What can you do with your Bachelor of Science in
Biochemistry?
About Biochemistry
Biochemistry is a multidisciplinary field that combines the fields of biology and
chemistry, often with physics and mathematics as well. Biochemists study the
chemical make-up and products of living matter and the processes that occur in
and between cells at the molecular level. They develop medical, agricultural, food
science, pharmacological, industrial, environmental, and other practical applications
of biochemistry. Biochemists are curious about how and why biological processes
happen and they want answers right down to the nitty-gritty molecular level. They
use novel techniques to get structural information far past the resolution of even
the most sophisticated microscope! Yet, biochemists are also biologists because
they want to know how molecular properties influence life processes. Therefore,
biochemistry forms the backbone of many other subjects.
Career/Job Opportunities
Biochemists often work in interdisciplinary teams with physiologists,
pharmacologists, plant biologists, microbiologists, chemists, agronomists and other
professionals. During laboratory research, they often supervise the work of
technicians and technologists. Biochemists generally work in office and laboratory
environments. They also may work in industrial environments on product
development or on site conducting environmental research. When experiments do
not fit into a normal eight hour workday, biochemists may be required to work
evenings and weekends.
The ALIS (Alberta Learning Information Service) http://alis.alberta.ca and the
Working in Canada http://www.workingincanada.gc.ca websites provide
information about wages, education requirements, local and national employment
prospects, interests and skill requirements for graduates of the Bachelor of Science
– Biochemistry degree.
If you would like to explore your interests, identify your goals; discuss
your career options and job search strategies and discover how to make
the most of your education, we encourage you to either drop by the
Counselling and Career Centre in room 1402 or call 403-343-4064 to make
an appointment with the Career and Employment Services Coordinator.
1 Update April 2015
This career/job listing is only a sample of the opportunities available; these are
certainly not the only career/job options accessible with this degree. Some of the
careers listed require further education.
For career information, enter the four digit number listed below in the Alberta
Learning Information Services Website (www.alis.alberta.ca) or the National
Occupational Classification Website (http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/ ).
With your education in Biochemistry you could be a:
Bacteriological
Technician
#2221
Biological
Researcher #2112
Clinical Assistant
#3414
Pharmaceutical
Salesperson
#6221
Food Technician
#2211
Hunger Policy
Analyst
Laboratory Assistant
#4122
Research Assistant
#4122
Medical Equipment/
Supplies
Salesperson #6221
Medical Illustrator
#5241
Pest Control
Consultant #0651
Water Quality
Inspector
#2263
You can look for work outside your area of study, depending on your
interests and experience, possible jobs include:
Business
Management
Consultant #1122
Benefits Officer
#1432
Marketing
Specialist/
Representative
Quality Control/
Quality Assurance
Specialist
Public Relations
Consultant #5124
Job Analyst #1121
Insurance Agent
#6231
Investment
Advisor #1112
Market Researcher
#4163
Human Resources
Specialist #1121
Recruiter #1223
Entrepreneur
2 Update April 2015
Education
Academic Advisor
#4143
Educator/ Trainer
#4131
Alumni Relations
Officer
Communications
Writer #5121
Editor #5122
Reporter #5123
Executive
Producer #0512
Journalist #5123
Broadcaster #5231
Publisher #0016
Web Developer/
Producer
Producer #0016
Other
Patent Agent #4161
Technology Transfer Officer
Informatics Specialist #2171
Data Management
Administrator
Photographer #5221
Administrative Assistant
#1411
With additional education/training or experience, I can become:
Biochemist #2112
Biostatistician #2161
Biochemistry Teacher #4141
Biological Technologist
#2221
Chiropractors #3122
Crime Lab Analyst #6261
Dentist #3113
Environmental Health Officer
#2263
Food Technologist #2211
3 Update April 2015
Forensic Pathologist #3111
Health and Social Policy
Development and Program
Administration #0411
Hydrologist #2113
Professor #4121
Patent Lawyer #4112
Public Administration
Manager #0414
Marketing Manager #0611
Metallurgists and Material
Scientist #2115
Molecular Scientist # 2121
Naturopathic Physician
#3123
