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CAB-ASAT

RPBio Form

RPBio Form

Education and Training

The following knowledge (academics and education) is required to be a Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio).

Do you have 25 science courses of which at least 13 are in biology? *

Science courses must include a majority (>50%) of scientific concepts, theory or practice, and may include subject areas such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, geology, geography, environmental science, forestry and forest sciences, ecological restoration and engineering.

Biology courses must include a majority (>50%) of biological concepts, theory or practice, from a range of disciplines such as geography, environmental science, forestry and forest sciences, ecological restoration and environmental engineering.

If you have a thesis based Master of Science (MSc) degree in an applied biological science (botany, zoology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology), it counts as one biology course.

If you have a dissertation based Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in an applied biological science (botany, zoology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology), it counts as two biology courses.

Communications: Have you completed a 1st year or higher level course in written communications? ex. English composition, technical writing, scientific writing *
Chemistry: Have you completed a 1st year or higher level course in chemistry? ex. Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Biochemistry *
Numeracy: Have you completed two 1st year and/or 2nd year numeracy courses? ex. Statistics, Precalculus, Calculus, Linear Algebra *

This can include:

  • Two Statistics courses, one course must be at a 2nd year or higher or equivalent
  • One 2nd year or higher-level Statistic course and one 2nd year or higher-level mathematics course. (ex. Precalculus, Calculus, Linear Algebra)

Applied Biology & Management: Do you have a 2nd year or higher level (or equivalent) Applied Biology & Management Course? ex. Wildlife Management, Fisheries Management, Applied Microbiology, Conservation Management/Biology, Landscape Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Environmental Toxicology *
Ecology: Do you have a 2nd year or higher level (or equivalent) Ecology Course? ex. General Ecology, Population Ecology, Community and Ecosystem Ecology *
Do you have one (1) course from at least three (3) of the following biology subjects? Cell Biology (ex. Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology), Systematics (ex. Systematic Botany, Mammalogy, Ornithology, Ichthyology, Herpetology, Comparative invertebrate/vertebrate Zoology), Physiology (ex. Cell, Plant or Animal Physiology), Genetics (ex. Genetics, Molecular Genetics, Genomics), Evolution (ex. Diversity, Evolution) *

Skills and Abilities

The following skills and abilities (work and competencies) are required to be a Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio). Work includes paid and voluntary activities.

Work Experience Requirements

Three (3) years minimum of professional level work experience in applied biology within the last 10 years with a maximum of 7 months of volunteer activities. All work and volunteer experience must be post degree.

Do you have a minimum of 3 years minimum of professional level work experience in applied biology within the last 10 years with a maximum of 7 months of volunteer activities post degree? *
Do you have a degree and ≥ 3 years work experience in applied biology?
Do you have a bachelor’s degree and ≥ 15 years work experience in applied biology?
Do you have a Master of Science degree in an applied biological science (botany, zoology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology), and at least 13 years of experience in applied biology?
Do you have a Doctor of Philosophy degree in an applied biological science (botany, zoology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology), and at least 11 years of experience in applied biology?
Do you have at least one (1) example of a key indicator in each competency category that: you can explain in detail how you meet a key indicator through descriptions of your activities, knowledge, experience etc.; and that can be verified by a reference? *

Professional Practice Competencies

RPBios need to have at least one (1) example of a key indicator in each of the following seven (7) Professional Practice Competencies that you can explain in detail how you meet a key indicator through descriptions of your activities, knowledge, experience etc., and that can be verified by a reference.

Scientific Concepts and Knowledge: Be aware of and have experience with scientific concepts, knowledge and implementation. Key Indicators: *
I meet the requirement(s) for Scientific Concepts and Knowledge
Laws, Regulations & Policies: The capability to interpret and understand the intent of legally binding requirements and policy. Key Indicators: *
I meet the requirement(s) for Laws, Regulations & Policies
Standards and Practices: Understands the standards and practices and has the ability required to perform or practice applied biology. Key Indicators: *
I meet the requirement(s) for Standards and Practices
Project and/or Work Product Management: Experience in the discipline of planning, organizing or managing resources to bring about the successful completion of a specific project or work product. Key Indicators: *
I meet the requirement(s) for Project and/or Work Product Management
Records/Data Management and Informatics: Demonstrated ability to conduct the systematic control of creating, distributing, using, maintaining integrity, confidentiality, security and disposing of recorded information maintained as evidence of business activities and transactions. Key Indicators: *
I meet the requirement(s) for Records/Data Management and Informatics
Professional Accountability: Performing the duties of one’s profession generally, or performing a particular professional task in a professional manner. Key Indicators: *
I meet the requirement(s) for Professional Accountability
Communication: Respectfully and effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts and displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts. Key Indicators: *
I meet the requirement(s) for Communication

Competency-based referee (references)

The College requires 3 referees (references).

Do you have 3 references that that are knowledgeable of your professional work experience as a biologist; can attest to the competencies defined by the College; that have known you for at least 6 months; and where one is not from your current employer or organization you volunteer for; and who are not related to the applicant unless the relative is a supervising professional? *

Competency-based Examples of Professional Work (work products)

An individual must submit professional work (work products) examples.

  • Up to three scientific reports that meet the requirements below
  • One example of a scientific communications document

Applied Biology Report

The College accepts reports that are either scientific reports or risk assessment reports according to the requirements below:

  1. Scientific Report that demonstrates the ability to:
    • Design a project
    • Implement a study design
    • Analyze data using inferential or descriptive statistical methods
    • Provide conclusions
    • Make management recommendations

    Examples:

    • Master of Science Thesis
    • Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation
    • Peer-reviewed publication (journal article)
    • Consultant report that meets the criteria above
  2. Risk Assessment Report that demonstrates:
    • Problem formulation
    • Conceptual Models & Exposure Assessment
    • Effects Assessments
    • Uncertainty Analysis
    • Implications

    Examples:

    • Environmental Risk Assessment
  3. Self-Directed Report that meets the report requirements in #1 or #2 above. (This option is available for applicants that do not have the opportunity to author a report through their normal work duties.)
  4. This report can be done to fulfill the report requirements of the College.

Do you have a scientific report(s) where: you were the lead or only author; or you were the second or third author and the lead or 1st author can provide you a statement explaining your role and responsibilities in the report preparation? *
Does your scientific report(s) show how you designed the project, implemented a study design, analyzed data using statistics, made conclusions or showed results and made recommendations? *

Applied Biology Scientific Communications

Work where you took scientific information and presented it to a general audience.

Examples:

  • PowerPoint presentation at a public meeting or client meeting, with speaking notes
  • PowerPoint presentation to colleagues regarding project outcomes, with speaking notes
  • Briefing note to decision-maker
  • Brochure or non-technical note focused at the public
  • Poster-board presentation at a conference or symposium
  • Other example may be submitted if it meets the criteria
Do you have a scientific communication where you took scientific information and presented it to a general audience? *

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