Degree Spotlight: Science at UBC Okanagan

Degree Spotlight: Science at UBC Okanagan

Are you interested in a versatile Science degree with flexible program options that encourage you to explore your interests?

Whether you want to study the behaviours of the animal kingdom, understand the structure of cells, learn how to protect species and ecosystems or learn how to make decisions supported by data, the Bachelor of Science program at UBC Okanagan will let you build your degree into what you want and discover your passion.

What you learn in Science at UBC Okanagan

As a student in the Bachelor of Science program, you can complete a General Science degree or choose from among 17 majors and numerous minors. These are nationally and internationally recognized programs and several have strong ties with Indigenous communities and Indigenous lands.

In your first year, you build a foundation of skills in core science subjects while exploring other areas of interest through a combination of classroom and hands-on lab work.

Some of the program options include:

Zoology

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.

A UBC degree in Zoology prepares you for a range of careers in areas such as conservation, environmental assessment, aquaculture, forensic biology, and toxicology.

 

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Investigate the world at the molecular level in biochemistry and molecular biology, the study of chemical compounds and reactions that occur in living organisms. This program includes a wide variety of foundational and advanced courses that cover metabolic pathways, the chemistry of winemaking, pharmacology, and more. You can choose to specialize in biochemistry or the more medical aspects of cell and molecular biology.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology can lead to work in mass producing chemicals that are usually found in the body in tiny amounts, mapping the human genetic code, or creating genetically engineered crops that are more resistant to adverse weather conditions, spoilage, disease, and pests.

Graduates from the program go on to graduate or medical school, or careers in fields such as biotechnology, food science, and pharmacology.

 

Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology

Ecology, evolution and conservation biology is an interdisciplinary field that draws on natural history, behaviour, genetics, mathematical, and environmental sciences.

By studying ecology, you master the tools needed to understand natural systems and improve the impact human activity has on the natural world. Studying evolutionary biology provides a focus on the origin and maintenance of biodiversity, an understanding of the adaptive processes that explain reproductive tactics and animal behaviour and the tools required for investigating ongoing evolutionary processes in natural systems. Studying conservation biology gives you practical tools and approaches for protecting species and ecosystems.

This program offers a wide variety of foundational and advanced courses that explore topics ranging from the fundamental processes underlying adaptive evolution, speciation, and extinction to techniques used by wildlife ecologists.

 

Earth and Environmental Sciences

 Develop an understanding of the fundamental natural processes that shape Earth and its environment, and an appreciation of how humans are influencing its future. The Earth and Environmental Sciences program allows you the flexibility to pursue your interests, from the solid earth sciences to the environment. Choose from courses covering mineral resources, water resources, river hydrology, climate and paleo-climate, hydrogeology, land use management, environmental assessment, geochemistry, and other topics.

As an Earth and Environmental Sciences graduate, you could work for mineral exploration and resource extraction companies, environmental and geotechnical consulting firms, provincial and federal geological surveys, provincial and federal ministries that oversee environment, habitat, and land use, and government research laboratories.

 

Data Science

Data Science is an in-demand field that focuses on making decisions supported by data. It’s grounded in statistics to formulate relevant questions and determine the answer based on data, and in computer science to manipulate and visualize data efficiently.

A BSc in Data Science can help you find an exciting career across a broad range of industries and organizations, everything from marketing analyst to data engineer.

Student Scoop

Meet Jason. He came from Jakarta to study Data Science at UBC Okanagan and was the recipient of two awards, the International Major Entrance Scholarship and the Outstanding International Student award. “Being able to share ideas in both a classroom and community setting allows me to gain new perspectives.” – Jason Samuel Suwito

 

Why choose Science at UBC Okanagan?

Science at UBC Okanagan emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning. Research opportunities are abundant and unique and students study in a close-knit community with access to their professors. The program has strong ties with Indigenous communities and Indigenous lands.

Graduates of the program have a variety of post-graduate opportunities, including med school, dentistry, veterinary school, and law.

Degree Spotlight: Arts at UBC Okanagan

Degree Spotlight: Arts at UBC Okanagan

Are you looking for a degree that will give you a broad range of knowledge and teach you how to think critically, be creative, problem solve and communicate effectively?

