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Careers in Biology
Where can you go from here?
As a graduate of the Biological Sciences program, you can choose from a range of exciting career paths. Get a head start on your career by:
- participating in our co-operative education program
- taking part in undergraduate research
- taking specialized courses or electives to enhance your areas of interest
- connecting with SFU Career Services to explore your options and access career-related resources
- learning about some successful non-profits founded by Biology alumni and faculty
Your experiences outside the classroom are important too - getting involved in extra-curricular activities, like clubs, student unions, and student leadership programs, is a great way to build your skills and help identify your career path.
Career Pathways
Environmental Conservation
Careers in environmental conservation can range from habitat restoration and environmental management to policy development and education. Typical employers include local, international and municipal governments as well as environmental organizations and institutes.
Career Paths
Typical roles include resource management professionals, environmental consultants, park wardens and naturalists, conservation officers, wildlife biologists, environmental toxicologists, and more.
Biotechnology
Scientists in the field of biotechnology use their understanding of biology to pursue technological innovation in the development of pharmaceuticals, agriculture, medicine and consumer products, among others.
Career Paths
Typical roles include researchers, technicians and product developers in the fields of agricultural, pharmaceutical, medical and consumer products.
Education
Science educators are expert communicators who are interested in helping people better understand the living world and the organisms within it. In addition to a biology degree they may have specialized training in education or communications.
Career Paths
Typical roles include public and private school teachers, museum educators, science journalists and publishers, environmental educators, and post-secondary teaching faculty.
Healthcare
A degree in the Biological Sciences opens the door to a range of health and allied health professions. It also provides the foundational science courses needed for entry to professional training in medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, and physical and occupational therapy among others.
Career Paths
Typical professions include health researchers, medical doctors or physicians, dentists, pharmacists, veterinarians, physical therapists, optometrists, chiropractors, and more.
Forensic Biology
Forensic biologists analyze organic materials (blood, bodily fluids, tissue, plants, insects, etc.) to support criminal investigations and/or determine cause of death. Their work can help investigators identify persons of interest and assist them in understanding what took place at the scence (time and place of death, etc.).
Career Paths
Typical roles include forensic scientists (biologists, toxicologists), medical examiners or forensic pathologists (both require a medical degree), coroners, and lab technicians.
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that uses computational methods to analyze the genetic bases of disease. It requires an understanding of both the biological and data sciences and is concerned with better understanding biological function at a cellular level.
Career Paths
Typical roles include researchers, technicians and scientists in the fields of medicine, genomics, pharmaceuticals and computing.