Completing a Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) in Biology helps prepare you for a wide variety of biology-related careers, such as those found in the environmental and biological sciences, the biotechnology sector, or in a medical profession.
Some careers you will be able to jump right into. These are typically positions with lower levels of responsibility, often referred to as “entry-level” jobs. Jobs with a higher degree of responsibility will often require further education, training and/or experience to qualify for. This typically includes many teaching, research and consulting positions.
Fortunately, if you are interested in a career that requires further education, an undergraduate biology degree also serves as a great foundation for advanced study in biology and other graduate and professional programs, such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine and law.
Career Fields for Biology Graduates
Here is a list of career fields for which a Biology background is a requirement, or at least, quite useful:
• Agricultural science
• Biotechnology
• Chiropractic Medicine
• Dentistry
• Environmental Consulting
• Forensic Science
• Forestry
• Medicine
• Optometry
• Pharmacy
• Physiotherapy
• Research
• Teaching
What is Biology? What Does it Teach You?
Biology is a scientific field wherein living things and their vital processes are studied. There are many different types of living things, and many different biological processes among them, thus there are many different areas of specialty within the field. However, there are also commonalities in biology and biological processes shared by all living things.
Because of this diversity of life forms, as well as the commonalities shared among them, the study of biology at the undergraduate university level is taught one of two ways, depending on the school offering the program.
The first teaching approach involves focusing on the commonalities shared among all life forms. The second approach involves separating the study of plants (botany) from that of animals (zoology), and the study of structure of organisms (morphology) from that of function (physiology).
Method of Teaching in Biology Programs
Typically, undergraduate Biology programs involve teaching you the fundamentals of various biological concepts and practical research techniques during the first two years.
Upper level courses during the last few years of university tend to build on these concepts and techniques, allowing you to explore more advanced concepts and techniques. During this time, you may also choose an area of specialization within the field of Biology, depending on where their interests lie.
Many undergraduate Biology degree programs involve intensive lab experience, where you’re are taught hands-on skills such as the appropriate use of equipment, and various techniques for investigating living organisms and how they function.
Major projects may also be a requirement for you in your senior year. These projects may or may not involve the supervision of a Biology department faculty member. These projects allow you to directly apply the knowledge and skill set you’ve gained through coursework and lab work.
Who Hires Biology Graduates?
There are many employers, representing many different sectors of industry that are interested in the skills and knowledge of Biology majors. Below is an example of the types of employers that will be interested in the skill set you have as a graduate of this field.
• Chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
• Companies in the agriculture, food, natural resource and utility industries
• Environmental and engineering consulting firms
• Federal, provincial/state and local government departments and agencies
• Healthcare and education institutions, such as hospitals and universities
• Medical and veterinary research organizations
Average Salary Level of Grads
The salary you could earn once you enter the workforce and progress throughout your working life can vary based on a wide variety of factors, such as:
• The type, size, and budget of your employer
• The discretion of your employer
• Your level of education and experience
• Your level of certification (if applicable)
• The region in which you work
• How much overtime you are able to work (if applicable)
• The amount of responsibility inherent in your position
• Your level of experience (people with several years worth of experience can often earn substantially in their profession more than what’s listed below)
Most importantly, however, the salary you could earn varies based on the career field you enter. Below is an overview of the average earnings of people in a few career fields that are relevant to a degree in biology.
Please Note: The salary information listed below is meant only to serve as a guideline. In many cases, workers in these fields can earn a much lower, or much higher, salary than is stated below.