UBC Okanagan’s Bachelor of Arts degree is a flexible, innovative arts degree designed for the 21st century, taught by award-winning instructors. The degree integrates foundational knowledge with interdisciplinary opportunities in social justice, sustainability and Indigenous content and prepares you for global citizenship.

 

What you learn in Arts at UBC Okanagan

You can choose from more than 20 majors in the Bachelor of Arts at UBC’s Okanagan campus. Students start their degree taking foundational courses, and at the end of year one or two can choose a program to major in to complete their degree.

Some of the program options include:

Indigenous Studies

In the Indigenous Studies program, you will learn about Indigenous governance, the justice system, land claims, traditional ecological knowledge, the protection of heritage, Indigenous theory, and more.

Indigenous Studies will give you the opportunity to design research projects relevant and respectful to an Indigenous community or agency and implement the project working on-site in that community or agency.

Graduates leave with the skills to pursue a career in government, Indigenous Peoples organizations, Indigenous leadership roles, and resource management.

Find out what you can do with a degree in Indigenous Studies after you graduate

 

Faculty Spotlight

Meet Jeannette Armstrong, an Associate Professor in the Indigenous Studies program, who is also an award-winning writer, activist, novelist and poet. Her research into Indigenous philosophies and Okanagan Syilx thought and environmental ethics has been recognized locally and globally.

 

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

The Philosophy, Politics and Economics program brings together three of the most important fields in forming our understanding of society. This degree uniquely blends these three fields to allow you to form a critical understanding and interpretation of the world.

You’ll explore logic, ethics and how to question critically; the interests and institutions that form public policies and the rules by which we are governed; and how we make decisions as individuals and groups in our increasingly global world market.

With a Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree you can pursue a career in business or government, or undertake studies in law, business, commerce, journalism, social work, education, or public administration.

Find out what you can do with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics after you graduate

 

Student Spotlight

Meet Kevin Ilomin, an alum of the Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) program who believes that the broad, interdisciplinary approach to learning is what makes the PPE program at UBC’s Okanagan campus one of the best in Canada.

Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies

Learn about the world and our place in it through a deeper understanding of sexuality, femininity, embodiment and social justice. This dynamic and interdisciplinary program draws from across the humanities and social sciences and focuses on the historical and contemporary role of gender in global cultures. This program encourages you to engage in critical thought, challenge stereotypes, and contribute to social change. Courses draw on theoretical analysis, research, history, and literary sources to examine gender issues and the experiences of women.

Find out what you can do with a degree in Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies

 

Computer Science

Discover how to use your artistic creativity with technology in UBC Okanagan’s Computer Science BA program. Different from a BSc Computer Science degree, this program gives you the opportunity to complement your Arts degree with computer science courses.

The program appeals to students who are interested in both computer science and visual arts (game or website design), psychology (programming for cognitive science, psychology, and human and computer interactions), English (technical writing), languages (automation of text translation), philosophy (computer ethics), or law (information security and privacy, and forensics).

You will develop the skills and knowledge to pursue a variety of in-demand careers, including as an application developer, game designer, desktop publisher, animator, or quality control specialist.

Find out what you can do with a BA in Computer Science

 

Student Spotlight

Meet Eric Huang, an undergraduate student in the Computer Science program who says that it has given him opportunities that would be hard to come by anywhere else.

 

Economics

Economics will change the way you look at the world, increase your understanding of fundamental human behaviour, and improve your reasoning, problem solving, and decision-making abilities. Economics is the study of how people, institutions, and nations manage resources such as time, money, and materials. In this program, you will increase your skills in deductive reasoning, abstract and critical thinking, and your understanding of the historical, cultural, and social context of economic institutions, policies, and events. Economists study how behaviour reflects and responds to incentives.

Find out what you can do with a degree in Economics

 

Creative writing

The Creative Writing program on UBC’s Okanagan campus provides you with an opportunity to study literature and literary criticism, and to bring what you learn from these studies into your own work. Course options include poetry, creative non-fiction, short fiction, novels, playwriting, screenplay, writing with media, editing and publishing, and community learning. The program fosters a supportive community of faculty and peers in which you’ll find encouragement to explore new genres and writing forms.

