GRADUATE SCHOOL

If you plan to attend graduate school, your search for an appropriate school should begin no later than the summer following your junior year. Information about graduate programs in biology and other related areas can be obtained from:

1. Peterson's Guide to Graduate Schools (located in the Biology Reading/Computer Room)
    
2. Graduate school literature (request information from many schools)
    
3. Scientific journals (to learn the location of authors whose work is of particular interest to you)
    
4. Talking with faculty members
    
5. Bulletin boards with biology graduate program notices (2^nd floor - Science Center)

Typically, each application will require a college transcript, letters of reference, and Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores [verbal, quantitative, analytical, and biology]. The Counseling Office has your schedule and registration information for the GRE, which should be taken midway through your senior year (e.g., January).

Financial support (e.g., a teaching or research assistantship) is often available to those who have a strong academic record, a desire to pursue graduate work in a specific area of biology, and their application completed on time (the deadline may be as early as February 1st).

Although most students begin graduate program in the Fall semester, many graduate schools do admit students at the start of other semesters. Regardless, your application, including letters of recommendation by faculty members, must be completed by the appropriate deadline. You should request reference letters from faculty members in ample time to meet this deadline.

A Ph.D. may be sought directly after earning a Master's degree. Biology faculty members can explain the advantages/disadvantages of these options.

EMPLOYMENT

Depending on your desire and circumstances, pursuit of a job often becomes an integral part of one's academic life (e.g., student worker, volunteer work, or participation in a co-op program). Information about the co-op program is available through the Placement Office at the College of Charleston. Such programs alternate full-time work with full-time study. The increased length of time until graduation is usually more than offset by job experience and the possibility of immediate employment by the co-op employer.

A thorough job search of possible employers should be undertaken. The Placement Office would be a logical first step. Job opportunities in biology and related scientific areas are listed in various scientific journals. Most federal, state, county and city employment openings can be found in various listings. The federal government has the Civil Service Commission (the Federal Register) as well as a few agencies (e.g., FBI, Nuclear Regulatory Commission) which handle their own personnel placement. Regardless, a professional resume is needed for your job-seeking effort.

Use the advice, knowledge, and experience of the College's placement office and faculty members. All correspondence with potential employers should be well written, typed in proper business format, and exhibit an excellent command of the English language.

A partial list of South Carolina employers is listed below:

1. SC Wildlife & Marine Resources
    
2. SC Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC)
    
3. US National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
    
4. US Department of the Interior
    
5. US Department of Agriculture
    
6. Zoos, parks, fisheries, and aquariums
    
7. University laboratories - USC, Clemson, MUSC, etc.
    
8. Private medical and consulting laboratories
    
9. Major industries - DuPont, Westvaco, etc.
    
10. Peace Corps
     
11. Laboratories of food-processing companies, medical supply manufacturers, dairies, and waste water treatment facilities
     
12. Suppliers of scientific equipment, supplies, books, and pharmaceuticals
     
13. Public and private elementary and secondary schools

If employment opportunities in your chosen academic area are extremely limited, you should consider employment in a non-related area and continue to vigorously seek a job that is commensurate with your training and skills. You do not need to limit your search to the State of South Carolina. A handout entitled “Seeking Employment in Marine Biology” is available in the Department office.

GUIDELINES FOR REQUESTING A
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

Provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Address it as directed on the application and use the professor's name and address for the return address. Fill in and/or sign the required part of the form. Put your social security number on the form. Allow adequate time for the faculty member to complete and mail the letter. Do check with the institution(s) where you have applied to be sure your file is complete by the deadline date. Letters sometimes get lost, but you can aid a faculty member in writing a more knowledgeable letter about you by providing the following information in writing:

1. Full name and nickname (if used in class)
    
2. Social security number
    
3. Course(s)/semester(s) when you had the faculty member
    
4. Other associations with the faculty member (e.g., as an employee, a volunteer, a member of a campus organization or committee, etc.)

Other information which can be helpful includes:

1. Grade point ration (GPR) - overall and science/math
    
2. Pertinent scores - SAT, GRE, MCAT, DAT, etc.
    
3. Transcripts
    
4. Volunteer experience, work experience, campus activities, etc.