UBC admissions blog

Whether you dream of helping reduce the demands on our climate systems, or are driven to solve the world’s food sustainability crisis, you’ll find a program for you at UBC. As a member of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems – known for being one of UBC’s friendliest faculties – you’ll study alongside other students who are dedicated to using science to meet society’s urgent needs, and passionately exploring how humans interact with the natural world.

 

Explore your program options

All students in the Land and Food Systems faculty and also can apply to dual degrees with the Master of Management.

 

Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology

Applied Animal Biology

If you want to study or work with animals, UBC Vancouver’s Applied Animal Biology program will be a great fit for you. The program gives you a broad background in the fundamentals of animal behavior and physiology as they apply to farm, companion, and other animals. You’ll learn about the role of animals in human society, and examine the ethical, environmental, and other issues that arise from our connection with them. As part of your program, you’ll spend time doing hands-on field work and research in wildlife rehabilitation centres, laboratories, animal shelters, and on farms, preparing you for a career in the field. This program also allows you to complete the necessary prerequisites for veterinary medicine.

 

The student scoop

Meet Afnan, who, while studying Applied Animal Biology, was a field research assistant in Northern BC and worked with the Beaty Biodiversity Museum’s cowan tetrapod collection. These hands-on learning experiences allowed her to see what she learned directly applied to the community.

 

Sustainable Agriculture and Environment

In the Sustainable Agriculture and Environment program, you’ll tackle a range of environmental challenges while tailoring your studies to your particular interests – from agricultural production to soil and water resources management to climate change. You’ll learn how to produce food in a way that protects our soils, water, and air; how to manage biodiversity and habitats for the organisms we rely on to help us grow our food; and which agricultural practices are best for urban environments. You’ll have access to a living laboratory for experiential learning at the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, located at the UBC Farm on UBC’s Vancouver campus. As a graduate of this program, you’ll be primed for a professional career focused on shaping a more sustainable, food-secure future.

 

 

Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition, and Health

Dietetics

Dietetics is an in-demand profession that’s growing fast across Canada and the world. UBC Vancouver’s Dietetics program – the only Dietetics program in BC – will teach you how to improve and promote health through optimized food and nutrition, and to fill a variety of roles in nutrition care, management, or population and public health. You’ll graduate from this professional program as a registered dietitian with a strong understanding of human nutrition and how to manage sustainable food systems.

The student scoop

As well as working on ways to prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes through studying the Western diet, Lucy found that she was able to learn about social justice issues, psychology, anthropology, and more as part of her program.

 

 

Food, Nutrition, and Health

The Food, Nutrition, and Health program gives you the flexibility to pursue your interests while gaining a deeper knowledge of issues related to food production, food security, and the role of nutrition in disease prevention. You’ll get to choose from a large variety of electives, and you’ll study a curriculum of your own design that will prep you for a career in the food and health sectors. Food, Nutrition, and Health students can apply to dual degrees with Bachelor of Education or Master of Management, or one of six minors to complement their program. The Food, Nutrition, and Health program is also a great foundation for students interested in medical school, dentistry or nursing.

 

“Being in the Land and Food Systems Faculty has taught me and challenged me to employ systems-thinking when discussing topics that I care deeply for, such as food security, public health and sustainability.”

– Rachel Ma, Food, Nutrition, and Health

 

Food Science

Calling all foodies! Take your passion for food to the next level in UBC Vancouver’s Food Science program, where you’ll discover the chemistry and microbiology of food, its nutritional and sensory properties, and how it’s engineered and processed. You’ll explore scientific topics such as the concepts and controversies in nutrition and how to prevent food-borne illnesses, and you’ll also gain hands-on experience through food-specific lab courses and community-based learning in sustainability. When you graduate, you’ll be ready for a number of careers in the food industry – an exciting field that’s undergoing rapid change.

 

The student scoop

Meet Peter Higgins, a UBC Food Science grad who became one of the top chocolate scientists at Purdys.

 

Nutritional Sciences

In Nutritional Sciences, you’ll delve into the science of the human digestive system, and discover how our bodies actually metabolize and use nutrients. You’ll also learn more about the function of nutrients in health and disease, and study nutritional requirements and recommendations in depth. As part of the program, you’ll find out about the methods of how we produce and distribute food, and what impact that has on food availability – helping you to solve some real-world challenges.

 

The student scoop

Meet Brenna Han, who used her Nutritional Sciences degree to get into medical school.

