Biology Transfer Pathway

Alternative Job Titles for Biological Technicians

• Biological Science Laboratory Technician (Biological Science Lab Tech)
• Biological Science Technician
• Biological Technician
• Laboratory Technician
• Marine Fisheries Technician
• Research Assistant
• Research Associate
• Research Specialist
• Research Technician
• Wildlife Biology Technician

Job Tasks and Activities for Biological Technicians

• Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
• Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
• Care for plants or animals.
• Clean objects.
• Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas.
• Collect biological specimens.
• Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
• Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quantity or quality of physical or chemical substances in food or other products.
• Examine animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.
• Examine characteristics or behavior of living organisms.
• Feed livestock or laboratory animals.
• Input data into databases.
• Interpret research or operational data.
• Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
• Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
• Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
• Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with set standards.
• Monitor operational procedures in technical environments to ensure conformance to standards.
• Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
• Place orders for laboratory equipment and supplies.
• Prepare biological samples for testing or analysis.
• Record research or operational data.
• Research microbiological or chemical processes or structures.
• Set up laboratory or field equipment.
• Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and field equipment.

Interests for Biological Technicians

• Realistic
  Designing, building, or repairing equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors.
• Investigative
  Studying and researching scientific subjects and human behavior.
• Conventional
  Following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting.

Skills for Biological Technicians

In order of importance

• Reading Comprehension
  Reading work-related information.
  Importance: 75/100
• Critical Thinking
  Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
  Importance: 72/100
• Active Listening
  Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
  Importance: 69/100
• Science
  Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
  Importance: 69/100
• Active Learning
  Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
  Importance: 63/100
• Writing
  Writing things for co-workers or customers.
  Importance: 60/100
• Speaking
  Talking to others.
  Importance: 56/100
• Complex Problem Solving
  Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
  Importance: 56/100
• Monitoring
  Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
  Importance: 56/100
• Judgment and Decision Making
  Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
  Importance: 53/100
• Operations Monitoring
  Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
  Importance: 50/100
• Mathematics
  Using math to solve problems.
  Importance: 50/100
• Systems Analysis
  Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
  Importance: 50/100
• Learning Strategies
  Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
  Importance: 47/100
• Time Management
  Managing your time and the time of other people.
  Importance: 47/100
• Quality Control Analysis
  Testing how well a product or service works.
  Importance: 47/100
• Coordination
  Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
  Importance: 44/100
• Social Perceptiveness
  Understanding people's reactions.
  Importance: 44/100
• Systems Evaluation
  Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
  Importance: 44/100
• Troubleshooting
  Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
  Importance: 41/100
• Operation and Control
  Using equipment or systems.
  Importance: 41/100
• Instructing
  Teaching people how to do something.
  Importance: 35/100
• Service Orientation
  Looking for ways to help people.
  Importance: 31/100
• Management of Material Resources
  Managing equipment and materials.
  Importance: 31/100
• Management of Personnel Resources
  Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
  Importance: 28/100
• Equipment Maintenance
  Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
  Importance: 28/100
• Persuasion
  Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
  Importance: 25/100
• Equipment Selection
  Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
  Importance: 22/100
• Operations Analysis
  Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
  Importance: 22/100
• Technology Design
  Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
  Importance: 22/100
• Negotiation
  Bringing people together to solve differences.
  Importance: 22/100
• Programming
  Writing computer programs.
  Importance: 22/100
• Management of Financial Resources
  Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
  Importance: 22/100
• Repairing
  Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
  Importance: 19/100

