Do you ever think about the existence of human beings? Where did we come from? What is our origin? If you ask these questions yourself, the field of life sciences is particularly apt for you. Through life science, you can learn about human beings, agriculture, forestry, biochemistry, fisheries, ecology, and etymology.
The scope of life science is present in almost all disciplines of science and technology. If you want to make a career in this field, you need to get a degree in life sciences. There are many life science courses online or offline at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, such as BSc Life Sciences and MSc Life Sciences.
You can also opt for free online life science courses from MIT, Harvard, EPFL, and others that help build your skills and advance your career in life sciences. You can find numerous career opportunities after pursuing life science certification courses. Read more to learn about Free Life Science Courses and Certifications.
What is Life Science?
As a branch of science, life science deals with the study of living organisms and life processes. It is a broad field of study that examines every living thing on the earth. This includes animals, plants, viruses and bacteria, single-celled organisms, and cells. The study of life sciences also examines the biology of how these organisms live
Who Can Pursue Life Science Courses?
Anyone who has an interest in science and nature, and candidates who have a background in biology can find life science courses suitable for them. Candidates who want to explore more about living beings and unlock the biological reasons behind them can choose life science as a career.
Eligibility Criteria for Life Science Courses
Different life science courses have different eligibility criteria so that they can get themselves admitted to the desired courses. Below listed are some of the most important eligibility criteria that must be looked upon while enrolling into courses:
- For BSc Life Science courses, candidates must have passed 10+2 in the science stream (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) with at least 50% marks from a recognised board.
- Admissions to bachelor’s courses in life sciences are done through 10+2 merit and entrance exams such as JEE Advanced, GSAT, ICAR AIEEA, and other state/university-level exams, including MP PAT, OUAT, and CG PAT.
- For MSc Life Science courses, candidates should have completed a BSc degree in life science or another stream relevant to life science with a minimum aggregate of 50%.
- Aspiring candidates also need to appear for entrance exams to get admission in MSc life science, including AIIMS PG, CUCET, and JNU CEEB.
Important Skills Required for Life Science
In the life sciences industry, candidates will need to manage and also organise large amounts of variables, and play with data variables so that they can articulate and then solve the desired problems. They must also have analytical and creative thinking skills. Here are some basic skills which involve the following:
- Decision-making
- Problem-solving
- Interpretation
- Communication skills
- Curiosity
What Will You Learn in Life Science Courses?
Pursuing life science certification courses will orient you toward research and development skills. You will learn about the biochemical processes taking place in an assortment of aquatic and terrestrial organisms, animals and plants, and human beings.
Through subjects in life sciences, you will learn about forestry, agriculture, fisheries, biochemistry, ecology, and etymology, and may find yourself immersed in studies of biology and chemistry. Life science courses will also teach you about healthcare, nutrition, chemical and molecular bonding, cellular processes, genetics, and systems of life.
Popular Life Science Certification Courses
Since life science is a very vast and broader field, taking up life science certification courses will help master you your specialised field of study. These courses will help you develop team skills and leadership qualities as you will be capable of analysing data, assessing strengths and weaknesses, and offering sustainable solutions.
Career Options in Life Science
There are a variety of employment opportunities available after completing life science courses online or offline. As life science offers multiple ranges of subjects you can make a dream career in this field. You can get into both the public and private sectors – healthcare, research institutes, laboratories, biotech companies, and more.
Popular job prospects after life science courses:
- Biochemist
- Pathologist
- Food Scientist
- Nutritionist
- Immunologist
- Scientific/Journal Writer
Life Science Salary Trends
Life science as a career promises huge employment opportunities with great salary potential. The average salary a candidate can expect after an MSc in life science in India is Rs. 388,952/year. The salary will depend upon some factors such as qualifications, job types, employer and location, skills, and experience level.
Salary as per job profiles
Job Profiles | Average Base Pay (annually) |
Biochemist | Rs. 400,000 |
Pathologist | Rs. 1,017,124 |
Food Scientist | Rs. 750,000 |
Nutritionist | Rs. 298,932 |
*This salary trend is based on PayScale
Scope of Life Science
In this era of scientific boom, life science is continuously evolving and expanding. There are many branches of life science; some of the leading branches are biotechnology, microbiology, and genetics engineering. As a career option, certificate courses for science students promise great opportunities as they combine knowledge, discovery, innovation, and science.
Life science courses deal with all the traits from the origin to the evolution and development of living beings. You will find plenty of job options in both public and private sector organisations and research institutes. After the completion, you can build a career as a food scientist, nutritionist, laboratory technician, biochemist, pathologist, and many more.
Top Recruiters
For those who have a passion for learning about microorganisms and are interested in scientific research, and they have pursued the relevant life science courses online then they can be a good catch for the recruiters who are looking for talented specialists in the field of life science. Below are some top-level recruiters:
- Biocon
- Agrotech food
- Nestle India Pvt. Ltd.
- Sun Pharma
- Quintiles India
- Reliance Life Sciences
- Syngene International
FAQs
Q: What are life science online courses?
A: Life science online courses deal with the study of life processes in plants, animals, and living organisms, including human beings on Earth.
Q: Can I do life science online courses online?
A: Yes, many top institutes offer online life science online courses free or at some reasonable charge. Some of the institutes that offer these courses are MIT, Harvard, Adelaide, University of California San Diego, and more.
Q: What are the best online life science courses?
A: There are plenty of online life science courses offered by top colleges and institutes. Depending on your academic qualifications, skills, and experience, you can pursue the one best suited to your interest.
Q: Who is eligible for life science courses?
A: As different courses have different requirements, the minimum eligibility to pursue life science courses is Class 12 in the science stream.
Q: How long does it take to complete BSc Life Science courses?
A: The duration of BSc Life Science courses is a 3-year education programme that includes 6 semesters.
Q: Is it worth pursuing life science certification courses?
A: As life science is an expanding field, there are numerous employment opportunities. After completing life science certification courses, you can land a career in laboratories and research institutes and even opt for a lectureship.
Q: What do I do after gaining a degree in life sciences?
A: Once you complete life science courses, you can work as a biomedical scientist, biochemist, clinical research associate, and even as a teacher.