Biological Sciences
What can I do with a major in Biological Sciences
Biological Sciences delves into the world of living organisms –from microbes, to human beings, to entire ecosystems. It is the science of life on, under and above earth. Exploring the nature of life leads biologists out into the world where they study how organisms interact with their environment, how they function and how they evolved over time.
The Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biological Sciences, provides students with hands-on learning, moving beyond textbooks and lectures to engaging research projects. Biology is a research-intensive science that can lead to a wide range of study areas, like environmental work, microbiology, or agriculture. Students will be required to complete courses in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics, ensuring a strong foundation in the core sciences.
Students interested in Biological Sciences can complete:
- Bachelor of Science (Biology)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (Biology)
- Bachelor of Science (Biology)/Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- Bachelor of Science (Biology)/Bachelor of Management (BMgt)
The combined degrees leverage synergies with other Bachelor programs and open up additional career opportunities.
Skills
- Ability to Formulate Scientific Problems
- Aptitude for Math
- Communicate Ideas Clearly
- Computer Knowledge
- Creativity
- Critical Thinking
- Curiosity
- Enjoy Synthesizing Data
- Fascination with Nature & Natural Phenomenon
- Fieldwork Techniques
- Formulating & Modeling
- In-Depth Knowledge of Biological Theory
- Logical Thinker
- Meet Deadlines
- Oral & Written Communication
- Organizational
- Precision & Accuracy in Data Collection/Observation
- Problem Solving
- Fascination with Nature & Natural Phenomenon
- Fieldwork Techniques
- Formulating & Modeling
- In-Depth Knowledge of Biological Theory
- Logical Thinker
- Meet Deadlines
- Oral & Written Communication
- Organizational
- Precision & Accuracy in Data Collection/Observation
- Problem Solving
- Proficiency in Laboratory Procedures & Processes
- Research
- Teamwork
- Technical Skills
- Working Independently
Work Environment
An education in Biological Sciences provides an excellent foundation for professional programs such as environmental law, medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and education. Graduates of the Biological Sciences program find employment in a wide range of industries and sectors, such as biotech research companies, pharmaceutical companies, petroleum producers, mining and forestry companies, national and provincial parks, environmental consulting firms, municipal utility companies, agricultural companies or government agencies. Graduates may also work with dairy and vegetable producers, brewers and distillers, federal and provincial regulators, hospitals and medical centres, conservation authorities or zoos and aquariums.
Key Areas of Specialization:
- Behavioural & Evolutionary Ecology
- Comparative Physiology
- Biotechnology
- Bioinformatics
- Plant Biology
- Systemic Biology
- Cellular & Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Ecology & Evolution
Career Possibilities
These jobs are normally intended for new graduates and require 0 to 2 years of experience. It is important to note that many entry level positions require some related experience or demonstrated ability to perform job-related tasks. Even those positions that do not require experience will still prefer an experienced candidate, if one is available.
- Assistant Scientist
- Biological Science Technician (Human & Animal Biological Samples)
- Conservation Associate Biologist
- Conservation Project Coordinator
- Contract Environmental Field Technician
- Data Management Specialist
- Entry Level Biologist
- Entry Level Marketing Associate
- Entry Level Scientist
- Entry Level Study Technician (Animal Ops)
- Entry Level Water Treatment Chemical Sales Associate
- Environmental Health Specialist
- Environmental Program Specialist
- Environmental Protection Specialist
- Fisheries Officer
- Greenspace Program Coordinator
- Healthcare Coordinator
- Interpretive Naturalist
- Junior Biologist
- Junior Fisheries Biologist
- Laboratory Scientist
- Molecular Lab Technician
- Pipeline Environmental Inspector
- Quality Assurance Auditor
- Research Assistant
- Research Technician/ Technologist
- Resource Management Officer II
- Technologist Trainee –Allergy
- Technologist Trainee –Reference Microbiology
- Technologist Trainee –Esoteric Immunoassay
- Technologist Trainee –Infectious Disease
These jobs generally require extensive, relevant work experience and/or further education.
