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Biological Data Science: A Career Outlook
Published
13th Sep, 2023
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Data Science is a domain-agonistic field i.e., its application is not dependent on a particular industry, rather it could be applied to problems spanning various industries. As more organizations are becoming data centric, the need to have the right set of people operating on the data is now necessary. One such domain prevalent in the modern era is the quantitative scientific discipline whose sheen has been taken by Biology. Hence, it has resulted in the rise of Biological Data Science enabling data practitioners to apply quantitative methods to solve problems in this industry.
How is Data Science Used in Biological Sciences?
In the modern world, the volume of data is growing rapidly with biology being one of the key contributors to it. In biological data science, millions of data points on proteins, genes, tissues, etc., are often stored and integrated for systemic studies. However, the volume and complexity of this data make it challenging for traditional systems like computational biology to extract meaningful patterns from it. Henceforth, the need to use advanced techniques is of paramount importance to solve such crucial problems on a global scale.
All these data need to be leveraged by a team of Data Scientists and experts alike to understand the root cause of various diseases and improve health. One of the applications of Data Science in Biology has been the emergence of AlphaFold developed by the team of scientists at DeepMind. It can accurately predict three-dimensional models’ protein structures in the human body. This is a breakthrough in Biological Data science that would give way to many more future research. A more detailed understanding of Biological Data Science could be found in this Data Science certificate online.
Biological Data Science Degree - What Will You Learn?
One recommended way to start your career as a Biological Data Scientist is to enroll for a higher degree. This would provide the necessary technical knowledge and fill the gaps which a self-made Data Scientist might have. Moreover, having a Data Science master's degree in biology would open many positions where you can work in research and development roles. A Biological Data Science degree covers various courses necessary to be successful in this field.
1. Applied Learning Lab
This course would help in developing research computing skills and peer review project proposals at the graduate level. The topics covered in this course include oral presentation skills, high-performance computing. Journal writing for an interdisciplinary audience, and so on.
2. Applied Mathematics Techniques in Biology
Mathematics is crucial if you are working as a Data Scientist. This course would teach you a range of applied mathematics topics.
3. Database Systems and Problem Solving in Python
You need learn how to handle databases and work with different sources of data. This course would give you the option to understand how databases are implemented for scientific applications.
4. Integrative Biology I
This course would give you a comprehensive understanding of next-generation sequencing techniques, the human genome, DNA sample preparation, and more.
5. Integrative Biology II
This course teaches biological diversity, individuals' growth and development, relationships between form and function, relationships between biomes and organism-environment, ecosystem functions, etc.
6. Advanced Topics in Human Forensic DNA
The technology behind Y-STR, STR, mtDNA typing is focused upon in this course. Additionally, it also covers the technology behind serology tests, real-time PCR, expert systems, and many more.
7. Capstone I in Biological Data Science
All the courses are brought together in the form of a capstone which would validate your knowledge and help you move on to the professional arena. You need to summarize whatever your learnings are in a specific group project.
8. Capstone II in Biological Data Science
Your previously acquired portfolio would be used further as you leverage your knowledge in a culminating group project. To know more about the eligibility and requirements of biological data science, refer to this Bootcamp for Data Science.
Scope of Biological Data Science Degrees
As mentioned previously, a degree in biological data science would set you up for a rewarding career in this field.
1. Roles of Biological Data Scientist
A) Biostatistician: A biostatistician works at the intersection of health and data science. They collect data on fields such as agriculture, medicine, and public health and analyses statistics such as hospitalization risk from COVID-19. They could work in academies, industry, government or non-profit organizations.
B) Bioinformatics scientist: A mix of computer science and technology to find solutions in biological science. They use data to analyze human and plant diseases and figure out ways to treat them. A bioinformatics scientist also needs to collaborate with plant biologists, computer scientists, to accelerate product development.
C) Clinical data manager: Each clinical trial generates data that is managed by a clinical data manager. It’s an important role in contract research and pharmaceutical organizations. A clinical data manager is involved in defining the scope of the problem, getting the right data, and providing the final sign-off after data validation.
D) Computer and Information research scientist: This role mainly involves research and innovation using the latest technology. You need to perform experiments to test a software system and analyze the results of the experiments.
E) Database administrator: The role of a database administrator is to provide easy access to databases for data analysts and other users. They monitor the system and ensure seamless database operation.
F) Environmental scientist or consultant: Professionals working in this role ensure any detrimental effect on the environment as a result of commercial or government initiatives is prevented. They provide expert services for their clients concerning environmental issues.
