Mycologist
Mycologists are scientists who are associated with the study of fungi - their genetic make-up, properties, taxonomy and usefulness to humans (used as medicine, food, etc).
There are various types of mycologists; medical mycologists focus on the use of fungi in medicine, environmental mycologists focus on what affect fungi has on air quality and other mycologists include taxonomists and mycologists who work in breweries.
Some mycologists study mushrooms, while others research fungi which can negatively impact living organisms (humans, animals or plants). Mycologists are also responsible for studying the cell composition of fungi and how they reproduce.
The goals of a mycologist is to learn about and classify as many species of fungi as possible because according to a professor at the University of Wisconsin, only 5% of fungi species have been identified and named.
Mycologists can work either indoors and/or outdoors. They spend a lot of time in the field collecting samples and specimens of various fungi which can be returned to the laboratory and studied. Some species of fungi are so small that they can only be seen under a microscope, so they must be examined in a research laboratory. Mycologists can also be found working for educational facilities (university/college).
Since mycology is under biological science, a bachelor’s degree in botany, biology or microbiology is required, along with specialization in graduate school. Highly recommended courses for a career in mycology include biology, physics, chemistry, math and computer studies. If you are aiming to do extensive research/study in mycology, then a PhD is generally required.
The average salary of mycologists as of 2008 is $64,350.
Source - MLA Format
Leasdon, Michael. "How to Become a Mycologist | eHow.com." eHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Discover the expert in you. | eHow.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2012. <http://www.ehow.com/how_2064533_become-mycologist.html>.
There are various types of mycologists; medical mycologists focus on the use of fungi in medicine, environmental mycologists focus on what affect fungi has on air quality and other mycologists include taxonomists and mycologists who work in breweries.
Some mycologists study mushrooms, while others research fungi which can negatively impact living organisms (humans, animals or plants). Mycologists are also responsible for studying the cell composition of fungi and how they reproduce.
The goals of a mycologist is to learn about and classify as many species of fungi as possible because according to a professor at the University of Wisconsin, only 5% of fungi species have been identified and named.
Mycologists can work either indoors and/or outdoors. They spend a lot of time in the field collecting samples and specimens of various fungi which can be returned to the laboratory and studied. Some species of fungi are so small that they can only be seen under a microscope, so they must be examined in a research laboratory. Mycologists can also be found working for educational facilities (university/college).
Since mycology is under biological science, a bachelor’s degree in botany, biology or microbiology is required, along with specialization in graduate school. Highly recommended courses for a career in mycology include biology, physics, chemistry, math and computer studies. If you are aiming to do extensive research/study in mycology, then a PhD is generally required.
The average salary of mycologists as of 2008 is $64,350.
Source - MLA Format
Leasdon, Michael. "How to Become a Mycologist | eHow.com." eHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Discover the expert in you. | eHow.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2012. <http://www.ehow.com/how_2064533_become-mycologist.html>.