Centre for Career and Personal Development Degree Profiles

These degree profiles look at potential jobs, key skills & atributes, associations & professional development and great books which relate to each degree and its potential career path.

Natural Sciences

The Natural Sciences Program is an innovative, multidisciplinary program where students concentrate on two specialties within the Faculty of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Energy Science, Geoscience, Mathematics and Physics).

Key Skills & Knowledge

Understand scientific method of inquiry: Technical knowledge in two disciplines

Scientific Inquiry: Technical knowledge in two science disciplines, hypothesize, design and carry out experiments; operate scientific/ laboratory equipment and instruments, understand laboratory processes

Communication: Presenting and communicating technical and scientific data and ideas clearly and articulately to both the scientific and non-scientific communities using current technology through presentations and written reports

Investigative and Research: Collection, analysis and interpretation of data using the appropriate laboratory and/or field techniques; organizing and analysis of large quantities of data

Logical reasoning: Creative thinking, problem-solving skills; decision-making skills, synthesize complex information

Organization: Data, time and resource management, attention to detail, able to meet deadlines.

Teamwork skills: Oversee, supervise and/or contribute to a project

Sample Job Titles

Please note some of these positions may require further training, certification or education. Check out the occupational profiles to review the full details for the occupations that interest you at alis.alberta.ca/occinfo

Astronomer
Biochemist
Biologist
Chemist
Clinical research specialist
Database Administrator
Food and drug analyst

Information Scientist
Laboratory technician
Librarian
Medical Sales Representative
Meteorologist
Patent Examiner
Perfumer

Physicist

Researcher

Scientific Journalist

Teacher/Professor

Technical Author

Potential Industries

Agriculture
Aquaculture
Bioethics
Biomechanics
Biotechnology
Blood bank technology
Business and industry
Charitable Organizations
Conservation
Cytotechnology
Education

Energy
Environment & Pollution Control
Food & Beverage Manufacturers
Forensic science
Forestry &Wildlife
Government
Laboratories
Law & Drug Enforcement
Mathematics
Medicine and Health Care
Museums

Newspapers
Oil & Gas Compliance
Pharmaceutical companies
Post-Secondary
Public Policy
Publishing companies
Research & Development
Science museums, zoos, aquariums, parks, and nature centers
Science writing and communication
Toxicology

Associations & Professional Development

Job Sites

Additional Resources

Natural Science - More Resources

Aligned Majors

Bioinformatics

Biochemistry

Biological Sciences

Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology

Chemistry

Earth Science

Did you know?

Formal Career Assessments like the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator can be helpful tools for your career development. These assessments have been used for decades to help individuals choose a major, explore career options during and upon completion of a degree and to further understand yourself in relationship to the world of work. Inquire with Career Services if you are interested in these formal assessments.

Publications

Life after... Biological Sciences by Sally Longson
ISBN: 0415412498
Publication Date: 2007-07-18
Great Jobs for Environmental Studies Majors by Julie DeGalan
ISBN: 9780071493154
Publication Date: 2008-03-21
Green Jobs by A. Bronwyn Llewellyn; James P. Hendrix; K. C. Golden
ISBN: 9781598698725
Publication Date: 2008-04-01