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Biology in a changing world

Biology in a changing world. Rob Cruickshank Department of Ecology Lincoln University. Biology careers. Plan A – Medicine

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Biology in a changing world

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  1. Biology in a changing world Rob Cruickshank Department of Ecology Lincoln University

  2. Biology careers Plan A – Medicine Plan B – Acarology, aerobiology, agriculture, anatomy, arachnology, astrobiology, biochemistry, bioengineering, bioinformatics, biomathematics, biomechanics, biomedical research, biophysics, biosecurity, biotechnology, building biology, botany, cell biology, conservation biology, cryobiology, developmental biology, ecology, embryology, entomology, environmental biology, epidemiology, epigenetics, ethology, evolutionary biology, genetics, haematology, herpetology, histology, ichthyology, integrative biology, limnology, mammalogy, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, mycology, neurobiology, oncology, ornithology, population biology, paleontology, pathology, parasitology, pharmacology, physiology, phytopathology, psychobiology, sociobiology, soil biology, structural biology, synthetic biology, virology, zoology

  3. The world is changing • Population growth • Resource consumption • Globalisation and international trade • Climate change • Ocean acidification • Pollution • Rapid decline of biodiversity • Habitat loss and fragmentation • Invasive pests

  4. Biology is changing • Collaborative • Multi-disciplinary • New technology • Next generation DNA sequencing • Massive amounts of data • New analytical methods • Reproductive technologies • Genetic manipulation • Synthetic biology

  5. Biology is changing

  6. Keys to success in modern biology • Shift from specific knowledge to generic skills • Shift from specialisation to multi-disciplinary collaboration and synthesis of ideas • Shift from particular technological approaches to strategies for learning and adapting new techniques • Ability to integrate knowledge from different areas • Research skills, philosophy of science, how to make and record observations, ask questions, construct testable hypotheses, design experiments, analyse results, make inferences, communicate findings, etc. • Information literacy, finding and assessing the quality of information, critical thinking, critical literacy

  7. Keys to success in modern biology • Quantitative thinking, data management, computing, maths, bioinformatics, statistics • Visualisation, creative presentation of data, dissemination of research outcomes, public outreach • Collaboration, working as part of a team, understanding, empathy, effective communication • Cultural sensitivity, cross-cultural communication, languages • Entrepreneurship, commercialisation, business knowledge, economics, policy • Ethics, moral philosophy, social science

  8. Keys to success in modern biology A high-level of academic achievement is not necessarily as important as… • Curiosity • Enthusiasm • Creativity • Logical reasoning • Practical ability • Persistence

  9. The New Zealand curriculum • Nature of science strand • Integration of biology with other strands (e.g. maths and statistics, technology, social science) • NCEA achievement standards (biology matrix)… 2.1 – Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with supervision 2.2 – Analyse the biological validity of information presented to the public 3.1 - Carry out a practical investigation in a biological context, with guidance 3.2 – Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue

  10. Careers in biology • Biology + computing = bioinformatics • Biology + social sciences = management, policy making, politics, communication • Biology + commerce = product development, commercialisation • Biology + languages = international collaboration, economic development • Biology + arts = data visualisation, landscape ecology, biomimetics

  11. An example

  12. An example Ecological restoration experts To restore area after mining Translocation experts To identify new areas suitable for introducing this species Population biology To predict effects of interventions on population Communication experts Locals, mining company, government (local, national), iwi, conservation groups, volunteers, media Taxonomists To identify prey taxa Statisticians To analyse results How can we get the economic benefits of mining while preserving this unique native species? Ecologists What are their ecological requirements in captivity and restored habitat? Molecular biologists Diet analysis, population genetics Lawyers Legal implications Captive breeding experts To preserve population until they can be returned to restored site Economists Economic costs and benefits of mining in this area, commercial implications, etc.

  13. An example

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