- Agricultural Products Inspector
- Agricultural Researcher
- Agronomist
- Animal Behaviourist
- Animal Care Attendant
- Aquaculture Technician
- Athletic Director
- Bacteriologist
- Biochemist
- Bioengineer
- Bioinformatics Programmer
- Bioinformatics Specialist
- Biological Researcher/Technician
- Biologist
- Biostatistician
- Botanist
- Biotechnologist
- Chiropractor
- Community Health Worker
- Conservation Biologist
- Conservationist/ Conservation Officer
- Cytotechnologist
- Cytogenetics Technologist
- Dentist
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Dietician
- DNA Analyst
- Drug Testing Technician
- Ecologist
- Ecosystems Biologist
- Embryologist
- Entomologist
- Environmental Auditor
- Environmental Consulting
- Environmental Health Officer
- Environmental Lawyer
- Environmental Protection Specialist
- Epidemiologist
- Ergonomist
- Ethnobotanist
- Food Industry Quality Control Specialist
- Food Technologist
- Forensics Technician
- Genetic Counsellor
- Genetic Technologist
- Geneticist
- Gerontological Specialist
- Habitat Management Biologist
- Health Care Administrator
- Health Educator
- Health Policy Analyst
- Herbarium Technician
- Informationist
- Marine Biologist
- Medical Doctor
- Medical Illustrator
- Medical Informatician
- Medical Lab Technologist
- Medical Librarian
- Microbiologist
- Molecular Biologist
- Mortician
- Naturalist
- Oceanographer
- Ophthalmic Medical Technologist
- Organic Pollution Toxicologist
- Ornithologist
- Paramedic
- Parasitologist
- Park Interpreter
- Pathologist’s Assistant
- Pedigree Analyst
- Pest Control Consultant
- Plant Physiologist
- Radiation Therapist
- Radiologist
- Restoration Biologist
- Science Magazine Editor/Writer
- Soil Scientist
- Teacher
- Technical Writer
- Toxicologist
- University Professor
- Veterinarian
- Veterinary Technician
- Water Quality Inspector
- Water & Wastewater Operator
- Wetlands Biologist
- Wildlife & Fisheries Biologist
- Zoologist
On average people change their careers three to five times in their lifetime. So, no matter what major you choose, you may still be interested in opportunities totally unrelated to your program of study. We encourage you to be open to all possibilities! Your undergraduate degree can be a springboard for other educational pursuits, and your transferable skills and experience can prepare you to work in a multitude of settings
- Actuary
- Acupuncturist
- Aerospace Engineer & Operations Technician
- Animal Breeder
- Audiologist
- Business Development Research Analyst
- Business Systems Analyst
- City Recycling Manager
- Compensation, Benefits & Job Analysis Specialist
- Compliance Promotion Specialist
- Computer Scientist
- Cost Estimator
- Crime Scene Technician
- Facilities Manager/Supervisor
- Fitness Consultant
- Forensic Laboratory Analyst
- Hazardous Waste Management Technologist
- Hydrometric Technician/Technologist
- Instructional Coordinator
- Intellectual Property Lawyer
- Kinesiologist
- Logistics Specialist
- Management Analysts
- Massage Therapist
- Mathematician
- Occupational Health & Safety Advisor
- Occupational Hygienist
- Occupational Therapist
- Operations Research Analyst
- Optometrist
- Pathologist
- Patient Services Coordinator
- Pharmaceutical Financial Analyst
- Pharmacologist
- Psychiatrist
- Physiologist
- Physiotherapist
- Pollution Control Technologist
- Product Marketing Manager
- Public Relations Specialist
- Quality Assurance Auditor
- Recreation Director
- Regulatory/Government Affairs Specialist
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Strength & Conditioning Specialist
- Technical Sales Representative
- Validation Specialist
- Web Developer
Useful Resources
-
Alberta Society of Professional Biologists http://www.aspb.ab.ca/
-
Alberta Institute of Agrologists http://www.aia.ab.ca/
-
Eco Canada –Environmental Careers Organization http://www.eco.ca/
-
Canadian Science http://www.science.ca/
-
BioTalent Canada http://www.biotalent.ca/
- BIOTECanada http://www.biotech.ca/
-
The Global Plant Council Home - The Global Plant Council
-
The Canadian Ecology Centre http://www.canadianecology.ca/
-
Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution http://csee-scee.ca/
-
Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology http://www.cifst.ca/
-
Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science http://csmls.org/
-
Canadian Botanical Association https://www.cba-abc.ca/
-
Canadian Society of Zoologists http://www.csz-scz.ca/
-
Canadian Council of Technicians & Technologists http://www.cctt.ca/
-
Canadian Biochemical Society http://www.csmb-scbm.ca/
-
Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists http://www.cseb-scbe.org
Add Value to Your Degree
The more you do to differentiate yourself, the more likely you are to succeed in building a fulfilling career path for yourself. It takes more than just attending classes to stand out amongst other students and new graduates. Become an explorer! Try new things, challenge yourself, build unique skills, and connect with diverse people.
