Biology
About Biology
Biology is a very broad field dedicated to the study of all aspects of living things and their vital processes. It encompasses the study of animals, plants, insects, and microbes as well as their relationships with their environments. Biologists work in industry, government labs, universities, park services, consulting companies, and other areas. Consider the range of occupational fields in the life sciences: agronomy, biophysics, developmental biology, environmental law, forensic entomology, forestry, genetic counseling, immunology, medical practice, molecular biology, neurobiology, secondary school teaching, veterinary medicine, and much more.
Program Details
The Biology Program at UBC’s Vancouver campus offers an extremely rich range of specialty and course options that span the field’s many sub-disciplines. It is overseen by two Departments: Botany (in the academic field, one of the largest and strongest in North America) which focusses on plant science; and Zoology, another powerhouse department conducting research and teaching in developmental biology, comparative animal physiology, ecology and evolution. The Biology Program has one Major, two Combined Majors, eight Honours, and three Combined Honours options.
Skills
Interdisciplinary application of biological theories, practices and ethics Experiment and project design, organization, and implementation Critical analysis and synthesis of scientific research and literature Field work techniques, such as plot study surveys and population estimates Laboratory proficiency including usage of scientific equipment and knowledge of safety protocols Data collection and maintenance of accurate records Statistics and quantitative reasoning Development and evaluation of models, such as estimating the flow of pollutants through an ecosystem, or predicting growth or decline of populations
Programs offered
- Major or Honours, Biology
- Honours, Animal Biology
- Honours, Cell and Developmental Biology
- Combined Major or Combined Honours, Computer Science and Biology
- Honours, Conservation Biology
- Honours, Ecology and Environmental Biology
- Honours, Evolutionary Biology
- Honours, Marine Biology
- Honours, Plant Biology
- Combined Honours, Chemical Biology (See Chemistry)
- Combined Major or Combined Honours, Biology and Oceanography
- Co-op
Resources
Career Options
With an undergraduate degree
Animal husbandry and animal care worker Clinical research assistant Cytogenetic technologist Forensic laboratory analyst Government field scientist Health care administrator Lab technician Medical and clinical lab technologist Quality controller Science journalist, writer Wildlife rehabilitator
With additional study
Animal biologist Anesthesiologist Chiropractor Conservationist lab technician Dentist Doctor Ecologist Forensic scientist Forestor Genetic counselor Medical editor Medical laboratory technologist Nurse Occupational therapist Optometrist Ornithologist Pharmacist Physical therapist Physician Assistant Speech-language pathologist Teacher Toxicologist Veterinarian Zoologist
UBC Science Biology Graduates Work As
PhD Candidate in Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge Dentist, Fairmont Dental Group Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Student, University of Edinburgh PhD Candidate in Microbial Evolution, University of Oslo Genetic Counsellor, Alberta Health Services Research Assistants, BC Cancer Agency Science and Math Teacher, St. George’s School