Bioinformatics and Biology

[Hitomers]

jonmoulton, that is incredible information that I didn't even know! Double majoring, especially with engineering, is a daunting task that I didn't even consider. I'll have to look into that. As much I am into mathematics, it does take me some time and explaining. But like most people I know, once I understand that formula, how to apply it and how I got to the final answer, it's a piece of cake for me and numbers are no longer intimidating!

Isn't bioinformatics also a field that is being applied to DNA research? What aspect does engineering come into play there?

[JackBean]

bioinformatics can be applied to all fields of biochemistry (DNA, RNA, proteins) and nowadays is much applicable in the (post-)omics era

[Hitomers]

Are there any new technologies that are being applied to research, field studies, evolution or behavioral studies? Also are they being explored on an international level? That's another avenue I'm interested in incorporating. Kind of basket case aren't I. Ha!

[JackBean]

just while ago has been published metabolomic chip in Science, but it did raise many questions, so who knows, whether is it really working...

[Hitomers]

I'll have to look that up! It sounds amazing!

Any idea on if online degrees in any biological field are shunned by the community?

[jwalin]

MR. Jonmoulton is very right
you can do a Btech in biotech or something. btech in biotech is like the last step to education (atleast in the field)
but there is a difference
when you do a btech you will be learning more about the fermenters and how you can make it more efficient but in a BS you learn how bacterias or something in the fermenter works(to a larger extent)
BS gives you more opportunities to do research on bacteria or cells while bTech gives you more opportun ities with machines


its your choice to make

[Hitomers]

You all have given me great avenues to investigate and pursue. Should I be interested in something also along the lines of more animal interaction but also including everything we've discussed thus far, that is possible, yes?

(also, any available links on pursuing this educational field online would be incredibly appreciated!)

[Hitomers]

Maybe I'm starting to talk more in a zoological direction, which could be possible. I understand, however, that Zoology is becoming a dying major in colleges and universities and that starting with a BS in biology is where most zoologist/biologist with animal interests start. What about combining that and computers? Any thoughts on this?

[Hitomers]

So, all you brilliant biology folks: what say you about a BS in biolotechnology and a MS in Evolutionary Biology? Has it been? Good results on the job market? How about what is learned? Any thoughts?

[jwalin]

what you study in biotech can vary but generally you will come in contact (didn't get the right word to be used here) with the idea of insulin production, increasing plant yield via change in fertilisers or DNA...

i don't know how much of zoology will there be. but botany is there to a large extent

wasn't much of a help. i know. but that's all i know about biotech
:)

[JackBean]

why do you think, that there is plenty of botanics, but no zoology?

[Hitomers]

thanks jwalin! everything anyone says has definitely been of help. it's always helpful to get different sides. i didn't realize there was less on the zoological side than the botany side. most people i know that majored in zoology just turned into zookeepers, but i want to do more than that. perhaps that's why i'm trying to pursue evolutionary biology: integrated computer technology and advancements for science with computers intermixed with animal research and studies. maybe i should get a phd in something and create my own scientific field. hahaha but i thought biotech would be good so that employment was possible and then i can still study evolutionary biology at a later time and incorporate animals that way.

isn't botany more of a rising field because of not only the benefits of plants but also because of the obsession with environmental protection and the fact that more than likely what could be a saving factor, already lies in plants?