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Evolution and Biology

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Evolution and BiologyBiology

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

UWRT 1104-028

Jacob Kauer

15 October 2017

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Evolution and Biology

Abstract

This paper involves the discipline of organic science called BiologyBiology.

BiologyBiology is the study of life, its processes, and phenomena in the world around us. This

paper also touches on the field of Evolutionary BiologyBiology, a subdiscipline of

BiologyBiology. Evolutionary BiologyBiology primarily deals with the evolutionary processes

that produced the diversity of life we see on earth, beginning with a common ancestor.

BiologyBiology as a whole is a rapidly growing field within the greater arena of STEM (Science,

Technology, Engineering, Math) careers that is evolving in itself. As new discoveries,

hypotheses, and phenomena come forward, the field adapts to ask more and more questions

about the organic world around us. This paper will dive into BiologyBiology as a field,

particularly as an academic major, as well as a career and important field of study in the modern

world. Commented [S1]: I will edit this in the next draft in

case it changes after you finish your paper.
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Evolution and Biology

Introduction

BiologyBiology, is defined as the science of life and living organisms. (NTNU, 2017).

BiologyBiology encompasses the study of life at all levels, ranging from the smallest protists and

prokaryotes, to some of the largest mammalian animals that roam Earths oceans. The discipline

has evolved in itself overover the past few centuries. BiologyBiology became a single, coherent

field in the 19th century, with the emergence of Darwinian Evolution. The field also has roots

stretching back to the Egyptians as well as the Greco-Roman world through philosophers such as

Aristotle and Galen (Dawkins, 1976). Today, modern BiologyBiology rests as a cornerstone of

science. It addresses big questions such as the origin of life, modern medical phenomena and

questions, as well as the rapidly changing and developing biodiversity on planet Earth. The field

has faced controversies over the years, such as the Theory of Evolution is so often rejected

among populations despite being accepted as fact by the entire scientific community (ASU.edu,

2017). BiologyBiology, like other sciences, rests on founding principles such as Reproducible

Experimentation, using evidence to justify claims, as well as peer review and correction.

BiologyBiology rests on the shoulders of reason and logic, as the fossil record among other

evidence supports Evolutionary Theory and modern medicine is based off of clinical

experimental evidence and trial. BiologyBiology is a rapidly growing and changing field that is
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Evolution and Biology

constantly asking more and more questions about the world around us (aibs, 2017). Biology

would serve as a great career, academic major, or field of study for anyone interested in the

organic sciences. Commented [S2]: Great intro! Now you need to decide
if you have your thesis in here, or main argument. If
not, formulate one and highlight it for your future drafts.
Firstly, it is important to understand the many subdivisions that exist within
Commented [S3R2]: Added
BiologyBiology. Subdisciplines have emerged over time within Bbiology to address more Commented [S4]: If you capitalize it most of the time,
you need to keep doing it. Go back through an
capitalize every time you use the word.
specialized issues to a specific area of biologyBiology. The numerous subdisciplines include
Commented [S5R4]: Fixed
Zoology, Botany, Microbiologybiology, Genetics/Evolutionary BiologyBiology, Biochemistry, Commented [S6R4]:

and Ecology. Zoology is the study of animals at the macro and micro scale. This subdivision also

encompasses aspects of ethology (animal behavior), ichthyology (fish), mammalogy (mammals),

herpetology (reptiles), ornithology (birds), and entomology (insects, exoskeletal organisms).

