Career Options after Environmental Biology

What is Environmental Biology?

Environmental Biology is a Physical Science at the intersection of environmental science, ecology, evolution, and global change. Environmental biology examines the ways organisms, species, and communities influence, and are impacted by, natural and human-altered ecosystems. The Specialist in Environmental Biology program focuses on i) the biology of ecosystems and environmental processes; ii) the causes and consequences of environmental change; and iii) how environmental change impacts life on Earth.

What makes Environmental Biology at UTSC unique?

Graduates of Specialist programs are eligible to receive their Environmental Professional in Training (EPt) designation, which is a developmental certification for emerging environmental professionals: www.eco.ca/accreditation.

Skills of Environmental Biology Grads

  • Contemporary field and lab methods in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology
  • Contemporary field and lab methods in environmental science for soil, water, air, and climate assessments
  • Assessment of how toxic compounds impact life on Earth, from individuals to species to communities
  • Climate change impact assessments
  • Climate change modelling with a focus on biodiversity impacts
  • Environmental impact assessments and audits
  • Design of applied environmental and ecological experiments
  • Quantitative methods for collecting and interpreting ecological and environmental data
  • Application of ecological research for environmental policy- and decision-making
  • Earth imaging, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS), for environmental problem solving and conservation

Entry-Level Careers for Bachelor Grads

Careers in the field of environmental biology include:

  • Ecologist with regional Conservation Authorities
  • Environmental Scientist or Biologist with government, or planning and engineering firms
  • Environmental Impact Assessor in environmental consulting firms
  • Conservation Biologist in governmental, or national and international conservation organizations
  • Education Coordinator in environmental NGOs
  • Climate Change Risk Assessor in the private sector
  • Environmental planner in the fisheries, forestry, or mining sector

The Career Directory

Environmental Biology Grads from UTSC have gone on to:

  • Golder Associates (Environmental Consultant)
  • GlaxoSmithKline (Clinical Data Manager)
  • CINCS (Climate Risk Analyst)

UTSC Environmental Biology graduates are working in Research, Education, and Operations.

Graduate & Professional Studies

Popular further education opportunities include:

  • Environmental Science –Master/ PhD
  • Environmental Engineering – Master/ PhD
  • Conservation Biology – Master/ PhD
  • Environmental Biology – Master/ PhD
  • Biotechnology – Master/ PhD
  • Environmental Management – Post-Grad Diploma
  • Ecological Restoration – Post-Grad Diploma
  • Occupational Health & Safety - Certificate

Examples of Fields that ‘Fit’ the Skills of Environmental Biology Grads

  • Food and Agriculture
  • Environmental Education
  • Natural Resources Sector
  • Environmental Consulting
  • Non-governmental environmental organizations
  • Environmental Research and Development
  • Conservation and Environmental Protection
  • Government sectors in the environment
  • Biotechnology
  • Renewable Energy

Your 4-Year Career Exploration Action Plan

1. Do Your Research

The databases below provide you with details about job prospects, nature of work, educational requirements, working conditions, pay and related career paths:

Attend our workshop Discover Your Skills and Career Options, meet with a Career Counsellor, and use our resources to get to know your skills, values, personality and interests.

Use the advice on our tip sheets for gathering information:

  • Information Interviews
  • Working On-Campus
  • Internships
  • Volunteering

2. Explore Career Options & Get Experience

Gain exposure to your options in the world of work and make connections while you’re a student via campus events and programs listed on cln.utoronto.ca and ccr.utoronto.ca:

Apply for Work Study jobs in CLN in Fall and Spring! You might also find work via the SCSU.

Find networking opportunities, internship programs and entry-level jobs via websites like TalentEgg and Charity Village.

As an upper year student (14+ credits), attend UTSC’s Get Hired conference and participate in Jobs for Grads.

As a graduate, explore internships and other trainee programs like Career Edge.

3. Build Your Network

Explore student and professional associations in environmental biology. Attend their events, and get to know people in the environmental industry. These environmentalists, biologists, ecologists, and conservationists are your future colleagues and mentors!

Please note: This information is a starting point for your further research into career options in this field of study. For more information on this program and course requirements, please visit the Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences website.