You’ll be actively involved in writing projects, chapbook production, magazine editing, new media work, student anthology production, and community learning projects. You’ll also have the chance to build a varied body of work for your own portfolio – all while studying under a faculty of award-winning writers dedicated to helping you experiment and grow as a writer.

Find out what you can do with a degree in Creative Writing

 

Why choose Arts at UBC Okanagan?

As a student in the Bachelor of Arts at UBC Okanagan, you’ll have options to tailor your degree, including a sustainability component, a digital literacy component, and a diversity and cultures component.

Because UBC Okanagan is a smaller campus, you can build close relationships with fellow students in small-group programs, and connect with professors early in your academic career.

You’ll graduate with transferable skills that you can apply to many different jobs.

 

See a full list of Arts programs at UBC Okanagan

Degree Spotlight: Bachelor of Sustainability

Degree Spotlight: Bachelor of Sustainability

Sustainability is one of the biggest challenges facing our planet. A Bachelor in Sustainability at UBC’s Okanagan campus will give you the skills to critically assess and propose solutions to contemporary sustainability challenges, such as climate change, pollution, and social and economic inequality.

UBC Okanagan’s Bachelor of Sustainability, the only dedicated degree in sustainability in Canada, will develop your skills and knowledge to enable you to take action to solve sustainability problems at both a local and global scale.

 

Hands-on learning and research

As a Bachelor of Sustainability student, your degree is fully immersive, with research and community-based learning opportunities imbedded in the curriculum.

Because UBC Okanagan is located in a unique environment, you’ll have access to urban, agricultural, and wilderness environments that will become your real-world labs.

You will have the opportunity to work together with faculty to conduct or assist with research projects. You can participate in research either as a volunteer research assistant, or through Directed Studies opportunities.

 

Meet your professor

Meet Lael Parrott, a professor in Sustainability at UBC’s Okanagan campus.

“The UBC Okanagan campus is exceptional because it has easy accessibility to different environments for teaching and research. Urban, agriculture, and aquatic systems are all local. This is an incredible asset…The students can go out and see the ecosystems they’re studying. It’s not just textbook knowledge.”

 

What you learn in the Bachelor of Sustainability

The Bachelor of Sustainability combines a broad interdisciplinary approach – course content spans the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences – with focused concentrations to develop your skills and knowledge.

All students take core Sustainability courses along with courses specific to their concentration. You can choose from the following four concentrations:

 

Environmental Analytics

The Environmental Analytics concentration supplements core knowledge of sustainability with powerful modeling and simulation techniques that exploit geographical data. You will to understand, model, simulate, explain, and extrapolate the behaviour of complex environmental systems.

Environmental analytics graduates will be well-equipped to tackle sustainability challenges through evidence-based data analysis. Job opportunities range from climate action analyst and impact assessment analyst to sustainability consultant and data analyst.

Learn more about Environmental Analytics

 

Environmental Conservation and Management

The Environmental Conservation and Management concentration provides you with an understanding of the challenges of sustainably managing and preserving terrestrial and freshwater environments and resources.

You will gain a comprehensive understanding in environmental and natural resources management, land use and ecosystem services assessment, resource economics, and environmental impact assessment.

Job opportunities range from environmental assessment specialist and sustainability consultant to environmental coordinator and Indigenous resource management.

Learn more about Environmental Conservation and Management

 

Environmental Humanities

Environmental sciences can tell us what is happening to our planet, but not why. The Environmental Humanities seek to explain and transform the cultural and historical foundations of environmental crisis.

You will enter into constructive dialogue with other subject areas to analyze and address a wide range of issues in sustainability.

Job opportunities range from impact assessment analyst and environmental assessment specialist to sustainability specialist and advisor in sustainability reporting.

Learn more about Environmental Humanities

 

Green Chemistry

The Green Chemistry concentration analyzes how modern society relies implicitly on an affordable supply of materials, textiles, fertilizers, and medicines, all of which must be synthesized from other substances by chemical reactions.

A sustainable society is impossible without the creation of improved production methods for these commodities. Such efforts will require the development of new synthetic procedures with an increased reliance on innocuous solvents, renewable and benign reagents, and efficient catalysts.