 

Food and Nutritional Sciences

The Food and Nutritional Sciences program is a double major which combines the Food Science and the Nutritional Sciences programs. As part of the degree, you’ll discover the chemistry and microbiology of food, its nutritional and sensory properties, and how it’s created and processed. You’ll also work on understanding the function of nutrients in health and disease, and people’s nutritional requirements. At the end of the program, you’ll graduate ready for a career in the food and nutrition industries or grad studies in health sciences.

 

“The hands-on learning experiences available through the LFS program provided me with the opportunity to apply that knowledge, which in turn helped set me up for success in my career.” 

– Lauren Rappaport, Food and Nutritional Sciences alumni 

 

Do you imagine Forestry to be all about trees and lumberjacks? Well, it’s so much more!

UBC’s Faculty of Forestry is ranked as one of the top in the world for its education and research. It offers the chance to study one of six science-based degrees, which will help you master topics including climate change, conservation and globalization, forest genetics, ecology, resource management, urban biodiversity, and more.

UBC Forestry also provides you with ample opportunities to get out of the classroom. You’ll be able to focus on the areas of your degree you find most interesting with on-site research, travel, and co-op work placements. A Forestry degree will challenge you academically, and provide a foundation for a wide selection of sought-after careers.

 

Why choose UBC Forestry?

The treehouse study area in UBC Forestry’s Forest Sciences Centre building.

 

Here are five facts about this unique faculty:

 

1. The design of UBC Forestry’s main Forest Sciences Centre building reflects elements of a forest, with live plants and trees in the atrium and a treehouse study area exclusively for Forestry students.

 

2. UBC Forestry students have opportunities to access two research forests – one in Maple Ridge and one in Williams Lake, British Columbia – that total more than 15,000 hectares. Students also study in a wooded environment, as UBC Vancouver is surrounded by 750 hectares of forest.

 

3. The Forestry Undergraduate Society oversees the Christmas Tree Farm at the UBC Farm, and fundraises by selling responsibly grown Douglas fir trees every December.

 

4. UBC’s Forestry was part of a team that developed the world’s first fully-compostable and biodegradable medical mask during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

5. UBC Forestry professor Nicholas Coops was awarded the prestigious Marcus Wallenberg Prize, known as the “Nobel Prize of Forest Research” for his work in satellite imagery analysis and climate change.

 

The student scoop

Want to learn more about studying at UBC Forestry? Meet Noa, who began her UBC journey in the Faculty of Arts before she chose to focus exclusively on environmentalism and conservation with a Forestry degree.

 

 

Are you looking for a degree that challenges you academically, provides exciting opportunities to enrich your university experience, and opens the door to a breadth of in-demand careers? UBC’s Faculty of Forestry – one of the world’s top ranked forestry schools – has six degrees that span topics from wood engineering and sustainability to soil science and urban planning.

No matter which Forestry program you study, you’ll be part of a diverse, close-knit community where faculty get to know their students by name, and where you have ample opportunities to dig deeper into your specialization with hand on field and lab work, research, travel, and unique classroom experiences.

 

Bachelor of Science in Forest Sciences

If you have an inquisitive mind and want to unravel the mysteries of nature, Forest Sciences is an ideal program for you. You’ll study the scientific principles related to the growth and development of forest organisms and the ecology of plant and animal communities. This knowledge will help you better understand aspects of our forests such as wildlife, fire, insects, diseases, soil, tree genetics, and forest regeneration. When you graduate, you may be eligible for the Registered Professional Biologist accreditation through the College of Applied Biology, and for the Registered Professional Forester accreditation through the Association of BC Forest Professionals.

“I like the flexibility in terms of choosing what topic within Forest Sciences that I can focus on. There are suggested specializations, such as hydrology or entomology, but I’m also able to choose a topic that I’m interested in. There is a specialization in International Forestry, where students are required to spend time abroad and learn about forest ecosystems in a global context.”

–Jennifer Hong, alumna, Forest Sciences

Learn more about Forest Sciences

 

Bachelor of Science in Forestry

The interdisciplinary Forestry program combines biological, physical, and social sciences with technology to advance your understanding of sustainable forest management. Among other areas, you’ll develop your knowledge in topics spanning forest planning and management to the operational aspects of extracting timber.

“I decided to go into Forest Resources Management at UBC because I love being in the forest. I am extremely passionate about protecting our natural resources and managing them properly. It has given me the opportunity to learn to manage B.C. forests in a sustainable manner. The field schools provide a safe outdoor learning environment that allows students to apply their skills prior to working in the industry.”