Botany is the subdivision of BiologyBiology that deals with plants or flora. Microbiologybiology

is the subdiscipline of BiologyBiology that studies microscopic organisms (microbes) such as

bacteria, archaea and protists. The field also contains numerous subdivisions such as mycology

(fungi) and virology (viruses). Genetics is another subdiscipline of BiologyBiology that studies

the inheritance of genes, contained within DNA/RNA, from parent of offspring, whether it be

from a prokaryotic bacterial mitosis cycle to a humans eye color. Biochemistry is the study of

life at the lowest level of organization. It focuses on the chemical reactions that make life

possible as well as the properties of the chemical processes that life undergoes. To truly

understand biochemistry and genetics/evolution is to understand how life is possible and how it

evolved to produce the biodiversity we see here on planet Earth. Ecology studies the interactions

between organisms and their environment and serves to address questions at the biome scale, all

the way down to the microscale of bacteria in soil. To say the least, there are quite a few and

rapidly growing fields within modern biologyBiology (basicBiology.net, 2016). Commented [S7]: No sources?
Commented [S8R7]:
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Evolution and Biology

Another important topic within the field is the education required to become involved in

BiologyBiology. For most biologyBiology careers, the entry level education for a Bachelor's of

Science Degree in BiologyBiology or a closely related field. Most biologists wanting career

advancement and biological research pursue advanced degrees such as a Masters of Science

Degree in BiologyBiology as well as a Ph.D. in BiologyBiology or related field. Most Ph.D.

programs require you to hold a Masters degree before entry into the program. Additionally,

education for a career in biologyBiology will encompass more than just biologyBiology itself.

To be an effective biologist, one must possess background knowledge in Chemistry, Physics,

Statistics, Geology, Climatology, Meteorology and other fields (asu.edu, 2017). Commented [S9]: Sources?

The career outlooks for a career in BiologyBiology are promising. The Bureau of Labor

Statistics of the United States (BLS) predicts a 4% industry growth in careers for Biological

Scientists from 2014-2024. Although this growth is slower than most professional careers, it is

concurrent with other related fields in the natural sciences (BLS.gov, 2017). More zoologists and

wildlife biologists will be needed to study the impact that human population growth and

development has on wildlife and their natural habitats. However, because most funding comes

from governmental agencies, demand for zoologists and wildlife biologists will be limited by

budgetary constraints. The average annual wage as reported by the BLS stands at $77,830 with

the bottom 10% earning $42,040 annually and the top 10% earning $116,680 annually (BLS.gov,

2017). The work environment for a biologist is highly depending on the specialization of the

biologist as well as the industry. Such as a microbiologist would typically work in a laboratory

environment while a Wildlife Biologist would typically work in a natural, outdoors setting. Commented [S10]: Okay, you have to have sources
for all this!
Overall, Biology could serve as a meaningful academic major, field of study, and career. Commented [S11R10]: I collected all the used sources
under the references section of my paper. I will be
inserting in-text citations into the body of the paper for
It will continue to stand as a pillar of science as well as of society for eras to come. the final draft.
Commented [S12R10]:
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Evolution and Biology

Methods

For my interview, I decided to interview Dr. Jim Dobies, DVM. Dr. Dobies is an accomplished

veterinary surgeon out of Belmont, North Carolina. He is a graduate of The Ohio State

Universitys Veterinary College with his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. He started his first

practice, South Point Animal Hospital, here in Belmont, North Carolina in 1998. Since then, he

has started his own Veterinary Emergency Room chain, UrgentVet, and has since expanded to

two locations in the Charlotte area. I chose him for my interview as his career affords him a very

strong, real world use of Biology, as well as insight into Biology in his educational background.

It is worth noting that he has been our neighbor, family friend, and a personal mentor of mine for

over 20 years. The questions I included in our interview were not sporadic or random but

targeted to ask the essential questions relevant to my paper. I primarily focused on his

background in college as a Zoology major, Veterinary student, and biological researcher. I also

focused on his use of Biology, today, in his still expanding career as an entrepreneur and

Veterinary Surgeon. He was able to provide great insight and testament to the educational

requirements necessary in a career in Biology as well as to the importance of Biology in

answering the big questions about the world around us, such as Climate Change, loss of

biodiversity, medical breakthroughs, etc. The interview served as an excellent addition to this

paper and helped reaffirm the facts and insights from primary sources. Pending interview

completion.

