Education Guide

Technical Skills You Need To Study Life Sciences

Posted on: 17th February, 2023

Lives have been dramatically reshaped by the Covid-19 pandemic since its emergence. This is compounded by existing climate change-related woes in which warmer temperatures trigger the spread of disease transmissions, which can underpin future health crises. As a result, the life sciences industry, which entails studying all aspects of living organisms, has been under the spotlight. The field enables the gather of essential professional insights, crucial for the development of novel treatments to improve human health and mitigate future public health emergencies. As the industry enters an evolving phase where medical innovations impact and benefit human health, this may seem like the ideal time to jumpstart your education and career in the sector. Before you start, it is crucial to understand what the life science industry can offer and the technical skills required to equip you well for a future in this industry.

Pathways In Life Sciences

When it comes to a career in life science, perhaps you only envision yourself researching in a laboratory. However, life science encompasses a wide range of disciplines. So what exactly can be classified as a career in life science? It is a role that involves studying, managing or working with living organisms and knowledge, products and processes about them. As such, careers in life sciences are varied and go beyond the traditional role of a scientist. You may work in environmental science to study ways to protect biodiversity. Alternatively, careers as life science educators or quality controllers in unexpected fields such as the food industry also fall under life science’s umbrella.

In Singapore, opportunities are abundant in the industry. Based on a CBRE report, the country is among the top five most competitive life science industry markets in the Asia Pacific, with many life science and biomedical companies establishing their presence in the region. In fact, eight of the top 10 pharmaceutical firms have set up local offices. With the continued success of these large corporations and new entrées, demand grows for expertise in all functions, including commercial, finance, operations and regulatory functions staff, offering exciting possibilities.

Top Technical Skills For Life Science Education And Career

Regardless of which aspect of life sciences you are interested in, the increasing attractiveness of the field comes with rising competition. Four basic technical skills will help prepare you for education and a career in this field.

1. Laboratory Skills

Laboratory skills enable an individual to perform tasks in a laboratory setting. They are important in the life science industry for several reasons. For example, achieving mass reproducibility is a key outcome of research in commercial settings. This is where the knowledge of using pipettes is important to ensure the accuracy of results and the ability to replicate the same procedures repeatedly. For chemical processes requiring precise measurements to start reactions, being adept in laboratory skills directly determines the trial’s success. If you are looking at less hands-on roles, laboratory skills also benefit your work by giving you a better understanding of organisational workflows. For example, product developers knowledgeable in laboratory workflows can better understand what products can realistically be produced.

2. Analytical Skills

In the rapidly evolving and competitive life science industry, analytical skills have never been more important. With new technologies being developed all the time, strong analytical skills enable you to quickly understand and utilise the complex data involved in the tools you use at work. This allows for rapid problem-solving and capitalisation of market opportunities. In fact, analytical skills are the top job skill for 2025, based on the World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report 2020.

3. Literacy Skills

As an industry rooted in discovering new knowledge and sharing it with the world, literacy skills are as important and essential. Individuals with this skill can better understand complex scientific concepts and utilise their knowledge in other work areas. For example, by keeping abreast of the latest scientific concepts, you can propose more relevant new research directives. Meanwhile, strong writing skills enable you to effectively communicate your findings in science, review or literature reports.

4. Research Skills

Before analytical skills can be applied to produce effective solutions and insights, having relevant information is necessary. This is where research skills come into play. Good research skills can help you to navigate the seemingly infinite amount of information available and make sense of it all. It also enables you to evaluate conflicting sources well to support better decision-making.

Build A Strong Foundation In Life Sciences With PSB Academy

At PSB Academy, we offer a range of life science courses to help you gain these essential technical skills that set you on the right track for success. Building a solid foundation is the first step to starting your education right. That is why our Foundation Diploma in Life Sciences is designed to give you a comprehensive introduction to the field so that you can lay a strong groundwork for your future. Through this diploma programme, you will gain an in-depth understanding of diverse life science disciplines, such as biological science and chemistry, where you can hone your laboratory and research skills. As a large part of every scientific field involves reading research papers, a multidisciplinary programme provides you with more opportunities to polish your literacy skills. With a combined understanding of different disciplines, you can better understand how the various concepts fit together and focus on data analysis, thus sharpening your analytical skills. With a sturdy foundation established through this course, you will be well positioned to advance to a life science bachelor’s degree and subsequently a master’s degree.

At PSB Academy, we also support individuals in pursuing graduate and postgraduate studies in life sciences to continue to refine these critical technical skills, but with a greater focus on specialised disciplines. Thus, we provide you access to various degree courses offered by La Trobe University, one of the top 12 Australian universities for life sciences based on 2023’s Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject.

 

All our life science courses are taught by experienced academics, ensuring you receive quality training and advice throughout your study. These courses are also available as full-time and part-time programmes to support the learning needs of all individuals. Whether you are just starting to explore your tertiary education or hoping to make a mid-career switch, PSB Academy is the place for you. Read all about the stories of our alumnus to see how starting your life science education at PSB Academy can give you a headstart. Alternatively, reach out to our team today for further advice.

Back to Blog