G) Statistician: Statistics is a subject in data science that involves applying descriptive and inferential analysis to the data to derive useful insights. The role of a statistician is always in demand in academia and industry.
2. Salary
The Biological Data scientist's salary could be segregated based on the different roles.
- Biostatistician: According to Glassdoor, a Biostatistician could fetch an annual base salary of $131,683 per year.
- Bioinformatics scientist: A Bioinformatics scientist could fetch an average salary of $111,810 annually.
- Clinical Data Manager: The expected salary range of a clinical data manager is between $116,878 per year.
- Computer and Information research scientist: The median salary for this role is around $131,490 per year.
- Database administrator: Average salary of a Database administrator is around $98,396 per year.
- Environmental scientist or consultant: An environmental scientist or consultant could earn in between $68133 annually.
- Statistician: As per PayScale, a statistician could earn, on average $64,043 annually.
3. Number of Jobs Available
The Biological Data Science field is in much demand right now. If you are already in the biology field, it will make sense to upskill yourself to add a “data-edge” to your existing experience. The number of roles and open positions is increasing, and there is a shortage of supply against the opportunities available. According to Indeed, around 483 Biological Data Scientist jobs are currently available for different roles in the biological data science domain.
Who Can Become a Biological Data Scientist?
Like any other domain in Data Science, the core skills remain the same for a biological data scientist. To become a Biological Data Scientist, you can prepare yourself based on the following.
- Familiarity with databases and how to extract data from a variety of sources.
- Fundamental knowledge of statistics is required to perform descriptive and inferential analysis.
- Basic knowledge of coding to execute the solution.
- Deep understanding of biology and its corresponding fields, such as medicine, genes, diseases, and so on.
- Problem-solving ability and a knack for logical thinking
Biological Data Scientist: Roles and Responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities would vary according to the biological data scientist job description.
- As a Biological Data Scientist, you need to define the scope of a trial and collaborate with other team members to ensure its completion.
- You would fetch the relevant data to carry out the experiments.
- A Biological Data Scientist should apply various statistical tools and techniques to perform analysis and share insights with the working team.
- You need to understand human genes, diseases, and medicines and recommend the right course of action from the data given.
- Additionally, if you are working as an environmental consultant, you should have deep knowledge of the environment and prevent any detrimental impact on it.
Top Skills to Learn as a Biological Data Scientist
To understand how to become a biological data scientist, there are certain sets of skills you should master. The following are some of the fundamental biological data scientist skills.
- SQL: Working with a database would require fundamental knowledge of SQL to extract data from it.
- Coding: To develop an end-to-end Data Science pipeline, you need to know how to write programs and build a solution.
- Statistics: Both descriptive and inferential statistics are a crucial part of a biological data scientist's skill set.
- Data Visualization: Performing biological data analysis and presenting reports in the form of dashboards is of paramount importance for professionals working as Data Scientists.
- Machine Learning / Deep Learning: As a biological data scientist working in predictive modeling, you need to be strong in Machine Learning and Deep Learning algorithms. To master the above-advanced techniques and skills, Learn Machine Learning with Python.
Best Universities to Study Biological Data Science
Getting a degree in Biological Data Science is certainly a wise choice for professionals looking to start a career in this field. Some of the top universities which have this course are.
- Arizona State University: Master of Science in Biological Data Science.
- University of Padova: Master in Biological Data Analytics.
- Colorado State University: Biological Data Analytics Specialization.
Conclusion
In this blog, we talked about Biological Data Science and how to become one. It is a lucrative career to consider, with a huge scope for research and development. Top firms like DeepMind are on a mission to revolutionize data science in biology which would open many opportunities for young graduates and industry professionals aspiring to work in this field.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a Biologist be a Data Scientist?
A biologist could certainly be a data scientist. They could add the technical skills on top of the domain knowledge a biologist already has to have a career in data science.
2. What are the 6 Types of Biological Data?
A Biological Data Scientist must deal with a variety of data sources. Some of the common types of data are – medicine, genes, disease, environment, protein, and DNA.
3. How can I Become A Biological Data Scientist?
To become a biological Data scientist, you need to have the technical skills along with the understanding of different data types in biology. Additionally, you could also get a degree in Biological Data science.
4. What are Some Examples Of Biological Data?
Some examples of biological data are RNA, DNA, genes, and protein. Other examples could be of environment and diseases.
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