Would it be better to get a Biology degree or a specialized bio degree?

Question

For instance, I'm thinking of becoming a Botanist. The more I read it seems you can get Botany jobs with just a Bio degree though. So I'm thinking would it make more sense to just get a Bio degree to widen my options and then maybe get a Masters in Botany if thats what I want to do?

Answer 1

As person who does hiring for both a Chemistry and a Microbiology Lab, I can say that the specificity of the degree does not matter as much as the type of degree. I am more likely to hire a person who received a BS in Biology (or Chemistry or Geology or any science) than a person who received a BA in the same field.

Once you get further into the college level courses, you can start taking the classes that concentrate on the subject matter you like most. I think its more important to make contact and work closely with a college professor that will give you a good academic/personal recommendation than it is to actually get the exact scientific field on your diploma.

(I got my AS in Chemistry and my BS in Biology and Chemistry. While in the last four semesters of school, I worked closely with an Environmental Microbiologist. It was through her teaching and mentoring that I learned everything I needed to get my first job after graduation!)

Answer 2

To be honest, the subject of which your degree is in doesn't really matter. I would find a field you have a chance to perform research in (this looks very good on graduate school applications and to employers). Regardless of your degree, if you like Botany do some research in that area during your undergrad.

Answer 3

If ... you plan on getting a masters, I would suggest the general biology degree and the masters in botany. If ... you plan to only get a bachelor's degree, and you want to work in the field of botany, then focus your undergraduate work on botany.

Best wishes and good luck.

Answer 4

what do you want? Anyways, most biology master degree programs will accept you if you at least have a biology degree. But you have to take the GRE or the GRE biochem exam in order to apply.