Knowledge for Biological Technicians

In order of importance

• Biology
  Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  Importance: 86/100
• English Language
  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  Importance: 70/100
• Mathematics
  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  Importance: 57/100
• Computers and Electronics
  Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  Importance: 56/100
• Chemistry
  Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  Importance: 55/100
• Education and Training
  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  Importance: 34/100
• Administrative
  Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
  Importance: 31/100
• Law and Government
  Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  Importance: 27/100
• Public Safety and Security
  Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  Importance: 26/100
• Physics
  Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
  Importance: 23/100
• Mechanical
  Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  Importance: 23/100
• Administration and Management
  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  Importance: 22/100
• Engineering and Technology
  Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  Importance: 21/100
• Customer and Personal Service
  Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  Importance: 21/100
• Communications and Media
  Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
  Importance: 21/100
• Transportation
  Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  Importance: 19/100
• Production and Processing
  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  Importance: 18/100
• Medicine and Dentistry
  Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  Importance: 18/100
• Personnel and Human Resources
  Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
  Importance: 17/100
• Geography
  Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
  Importance: 13/100
• Psychology
  Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  Importance: 13/100
• Telecommunications
  Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  Importance: 11/100
• Design
  Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  Importance: 9/100
• Economics and Accounting
  Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
  Importance: 9/100
• Sociology and Anthropology
  Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
  Importance: 7/100
• Therapy and Counseling
  Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
  Importance: 6/100
• Philosophy and Theology
  Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
  Importance: 6/100
• Building and Construction
  Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  Importance: 6/100
• Sales and Marketing
  Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
  Importance: 6/100
• History and Archeology
  Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
  Importance: 5/100
• Foreign Language
  Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
  Importance: 4/100
• Fine Arts
  Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
  Importance: 2/100

Physical Abilities for Biological Technicians

In order of importance

• Near Vision
  Seeing details up close.
  Importance: 72/100
• Inductive Reasoning
  Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
  Importance: 72/100
• Oral Comprehension
  Listening and understanding what people say.
  Importance: 72/100
• Oral Expression
  Communicating by speaking.
  Importance: 69/100
• Information Ordering
  Ordering or arranging things.
  Importance: 69/100
• Written Expression
  Communicating by writing.
  Importance: 66/100
• Deductive Reasoning
  Using rules to solve problems.
  Importance: 66/100
• Written Comprehension
  Reading and understanding what is written.
  Importance: 66/100
• Speech Recognition
  Recognizing spoken words.
  Importance: 63/100
• Speech Clarity
  Speaking clearly.
  Importance: 63/100
• Problem Sensitivity
  Noticing when problems happen.
  Importance: 63/100
• Category Flexibility
  Grouping things in different ways.
  Importance: 63/100
• Selective Attention
  Paying attention to something without being distracted.
  Importance: 60/100
• Flexibility of Closure
  Seeing hidden patterns.
  Importance: 53/100
• Finger Dexterity
  Putting together small parts with your fingers.
  Importance: 50/100
• Mathematical Reasoning
  Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
  Importance: 50/100
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
  Keeping your arm or hand steady.
  Importance: 50/100
• Visual Color Discrimination
  Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
  Importance: 50/100
• Fluency of Ideas
  Coming up with lots of ideas.
  Importance: 50/100
• Visualization
  Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
  Importance: 50/100
• Number Facility
  Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
  Importance: 50/100
• Perceptual Speed
  Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
  Importance: 50/100
• Far Vision
  Seeing details that are far away.
  Importance: 47/100
• Originality
  Creating new and original ideas.
  Importance: 47/100
• Manual Dexterity
  Holding or moving items with your hands.
  Importance: 47/100
• Speed of Closure
  Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
  Importance: 44/100
• Control Precision
  Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
  Importance: 44/100
• Multilimb Coordination
  Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
  Importance: 41/100
• Time Sharing
  Doing two or more things at the same time.
  Importance: 38/100
• Memorization
  Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
  Importance: 38/100
• Static Strength
  Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
  Importance: 31/100
• Trunk Strength
  Using your lower back and stomach.
  Importance: 31/100
• Auditory Attention
  Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
  Importance: 31/100
• Wrist-Finger Speed
  Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
  Importance: 31/100
• Hearing Sensitivity
  Telling the difference between sounds.
  Importance: 28/100
• Dynamic Strength
  Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
  Importance: 28/100
• Stamina
  Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
  Importance: 25/100
• Depth Perception
  Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
  Importance: 25/100
• Extent Flexibility
  Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Importance: 25/100
• Reaction Time
  Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
  Importance: 25/100
• Response Orientation
  Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
  Importance: 25/100
• Gross Body Equilibrium
  Keeping your balance or staying upright.
  Importance: 19/100
• Gross Body Coordination
  Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
  Importance: 19/100
• Rate Control
  Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
  Importance: 16/100
• Explosive Strength
  Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
  Importance: 10/100
• Spatial Orientation
  Knowing where things are around you.
  Importance: 3/100
• Night Vision
  Seeing at night or under low light.
  Importance: 3/100
• Glare Sensitivity
  Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
  Importance: 3/100
• Speed of Limb Movement
  Quickly moving your arms and legs.
  Importance: 3/100
• Sound Localization
  Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
  Importance: 3/100