Results
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Evolution and Biology

Pending interview completion. Overall, my research concerning Biology as a career,

academic major, and field of study has been conclusive and effective in proving that Biology is a

great pathway for anyone interested in the organic sciences. The field has a multitude of

subdisciplines, from fundamental biochemistry to large mammalian wildlife biology, for anyone

throughout the sciences to take on. The information included, such as career information, job

outlooks, educational requirements, career characteristics and research methodology is all critical

to one who seeks a career in the study of Life. This research has yielded a greater insight into the

field from an analytical perspective and has proved in even greater degree the necessity of this

STEM field in the world around us.

Conclusion

Pending interview completion. This paper served as a great insight into Biology. It

conclusively explained the field as a career, academic major, and field of study and how it is a

great choice for the current and future generation. Biology is a rapidly expanding field, more so

now than ever. New questions are being asked about life and all of its complexity, everything

from new cancer treatment solutions to finding out how we became the way we are as human

beings. In order to join the ranks of Biologist, one must seek a strong educational background in

the sciences as well as possess a passion for life, in all its complexity, and the ability to ask the

hard questions, and seek out the answers. The study of life remains as one of the true pillars of

science and stands as the greatest insight into the phenomena of flora, fauna and other we see

here on Planet Earth.

Reflection
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Evolution and Biology

Overall, this project served as great insight into the study of life, Biology. Biology has

served as one of my most appreciated fields of study. It encompasses one of the greatest

phenomena ever to be observed, life. To understand life is to understand everything from our

past, to current world issues and discussions, to new medical breakthroughs and discoveries. This

project has been a great tool into investigating the field of Biology in the context of an effective

academic major, field of study, and even career. It allowed me to look deeper into what it means

to be a product of Darwinian evolution as well as what it means to ask questions about the world

around us.

This project allowed me to reflect on and learn more about Rhetorical Analysis. I will

admit, at the start of this semester I dismissed Rhetorical Strategies and Analysis as just some

meaningless English terms. I must say I was very much incorrect in that thinking. This project

served as a great reminder of just how important persuasion and audience-centered structure is in

writing and composing. Throughout this project, I found myself thinking more and more about

who Im writing to, how to persuade them to consider my ideas and writing, and to affirm my

thesis. I must admit rhetorical writing is more challenging than I had anticipated but in the end I

believe my writing process served me well.

The paper portion served as the central point of my project as well as my compass into

the other portions of this assignment. I found it very helpful to get more experience working with

the APA (American Psychological Association) format, as well as using in-text and reference

based citations. It also allowed me to gain experience using primary and secondary sources. It

also allowed me to connect with a career professional in Biology and to practice skills regarding

professional communication and interviewing. Overall, the paper was a great learning tool and

resource for future academic endeavors.

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Evolution and Biology

The documentary portion of this assignment was also very insightful and educational. It

allowed me to get more experience working in a team, of like-minded individuals. I was

challenged to remix the ideas in my composing of the paper into an effective medium, such as a

documentary, to share with the class. In reflection, the documentary was a lot of fun and got me

to think about rhetorical strategies and how to best convince the class that Biology can serve as

an effective and rewarding academic major, field of study, and career.

This project, overall, was the best one so far, this semester in my opinion. It bridged the

gap between many central ideas in this class such as writing and composing, remixing, using

primary and secondary sources, working with APA/MLA formatting, citations/references, and

analyzing my own composing processes. I look forward to seeing what the rest of the class has

conjured for this project and working towards understanding these key concepts in writing more

in this class and my academic and professional career.

References

Fields of Biology. Retrieved October 25, 2017, from https://basicBiology.net/Biology-101/fields-

of-Biology/

Retrieved October 25, 2017, from http://study.com/articles/Become_a_Research_Biologist_Step-

by-Step_Career_guide.html

19-1029 Biological Scientists, All Other. Retrieved October 25, 2017, from

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191029.htm
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Evolution and Biology

Summary. Retrieved October 25, 2017, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-

science/zoologists-and-wildlife-biologists.htm

Careers in the Biological Sciences. Retrieved October 03, 2017, from

https://www.aibs.org/careers/

School of Life Sciences | Ask A Biologist. (2010, July 28). Retrieved October 03, 2017, from

https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/biologists

School of Life Sciences | Ask A Biologist. (2015, February 11). Retrieved October 03, 2017,

from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/whats-biologist

Dawkins, R. (2016). The extended selfish gene. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University

Press.