Agrologist
Alberta: $92,817 (ALIS)
Canada: $65,334 (PayScale)
United States: $62,910 (BLS)
Anatomist
Alberta: $84,998 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $82,090 (BLS)
Audiologist
Alberta: $100,381 (ALIS)
Canada: $70,580 (indeed)
United States: $75,920 (BLS)
Beekeeper
Alberta: $73,770 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $69,620 (BLS)
Biological Technologist
Alberta: $71,632 (ALIS)
Canada: $59,480 (indeed)
United States: $43,800 (BLS)
Biologist
Alberta: $84,998 (ALIS)
Canada: $63,381 (indeed)
United States: $69,960 (BLS)
Biomedical Engineer
Alberta: $98,254 (ALIS)
Canada: $63,240 (indeed)
United States: $88,040 (BLS)
Botanical Field Technician
(See “Biological Technologist”)
Botanist
(See “Biologist”)
Cardiac Imaging Technologist
Alberta: $71,200 (ALIS)
Canada: $64,420 (indeed)
United States: $55,570 (indeed)
Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist
Alberta: $71,200 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $43,923 (BLS)
Chiropractor
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $69,700 (indeed)
United Sates: $68,640 (BLS)
Clinical Technician
Alberta: $77,398 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $51,770 (BLS)
Conservation Officer
Alberta: $70,214 (ALIS)
Canada: $51,049 (PayScale)
United States: $58,570 (BLS)
Crime Lab Assistant
Alberta: $62,913 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $57,850 (BLS)
Dentist
Alberta: $154,564 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $158,120 (BLS)
Doctor (General Practice)
Alberta: $230,100 (ALIS)
Canada: $271,000 (Global News - Via Canadian Institute of Health Report)
United States: $208,000 (BLS)
Ecologist
(See “Biologist”)
Elementary School Teacher
Alberta: $78,971 (ALIS)
Canada: $51,702 (PayScale)
United States: $56,900 (BLS)
Entomologist
(See “Zoologists”)
Epidemiologist
Alberta: $84,988 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $69,660 (BLS)
Food and Drug Inspector
Alberta: $80,949 (ALIS)
Canada: $44,418 to $111,523 (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
United States: $64,660 (BLS)
Forensic Lab Analyst
(See “Crime Lab Assistant”)
Funeral Director
Alberta: $59,900 (ALIS)
Canada: $46,979 (PayScale)
United States: $56,300 (BLS)
Geneticist
(See “Biologist”)
High School Teacher
Alberta: $73,966 (ALIS)
Canada: $58,000 (PayScale)
United States: $59,170 (BLS)
Ichthyologist
(See “Zoologist”)
Laboratory Manager
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $63,590 (PayScale)
United States: $60,174 (indeed)
Mammalogist
(See “Zoologist”)
Marine Biologist
(See “Zoologist”)
Microbiologist
Alberta: $84,988 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $69,960 (BLS)
Molecular Biologist
(See “Microbiologist”)
Naturalist
(See “Biologist”)
Ornithologist
(See “Zoologist”)
Orthopaedic Technician
Alberta: N/A
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $66,240 (BLS)
Paleontologist
Alberta: $87,546 (ALIS)
Canada: $85,000 (Glassdoor)
United States: $62,280 (BLS)
Pharmacist
Alberta: $98,037 (ALIS)
Canada: $103,926 (Glassdoor)
United States: $124,170 (BLS)
Physiologist
(See “Anatomist”)
Public Health Planner
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $75,760 (indeed)
United States: $77,426 (indeed)
Registered Nurse
Alberta: $80,129 (ALIS)
Canada: $73,980 (indeed)
United Sates: $70,000 (BLS)
Regulatory Affairs Manager
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $82,478 (indeed)
United States: $105,290 (Glassdoor)
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $58,942 (PayScale)
United States: $67,510 (Glassdoor)
Research Assistant
Alberta: $41,027 (ALIS)
Canada: $32,796 (Glassdoor)
United Sates: $26,560 (BLS)
Sales Representative
Alberta: $62,683 (ALIS)
Canada: $61,624 (indeed)
United Sates: $60,340 (BLS)
Science Writer
(See “Technical Writer”)
Sexual Health Educator
Alberta: N/A
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $45,360 (BLS)
Soil Scientist
Alberta: $75,812 (ALIS)
Canada: $75,000 (PayScale)
United States: $69,170 (BLS)
Sports Medicine Physician
Alberta: $94,842 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $423,392 (BLS)
Technical Writer
Alberta: $58,979 (ALIS)
Canada: $56,634 (PayScale)
United States: $57,549 (BLS)
University Professor
Alberta: $74,877 (ALIS)
Canada: $157,610 (indeed)
United Sates: $76,000 (BLS)
Veterinarian
Alberta: $100,080 (ALIS)
Canada: $72,689 (PayScale)
United States: $98,230 (BLS)
Wastewater Treatment Engineer
Alberta: $99,194 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $86,800 (BLS)
Wildlife Biologist
(See “Zoologist”)
Zoologist
Alberta: $84,988 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United States: $62,290 (BLS)
The name in brackets next to the salary data for each region is the sources from which the data was obtained. Please note, the salary data that is sourced from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) represents median salary figures, rather than average salary figures.
