Skills you’ll develop
While studying Cellular and Physiological Sciences, you’re inquiring into the basis of life. You’ll develop important skills and ways of thinking that can have a significant impact on communities of people and the world.
These skills may include:
- Application of an in-depth understanding of the human body, spanning from a histological level to gross anatomy and physiology
- Interdisciplinary approach to observing and studying life and health sciences
- Development and execution of research proposals and experimental design
- Research and laboratory techniques with consistent application of safety protocols
- Laboratory report writing and presentation
- Mock clinical testing in physiology labs, including usage of technology and tests for electrocardiograms, spirometry, and oral glucose tolerance
- Technical biochemistry lab techniques using PCR, gel electrophoresis, UV spectrophotometry, and protein assays
Explore career possibilities
Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including health care, biotechnology, government agencies, education, research, 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.
- Anatomical pathology technologist
- Anatomist
- Bacteriological technician
- Bioinformatician
- Biological laboratory technologist
- Biologist
- Biostatistician
- Biotechnology technician
- Cancer research technician
- Cardiologist
- Cell biologist
- Cellular physiologist
- Clinical research associate
- Clinical trials coordinator
- Cytologist
- Dentist
- Developmental biologist
- Forensic laboratory technician
- Geneticist
- Health care researcher
- Health educator
- Health policy research analyst
- Infectious disease specialist
- Laboratory manager
- Medical doctor
- Medical laboratory technologist
- Microbiologist
- Molecular geneticist
- Neurologist
- Oncologist
- Parasitologist
- Pharmaceutical quality control manager
- Physiologist
- Physiotherapist
- Renal technician
- Scientific writer
- Professor
- Virologist
Make the most of your specialization
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help clarify your values and interests.
- UBC Science Co-op
Gain work experience in cellular and physiological sciences between study terms. - UBC Life Sciences Institute
Browse research opportunities, events, programs and student competitions in life sciences. - Departmental research opportunities
Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions. - Faculty of Medicine summer research
Gain experience in undergraduate medical research at UBC. - UBC Pathology and Laboratory Medicine summer program
Apply for funding and propose your research project to gain clinical experience in laboratory medicine. - BC Children’s Hospital research program
Participate in an undergraduate research project related to child and family health. - Online tutorials and training in ethics
Develop your understanding of research ethics and integrity through online training and tutorials. - UBC Medical Journal
Submit your academic research, case reports, and reviews for publication. - Canadian Journal of Undergraduate Research
Get your research papers published and gain experience with the peer review process. - UBC Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Find a mentor, learn how to get into research, or receive help on publishing your manuscript. - Student Biotechnology Network
Attend events, meet professionals, and receive mentorship from innovative industry leaders.
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.
- American Association of Anatomists
- American Physiological Society
- American Society for Cell Biology
- Biophysical Society
- BIOTEC Canada
- Canadian Association for Clinical Microbiology and Infection Diseases
- Canadian Association of Pathologists
- Canadian College of Microbiologists
- Canadian Medical Association
- Canadian Physiological Society
- Canadian Society for Immunology
- Canadian Association for Global Health
- Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science
- Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences
- Canadian Society of Microbiologists
- Canadian Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Clinical Research Professionals of BC
- Genome British Columbia
- Life Sciences British Columbia
- National Research Council Canada
- Research Canada
- Society of Canadian Women in Science and Technology
- Vancouver Bioinformatics User Group
Connect with alumni on LinkedIn
Find UBC Cellular and Physiological Sciences (CAPS) 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.