UBC admissions blog

Are you interested in conserving our natural resources, finding ways to creating a sustainable future and exploring how to help fight climate change, protect the environment, and shape our future and planet? Or maybe you want to explore Indigenous ways of knowing, ecology, law and governance, economics, and community capacity building and become a land steward alongside Indigenous scholars, well-prepared allies, Elders, and knowledge keepers? Perhaps you’re interested in learning about urban ecology, sustainability planning, recreation, human well-being, and forest sciences and management?

Whatever your interests, we have a program for you. We’ve recently introduced three new options at UBC: Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources, Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship, and Bachelor of Urban Forestry.

Read on to learn more about these programs and discover if they’re right for you.

Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources (Vancouver campus)

UBC’s new Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources degree focuses on the science, management, and conservation of natural resources. Students in the program take part in immersive learning experiences, from field schools and lab work, to co-op opportunities, and gain practical knowledge and skills that are critical for solving our most pressing natural resource challenges.

Students can choose from 6 majors, each focusing on unique fields of Natural Resource studies.

Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology

UBC’s Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology is the first program 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.

Conservation

In UBC’s Conservation program, students learn how to balance the social, economic, cultural, and aesthetic considerations associated with the world’s natural resources so you can help fight climate change, protect the environment, and shape our future and planet.

Forest Management

In UBC’s Forest Management program, students explore the complexities of integrating multiple natural resource management strategies, encompassing range, recreation, timber, water, and wildlife. You’ll delve into the scientific foundations that underpin the management of forest resources, while tailoring your education with elective courses that emphasize biological, economic, social, or quantitative dimensions within this diverse field.

Forest Operations

In Forest Operations, students explore the planning and execution of intricate harvesting operations. 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.

With a focus on optimizing economic returns while minimizing environmental impact, you will develop proficiency in harvest and transportation system planning and scheduling.

Forest Sciences

In UBC’s Forest Sciences program, students study scientific principles related to forests, forest organisms, and plant and animal ecology. Forest Sciences is based on the principle that forests are complex ecosystems made up of thousands of living organisms and non-living components, and that our use of one part of the forest ecosystem can impact all of the others.

If you have an inquisitive mind and want to unravel the mysteries of nature, Forest Sciences could be for you. As a student in this program, you’ll improve your understanding of forest wildlife, fires, insects, diseases, soil, tree genetics, and forest regeneration.

Wood Products

In UBC’s Wood Products program, students gain a comprehensive understanding of wood science, business, and advanced manufacturing operations, while developing transferable skills in problem solving, communication, leadership, and teamwork.

Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship (Vancouver campus)

UBC’s new Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship degree will help train the next generation of land stewards alongside Indigenous scholars, well-prepared allies, Elders, and knowledge keepers in culturally appropriate ways.

The program provides Indigenous-led education taught by Indigenous scholars, well-prepared allies, Elders, and knowledge keepers and utilizes a highly relational, multi-disciplinary, multi-knowledge, and land-based system approach to learning while fostering Indigenous-led land healing and action-oriented reconciliation.

This interdisciplinary program has been created to bring together Indigenous students and students interested in becoming well-prepared allies to provide instruction in diverse areas such as Indigenous ways of knowing, ecology, law and governance, economics, communication, business management, research and data management methods, and community capacity building.

Bachelor of Urban Forestry (Vancouver campus)

UBC’s new Bachelor of Urban Forestry degree is for students who want to develop their passion for the urban environment and learn more about sustainability, green space planning, and nature in the city. Urban Forestry is taught in collaboration with the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and is the first undergraduate degree in Canada dedicated to the planning and management of urban green spaces.

If you’re interested in learning about urban ecology, sustainability planning, recreation, human well-being, and forest sciences and management, Urban Forestry could be for you.

As an Urban Forestry graduate, you’ll have the knowledge and skills required to meet the growing demand for urban forest managers and urban forest planners. Apply what you’ve learned to help manage urban forests, make cities more livable, and make informed city planning decisions. Pursue a career as a city forester, a municipal arborist, a green infrastructure planner, a parks and recreation manager, or an urban forestry consultant.

Do you care about animals, food security, climate change, sustainable agriculture or the environment? Are you looking for a program where you learn from others, engage in debate and discussion, and take part in hands-on learning and research?

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology degree teaches the real-world application of life sciences through research-based and hands-on learning experiences. Students begin with a foundational understanding of biology and are encouraged to customize the program to explore what’s most interesting to them.

What you learn in Applied Biology

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology degree has two programs to choose from.

Applied Animal Biology

In Applied Animal Biology, students learn the fundamentals of animal behaviour and physiology and explore the role of animals in human society and the ethical and environmental issues that arise. You’ll study the field of animal science as you apply your knowledge to real-world biological issues through hands-on field work and research on farms, as well as in laboratories, animal shelters, and wildlife rehabilitation centres.

The program offers the flexibility to focus on your specific interests, while equipping you with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to pursue a career in this fast-growing field. Throughout the program, you’ll receive training that primes you for graduate work, or admission to veterinary or human medicine.

Sustainable Agriculture and Environment

In Sustainable Agriculture and Environment students learn how to produce food in a way that protects our soils, water, and air. You’ll learn how to manage biodiversity and habitat for the organisms we rely on to help us grow our food, and how to grow food in urban environments. You’ll apply your thinking to a range of environmental challenges, including sustainable crop production, food security, biodiversity, soil and water resources management, and climate change.

You can also tailor your studies to focus on your particular interests – whether they’re in agricultural production, integrated agro-ecosystem management, or plant or soil science. The program will prime you for a professional career in shaping a more sustainable, food-secure future.