Job opportunities range from junior environmental analyst and environmental technician to environmental assessment specialist and advisor in sustainability reporting.

Learn more about Green Chemistry

Degree Spotlight: Health and Exercise Sciences

Degree Spotlight: Health and Exercise Sciences

Do you want to work with people to enhance their wellbeing and help them lead healthier and more active lives?

In the Bachelor of Health and Exercise Sciences at UBC’s Okanagan campus you can study human movement and its impact on health.

What will you learn?

In the Bachelor of Health and Exercise Sciences you’ll examine the interdisciplinary nature of human health, including the psychological, physiological, neuromechanical, and socio-cultural aspects of movement.

In your second year, you’ll have the option to apply for one of three concentrations: Kinesiology and Allied Health, Health Behaviour Change, or Clinical Exercise Physiology. Each concentration offers a strategic career focus to best prepare you to be a leader in your field.

Student Scoop

Read Austin Basso’s story of promoting health initiatives for urban and rural Indigenous communities as a student in the Health and Exercise Sciences program.

 

Why Choose Health and Exercise Sciences?

 

1. Study in a program that ranks #1 in Canada and #3 in the world for sport-related subjects. This is in combination with the Faculty of Kinesiology at UBC Vancouver.

 

2. Focus your degree in one of three concentrations:

  • Kinesiology and Allied Health. The Kinesiology Allied Health concentration focuses on the role of exercise and physical activity in improving health, fitness and performance as well as the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries.
  • Health Behaviour Change. The Health Behaviour Change concentration involves studying behaviour change theory and techniques to help individuals and communities adopt and adhere to a number of health behaviours. This concentration focuses on the role of nutrition, exercise programs, and informal activity in population health promotion.
  • Clinical Exercise Physiology. The Clinical Exercise Physiology concentration focuses on incorporating exercise, activity education, and clinical skills into human performance, patient rehabilitation and chronic disease management programs. The program focuses on the study of applied physiology and how exercise, movement, and fitness intersect with health, disease, fatigue, and disability.

 

3. Research opportunities. Research opportunities are a fundamental part of your studies within the School of Health and Exercise Sciences and there are opportunities to work alongside faculty members to conduct research. You can also take on an Honours Project to perform research in your chosen area of study, as agreed upon by a faculty member.

 

4. Experiential Learning. The Health and Exercise Sciences degree builds a solid foundation through skill-building labs, practicums, and co-op placements. Within each concentration you will complete a community practicum, where you’ll gain experience in a supervised health-related work setting with a cooperating agency, private business, or industry.

 

What can you do after graduating?

As a graduate of this program, you will be an adaptable leader who has the ability to work with various populations to enhance their health and wellbeing. Your job opportunities could include becoming a nutritionist, health educator, exercise therapist, clinical exercise physiologist, or kinesiologist. You can also pursue graduate studies in a variety of health professions, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, athletic therapy, or medical school.

Degree spotlight: Bachelor of Management

Degree spotlight: Bachelor of Management

Are you looking to use your leadership skills to make a difference in the world? Do you want to steer organizations towards doing the right thing?

UBC Okanagan’s Bachelor of Management degree is designed to help you achieve those goals.

 

What will you learn?

While traditional business schools might direct students to chase profits, UBC Okanagan’s program will teach you how to incorporate social, financial, and environmental sustainability into the way organizations are run.

Your first two years will offer a broad overview of management and business principles, focusing on particular areas such as financial accounting, marketing, and management communications if you wish. Your third and fourth years will let you dive more deeply into topics that you care about, for example entrepreneurship or sustainability, while continuing to allow you study a wide range of subjects. You’ll finish the program with hands-on experience creating real-life management solutions for one of UBC’s partner organizations.

After graduating, you’ll be ready to work within your community or beyond, launch your own business, and/or empower organizational change.

 

Student Scoop

Baljit Badhan

 

Discover how the Bachelor of Management program taught three students the skills to achieve their goals, including fighting for marginalized people in India, helping Indigenous communities in Canada, and launching their own business.

 

What makes the program unique?

