.
Big Interview
Practice your virtual interviewing skills with industry-specific interview questions or popular questions that have a tendency to make an appearance during an interview.
Mentra
Job search platform specially designed for neurodivergent job seekers with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological differences. Access hundreds of jobs with one application. Attend office hours for help completing your candidate profile.
Vault
Gain helpful insight on a variety of industries and career paths through guides, blogs, and videos.
What can I do with this Major?
Whether you’re exploring majors or searching for information about your chosen field, What Can I Do With This Major? will help you connect majors to careers. Learn about typical career areas and types of employers that hire people with each major, as well as strategies to make you a more marketable candidate.
Focus 2
FOCUS 2 helps UMD students and alumni identify their natural strengths by taking personality and work preference self-assessments. Register and create a free account. Your access code is "goterps".
Biological Sciences Alumni are on Terrapins Connect
—Terrapins Connect is the University's virtual platform with the goal of connecting Terps from across the world with one another for mentoring, networking and professional opportunities.
Whether you are looking to give or receive advice, Terrapins Connect provides a way to get involved. By joining the platform, you gain access to connect with thousands of fellow Terps, lively affinity and professional groups, formal and informal mentoring programs, access to career development resources and programs, and so much more. What are you waiting for? Get started today!
Getting Connected
Setting up your account is quick and easy! Once you do so, you’ll be able to expand your Terp network, grow professionally, explore new career opportunities, and so much more.
Go to the Terrapins Connect homepage.
Click the "Join Your Community" button.
Select a signup method (ex. LinkedIn, Email, SSO)
Choose your User Type (ex. "Student, Alumni, Faculty/Staff)
Fill out your background info (if you use LinkedIn, your information will auto-populate!)
You may need to wait for an admin to approve your account. If that's the case, you’ll receive an email once your account has been approved.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics is an online resource that documents hundreds of occupations across the labor spectrum. Each profile includes a job outlook of the occupation’s projected growth in the near future, as well as earning potential. The site also features a section on the fastest-growing occupations.
Read more about job trends in the Biological Sciences and other majors via the University Career Center (UCC).
