- The common focus of the department faculty is on the role of genes and the use of molecular and genetic techniques to answer questions in modern biology. The goal of molecular geneticists is to get a better understanding of basic biology and to apply that knowledge to practical problems in medicine, plant and animal breeding, and conservation. The Department of Molecular Genetics emphasizes studies on eukaryotes (animals, plants, fungi, and protists), although most of the basic principles apply to prokaryotes (bacteria) as well.
- Molecular geneticists with a BS degree often work as laboratory technicians. They are in demand to work on research projects in universities. Federal and state government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency hire molecular geneticists to work on a variety of applied research problems. In the private sector, agricultural and pharmaceutical companies are increasingly hiring molecular geneticists to apply their skills to genetic engineering as well as classical breeding programs. The new and growing biotechnology industry is largely based on the expertise of molecular geneticists.
Possible careers
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