Can you specialize as a scientist or do you need to be something on the side like a teacher or something?
970692
You can be just a "scientist" but you usually  have to chose an area of study. Many people will go and get their Master's in an area that interests them. Then they can get a job in that field. That field is quite often research oriented. \n\nAlso, many people who are interested in a certain area of study, will get their education and then will become university professors. They then conduct research through the university and have teaching responsibilities at the same time.
988005
I think a phD or Msc is needed before your knowledge is good enough. Hope this helps.
802433
It is considered a "science" degree at most schools, but the profession is a combination of both.  I would agree --more art than science.
539718
I wrote a long list yesterday of the qualities needed to be a successful scientist, I'll copy and paste it later.  In order to be a biologist, you need to take a major in biology or biochemistry (I would recommend biochem, because it's more rigorous and harder to learn later in your career), then, assuming you want to be an independent scientist running your own lab, you need to get a PhD (4-6 yrs), an MD with research training (4-5 years not counting internship), or an MD/PhD (7 years, again not counting post-grad work).  Then, you need to do at least one postdoctoral fellowship, preferably in a top international laboratory (3 years)- often, 2 post-docs are required for very high-level training.  So, after high school, you are looking at 4 years of college, 5 years of grad school on average, and about 5 years of post-doctoral work-Generally scientists are hired as professors (or scientists by pharm companies) when they are around 27-30...this is when you start your independent career.  For me, and all those I know who run their own laboratories, it is a dream job- fascinating work, travel around the world, the feeling you are doing something important and helpful to humanity, nearly complete independence, close association with often brilliant and always interesting people, teaching and mentoring young students, good pay (about $80,000 to start), very very stable job security, never having to worry about being bored, ability to choose your own hours and work schedule, ability to research whatever you find most interesting or personally important, constantly challenging at a very high levels, being on top of the newest technology and discoveries....I could not imagine doing anything else.  A recent job satisfaction pole put University Professors as the second most satisfying careers because of a combination of job security, pay, community respect, intellectual and professional satisfation, and relatively low stress.\nAbout your specific question-no, they (don't say "he" since over half of the grad students coming up are women) dont make as much as physicians, generally.  As a prof, you make $80-150,000 a year, as a scientist in a pharma company you make $100-200,000 a year (but lose your independence)- The working hours are fairly low for a professional occupation with that pay-certainly lower than most physicians, but you pick what you work on, where you work, when you work, when you take time off...there is incredible independence and freedom.\n Now, about the qualities-Ill cut and paste the other question\n\n\nMoral values or professional values? Ethically: honesty would be the most important by far- Modesty or at least the ability to admit when you are wrong ( so you dont cling to a hypothesis against the data), generosity-this leads to collaborations and sharing of data, which accelerates the process of discovery; kindness, so that you design the experiments with the wellfare of the animal in mind.\nAs far as the professional values go: Open-mindedness for examining data and coming up with correct conclusions; logical thinking..that;s obvious; intuition, for those many times that verbal and mathamatical thinking fail you; conservation, to design experiments that use the least amount of material, time, and animals (or whatever test material or subject is being employed); sexiness, by this I mean the excitement or current interest level of the public or scientific community, so that you can obtain grants for your research; delayed gratification, because often it takes years to answer the question; patience, both for the time it takes through trial and error, and the training of students in a very difficult and demanding career; judgement, so that you choose the *most* important question to be addressed, and apply the proper proportion of effort; discipline, because the work requires extreme care and attention to detail, you must be able to ignore some very interesting questions so that you can apply yo
81336
I would ask yourself what it is you like about being a teacher, and if you want to take on the responsibility of being a prof. You would make more money, but do you want to take the time and then have to do continuing research to keep a tenure (which would take years to earn) Also, brush up your grammer, you want to become a professor.
1184851
There are many, many different branches of science, and they are not all mutually exclusive.  There is a lot of intermingling between the disciplines.\n\nThe 'biggies' are generally regarded as being biology, chemistry and physics, and these are the way they're usually broken up in high school classes.\n\nThey're not the whole story however, there are other disciplines such as geology, astronomy and meteorology that don't really fit into any of those categories.\n\nThere are also studies such as anthropology, archaeology, psychology, sociology and medicine that all deal with various aspects of human culture, society, or biology.\n\nSome sciences combine aspects of the others, such as biochemistry, geochemistry, biophysics, astrophysics, or nuclear physics.\n\nOther disciplines are multi-disciplinary, combining aspects of many fields.  Paleontology combines biology, geology, archaeology, and anthropology.\n\nThere are also specializations within each category.  Zoologists study animals, botanists study plants, mycologists study fungi and microbiologists study bacteria.  There can be extreme specializations too, such as acarologists who specialize in ticks and mites, or physicians who specialize in a single organ of a single species (such as opthamologists).\n\nIn addition to research sciences, there are also applied sciences such as agricultural sciences, forestry, mechanical engineering, or computer science.  Again, these can easily overlap with one or more other disciplines.\n\nSo in short, there are almost as many branches of science as there are scientists studying things.
