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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.

Plant Biology

The study of plant biology, also known as botany, is the scientific exploration of plant life in all its forms. It encompasses the structure, growth, reproduction, physiology, genetics, ecology, and evolution of plants, including algae, mosses, ferns, flowering plants, and conifers. Botany is a diverse field that includes several subdisciplines such as plant physiology, which focuses on how plants function; plant ecology, which examines interactions between plants and their environments; plant genetics, which studies heredity and gene expression; and plant pathology, which investigates plant diseases.

Key Skills & Knowledge

Research: Conducting research; collecting data and analyzing finding; testing materials and products to determine potential concerns, reactions and interactions.

Communication: Present technical and non-technical findings in reports and presentations; verbal and public speaking communication skills; write reasoned and clear reports.

Organization and attention to detail: Independent worker, ability to meet deadlines; Inspect specimens; demonstrate precision and accuracy in data collection and observation; data, time and resource management.

Analytical and critical thinking: Gather, assess, evaluate, interpret and then communicate scientific data; knowledge of the structure and biological function of the molecules in living organisms; understanding of how to manipulate and alter genetic information.

Literature Review: Ability to conduct comprehensive reviews of existing academic and scientific literature to identify gaps or support hypotheses.

Experimental Design: Skilled in planning and designing experiments to test specific variables or hypotheses.

Ethical Compliance: Knowledge of ethical standards in data collection, especially with human or animal subject.

Statistical Analysis: Proficient in using statistical tools (e.g., SPSS, R, Excel) to analyze complex data sets.

Data Visualization: Ability to present complex data in charts, graphs, or other visual formats to enhance understanding.

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

  • Agricultural Biotechnologist
  • Biological Product Researcher
  • Bioprocess Engineer
  • Biosafety Tester
  • Biotechnologist
  • Botanist
  • Compliance Control Officer
  • Ecological Assistant
  • Ecologist
  • Environmental Impact Specialist
  • Food Engineer
  • Genetic Engineer
  • Government Advisor
  • Greenhouse technician
  • Horticulturist
  • Industrial Chemist
  • Industrial Microbiologist
  • Molecular Biologist
  • National forestry or conservation expert
  • Naturalist
  • Plant Biotechnologist
  • Plant Scientist
  • Process Developer
  • Product Developer
  • Quality Control Officer
  • Regulatory Issues Advisor
  • Research Scientist
  • Support Scientist
  • Teacher/Professor

Potential Industries

  • Agricultural Companies
  • Agricultural Research Service
  • Biological Firms
  • Biotechnology Firms
  • Botanical gardens and arboretums
  • Ecological consulting
  • Environmental and biotechnical
    regulatory agencies
  • Food & Beverage
  • Fruit Growers
  • Government
  • Health Care
  • Industrial
  • Landscape management and design
  • Marine/freshwater
  • Museums
  • Non-Profits & NGOs
  • Petrochemical, chemical, and
    lumber and paper companies
  • Post-Secondary
  • Plant Research Centres
  • Seed and nurseries
  • Writer

Additional Resources

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.

Key Contacts

Faculty Contact

Undergraduate Science Centre 
Science B 149 (SB 149)
T: 403.220.8600
E: science.advising@ucalgary.ca
W: science.ucalgary.ca

Clubs on Campus 

Biology Students' Association

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)

Centre for Career & Personal Development
MacEwan Student Centre, Room 188
T: 403.220.8020
E: csstdnt@ucalgary.ca
W: ucalgary.ca/career-personal-development