Department of Biological Sciences

Professor David Bellamy once said, "Biology is the science of life in all its manifestations and is the key to all our futures". According to him, human beings are "part of a green world growing renewable resources set in a matrix of nature reserves which house diverse populations of all the plants and animals which service the life support systems of planet earth". He is advocating that with biology we can help create a stable, productive, economic and wonderful world. If a Biology student has such an understanding and attitude, the question he faces is more than half- answered.

Biology in recent years has been touted as the Queen of Science as we see it advancing with an incredible speed, leading us into unlocking the mystery of life and thereby empowering us to manipulate life. Gene therapy, embryo cloning, tissue engineering and other fascinating biotechnology are no more science fiction. The Time Magazine and other professional journals have declared that we are in the Biotechnology Century. Biologists have announced to the world that soon we will decode the entire sequence of the human DNA and the Human Genome Project will be completed in about 2 years' time. Above the DNA level, Biologists are discovering more and more about life on earth and we are more aware of the delicate balance we are in amongst the diversity of life forms and the environment.

Students should be aware that Biology is a partly professional and partly general subject. Students taking non-professional subjects usually do not expect to earn their living as practitioners in those fields but students trained in the professional disciplines will usually practice what they have learnt. Being a biology graduate one can, in principle, become a specialist, but one can also embark on a career which is totally unrelated to the subject such as becoming an administrator in the civil service, management executive in the private sector, newspaper or radio or TV journalist, or a banker...the options are open.

From the employers' viewpoint, there are some qualities developed during the study of biology which make it especially valuable as a preparation for general careers. The following points are to encourage biology students who wish to apply for jobs not directly related to biology:

(i) Because of the complexity of living things, studying them usually involves dealing with a wide range of variables and complex sources of data. Interpretation requires judgement and at times, the ability to compromise. As such, this is a good preparation for real life problems outside science, e.g., in managing people.

Research: Research is vital to creating new knowledge and this may lead to invention. Hence research is pursued fervently in various Research Institutes; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology; Tropical Marine Science Institute, Bioprocessing Technology Centre, Defence Medical Research Institute, Institute of Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Medicine; in Universities; Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore; in Government Agencies; Primary Production Department, Vector Control Unit, etc.; in Polytechnics; Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic; and in Statutory Boards; National Parks Board.)

Field Work Environmental conservation, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, park planning and management, work with animals, marine and freshwater Biology. Many of the organisations listed above have field work components. In addition to them are the Jurong Bird Park, the Singapore Zoological Garden, the Night Safari, the Underwater World, the Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, and the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research.

Information Work Library and Information Science, museums, publishing and journalism, Bioinformatics and the likes. In a knowledge-based economy, information management is of prime importance. Biologists may find themselves a niche in the Bioinformatic Centre and its spin-off companies, and the media industry such as television and radio corporations, and publishing.

Education Teaching Biology to prepare a future generation for Singapore is important. Teaching can be done at all levels from IT courseware to privately run education centres, and all other mainstream schools, colleges, polytechnics and universities. The Singapore Science Centre, Singapore Zoological Garden, Jurong Bird Park, Underwater World, Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, and the Raffles Museum for Biodiversity Research also employ education officers to educate the general public on subjects related to Biology.

Environmental Health Consultation services on environmental issues, environmental regulations, and environmental impact assessments are gaining prime recognition. Biologists may work as consultants in governmental or non-governmental organisations (e.g. National Parks Board, BIOTROP, ICLARM, WHO, etc.)

Biology-based Industries Production, management, marketing, Biotechnology, entrepreneurship, bioprospecting, food science and technology industries are growing rapidly in Singapore and they can be lucrative businesses. A Biotechnology Directory has been compiled by the National Science and Technology Board (NSTB) and the Economic Development Board (EDB) has also established extensive network of such industries. Both NSTB and EDB also employ biologists to look after Biotechnology and related interests in Singapore.

Health Care Medical specialists, health service and support, counselling, paramedical technology, diagnostics analysis, and sample screening are all possible niches for biologists who have the appropriate training. Many hospitals and pharmaceutical companies employ biologists for such services. This is also closely linked with the research and development conducted in local research institutes and universities.

For practising biologists, the sky can be the limit for research and development. Given the right environment and adequate facilities, Biology is a disipline to be discovered and explored. Many Biology students move on to higher degree studies and research, and many have established themselves overseas through their contributions to Science. Some have returned to help propel R & D in Biology in Singapore to world status. Professor Chua Nam Hai, Chairman of the Institute of Molecular Agrobiology, was a Biology graduate from the then Nanyang University. Professor Chris Tan, Director of the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, was also a local graduate from the then Singapore University. Associate Professor Peter Ng, a First Class Honours and PhD student of the National University of Singapore, is a well-respected world authority on Crabs in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Biology as a subject looks into the wonderful world of nature and life. A true biologist will never feel dull because in whatever job that he chooses, a biologist is trained to appreciate nature and life in his day-to-day dealings.