Tools and Technology used by Biological Technicians

• Amino acid analyzers
• Anaerobic chamber
• Analytical balances
• Benchtop centrifuges
• Beta gamma counters
• Bi distillation units
• Binocular light compound microscopes
• Complementary deoxyribonucleic acid cDNA synthesis kits
• Conductivity meters
• Cryogenic or liquid nitrogen freezers
• Dehydrators
• Deoxyribonucleic sequence analyzers
• Drying cabinets or ovens
• Electronic multichannel pipetters
• Electrophoresis system power supplies
• Forced air or mechanical convection general purpose incubators
• Fume hoods or cupboards
• Gas chromatographs
• Gel boxes
• Gel filtration equipment
• Histological staining apparatus
• Homogenizers
• Hybridization ovens or incubators
• Incubator accessories
• Instrumentation for capillary electrophoresis
• Inverted microscopes
• Ion selective electrode
• Laboratory balances
• Laboratory burets
• Laboratory mechanical convection ovens
• Laboratory mixers
• Laboratory washing machines
• Laser printers
• Manual or electronic hematology differential cell counters
• Microbiology analyzers
• Microbiology inoculation loops or needles
• Microcentrifuges
• Microplate readers
• Microplate washers
• Microtomes
• Multipurpose or general test tubes
• Notebook computers
• Personal computers
• Petri plates or dishes
• Protein analyzers
• Rapid amplification or complementary deoxyribonucleic acid ends RACE technology products
• Refrigerated and heated reach in environmental or growth chambers
• Refrigerated benchtop centrifuges
• Respirators
• Robotic or automated liquid handling systems
• Scanners
• Shaking incubators
• Spectrofluorimeters or fluorimeters
• Spectrophotometers
• Steam autoclaves or sterilizers
• Stirring hotplates
• Temperature cycling chambers or thermal cyclers
• Tissue embedding stations
• Transilluminators
• Ultra cold or ultralow upright cabinets or freezers
• Ultra violet water purification units
• Ultracentrifuges
• Ultrasonic cleaning equipment
• Volumetric pipettes
• Water baths
• Water jacketed single chamber three gas incubators
• pH meters
• Analytical or scientific software
  • BD Biosciences CellQuest
  • BoxShade
  • ClustalW
  • Gene Codes Sequencher
  • Gene Runner
  • Laboratory information management system LIMS
  • Phrap
  • Phred
  • PolyBayes
  • Primer3
  • SAS
  • Statistical software
  • Systat Software SigmaPlot
  • Systat Software TableCurve
• Data base user interface and query software
  • Database software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Thomson EndNote
• Document management software
  • Adobe Acrobat
• Geographic information system
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Geographic information system GIS software
• Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Graphics software
  • Harvard Graphics
• Map creation software
  • MapInfo MapMarker
• Office suite software
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • Microsoft Office software
• Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
• Project management software
  • Microsoft Project
• Spreadsheet software
  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Word
  • Word processing software

Employment Industries for Biological Technicians

• Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences
  25,200 employed
• Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state
  12,200 employed
• Federal government, excluding postal service
  8,700 employed
• Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing
  7,500 employed
• Colleges, universities, and professional schools; private
  6,400 employed
• State government, excluding education and hospitals
  3,100 employed
• Testing laboratories and services
  3,000 employed