Geneticist CTE Intro

Have you ever wondered what makes us all unique?

It’s our GENES! Genes are what make us look different than the person sitting next to you. They are also the reason you look similar to your parents and to your siblings. Today, you will learn about how genes create who we are, as well as about the career that works with genes: Geneticists!

Genetics…The Final Frontier Geneticists are the leaders of the last frontier of biology, unlocking the last few secrets of life. Geneticists typically work in laboratories. They work on abstract problems as they put together the puzzles of DNA and heredity. Geneticists really like their work and can spend their whole lifetime working on the answer to one question about the genome!

Fields of Work Genetics is apart of many different fields of work will continue to grow. The major fields for geneticists are in medicine, agriculture and crime. There are two types of geneticists: Laboratory Geneticist – This is most common. Being a lab geneticist involves application of genetic technologies. Genetic Counselor – Being a genetic counselor means working in the role of a nurse or consultant. They work directly with parents that could be at risk for children with birth defects.

How to become a Geneticist You need a Bachelor of Science degree in either biology or chemistry. This takes 4 years after high school To have a better chance at a job when you graduate, you will want a Master’s Degree (2 more years) or even better, a Ph. D. (2-4 more years).

How much does a Geneticist make? Because there are so many things geneticists can do, their salary can very. The average salary is $78,652 a year. Geneticists with a Ph. D. make $90,000-$125,000 a year. Some Geneticists can make up to $230,000 a year!

Now it’s your turn to work with Genetics! In today’s activity, you will learn how things like rolling your tongue and detached earlobes are because of your genes. They are traits that make you unique. Follow the instructions on the worksheets.