- Hydrogeology Consultant, BGC Engineering Inc.
- President and CEO, HEG Exploration Services Inc.
- Project Manager, Golder Associates
- Section Head, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
Get a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time Ä¢¹½´«Ã½international student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all .
Want to learn more?
Visit the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science website to learn more about Earth and Environmental Sciences.
Program information
Explore how the planet works and its deep history, then discover how to deploy that knowledge to benefit society and the environment. You’ll study the nature and properties of Earth systems, while learning how to apply scientific knowledge from a broad range of disciplines.
Program overview
- Campus
- Okanagan
- Program length
- 4 years
- Honours This option has additional requirements compared to those required in a Major specialization. Students must maintain high academic standing and may have to write a graduating thesis.
- Yes
- Co-op Co-op is an optional program where students alternate between academic terms and paid work terms. It’s an opportunity to gain relevant job experience while completing your degree.
- Yes
- Faculty
- Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
- Degree
- Bachelor of Science
What you'll learn
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. By the time you graduate, you’ll have gained skills in experimentation, observation, data collection, laboratory techniques, and spatial data analysis, and learned how to integrate multiple information sources and communicate your conclusions.
As a Bachelor of Science student on UBC’s Okanagan campus, you can choose a major, honours, or minor in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Complement your major with a minor in topics such as Biology, Data Science, Environmental Chemistry, or Geography. Or choose courses that meet the academic requirements you need to register as a Professional Geoscientist or Professional Agrologist.
Experiential learning and research
Work with renowned Ä¢¹½´«Ã½faculty members on research projects related to hydrology, geomorphology, geochemistry, environmental systems, and tectonics. Or study at other universities around the world through the Go Global program.
In your third or fourth year of study, you’ll have the option of completing directed studies and conducting independent readings and research. If you choose the honours option, you’ll undertake an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member. The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science holds an annual undergraduate research conference on UBC’s Okanagan campus to showcase student research projects.
Campus features
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences is home to a wide range of research facilities:
- , a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art facility with equipment for major and trace element analysis and electron microbeam imaging
- , a collaborative research institute working in ecology, biodiversity and conservation, water conservation and quality, and environmental sustainability
In addition, individual faculty members have active research programs backed by modern laboratory facilities, including the , the , and the .
Courses
There are hundreds of courses you can take within Earth and Environmental Sciences. Here are a few you might like.
A quantitative and scientific approach to the understanding of global energy, water and nutrient cycling; growth of human populations and their effects on the environment and ecosystem function. Functional understanding of modern environmental issues, and the requirements of, and opportunities for, sustainability.
Global forests, classification, silviculture, forest tenure systems, forest policy evolution, forest regulations, and the profession. Overview of forest disturbance impacts, eco-forestry, sustainable forest management, eco-certification, the role of information technologies and research.
Functional processes and reactions of our living planet. Cycles of materials and energy among the atmosphere, lithosphere, and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Case studies on the degradation of ecosystem function from anthropogenic alterations of natural cycles.
Design and use of dynamic models of complex systems; spatial modelling of the environment; agent- and individual-based models; applications to biodiversity conservation, environmental management, land use change and natural resource management.
Outcomes
You’ll graduate with a broad foundation in earth and environmental sciences and be well positioned to access multiple career paths. 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
- Government research laboratories
- Universities and colleges
Program graduates
Take action & plan
Program requirements
Choose application type:
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 Ä¢¹½´«Ã½Sauder 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
Want to get a feel for campus?
If you’re unable to visit Ä¢¹½´«Ã½in person, or you just want to get a sneak peek at your new home campus before you arrive, take one of our virtual tours. Current Ä¢¹½´«Ã½students walk you through UBC’s residences, study spots, recreational facilities, lecture halls, academic buildings, and more.
Related programs
Want to learn more?
Visit the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science website to learn more about Earth and Environmental Sciences.
Get a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time Ä¢¹½´«Ã½international student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all .
Want to learn more?
Visit the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science website to learn more about Earth and Environmental Sciences.