Biologists explore the vast diversity of life, as well as the unifying principles basic to all living things. They examine the chemical and cellular basis of life and the many levels of organization of life, from molecular architecture to ecosystem structure. They also study inheritance, molecular genetics, the biology of populations, behavior, the flow of energy in living systems, and evolutionary and ecological relationships.
Some biologists are generalists with broad training in all aspects of biology.
Many more specialize in disciplines such as botany, biochemistry, genetics and cell biology, zoology, ecology, and related fields such as agriculture and medicine. At WSU, undergraduate degrees in General Biology are separate from those in Botany and Zoology, but all are part of a single academic unit, the School of Biological Sciences. This broad field of study gives rise to many areas of specialization and leads to diverse career opportunities in the life sciences. Graduates with bachelor's degrees in biology qualify for positions such as technicians or health technologists. Some start as biological scientists in testing and inspection in government or in private industry.