Explore the animal kingdom as a biological scientist by studying behaviours, physiology, anatomy, and the entire animal organism. You'll gain practical experience and skills in laboratory and fieldwork, computers, and communication.
Why this program?
- Work closely with classmates and professors while studying in outdoor settings where you can apply your knowledge and skills to solve real-world resource management problems.
- Complete a co-op to gain beneficial skills, build your resumé, expand your professional network, and earn money.
Program information
Send details- Campus: Okanagan
- Faculty: Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
- Degree: Bachelor of Science
- Length 4 yrs
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Co-op
Yes
You can combine your studies with full-time, paid work at top local and international organizations.
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Honours
Yes
You can study intense specialization in a single field.
Zoology is a College of Applied Biology accredited program that studies animal biology from the perspective of the entire animal organism. Your studies will cover a broad range of topics in animal biology (physiology, ecology, developmental biology). You’ll also gain practical experience and skills in laboratory and fieldwork, computers, and communication.
Experiential learning and research
Take your studies outside the classroom with the ample opportunities for field work in the Biology program’s course offerings, including Entomology, Field Ornithology, Evolutionary Ecology, and more. Two senior-level course options allow you to conduct independent research projects in the field.
You also have the opportunity to take your studies abroad with the Go Global program and the Exchange and Research Abroad program, or participate in original research – either your own or a professor’s in your field.
Campus features
UBC’s Okanagan campus is home to a number of world-class research facilities, including the Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience and Ecosystem Services (BRAES). BRAES is a consortium of UBC faculty members and students, collaborators and partner organizations working together to advance research and teaching in conservation and ecology.
Send details
Life at UBC's Okanagan campus
UBC's Okanagan campus is renowned for its research opportunities and access to professors. On this tight-knit campus, you’ll be able to work closely with award-winning faculty and make meaningful connections with your peers. You’ll also have access to clubs like the Biology Course Union.
Find out moreYour future
A UBC degree in Zoology prepares you for a range of careers in such areas as conservation, environmental assessment, aquaculture, forensic biology, toxicology, and more.
Program requirements
English-language requirements
English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard.
General admission requirements
IB Diploma Programme
- Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.
IB Certificate Courses
- IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.
- IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the UBC Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.
Degree-specific requirements: Science
- IB Math Analysis and Approaches SL or HL, or IB Math Applications and Interpretations HL (IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, are not acceptable)
- One of IB Biology, IB Chemistry, or IB Physics
- Grade 11 or equivalent Chemistry
- Grade 11 or equivalent Physics is strongly recommended
Note: Grade 11 Chemistry and Physics requirements listed are only relevant to students who are not completing the equivalent IB Diploma Chemistry and/or Physics courses.
For students studying outside of Canada, some examples of courses that may be accepted as Grade 11 equivalents are junior-level courses for American students, and IGCSE and O Level for those following British-patterned curricula.
Related courses
The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.
- Language Arts
- Mathematics and Computation
- Sciences