Nuclear Medicine
Technologist
#3215
Pathologists’ Assistant
#3211
Pharmacist #3131
Public Health Director #0411
Employers (not a comprehensive list)
Auditing Corporations
Agricultural Industry
Breweries
Biotechnological Firms
Chemical Industry
Colleges and Universities
Educational Institutions
Environmental Protection
Agencies
Educational Publishers
Food Processing Industries
Forensics Laboratories
Government
Health & Sports
Organizations
Hospitals & Health Care
Non – Governmental
Agencies
Pathological Laboratories
Pharmaceutical Companies
Public Relations
Major Skills obtained with a Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry (not a
comprehensive list)
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Problem solving
Engage in ethical practice
Critical and inferential thinking
Strong Mathematical Background
Able to observe, analyze, and interpret information
4 Update April 2015
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Decision making
Willingness to Take Risks
Take Pleasure in Learning New Skills
Sensitive to Health and Safety of Others
Define research problems
Review scientific literature
Observe data
Patience
Curiosity
Process data
Utilizing formulas
Remain objective
Developing theories
Science and math ability
Work independently or in groups
Perform experiments
Explaining ideas clearly
Team Player
Organization
Listing of Potential Employers
Red Deer College - www.rdc.ab.ca/employment
Summit Liability Solutions - www.summitls.ca/
PHH ARC Environmental Ltd. - www.phharcenv.com
AGAT Laboratories Ltd. - www.agatlabs.com
Arletta Environmental Consulting Inc. - www.arletta.ca
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development - www.srd.alberta.ca
Golder Associates - www.golder.ca
Pembina Institute - www.pembina.org
The City of Calgary - www.calgary.ca
Stantec - www.stantec.com
Maxxam Analytics - www.maxxam.ca
Omniactive Health Technologies - www.omniactives.com
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. - www.bioniche.com
General Job Search Websites
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www.rdc.ab.ca/employment Red Deer College Job Opportunities
http://rdc.ab.ca/about/human-resources/employment/studentemployment Red Deer College Online Job Posting Board
5 Update April 2015
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www.reddeer.ca City of Red Deer
http://rdcounty.ca/ Red Deer County
http://www.reddeerchamber.com Red Deer Chamber of Commerce
www.reddeerconstruction.com Red Deer Construction Association
www.carmagroup.ca Central Albert Rural Manufacturing Association
www.jobbank.gc.ca
http://ca.indeed.com/?r=us
www.chr.alberta.ca/jobs Alberta provincial government
www.jobs.gc.ca Federal government
www.healthjobs.ab.ca Alberta Health Services
http://www.rdpsd.ab.ca/Human-Resources.php Red Deer Public
School District
http://www.rdcrd.ab.ca/en/Career_Opportunities_6 Red Deer Catholic
School District
www.eluta.ca
www.reddeerjobshop.ca
http://reddeer.kijiji.ca
www.wegotjobs.ca
http://talentegg.ca/
http://www.diversifiedstaffing.com/
www.jobster.com
http://www.extremejobs.ca/
http://charityvillage.com/
http://www.tagrecruitmentgroup.com/
http://www.glassdoor.ca/index.htm
www.alberta-canada.com/jobs
www.wowjobs.ca
www.jobpostings.ca
www.workopolis.com
www.albertajobs.com
www.monster.ca
www.linkedin.com
www.careerbuilder.ca
http://volunteercentral.ca/
http://www.manpowerab.com/
http://www.diversifiedstaffing.com/
6 Update April 2015
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http://www.visitreddeer.com/
http://contactpoint.ca/jobs/
www.simplyhired.ca/
Professional Associations and Sites of Interest
The Canadian Society for Chemistry - www.chemistry.ca/
Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science- www.csmls.org
ECO Canada (Environmental Careers Organization) website: www.eco.ca
Canadian Society of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology website:
www.csbmcb.ca
Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists and Canadian Academy of Clinical
Biochemistry websites: www.cscc.ca
Chemical Institute of Canada website: www.cheminst.ca
RDC Department Information
Entrance Requirements
http://www.rdc.ab.ca/academic_calendar/program_course_listing/university_transf
er_programs/Pages/bachelor_of_science_in_atmospheric_sciences_and_environme
ntal_earth_sciences.aspx
For More Info
Please contact the Career & Employment Services Coordinator
403.314.2476
Counselling & Career Centre - Room 1402
[email protected]
Information adapted from
http://caps.mcgill.ca/handouts/whattodo/earth_planetary.pdf
7 Update April 2015