Student Scoop

“In my third year I was a field research assistant in northern BC. We lived in camper vans, caught sapsuckers, took DNA samples and released them back into the wild. It was an incredible experience.” – Afnan A. Read about Afnan’s experience as a student in the Applied Animal Biology program.

Why choose Applied Biology?

Students choose the Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology degree because they get to study real-world biological issues, problems, challenges, and their solutions. It’s also an opportunity to tackle a range of environmental problems within a single program.

This is a hands-on degree, where students get practical, in-the-field experience with plenty of opportunities for practicums and coops. Students also receive training in research skills for graduate work.

For students in the Sustainable Agriculture and Environment program, the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm is an on-campus living laboratory for experiential learning. The UBC Farm is located on the Vancouver campus – virtually uniquely among North America research universities – and offers a wide range of interdisciplinary learning, research, and community programs.

What can you do after graduating?

Many Applied Animal Biology graduates go on to careers in veterinary medicine, natural resource planning, ecology, agronomy, conservation, land management, organic farming, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, and more.

Graduates from the Sustainable Agriculture and Environment program are equipped to pursue a wide range of careers and may go on to careers as biologists, agrologists, geoscientists, natural resource planners, ecologists, organic farming specialists, conservation officers, and more.

Deepen your knowledge of the past and build on your understanding of current events by studying one of UBC’s history, law, and politics programs. The topics within these fields are wide-ranging – Indigenous studies, religion, international relations, anthropology – and can lead to a number of diverse career paths, including social work, journalism, government work, education, and more.

Explore your program options

International Relations

In the International Relations program at UBC Okanagan, you’ll develop a solid background in related areas of political science, history, sociology, anthropology, economics, and modern languages. The program stresses critical thinking, and will equip you with the skills necessary to assess the contours and dynamics of international politics and events – from conflicts in Afghanistan and the Congo, to the rise of women as political actors.

The student scoop

Meet Danilo, an Honours Political Science alum who chose UBC because it’s the most international university in North America.

Political Science

In the Political Science program at UBC Vancouver, you’ll study the nature, causes, and consequences of collective decisions and actions taken by groups of people embedded in cultures and institutions that structure power and authority. Topics include the nature of power, the causes of conflict, the tensions of Canadian federalism, security in the post-Cold War international system, globalization, critiques of liberal democracy, feminist analysis, democratization, the rise of Asia, and much more.

The student scoop

Meet Dela, a Sociology and Political Science student who found her calling by getting involved with student leadership.

Indigenous Studies

In the Indigenous Studies program at UBC Okanagan, you can build the foundational skills needed to pursue a career in government, Aboriginal Peoples organizations, Indigenous leadership roles, or resource management. Your studies will include Indigenous perspectives and governance, the justice system, land claims, traditional ecological knowledge, and the protection of heritage in the Okanagan, Canada, US, and world communities.

The student scoop

Meet Duncan, a UBC Law alum who became an award-winning reporter for the CBC.

Law

The Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC Vancouver is one of Canada’s leading law schools, and has a strong global reputation. Innovative researchers, inspiring teachers, and outstanding graduates have established a national presence and international reach. You’ll receive a first-rate legal education that balances traditional areas of practice with emerging fields of specialization.

See a full list of history, law, and politics programs at UBC

Maybe you started a lemonade stand as a kid, or you watched the world markets before you could even buy stock. Perhaps you have a shrewd mind for business, or a curiosity for commerce. UBC’s business and economics programs can foster that budding interest and help you hone in on your niche, whether you have leadership ambitions and dreams of the C-suite, or you want to get in the weeds as a business analyst.

UBC’s range of programs and the opportunities for specialization within them can take you where you want to go after graduation.

Explore your program options

Management

Are you looking to use your leadership skills to make a difference in the world? In the Bachelor of Management at UBC Okanagan, you’ll learn how to incorporate social, financial, and environmental sustainability into the way organizations are run. You’ll finish the degree 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, launch your own business, or empower organizational change.

The student scoop

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.

Manufacturing Engineering

As a manufacturing engineer, you’ll be tasked with turning raw material into new products in the most effective, efficient, and economical way you can. It’s your job to research and develop tools, processes, machines, and equipment, and to combine them all to meet your goals. At UBC, you’ll get the chance to master the entire manufacturing process, from designing concepts and creating mechanical parts all the way through to product delivery. Studying Manufacturing Engineering at UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver – or both – you’ll gain the technical skills to set you up for a broad range of jobs in the industry.

Commerce

The Bachelor of Commerce at UBC Vancouver will provide you with a solid foundation of business basics and management skills you’ll need to thrive in your chosen career. Sharpen your critical thinking, problem solving, communication, organization, and leadership while you study a diverse range of course offerings that allow you to tailor your degree to your interests and career aspirations. Specialization options include accounting; business technology management; entrepreneurship; finance; general business management; global supply chain and logistics management; marketing; operations and logistics; organizational behaviour and human resources; and real estate.

The student scoop

Meet Andrej, a student from Slovakia who chose UBC’s Commerce program, with a specialization in Finance, for its emphasis on teamwork and critical thinking and its strong career development support.

Food and Resource Economics

As climate change continues to threaten species and cultures, a booming industry has emerged around foodstuffs and natural resources. In the Bachelor of Science in Food and Resource Economics at UBC Vancouver, you’ll learn what the limitations and solutions are for optimizing the global food supply, and find out how best to deal with the world’s diminishing natural resources. In addition to gaining deep subject knowledge, you’ll discover how to work with large data sets and develop your critical thinking and analytical skills. During your studies, you’ll be able to take a number of business management electives, allowing you to finish the program ready to work in the food, agricultural, and natural resource sectors.

See a full list of business and economics programs at UBC