–Thomson Kennedy, 4^th year, Forest Resources Management

Learn more about Forestry

 

Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Conservation

Have you ever considered working in conservation? Do you want to play an active role in protecting and managing our natural environment, such as wildlife, forests, rivers, oceans, and land? In Natural Resources Conservation, the faculty’s most popular degree program, you’ll learn about the maintenance of habitats and the persistence of diverse natural resources, and gain a better understanding of the balance that is needed among environmental, social, economic, cultural, and aesthetic values. With certain criteria, students may be eligible for the Registered Professional Biologist accreditation through the College of Applied Biology.

“The Natural Resources Conservation Program will give you the skills and knowledge to meet the big challenges our world is facing right now. It will help you think holistically about how different disciplines can come together to solve our biggest environmental challenges and achieve a balance between our increasing needs for goods and services and the protection of our ecosystems.”

–Valentina Coy, 3^rd year, Natural Resources Conservation

Learn more about Natural Resources Conservation

 

Bachelor of Science in Wood Products Processing

UBC – home to one of the tallest wood buildings on the planet – is considered a world leader in the development and advancement of innovative and sustainable wood products. In the wood products program, you’ll gain a broad understanding of wood science, business, and advanced manufacturing operations while you develop essential transferable skills such as problem-solving, communication, leadership, and teamwork.

“If you are interested in building a successful professional career in an innovative, creative, and sustainable industry, then the Wood Products Processing program will provide you with a strong foundation. The faculty offers a strong co-op program, a positive tri-mentoring program, and a range of leadership-building classes.”

–Jonathan Jean-Hwa Chu, 4^th year, Wood Products Processing

Learn more about Wood Products Processing

 

Bachelor of Urban Forestry

The Urban Forestry program – the first of its kind in Canada – teaches you about planning and managing urban green spaces and ecosystems for human welfare, ecological health, and the protection of our cities’ support systems. You could learn how to tackle the problems arising from increased urban populations and global warming, and help create more sustainable and greener communities.

“The program gave me the ability to balance an urban lifestyle while pursuing my passion for the outdoors. When I was just getting started, I quickly realized that the industry is buzzing and that the skills I was learning were in high demand. The design aspects of the program allowed my ideas to come to life and curated a set of practical skills for producing green sustainable landscapes. My favourite part of the urban forestry program was solving real-life problems by using green design, making cities more liveable. The integrated foundation of traditional forestry, landscape architecture, and design makes the urban forestry program the most competitive degree in the expanding greenspace management industry.”

– Reginald Daniel, Alumnus, Urban Forestry

Learn more about Urban Forestry

 

Forest Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology (BEST)

Are you interested in being a part of the world’s shift from fossil fuels to sustainable sources? The BEST program is the faculty’s newest BSc degree and the first in Canada to focus on the growing bioeconomy including the production of renewable biological resources and transforming them into valuable products. You’ll learn how to design and develop innovative products and biofuels from forest and plant materials, as well as guide government policies and land use strategies for a sustainable future.

“Starting this September, the BEST program will enrol its inaugural class, learning the sciences required to address the global challenge of combatting climate change using biobased alternatives.”

-Dr Scott Renneckar, Program Director Forestry Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology

Learn more about Forest Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology

 

Elevate Your Degree

Choosing to do your undergraduate degree in Forestry opens some exciting doors. Discover how you can also major in business or education, be a part of an exchange program, connect with mentors, or enjoy field schools.

 

Co-operative education opportunities

Completing a co-op is your chance to get real-world experience, make an average salary of $3,133 per month, and begin building your professional network. All six Forestry programs offer co-ops so that you can learn about possible careers and jobs in your field of interest. UBC Forestry students have completed co-ops at companies like West Fraser, Interfor, and J.D. Irving, as well as local municipalities, the provincial and federal governments, UBC’s Advanced Renewable Materials Lab, Pioneer Forest Consulting, and many more.

Check out the Forestry co-op Instagram account to see the kinds of experiences UBC students are gaining as they get their hands dirty in labs and forests, and travel as far as South Africa, India, Indonesia, Japan, Finland, and Germany. Plus, you can read students’ stories about their work terms.

 

Land One

Land One is open to a limited number of first year students looking to ease their transition to university and have a great experience while they do. In Land One, students are part of a small cohort which allows them to easily build strong connections with their instructors and peers. They receive mentoring if they need it, and opportunities for special, experiential learning such as going on field trips and enjoying hands-on activities. Learn more about this first-year study option here.