Bio Courses after 12th: Best Options for Aspiring Biologists

As a student passionate about biology, your option after completing Class 12 is not limited to MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery). There are a lot of bio courses after the 12th that you can take up to enjoy a satisfying and financially rewarding career. This is inclusive of options such as the following:

• biotechnologists
• agriculture scientists 
• microbiologists
• environmentalists
• biochemists

In this guide, we will explore the finest options for bio courses after completing Class 12 for aspiring biologists, including online programs.

Why Choose Bio Courses After 12th?

Biology is a scientific field that helps us comprehend the living world and how the species that make it up – including humans – function, interact, and evolve. Advancements in different areas of biology such as medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture have helped improve the overall quality of our lives. This perhaps underscores the immense importance of alternative bio courses as well.
 

There are several advantages of taking up these courses for aspiring biologists. You get great career opportunities, the chance to learn hands-on, and intern with companies that work in this domain thus gaining valuable experience and boosting your CV. You can also get opportunities in domains such as research, biotechnology, healthcare, and environmental sciences, to name a few.
 

Online biology degrees can also be explored because of the flexibility that it offers. In these courses, you get to study at the time, the pace, and the place that is the most suitable for you. These benefits, in turn, make such education accessible to a broader audience.

Best Bio Courses After 12th for Aspiring Biologists

B.Sc. in Biological Sciences

• Course overview: B.Sc. in Biological Sciences is regarded as one of the leading bio courses in India. The core area of the program is the study of the ways living organisms function and the way they are structured. Usually, it has a duration of three years but, depending on the institution it could be four years as well.
   
• Core subjects: The core subjects covered in the program are genetics, ecology, and molecular biology.
   
• Career prospects and further studies: By studying in this course you can work following graduation as a biotechnologist or a molecular biologist as well. Plus, it offers you the chance to further your studies through academia and research with biotechnology being an especially prominent option in this regard.

B.Sc. in Microbiology

• Program description: Regarded by many as the leading online biology degree in India, this three-year undergraduate program studies microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. As such, lab work happens to be an important component of the course.
   
• Key areas of study: The most important areas of study in this program may be enumerated as below:

1. cell structure
2. metabolism
3. genetics
4. growth and control
5. environmental microbiology
    

• Job roles: After graduating from the program you can find work in roles such as microbiologist, research assistant, and lab technician. 

B.Sc. in Biotechnology

• Program explanation: This is one of the top bio courses after 12th for sure considering the way it teaches you the ways to combine technology with biology to create services and products that can be applied in various domains such as medicine, environment, and agriculture.
   
• Potential careers: Graduating from the course helps you find rewarding job opportunities in sectors such as biopharmaceuticals, agriculture, and research institutions.

B.Sc. in Environmental Science

• Course description: The degree program studies the environment from a scientific point of view and a crucial part of this is the way nature is affected by the activities of humans. This includes various key topics such as Earth systems and environmental issues. It also focuses a lot on environmental conservation and as such its importance is always growing.
   
• Careers: Studying in this program will help you find work in immensely relevant careers such as environmental management, policymaking, and conservation, to name a few.

B.Sc. in Clinical Research

• Overview: The program focuses on studying clinical trials, developing new drugs and treatments, and medical research.
   
• Core subjects: The core areas of study in this program are clinical trial design, pharmacology, regulatory affairs, and biostatistics.
   
• Career prospects: After finishing this course you can find work in profiles such as clinical research associate and clinical data manager. You can also get work in establishments such as pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and contract research organizations (CROs).

B.Sc. in Food Science and Nutrition

• Overview: In this program, you study the fundamental science behind phenomena such as food production, nutrition, and health. 
   
• Core subjects: The core subjects of the program may be enumerated as below:

1. food microbiology
2. nutrition
3. dietetics
4. food processing
5. food safety regulations
    

• Career prospects: The top roles that open up to you after completing the course are nutritionist, food quality analyst, and dietician. Apart from that you will find roles in food industries, government health departments, health and wellness companies, and other similar establishments.

B.Sc. in Nursing (Biology-Focused)

• Overview: This particular course provides you with a detailed knowledge of key areas such as human biology, medical science, and patient care. Thus, it is rather evident that it prepares you for a successful career in the domain of healthcare.
   
