Skills you’ll develop
While studying Microbiology and Immunology, you’re learning how microbes influence the health and disease of plants, animals and human life. You’ll develop important skills in molecular microbiology technologies and understand approaches that impact living organisms.
These skills may include:
- Application of logical and systematic thought processes to understanding the structure and functioning of human, animal and plant tissues and cells
- Quantitative and qualitative research and data analysis
- Analytical method development or validation (QA/QC), ensuring compliance with safety regulations
- Project management and experimental design
- Critical analysis of current microbiological and immunological literature and report writing
- Usage of laboratory techniques, such as aseptic technique, staining, plasmid isolation, cloning and screening, western blots, PCR, ELISA, gel electrophoresis, and microscopy
- Usage of technical instruments, like spectrophotometers, light and fluorescent microscopes, and thermocyclers
Career possibilities
Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including agriculture, biotechnology, clean energy, environmental assessment, health care and pharmaceuticals, public health, research, consulting, 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.
- Allergist
- Agricultural scientist
- Beer and wine maker
- Bio-animator and filmmaker
- Bioinformatician
- Biological and medical illustrator
- Biostatistician
- Clinical immunologist
- Clinical research associate
- Consumer protection specialist
- Cytologist
- Dangerous waste inspector
- Environmental attorney
- Environmental scientist
- Epidemiologist
- Food and drug inspector
- Food safety expert
- Food technologist
- Genetic counselor
- Geneticist
- Health and safety inspector
- Immunologist
- Infectious disease specialist
- Laboratory technician
- Medical doctor
- Medical laboratory technologist
- Microbiologist
- Mycologist
- Occupational hygienist
- Occupational therapist
- Patent agent
- Patent attorney
- Pathologist
- Pharmacologist
- Physical therapist
- Pollution control inspector
- Public health inspector
- Quality control technician
- Regulatory affairs expert
- Technical writer
- Technical sales representative
- Teacher/Professor
- Toxicologist
- Veterinarian
- Virologist
- Water treatment technician
Make the most of your specialization
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help clarify your values and interests.
- Microbiology and Immunology Student Association
Meet other UBC Microbiology and Immunology students through events and programs. - UBC Science Co-op
Gain work experience in microbiology and immunology between study terms. - 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 1. - Annual Biomolecular Design Competition
Represent UBC at the annual biomolecular design competition in a student team in Term 2. - UBC Life Sciences Institute
Find research opportunities, events, programs and student competitions in life sciences. - Faculty of Medicine summer student research
Get 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
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. - The Undergraduate Journal of Experimental Microbiology and Immunology
Submit scientific articles to be published in an annual journal. - UBC Medical Journal
Submit your academic research, case reports, and reviews for publication. - 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
- Association of Medical Illustrators
- BC Environmental Industry Association
- BC Sustainable Energy Association
- BIOTECanada
- Canadian Association for Biological Safety
- Canadian Association for Clinical Microbiology and Infection Diseases
- Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors
- Canadian College of Microbiologists
- Canadian Federation of Agriculture
- Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association
- Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology
- Canadian Society for Immunology
- Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science
- Canadian Society of Microbiologists
- Canadian Society for Unconventional Resources
- Clean Energy BC
- Clean Resource Innovation Network
- Clinical Research Professionals of BC
- Consumer Health Products Canada
- ECO Canada
- Immunize Canada
- Innovative Medicines Canada
- International Water Management Institute
- Life Sciences BC
- Medtech Canada
- Science Writers and Communicators of Canada
- Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Society of Canadian Women in Science and Technology
- Student Biotechnology Network
- Vancouver Bioinformatics User Group
Connect with alumni on LinkedIn
Find UBC Microbiology and Immunology 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.