UBC Faculty of Science: Overview

Written By Stephanie Pugh and Matthew Tran

At UBC’s Faculty of Sciences, you’ll study at a prominent international research institution and learn from faculty members who are passionate about teaching, both online and offline. In labs and classrooms throughout the world, UBC Science brings together a community of students and academics who are worldwide known for their commitment to discovery and innovation.

Want to know more about UBC’s Faculty of Science? Continue reading and we’ll give you the run-down!

Reasons to choose UBC Faculty of Science

1. You can study at a well-known research university

UBC’s strength across a broad range of subjects—geology, math, physics, biology, computer science, and environmental science—earns top marks in Canada!

2. Join in on a quality STEM education

has made unprecedented investments to enrich the experience of thousands of science students and help them succeed.

3. There are over 2,200 UBC Science places domestic and international students in paid co-op positions

This means you get the support you need to build your skills and network!

4. Receive outstanding opportunities for fieldwork

Affiliated geological field schools, marine research stations, natural history museums and nuclear particle accelerators are yours to discover with your connections to UBC’s Science faculty.

UBC Science subject area rankings:

The subjects taught in UBC’s Faculty of Science are top of their craft, and they’ve got the incredible rankings to prove it!

Take a look at this chart below to discover where your preferred subject lines up:

What Can I Study at UBC Faculty of Science?

UBC Science is organized into 12 departments and academic units offering an exceptional range of research and study opportunities.

1. Botany

The department, which is one of the largest and most renowned of its type in North America, is a hub for plant science research and teaching, ranging from plant and microbial ecology and evolution to molecular genetics and biochemistry.

Website: www.botany.ubc.ca

Calendar: www.students.ubc.ca/calendar/index.cfm?tree=12,215,413,570

2. Chemistry

Faculty and students investigate the molecular features of matter to create discoveries such as the first noble gas compounds, which range from ultra-cold condensates to living systems. Renovations to the historic Chemistry building, as well as collaborative space with the Department of Physics, have improved multidisciplinary research prospects and given the department one of the most comfortable and up-to-date research facilities in North America.

Website: www.chem.ubc.ca

Calendar: www.students.ubc.ca/calendar/index.cfm?tree=12,215,413,571

3. Computer Science

One of Western Canada’s best computer science departments, and one of the top three in the country! The Department of Computer Science encourages diversity both within its community and areas of study and plays a leadership role in research, teaching, and outreach activities to champion the understanding and integration of computer science within all aspects of society. The Department of Computer Science is recognized internationally for excellence in research and teaching with a conscious focus on interdisciplinary programmes.

Website: www.cs.ubc.ca

Calendar: www.students.ubc.ca/calendar/index.cfm?tree=12,215,413,572

4. Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences

The Faculty and students, in the country’s biggest and most competitive department of its type, are committed to understanding how the planet functions, from the core to the stratosphere. A lively and diversified group of scientists and engineers make up the Department. The department’s research interests range from pure scientific investigations of the earth’s deep interior to near-surface geological studies and environmental earth science, as well as the seas and atmosphere.

Website: www.eoas.ubc.ca

Calendar: www.students.ubc.ca/calendar/index.cfm?tree=12,215,413,573

5. Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries

The UBC Institute for Oceans and Fisheries (IOF) brings together a community of experts in the ocean and freshwater species, systems, economics, and issues to provide new insights into how our marine systems operate and how human activities affect them.

Website: http://oceans.ubc.ca/

6. Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability

The Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability (IRES) is a problem-solving and curiosity-driven multidisciplinary research institute and graduate programme with competence and interest in a wide variety of environmental and sustainability-related themes.

Website: http://ires.ubc.ca

7. Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics is a world leader in research fields such as probability and number theory, and it is one of Canada’s top mathematics departments. In the last five years, academics from the department have received half of the main Canadian Math Society research prizes, as well as numerous important institution and society accolades. Students can participate in exciting pure and applied mathematics programmes offered by the department.

Website: www.math.ubc.ca

Calendar: www.students.ubc.ca/calendar/index.cfm?tree=12,215,413,574

8. Microbiology and Immunology

Microbiology and Immunology have outstanding facilities and a robust support team, with academic members known across the globe for achievements in microbiology, molecular biology, and immunology. Students are exposed to the most up-to-date molecular techniques to the study of issues in microbiology and immunology in the department, which provides a stimulating atmosphere in which to pursue a graduate or undergraduate research programme.

Website: www.microbiology.ubc.ca

Calendar: www.students.ubc.ca/calendar/index.cfm?tree=12,215,413,575

9. Michael Smith Laboratories

The Michael Smith Laboratories is an interdisciplinary research facility that houses biologists and engineers from the colleges of Science, Medicine, Applied Science, Forestry, and Land and Food Systems. The Michael Smith Laboratories, which employs over 300 people, strives to stimulate creative thinking and lead to the development of novel solutions to society’s most critical health and environmental problems.

Website: http://www.msl.ubc.ca/

10. Physics and Astronomy

The Department of Physics and Astronomy fosters student learning via inquiry and hands-on exposure to modern science and technology. It is an international leader in general relativity, superconductivity, and subatomic physics. The department recruits and develops excellent local, national, and international students, as well as doing cutting-edge research into life’s and the universe’s major unanswered problems.

Website: www.phas.ubc.ca

Calendar: www.students.ubc.ca/calendar/index.cfm?tree=12,215,413,576

11. Statistics

The Department of Statistics teaches and researches techniques for quantitative investigations in practically every field of science, social science, and engineering. This research-intensive academic department relies heavily on graduate students, postdocs, and collaborators.

Website: www.stat.ubc.ca

Calendar: www.students.ubc.ca/calendar/index.cfm?tree=12,215,413,577

12. Zoology

Faculty and students at the Department of Zoology study 21st-century topics in developmental biology, comparative animal physiology, ecology, and evolution, with strong roots in fisheries and fish technology. Over 50 major scientists work in the department, which actively supports integrative biology research and participates in various multidisciplinary programmes, including graduate programmes in genetics, neurology, applied mathematics, and resource management.

Website: www.zoology.ubc.ca

Calendar: www.students.ubc.ca/calendar/index.cfm?tree=12,215,413,578

How do you get into UBC Faculty of Science?

If you are interested in applying to the UBC Faculty of Science and are wondering what you need in order to get in, then we suggest you check out our other blog How To Get Into UBC: Faculty Of Science where we explain the admission requirements in more detail!

Need guidance in applying to UBC Science?

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