About the ASPB
General Information
As a professional Society and self-regulating body in Alberta, the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists is committed to the promotion of excellence in the practice of biology. Practitioners using the title Professional Biologist have completed a required level of education in their chosen field and may be confident that their colleagues have achieved the same level of competence.
The Society provides opportunities for its members to keep abreast of advances in knowledge in the field by organizing both symposia and in-house seminars on topics of importance to practitioners.
Through its Practice Review Committee, the Society ensures that high standards of service to the public are promoted and encouraged among members and other practicing biologists. The Society can also improve the quality of the profession by influencing educators and promoting excellence in the study and practice of biology through the presentation of awards and scholarships.
Through its code of ethics, the Society provides an avenue of protection for those practicing biology as well as the public. In addition, it can ensure that the public, employers and members of other professions are well informed about the practice of biology and about the role of well trained and conscientious biologists.
Background
In 1975, a group of biologists in the province recognized the growing need for an organized status for biologists. They formed a provisional executive, drafted By-Laws for a Society, and the ASPB was recognized as such under the Societies Act of Alberta. Since that time, ASPB has been active in promoting professional conduct among practicing biologists. ASPB members were granted exclusive use of the title Professional Biologist in 1991, following the Society’s registration under the Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act of Alberta.
Purpose
The purposes of the ASPB, as stated in its Regulations, are:
- to promote high standards of professional competence and ethics in its membership and in professional biologists at large;
- provide a common ground for professional biologists in all disciplines to exchange views on matters of mutual interest;
- to promote education in the field of professional biology;
- to provide a mechanism through which the public of Alberta will be assured of the highest possible standards in the practice of professional biology; and
- to provide a recognized voice for professional biologists in Alberta.