Like other programs at UBC Okanagan, the Bachelor of Management degree is your chance to experience life on a close-knit campus while gaining your education at one of the world’s top 40 universities. Here are five other facts you might not know about the program:

1. Apply your management knowledge to different fields. The Bachelor of Management at UBC’s Okanagan campus is designed to let you pursue your interests and learn what sectors you might like to enter after you graduate. You’ll have the opportunity to complete a minor in Computer ScienceCultural StudiesEconomicsSociology, or Psychology.

2. Work within your community. UBC Okanagan has strong ties to local businesses, and you’ll have the chance to make a difference in those organizations. The faculty also offers a variety of experiential learning opportunities, such as the capstone project course in your fourth year, during which you will address a specific community challenge presented by a local organization or business.

3. Gain work experience while you study. Build your career confidence through co-op placements and explore work experience that challenges and inspires you. Co-op placements provide the opportunity for you to gain paid, full-time experience in a variety of work settings, test out possible career options, and begin building a professional network – all before graduation. You’ll benefit from a variety of support workshops, one-on-one coaching, and work experience relevant to your future career goals.

4. Build new connections and friendships. You’ll be part of the Management Student Association on the Okanagan campus, which provides optional professional and social experiences for you during your degree, including conferences and competitions throughout the year.

5. Travel and learn. See the world through Go Global, a UBC exchange and study abroad program with more than 150 partner universities and allied institutions worldwide. Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in an international experience while you work towards your degree.

 

Degree Spotlight: Nursing at UBC Okanagan

Degree Spotlight: Nursing at UBC Okanagan

Do you want a fulfilling career helping people and promoting health and healing? Are you looking for a degree that will give you skills that will always be needed in today’s world?

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at UBC Okanagan is continuously ranked as one of the top Schools of Nursing in Canada. The program will provide you with the skills you need to deliver outstanding health care within an increasingly complex health care system.

 

What will you learn?

UBC Okanagan’s Nursing program emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to developing the skills required to become a registered nurse (RN). Within the program you will practice safe, quality, evidence-informed health care grounded in humanizing the experience of health and illness.

As a Nursing student at UBC Okanagan, you will have lots of opportunities to explore various experiences within Nursing, including global and rural health exchanges where you can gain insight into global and rural health issues by doing a placement in Ghana, Zambia, or Haida Gwaii. You’ll also have opportunities to explore different areas within Nursing by doing hands-on work in different specialities and specializations.

 

Student Scoop

“I felt like it’s just what I am meant to do,” says Brandy Hagel of the decision to pursue nursing. Read about Brandy’s experience as a student in the nursing program.

 

Why choose the Bachelor of Nursing program at UBC Okanagan?

 

1. You can take the degree right out of high school. Many other Nursing programs are after-degree programs, which means that you take them after you already have a bachelor’s degree. Since UBC Okanagan’s Nursing program is a four-year degree program, students can enter the program with no previous post secondary education.

 

2. The program is open to international students. Unique to our Okanagan campus, the nursing program is open to both domestic and international students.

 

3. Your practicum starts in your first year. As a student in the Nursing program, you get to work with real patients starting in your first year. Throughout the four years of the program, you’ll get a lot of practice hours in many different practice settings, which will let you explore different specializations and will give you a glimpse of the many different ways you can apply your Nursing degree in the real world.

Our Okanagan campus has a state of the art nursing simulation lab that mimics the look, feel and smell of a real hospital. The lab uses cutting-edge simulation technology and these realistic contexts prepare you for clinical practice.

 

4. You’ll be part of a close-knit community. The Nursing program at UBC Okanagan has a great sense of community. The program is unique in that it is a world-class program on a world-class campus but students have the benefit of a close-knit, smaller community in a beautiful region of British Columbia.

 

5. You can take advantage of research opportunities. You can conduct research throughout your degree as you engage in service learning projects and/or change projects, and in your fourth year you will also have the opportunity to do a Research Preceptorship, where you can work directly with a researcher. Watch Rachel Epp, a fourth year nursing student, talk about her research practicum.

 

 

UBC Okanagan’s nursing simulation lab.

 

What a wonderful career, where you can be taking someone’s pulse while holding their hand. That’s what I love most about my career in nursing—that it’s good for the soul.” – Matthew Rigby, UBC Okanagan Nursing alum.

 

 

What can you do after graduating?