Salary Data References
ALIS: Alberta Learning and Information Service (alis.alberta.ca), sponsored by the Government of Alberta. For an overview of their salary survey methodology, please visit here.
PayScale: Private organization owned by PayScale Incorporated (payscale.com). For an overview of their salary survey methodology, please visit here
BLS: United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov), sponsored by the federal government of the United States of America. For details regarding their salary survey methodology, please visit here.
Glassdoor: indeed is a private organization owned by Glassdoor incorporated (glassdoor.com). For an overview of their salary survey methodology, please visit here.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency: For the career profile of “Food & Drug Inspector”
Careers Relevant to a Biology Degree
The knowledge and skills you can gain by studying biology at the university level serve as an excellent foundation for the following careers (not an inclusive list):
• Biomedical Ethics Researcher
• Blogger
• Botanist
• Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist
• Clinical Research Coordinator
• Dentist
• Doctor
• Medical Laboratory Technologist
• Regulatory Affairs Specialist
• Wastewater Treatment Engineer
Please Note: Some of the above listed careers require additional education, training and/or experience. Click on careers that are of interest to you to find out more about the qualifications you’ll need.
Areas of Specialty Within Biology
There are many different areas of specialty within Biology due to the vast amount of living things on the planet, and the many different biological processes that exist among them. These areas of specialty include:
• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics and Biostatistics
• Biophysics
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Ecology
• Entomology
• Genetics
• Immunology
• Marine Biology
• Microbiology
• Neuroscience
• Nutrition and Food Science
• Pharmacology
• Physiology
Gaining Career Experience as a Student
Pursuing an internship (also known as a practicum, field placement or co-op work opportunity) in a career field related to your Biology degree is the best way to gain work relevant experience while you’re still in school.
An internship will help you develop professional competencies while earning school credit. But you’re not the only one who wins. In return, employers get valuable temporary team members.
These sorts of opportunities can also result in being hired by the sponsoring employer once you’ve graduated. If you’ve done quality work and made a good impression, chances are that organization will want to retain you on a full-time basis once you’ve graduated.
How Do I Find a Biology-Related Internship?
You may have the opportunity arranged for you by your school, if it is an academic requirement to participate in an internship. If it's not a requirement, and your school doesn't outright arrange it for you, an internship coordinator at the school will likely at least point you in the right direction as far as finding one.
If it is not a requirement to work an internship, you should still try to find an internship, because of their many benefits. Speak with your professors, other Biology department staff as well as your school’s guidance and career counselors to help you find a suitable opportunity.
Please Note: If you’re seeking an internship from an outside source, be cautious. Many internship opportunities operate in the grey area of employment law, and are designed to use students as free labour in order to perform mundane tasks.
Biology Scholarships
If you’re a Biology major looking for help in paying for school, then you’re in luck! Our scholarships database has Canadian and American scholarships that are specific to Biology, scholarships for science students in general, and scholarships that are open to any field of study.
Success Tip: Be sure to apply for any and all scholarships for which you qualify, as there are millions of dollars of scholarships in Canada and the United States that go unused every year due to a lack of applicants.
Professional Associations
To find out more about careers directly related to your Biology degree, consult the following professional association websites. They offer career-related information, and many have opportunities for student membership, as well as job placement and mentoring opportunities.
Canada
Association of Professional Biology
Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists
Canadian Society of Microbiologists
United States
American Institute of Biological Sciences
The American Society for Cell Biology
The American Society for Microbiology
The American Society of Human Genetics
