Specializations in Biology
Molecular Biology
The study of biological processes at the molecular level, focusing on the interactions between biological molecules, such as DNA, RNA, and proteins.
Cell Biology
The examination of cell structure, function, and behavior, including the study of cellular processes such as division, signaling, and metabolism.
Genetics
The study of heredity, genetic variation, and the role of genes in living organisms, including the research of genetic disorders and applications in biotechnology.
Ecology
The study of interactions between organisms and their environment, focusing on ecosystems, biodiversity, and ecological processes.
Evolutionary Biology
The field that investigates the origin and descent of species, as well as the processes that drive evolutionary change, such as natural selection and genetic drift.
Microbiology
The study of microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, and their roles in health, disease, and environmental processes.
Biochemistry
The study of the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms, focusing on biomolecules like proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.
Physiology
The study of the normal functions of living organisms and their parts, exploring systems such as circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems.
Botany
The study of plants, including their physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution, and taxonomy.
Zoology
The study of animal biology, encompassing aspects of anatomy, behavior, evolution, and taxonomy of animals.
Neurobiology
The study of the biology of the nervous system, examining neurons, neural circuits, and their relationships to behavior and cognition.
Environmental Biology
The study of how organisms interact with their environment, emphasizing the impact of human activities on ecosystems.
Conservation Biology
The study of biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, and the protection of endangered species and their habitats.
Developmental Biology
The study of the process by which organisms grow and develop, including embryonic development and cellular differentiation.
Immunology
The study of the immune system, focusing on the mechanisms of immune response, disease prevention, and vaccination.
Biophysics
The application of the principles and methods of physics to understand biological systems, investigating phenomena at molecular and cellular levels.
Genomics
The study of genomes, including sequencing, analysis, and comparison, with implications for personalized medicine and biotechnology.
Proteomics
The large-scale study of proteins, including their functions and structures, to understand cellular processes and disease mechanisms.
Bioinformatics
The application of computational tools and techniques to analyze biological data, such as genome sequences and protein structures.
Pharmacology
The study of drugs and their effects on biological systems, focusing on the development and testing of new pharmaceuticals.
Entomology
The study of insects, their biology, ecology, behavior, and impact on ecosystems and human activity.
Marine Biology
The study of marine organisms, their behaviors, interactions, and ecosystems in oceanic environments.
Mycology
The study of fungi, including their genetics, taxonomy, ecology, and their roles in ecosystems and human affairs.
Virology
The study of viruses, their structure, reproduction, pathology, and their interactions with host organisms.
Synthetic Biology
An interdisciplinary field that combines biology and engineering to design and create new biological parts and systems.
Astrobiology
The study of the potential for life beyond Earth, examining the origins and evolution of life in relation to the universe.
Pathology
The study of diseases, including their causes, processes, development, and consequences on living organisms.
Ethology
The study of animal behavior in natural environments, focusing on instinctual actions, social behaviors, and communication.