From arguing patent law cases and starting a biotech company to advising lawmakers on science policy, earning an advanced degree in the life sciences no longer means you have to choose a career in academia -- although that is an option, too.

Career Options for Ph.D.s in the Life Sciences (BioGD 7900; BioBM 7940) is a new mini-course for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows offered this year that highlights the range of careers available to doctorates in the biological sciences.

Through a series of seven panel discussions, guest speakers -- many of them alumni -- who have doctorates in biology are sharing their experiences and expertise in their career paths. Participants will learn how to enter a particular career, what the average workweek is like, what opportunities exist for advancement and what range of salary to expect.

Although graduate students get exposed to research during their time on campus, they often have little contact with people who have jobs away from the bench. This course is intended to bridge that gap and provide firsthand information on how to enter an alternative or non-research career path, says instructor W. Lee Kraus, associate professor of molecular biology and genetics.

The career panels are open to the public. Law and business/finance already have been covered; upcoming career panels include:

• Academics; March 18; 2 p.m.; G10 Biotech;
• Government science administration; April 8; 2 p.m.; G10 Biotech;.
• Science writing and communication; April 15; 1:30-3:30 p.m.; A106 Corson-Mudd;
• Public policy; April 27; 2 p.m; G01 Biotech;
• Biotech and industry; May 6; 2 p.m.; 226 Weill Hall.

Graduate student Sarah Perdue is a science writer intern at the Cornell Chronicle.