• Core subjects: The following are the core subjects of the program:

1. anatomy
2. physiology
3. microbiology
4. pharmacology
5. healthcare management
    

• Career prospects: The most promising career prospects in this case are registered nurse, healthcare administrator, and clinical nurse specialist. Apart from that you will find employment in the likes of hospitals, community health centers, and clinics.

B.Sc. in Bionformatics
 

• Overview: The program combines various important domains such as biology, information technology, and computer science to interpret and analyze biological data.
   
• Core subjects: The core subjects of the program may be enumerated as below
   

1. molecular biology
2. genetics
3. computational biology
4. data analysis
5. programming languages such as Python and R
    

• Career prospects: The top jobs that you can land upon completing the program are bioinformatics specialist, computational biologist, and data scientist in genomics. Graduating from the program will also help you find work in the likes of biotech firms, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies.

B.Sc. in Physiotherapy

• Overview: In this program, the focus is on understanding human physiology and anatomy so that you can help patients with their rehabilitation as well as individuals who suffer from physical impairment of some sort or the other.
   
• Core subjects: Human anatomy, exercise therapy, electrotherapy, and biomechanics are the core subjects of the program.
   
• Career prospects: By graduating from this course you will get work as a rehabilitation specialist and a physiotherapist. The course also makes you eligible to work in hospitals, fitness centers, and sports clinics. 

B.Sc. in Allied Health Science

• Overview: This course deals with a wide and diverse array of healthcare domains and provides you with all the knowledge that you require to professionally support medical services in the best way possible.
   
• Core subjects: The most important subjects covered in the program are radiology, respiratory therapy, anesthesia technology, and medical imaging.
   
• Career prospects: Radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist, and medical imaging specialist are among the most important professions you will be qualified to work in after completing the program. You will also be able to find work in diagnostic centers and hospitals.

B.Sc. in Veterinary Science

• Overview: This is the ideal course if you are equally passionate about animal welfare as you are about biosciences. The focus over here is on areas such as animal healthcare, veterinary practices, and disease management.
   
• Core subjects: The most important areas covered in the program are animal anatomy, veterinary pathology, animal nutrition, and surgery.
   
• Career prospects: Apart from being a veterinarian, you will also be able to work as an animal health tactician after completing this course. It will also open up roles in veterinary hospitals, wildlife conservation, and animal research centers.

Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT)

• Overview: The course will provide you with training on ways to perform lab tests for the treatment and diagnosis of various ailments and diseases.
   
• Core subjects: The following are the core subjects of the same:

1. microbiology
2. pathology
3. biochemistry
4. hematology
5. clinical biochemistry
    

• Career prospects: By studying in this course you will be able to find work in establishments such as diagnostic labs, research centers, and hospitals. The most prominent roles for such diploma holders are lab manager and medical lab technician.

Diploma in Pharmaceutical Management

• Overview: This particular course offers you the unique combination of business management with biology with a focus on the pharmaceutical industry.
   
• Core subjects: The following are the core subjects of the program:

1. pharmacology
2. drug development
3. marketing
4. regulatory affairs
5. supply chain management 
    

• Career prospects: You can work as a sales and marketing executive or pharmaceutical manager. The course also makes you eligible for various other roles in the likes of pharmaceutical companies, drug regulation agencies, and healthcare consulting.

Diploma in Genetics & Certificate Programs

• Overview: Such diplomas and certificate programs provide you with a solid base in genetics and subjects related to the same by providing you with detailed knowledge and allowing you to specialize in any domain that piques your interest later on. They also prepare you more than adequately to succeed in careers such as genetic technologists, pathological technicians, and clinical scientists.
   
• Top institutions: The following are the leading online institutions that offer these programs:

1. Amity Online 
2. Coursera 
3. Class Central
4. Johns Hopkins University 
5. U-M School of Public Health
6. edX
7. FutureLearn 

Conclusion

Thus, as is evident from the information provided above, there is no dearth of exciting and rewarding degree programs and diploma courses for you to study, gain knowledge, hone your skills, and boost your employability as an aspiring biologist.
 

However, this is why it is even more important that you do not lose focus amid the abundance and select a program that is more in alignment with your career goals. You can always go the traditional route in these cases but these days online programs like the ones offered by Amity Online have become a viable alternative as well.

Check Out Our Top Online Degree Programs