180810
Teaching is not the only option; here are some of the Careers I know of:\n\n\n1) Pathologists concentrate on the effects of disease on cells, tissues, and organs of plants and animals.\n\n2) Physiologists specialize in the study of the life functions of plant and animals. These functions include growth, respiration, and reproduction.\n\n3) Geneticists study heredity and how traits or inherited characteristics vary in all forms of life. They expand our knowledge about how traits originate and are passed on from one generation to another.\n\n4) Anatomists study the structure of living things, ranging from single-celled plants and animals to human beings and redwood trees.\n\n5) Botanists are biologists who specialize in the study of plants.\n\n6) Microbiologists are those who work with microscopic forms of plant and animal life, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses.\n\n7) Nutritionists study how food is used and changed into energy. They examine ways in which living tissue is built and repaired by its use of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and other nutrients. \n\n8) Pharmacologists study the effects of drugs and other substances, such as poisons and dusts, on living organisms.\n\n9) Biochemists specialize in the study of the chemistry of living organisms. \n\n10) Biophysicists concentrate on the atomic structure and the electrical and mechanical energy of cells and organisms.\n\n11) Ecologists are life scientists who study the relationship between plants and animals and their environment. \n\n12) Marine biologists, or biological oceanographers, study the organisms living in the ocean. \n\n13) Zoologists are biologists who study animals.\n\n14) Taxonomists, or systematists, specialize in the identification, description, and classification of animals and determines how a given species fits into the scheme of nature.\n\nGood Luck!
21854
I would go for a career in science if you love ask questions and analyze what has been observed.  There is still much to be discovered. However, unless you come up with some revolutionary idea, complete famous research, or go into the work for the giant drug companies, don't expect to be compinsated financially for your hard work.  The real benefit is getting paid for something that you love to do. The U.S. is currently in need of good science teachers as well.  Their is good reason for a range of interests and perspectives in science, as we have historically been incorrect in assumptions about how the world and universe actually work.
873520
You are short of a degree that will let you do anything.  You need to posess a degree almost specificially to your feild to get most jobs.  Also you say that you don't like competition?  Your gonna have a really hard time having a comfortable life in science because everyone is cut throat and will do just about anything to get ahead of you and make themselves.
46814
Yes, i think it can be, but only when those skills and knowledge are in the basics level. Once you get to specialize, is dificult to continue getting deeper knowledge on every technology that exist.
390683
It depends.  If you're really into the chemistry, you should get a Ph.D. and become a professor.  If you want to work in a company, the most creative and rewarding career is in developing new products.  Being a part of a research team that comes up with new product ideas, makes them work, and scales them up to bring them to the marketplace.
351694
Scientist and Engineers can become busienss person easily, take science or engineering degree, then pursue a graduate study in business or finance.\n\nIf you are an engineer or a scientist with idea or knwoledge, you can start a business and find venture capitalist to fund you, or you can partner with someone who have business acumen alongside with your scientific or engineering ability.\n\nBut if you also want to learn the business side, you can augment this by continuing a graduate studies in business or finance like MBA or EMBA thing.\n\nBut for a business person who want to become a scientist or engineer, its harder.
481178
You need to know and learn things that don't interest you. For example, if your main occupation are social studies, don't be afraid to learn a little bit about biology too. I know it's hard at times, but everything you get to know will pay off in the end. And remember that you never stop learning.
379077
Uh you might want another degree unless you just want to work on computer programs for astronomers.  A masters or preferably doctorate is practically required for most jobs as an astronomer.
498335
well it depends.Chemistry is easy as long as you can grasp ideas fast and it is easy for you to understand how to mix things in the correct proportions and memorize formulas.Both sciences require an aptitude for math as in chem you need to work out formulae,etc. but in physics all you need is a bit of common sense and a high aptitude for math and a clean neat focused mind.A bit of observative skills wouldnt hurt,too.
722603
honestly! you would make a good science teacher. share your knowledge with the kids, inspire them to learn, love and understand sciences. sharing what you know, making it easy for others to  learn science and inspiring them to become one in the future - you're gonna love it.
582369
its only hard if you make it hard\n\nbe prepared to be very good in math and physics..