Use the ideas listed below to help you brainstorm experiences to add value to your degree. For more ideas on experiential opportunities at the University of Lethbridge, view the Student Experience Transcript.
Making connections with others is one of the best ways to learn about the world of work and gain access to career-building opportunities. Making meaningful connections with people is often called building a network. Building these connections can give you access to jobs before they are posted, or to jobs that are not publicly posted. Employers like to hire people they have already built relationships with, and are more likely to hire people who have been recommended by trusted colleagues and friends.
Start building your network by attending Career Fairs and other on-campus recruitment events found on the Career Services Events page within the Career Bridge portal. Get introduced to career professionals in a welcoming and approachable way through uLethbridge Connect at Ten Thousand Coffees. Consider joining a professional association to help you find opportunities to meet experienced professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.
d professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.
Co-operative Education allows you to earn income through real-world work experience that is related to your academic studies. Completing a co-op work term provides you with an opportunity to build your skills in a practical work setting, network with employers, and increase your marketability after graduation.
Co-operative education is available to undergraduate and graduate-level students within a variety of programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Dhillon School of Business, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Health Sciences. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how co-op works here.
The Applied Studies program offers you the opportunity to earn academic credit for learning gained through employment or volunteer experiences. Placements provide skill development and experiential learning related to your studies by integrating principles learned in the classroom with practical situations encountered on the job.
Participating in clubs and running for student government are great ways to build employability skills, learn how to work with others, and demonstrate your leadership abilities.
The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union is committed to building a rewarding and enriching experience for undergraduate students. They have positions for Executive Council members and General Assembly members, as well as an extensive list of ratified clubs, offering opportunities to get involved in areas of interest and in leadership positions.
The Graduate Students’ Association’s mandate is to identify and advocate for graduate student needs. They have GSA Executive positions, GSA Council positions, and a mentorship program for incoming students.
The University of Lethbridge provides many different opportunities to gain research experience in addition to the required courses in your degree program.
An independent study is a chance for you to design your own research project for course credit under the supervision of a professor of your choice. Course work usually requires independent library research and/or field work and/or a major term paper. For more information, meet with an Academic Advisor and the Department or Faculty member under whom you wish to pursue an Independent Study.
You can also opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis Course. This will allow you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree and is a great springboard into graduate studies and professional programs. Fourth-year standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to complete an Honours Thesis; it is also helpful to have previous research experience like Independent Studies. For more information, contact the Department or Faculty member under whom you with to pursue your Honours Thesis.
The Office of Research and Innovation Services has a wealth of information on additional research opportunities for students, including Student Funding, Student Research Positions, AGILITY, and events. The School of Graduate Studies has information on Research Opportunities/Graduate Student Positions and GA/Co-op/Internship Opportunities. If you are interested in building your research portfolio, do not miss out on these opportunities!
International experience builds valuable employability skills like adaptability, multi-cultural awareness, and the initiative to take on new challenges. Gain an international perspective by participating in Education Abroad opportunities like semester exchanges, study tours, field studies, work-study tours, internships, and more. Learn about international careers and resources through MyWorldAbroad (available within the Career Bridge portal).
Volunteerism is an excellent way to demonstrate your current skills, build new skills, and grow your network. If you are not sure where to get started, connect with UVolunteer, the University of Lethbridge’s partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge. If you already volunteer, UVolunteer can provide you with a framework to organize and document your volunteer work. If you are not sure how or where to get involved, UVolunteer can help you find volunteer opportunities that meet your needs and the needs of your community. Also consider volunteering with a local Board, Commission, or Committee.