Skills you’ll develop
While studying Biotechnology, you’re learning how biological systems can make products, processes, and services for human health, the environment, and energy. You’ll develop important skills in the laboratory and learn how to navigate biotechnology work in academia, industry, and government.
These skills may include:
- Collaboration with cross-discipline laboratory teams
- Presentation of technical and scientific data to non-technical audiences
- Quantitative and qualitative analytical skills
- Compliance with quality control and safety regulations
- Analytical method development or validation (QA/QC)
- Usage of ELISA, PCR, CRISPR technology in plant and animal cells, gel-electrophoresis, western blot, protein purification, isolation and characterization, bacterial culture, cell passaging, and plant micropropagation
- Usage of instruments for bioinformatics, gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy, fermenters, microscopy, liquid chromatography-triple quad mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
Explore career possibilities
Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including agriculture, biotechnology start-ups, bioethics, clean energy, health and pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, intellectual property, research, government and regulatory affairs, education, and others.
There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.
Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.
- Agricultural scientist
- Biofuel analyst
- Bioinformatician
- Biomedical engineer
- Biostatistician
- Biotechnical engineer
- Biotechnology engineer
- Biotechnology technician
- Clinical research associate
- Consumer protection specialist
- Environmental attorney
- Epidemiologist
- Food and drug inspector
- Food safety expert
- Gene technologist
- Genetic counselor
- Laboratory technician
- Marketing specialist
- Occupational hygienist
- Occupational therapist
- Patent agent
- Patent attorney
- Pharmaceutical chemist
- Pollution control inspector
- Product testing associate
- Quality control technician
- Regulatory affairs expert
- Teacher/Professor
- Technical sales representative
- Technical writer
- Toxicologist
- Veterinarian
- Water treatment technician
Make the most of your specialization
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help clarify your values and interests.
- UBC-BCIT Biotechnology Club
Meet other Biotech students with similar interests through events and programs. - UBC Microbiology & Immunology Students Association
Check out various social, networking, and career events. - UBC Science Co-op
Gain work experience in biotechnology between study terms. - Directed Studies in Microbiology
Apply your classroom knowledge to a real-world setting through a summer research opportunity. - Departmental research opportunities
Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions. - International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition
Form a student team and design, build, test, and measure a system using biological techniques in term 2. - Annual Biomolecular Design Competition
In term 2, represent UBC at the annual biomolecular design competition in a student team. - Student Journal of Experimental Microbiology and Immunology
Submit a scientific article to be published in an annual journal. - Student Biotechnology Network
Attend events, meet professionals, and receive mentorship from innovative industry leaders. - Undergraduate awards and opportunities
Browse awards and opportunities specific to undergraduate students in Science.
Build your network
Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.
The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.
- Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada
- BC Environmental Industry Association
- BC Sustainable Energy Association
- BIOTECanada
- Canadian Association of Professionals in Regulatory Affairs
- Canadian Bioethics Society
- Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association
- Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology
- Canadian Society for Unconventional Resources
- Cannabis Growers of Canada
- Clean Energy BC
- Clean Resource Innovation Network
- Consumer Health Products Canada
- Dairy Processors Association of Canada
- ECO Canada
- Fertilizer Canada
- Forest Products Association of Canada
- Genome BC
- Innovative Medicines Canada
- Intellectual Property Institute of Canada
- Life Sciences BC
- Medtech Canada
- Personal Care Products Council
- Science Writers and Communicators of Canada
- Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Student Biotechnology Network
Connect with alumni on LinkedIn
Find UBC Biotechnology graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.
More information
From your Science degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Science degree.