How to know which degree to choose (also see career advice on our Biojobs page): 

CAREER	Post-graduate degrees required?	UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE RECOMMENDED
Medicine:  Physician or Dentist	yes	B.S. in Biology or Biochemistry.  Some medical colleges do not require a science major; but almost all require two semesters of organic chemistry and at least four courses in biology.  Check our pre-med page.  Our alumni report that the first year of medical school is easier for people who have had a biochemistry course and more biology courses.
Veterinary Medicine	yes	B.S. in Biology or Biochemistry.  Some veterinary programs require a course in biochemistry or nutrition or something else.  Plan ahead by checking catalogs from prospective programs.
Physical Therapy	yes a few programs accept undergraduate transfers for 5- or 6-year programs	B.S. or B.A. in Biology or Psychology (with extra science courses).  Many P.T. programs require human anatomy, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physiology (preferably comparative physiology).  Some programs require kinesiology, which Queens students must take in summer school at another college. Plan ahead by checking catalogs from prospective programs.
Teaching	no	any science degree at Queens for K-12 teaching with lateral entry (lower pay).  Getting a teachers' license requires careful planning.   See your advisor.  Teaching at the college level, of course, requires a post-graduate degree.
Laboratory or Medical Research	no	B.S. in Biology or Biochemistry. A course in Microbiology is recommended.  Some entry-level jobs require only a B.S., but graduate work or other specialized training is usually required for advancement.
Environmental Engineering or Science or Monitoring	no	B.A. in Environmental Biology or Biology.  More chemistry will provide more opportunities.  Some entry-level jobs require only a B.A., but graduate work or other specialized training is usually required for advancement.  Check our Environmental page.
Naturalist (or zoologist or botanist) (Museums, Zoos, Parks, Gardens)	sometimes	B.A. in Environmental Biology or Biology
Science Writer or Editor	no	any science degree at Queens College
Pharmacy or Pharmacology	yes a few programs accept undergraduate transfers for 5- or 6-year programs	B.S. in Biochemistry or Biology.  Some programs have different requirements.  Plan ahead by checking catalogs from prospective programs.
Genetic Counseling	yes	B.S. in Biology or Biochemistry.  A course in biochemistry is usually required.  Plan ahead by checking catalogs from prospective programs.
Sales (Pharmaceuticals, technical books or supplies)	no	any science degree at Queens College

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Melinda McCall, class of 2000, knew she wanted to become a veterinarian.   As a freshman, she chose the B.S. in Biology.  She got a job in the Biology Department and reported for work before her classes started. She's been a lab assistant since her sophomore year. Melinda was on the basketball team until her junior year, when she spent a semester abroad at Sligo Tech in Ireland.  Melinda won almost every award Queens science students can win, and she was the president of Queens' chapter of the honorary biological society, Beta Beta Beta.. Her internship was with a veterinary clinic.   She had summer jobs with several different vets; and she was really sure that's the career she wants.  She was accepted at her first choice for vet schools--Virginia Tech!.