What is Life Science?
Table of Contents:
- Scope of Life Science
- Branches of Life Science
- Why Build a Career in Life Science?
- Job Opportunities in Life Science Industry
- Conclusion
What is Life Science?
From the buzzing of the bees to the metamorphosis of the caterpillar, did it ever make you wonder why that happens? Isn’t it amazing that the cells floating around in our bodies are more intelligent than we are? How do they know what to do? How are these behaviours encoded in our genes?
Life Science means the study of the most complex thing in the universe – Life.
We study microorganisms, plants, animals & human beings – including their physical structure, chemical processes, molecular interactions, physiological mechanisms, development, and evolution.
While biology remains the epicentre of the life sciences, technological advances in molecular biology and biotechnology have led to new specializations and interdisciplinary fields. New disciplines such as genomics and metabolomics technologies have revolutionized the course of this gigantic field.
Life science subjects may be basic or applied science. Basic science gains new knowledge and a better understanding of the natural world. The aim of applied science is to find solutions to practical problems using the findings from basic science.
This field has gained immense popularity due to its continuous advancements. And this might interest you to learn more about living organisms and their scientific properties. In that case, pursuing a career in the Life Science Industry is a great choice! It provides you with a rewarding and successful career.
There are various opportunities in Life Sciences subjects that can provide you with a wide range of knowledge and skills. This field requires a combination of academic and practical experience.
Scope of Life Science
The interdisciplinary field of applied biology focuses on the various aspects of life sciences such as biotechnology, microbiology, and biochemistry. It also includes subjects related to various technological and scientific fields.
Through laboratory training, students can also develop their skills in various areas of biotechnology. This course aims to prepare them for entrepreneurship and multi-disciplinary research in various areas of life sciences.
The goal of the universities offering life science subjects is to establish a comprehensive and industrialised nation through the establishment of community services and consulting firms. We have written a detailed blog on what a career in life science can look like!
Branches of Life Science
Life Sciences is a large umbrella that encompasses an array of branches. Many life scientists typically specialize in one class or organism within the life science industry.
There are more than thirty different branches of life sciences, but we will review some of the popular ones here. If you find any of these fields interesting, you must consider one of them as a career choice.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, or biological chemistry, studies chemical processes within and relating to living organisms. Biochemistry covers a range of scientific disciplines, including genetics, microbiology, forensics, plant science, and medicine.
Biochemistry is essential, and advances in this field of science over the past 100 years have been staggering. It’s an exciting time to be part of this fascinating area of study.
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms which includes unicellular (single cell), multicellular (cell colony), or acellular (lacking cells). Microbiology encompasses numerous sub-disciplines, including virology, bacteriology, protistology, mycology, immunology, and parasitology.
Genetics
Genetics is the study of genes at all levels, including how they act in the cell and how they are transmitted from parents to offspring.
Genetics forms one of the central pillars of biology and overlaps with many other areas, such as agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology.
Botany
Botany, also called plant science, plant biology, or phytology is the science of plant life. Traditionally, botany has also included the study of fungi and algae by mycologists and phycologists. Additional subdivisions include plant genetics, evolution, physiology, anatomy, and morphology.
Zoology
Zoology studies the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct, and how they interact with their ecosystems.
Zoology overlaps with several other disciplines, including palaeontology, entomology, and genetics. Different zoologists focus on different types of animals, including birds, reptiles, mammals, fish, and more.
Ecology
Ecology concerns interactions among organisms and their biophysical environment, which includes biotic and abiotic components. Topics of study include the biodiversity, distribution, biomass, and populations of organisms and also, cooperation & competition between species.
Ecology aims to get an overall understanding of the way ecosystems operate. These systems are complex, dynamic webs of life that constantly shift and maintain a delicate balance without which the system collapses. This ecosystem could be as large as the amazon rainforest or as small as your neighbourhood pond.
Marine Biology
Marine biology focuses on life in the oceans, everything from whales to fish to plankton to algae. It studies different ecosystems, food chains and botany found in various water bodies.
Marine biology is vast, so most researchers select a particular area of interest and specialize in it. Specialisations can be based on a particular species, group, behaviour, technique, or ecosystem.
Why Build a Career in Life Science?
The study of every living thing in the universe, past and present, is a huge deal. There are good chances that you will find a specific area that piques your interest.
People choose to study life science subjects because it offers such a wide variety of subjects & multiple high-paying job opportunities. The possibilities to create a successful career are endless.
Even if you aren’t interested in becoming a scientist, studying life science is still a good idea for the life science industry’s wider job opportunities. It can help you understand the world. Because of Life Sciences, we are able to predict, diagnose & treat diseases more precisely, The latest example is COVID-19 & the proactive development of the vaccination.
Yes! All these studies require life science students who truly understand the meaning of life science as a whole in society. Through life science, one learns about the wonders of our universe. They can also see that our bodies are constantly carrying out small tasks that are vital to survival. To understand how life science is helping in this field read about the need for Life Science subjects in the present and future.
Job Opportunities in Life Science Industry
For people with a passion for the natural world and scientific research, a career in life sciences can be an excellent choice. This field of study can involve various industries such as animal science, environmental science, and human health.
If you are looking for full-fledged information about the career and scope in Life Science and the skills required to build a career, check out the Atria University Academic section to know about the projects, development and future job opportunities.
Conclusion
Life science is an enormous scientific field that aims to answer some of the most fundamental questions about life forms. It is crucial for developing new technologies that can drive the economy , food , & sustainability.
It examines everything from the blue whale breaching the ocean’s surface for air to the bacteria working in your digestive system. It looks at how we live, where we live, and how we can live better.
The future of Life Sciences depends on what we do in terms of changing the way we are altering the planet. Because if we’re not careful, there will be no future, not only for life sciences but also for other forms of human culture.