Graduates of UBC Okanagan’s Nursing program are in high demand. As a registered nurse you will be qualified to provide professional nursing services, deliver health-education programs, and provide consultative nursing services.

Nursing is also a profession of lifelong learning and you can decide to continue your education by choosing to specialize, upgrade your skills or get your Master of Science in Nursing.

 

 

Degree Spotlight: Media Studies at UBC Okanagan

Degree Spotlight: Media Studies at UBC Okanagan

Are you fascinated by how technology can be used to make art? Do you hope to enter a career where you’ll work with still images, sound design, videos, or create games? UBC Okanagan’s Bachelor of Media Studies might be the perfect program for you.

 

What will you learn?

Media Studies at UBC Okanagan is much more hands-on than you might expect. The degree is a computational arts program, which means that you’ll have the chance to use many different technologies to build your creative projects.

In your first two years, you’ll study courses that include creative writing, cultural studies, digital humanities, media studies, and visual arts, and learn how to write computer code. Depending on your preferences and career aspirations, in your final years you can choose to focus on visual arts, or specialize in the degree’s custom-created computer science pathways.

 

Student Scoop

“[UBC Okanagan’s Bachelor of Media Studies program is] a very interesting degree because it takes a lot of practices from visual arts and computer science and blends them together… it exposes you to so many different things and later it allows you to narrow things down and specialize in a certain digital field.” – Kai H. Read about Kai’s experience in the Bachelor of Media Studies program. 

 

Why choose Media Studies at UBC Okanagan?

  1. Gain skills beyond a traditional Media Studies degree. The world is going digital. As a student of Media Studies at UBC Okanagan, you’ll not only learn the history and theory behind media and art, but discover how they can be transformed by technology. You’ll develop artistic, technical, and analytical skills, and sharpen your understanding of critical thinking, problem solving, and self-expression.
  1. Enjoy a self-directed, graduate feel. Art is a process of discovery, and so is this program. You’ll have the chance to focus on topic areas that you enjoy most, such as filmmaking, sound design, animation, game design, interactive art, or computer coding. The Bachelor of Media studies is a tight-knit learning cohort, and you’ll have plenty of opportunity to interact one-on-one with your professors. Study alongside others who are interested in discovering creative technologies, multimedia platforms, and art history. 
  1. Learn from scratch. You won’t need any prior experience in coding to enter the program, and you don’t need to be an expert in a particular medium. The Media Studies courses are designed specifically for this program, and you’ll develop a  streamlined set of computer science and critical thinking skills aimed at code-based art and design skills in creative arts and digital humanities.
  1. Collaborate with industry partners. Take part in the Capstone course and work together with community members and organizations on a full-year project. The course lets you foster meaningful connections with industry partners and use your multimedia skills to solve real-world challenges.
  1. Take part in co-op experience. Build your career confidence through co-op and explore work experience that challenges and inspires you. Co-op provides the opportunity for you to gain paid, full-time experience in a variety of work settings, and test out possible career options. You’ll benefit from a variety of support workshops, one-on-one coaching, and work experience relevant to your future career goals.

 

What are people saying?

“Since the Bachelor of Media Studies is such a small cohort, I got lots of advice from my professors and classmates. I was able to work with visual artists and coders, and I was able to learn how to communicate my ideas to a bigger audience.” Chloe Chang, Bachelor of Media Studies

“Going into the Media Studies program, I did not expect the amount of hands-on experience I would get, or the skills I would develop. It’s not just art, and it’s not purely science, so being open to the many different disciplines that get thrown at you is essential. The Media Studies program is very interdisciplinary and encourages exploration. I came in to the program expecting that I would later pursue a career solely in film, but that has changed to exploring my options within user experience design, communications design, digital marketing, and creative direction.” – Lark Spartin, Bachelor of Media Studies

“The Bachelor of Media Studies is a unique program that looks at overall flow of creative practice that is happening globally, and pulls those assets together into one program.” Megan Smith, professor of Visual Arts and Media Studies at UBC Okanagan

 

Degree Spotlight: Natural Resources

Degree Spotlight: Natural Resources

Do you want to help fight climate change, protect the environment, and shape our future and planet?