Biology Careers: What You Can Do With This Degree. Retrieved October 03, 2017, from

https://www.academicinvest.com/science-careers/Biology-careers

Annotated Bibliography

Careers in the Biological Sciences. Retrieved October 03, 2017, from

https://www.aibs.org/careers/
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Evolution and Biology

This article, from the American Institute for Biological Sciences, focuses on the general

overview of BiologyBiology as a discipline, and as a career. It was written as a response to those

who are generally unaware of the field. This would serve as a good secondary source for my

article because it encompasses all the critical and general aspects for the field of BiologyBiology.

It features information on the overview of biologyBiology, the disciplines within Biological

Science, tips for prospective High School and College students, salary and career information, as

well as information on where to find more on the concept of BiologyBiology and the careers and

disciplines surrounding it. This would serve as a reliable, scholarly, article as it comes from the

Official American Institute for Biological Sciences, a governing organization for peer-review

and validation in the United States as well because it uses many references.

School of Life Sciences | Ask A Biologist. (2010, July 28). Retrieved October 03, 2017, from

https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/biologists

This database, from Arizona State University, features profiles and short biographies of

the Biologists and their research, from various disciplines, throughout their organization. This

was written to inform the reader on various, unique, and informative career, academic, and

research paths that the various scientists have. This serves as a great secondary source for my

article as it encompasses unique and real lifereal-life stories of how the scientists got their start in

the field as well as the real-world issues, theories, and ideas that they incorporate into their

academia and research. This database is a good, reliable source as it uses personal stories about

the BiologistsBiologists, so the validity is very high and relatable through comparison to the

discipline as a whole.
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Evolution and Biology

School of Life Sciences | Ask A Biologist. (2015, February 11). Retrieved October 03, 2017,

from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/whats-biologist

This article, also from Arizona State University, serves as a great cross-reference to my

first article (aibs) as it also provides a general overview of BiologyBiology as a discipline, and as

a career. It was written to inform those who are not familiar the field. This would serve as a good

secondary source for my article because it encompasses all the critical and general aspects for the

field of Biology. It features information on the overview of biology, the biologists and how they

interact with one another in order to achieve efficient and scholarly research results. This article

is relevant to my paper as it gives great examples of research in the field as well as a cross

reference for the critical aspects of Biology with other sources. It is a valid and reliable source as

the organization is subsidized by the National Science Foundation, the governing body for

research in the sciences in the United States as well as because it used multiple sources and real-

life examples and verifiable statistics.

Dawkins, R. (2016). The extended selfish gene. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University

Press.

The Selfish Gene, by the one and only Richard Dawkins, serves as a great source for my

paper. The book focuses on Natural Selection and Adaption within Evolutionary Biology, the

Genes Eye view of Life. This book is considered by many to be one of the most important

publications of the 1970s as it offers a deeper and more application based understanding into

Evolutionary Biology and Darwinian Evolution. This is a great addition to my sources as it

encompasses a very modern frontier in Biology, Evolution. It is a great example of the

cumulation of research into a Scientific Theory. This is a book from my own private collection.
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BiologyBiology Careers: What You Can Do With This Degree. Retrieved October 03, 2017,

from https://www.academicinvest.com/science-careers/biologyBiology-careers

This article focuses primarily on the real-world opportunities that come with a

BiologyBiology degree. It features topics such as What you can do with a BiologyBiology

Degree, Career Fields for BiologyBiology Graduates, What is BiologyBiology? What Does

it Teach You?, and other conclusive topics. The article features verifiable statistics regarding

salaries, outlooks, career paths, and an overall view of the discipline as well. This is a great

addition to my sources as it offers are more focused look into the outcomes that a career in

BiologyBiology can hold as well as a look into the specialties within BiologyBiology.