Do you want to be involved in the design and development of renewable materials, energy, and sustainable land-use strategies or do you seek the challenge of applying technology and science to create environmentally and economically sound harvesting plans? Perhaps you want to play an active role in protecting and managing our natural environment, including wildlife, forests, rivers, oceans, and land?

UBC’s new Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources degree, offered within the Faculty of Forestry, focuses on the science, management, and conservation of natural resources.

 

What you learn in Natural Resources

There are six majors to choose from within the Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources, each offering immersive learning experiences like field schools, lab work, and co-op opportunities. Within each of these unique fields, students gain practical knowledge and skills that are critical for solving today’s natural resource challenges.

Majors are selected at the completion of Year 1. Note that some majors have unique pre-requisites that need to be taken in Year 1, so contact an advisor to learn more before selecting your courses.

 

Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology

UBC’s Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology program is the first in Canada to provide a multidisciplinary and comprehensive education that’s focused on the scientific, economic, and policy issues related to the growing bioeconomy and creating a sustainable future. As a student in this program, you’ll gain a solid foundation for the innovative design and development of renewable materials, energy, and sustainable land-use strategies.

As a Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology graduate, you will be familiar with key facets of the bioeconomy and possess the skills required to work in energy, design and develop renewable materials, and establish leading land-use strategies.

 

Conservation

This interdisciplinary program is the most popular program in UBC’s Faculty of Forestry. You’ll learn how to play an active role in protecting and managing our natural environment, including wildlife, forests, rivers, oceans, and land. As a Conservation student, you’ll take courses in English, math, and science – plus conservation, wildlife, fisheries management, computer applications, remote sensing, and soil science.

As a Conservation graduate, you’ll use your skills and knowledge to help protect and preserve the planet with a career in environmental sustainability and resource management at a government, non-profit, private consulting, education, or law organization.

 

Forest Management

If you love the outdoors and are excited by the challenge of planning and managing our forest lands, then Forest Management program may be for you. As a student in the Forest Management program, you’ll explore the scientific foundations that underpin the management of forest resources, while tailoring your educational journey with elective courses that emphasize biological, economic, social, or quantitative dimensions within this diverse field.

Forest Management graduates are well-prepared for diverse roles in consulting, sustainable forestry, and natural resource management.

 

Forest Operations

In the Forest Operations program, students learn how to apply technology and science to create environmentally and economically sound harvesting plans. This program emphasizes the integration of biological, physical, and social sciences, supplemented by advanced courses in geotechnical engineering, forest road design, slope stability analysis, and efficient harvesting system evaluation.

Forest Operations graduates embark on a world of diverse and evolving career opportunities within the forest industry. With additional courses, graduates can also work towards becoming a Professional Engineer (P.Eng), opening doors to a wide range of career opportunities in forestry and related fields.

 

Forest Sciences

In the Forest Sciences program, you’ll study scientific principles related to forests, forest organisms, and plant and animal ecology. You’ll also learn how to ask and approach important questions like: How do plants and animals in forest ecosystems react to insects and disease, climate change, pollution, harvesting, and recreational use? How can we sustain the biological diversity of our forests while meeting our resource needs?

As a Forest Sciences graduate, you can pursue a career as a forest geneticist, a biodiversity specialist, a fisheries and wildlife officer, a forest ecologist, a pathologist, or an entomologist.

 

Wood Products

Wood Products is an award-winning program that fuses science, engineering, and business. Students in the program gain a comprehensive understanding of wood science, business, and advanced manufacturing operations, while developing transferable skills in problem solving, communication, leadership, and teamwork.

Graduates of the program can pursue a career in material science, engineering, computer science, material processing, wood finishing, product design, quality control, or sales and marketing – or go on to graduate studies in wood science, finance and business, building construction technology, or medicine.

 

Why choose Natural Resources?

The Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources degree is offered on UBC’s Vancouver campus and has access to two research forests totalling 60,000 acres where students can enhance their classroom learning with field studies. In addition to field studies, the program also emphasizes experiential learning with lab work and co-op opportunities.

Natural Resources is also a small, supportive learning community. It has smaller class sizes, allowing you to make close friendships with fellow students and have closer connections with professors, including personalized mentoring, support, and guidance.

Find out more about what’s it’s like to be a student in the Faculty of Forestry