If you read the previous two posts I wrote along the same lines, you will remember that they looked at programs across Canada. As I began to work on this one, though, I found so many good programs at UBC and SFU that I decided to focus just on those–which makes particular sense as some students are looking with greater interest at schools closer to home.
UBC
UBC admissions considers grade 11 and 12 marks; all programs require a Personal Profile (series of short essay responses)
Bachelor of Science in Forest Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology (BEST)
UBC’s Bachelor of Science in Forest Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology is a fascinating program that combines a scientific understanding of forests and conservation with a focus on sustainability, economics, and entrepreneurship. In its own words, the program offers “a multi-disciplinary and comprehensive education focused on the political, scientific, and economic challenges facing the growing bioeconomy and the increasing need to create a sustainable future.” Students can also combine this degree with a minor in Commerce for an even greater foundation in business, and they can participate in the innovative Land One first-year program, co-operative education, field schools, and study abroad.
Food and Nutrition/Dietetics
Students at UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems can begin their studies in Food and Nutrition. This Bachelor of Science begins either with a general first year of science or the first year Land One program, and then specializes in the study of Food Science, Nutrition and Public Health, Food Market Analysis, or Dietetics. The latter, among the most popular programs in Food and Nutrition, trains students to become registered dieticians. Graduates are ready to sit their Registered Dietitian Certification Exam, and then can move into careers in the public or private sector, ranging from clinical practice to public health. (Dietetics is a third-year entry program, which means you apply after year 2.)
Bachelor of Media Studies
Interested in creating compelling videos, journalistic articles, photo essays or social media posts? Also interested in thinking about how these media shape our experiences of the world? Then UBC’s Bachelor of Media Studies could be the program for you. This program draws from departments across the faculty of Arts, from Visual Art to Journalism to Film Studies, and even Computer Science. In UBC’s words, you will “gain cultural technology competencies for the knowledge economy, enabling you to work across many different sectors in a wide range of capacities.” Students are encouraged to study abroad, participate in co-op and internships, and work in annual community partnerships, reinforcing the practical competencies fostered in the program.
Bachelor of Biochemistry and Forensic Science (with BCIT)
Most of us enjoy a good crime scene drama every now and again (or every night?) –the detectives are stumped, but the forensic scientist, with only a single fibre, connects the perpetrator to the crime. UBC and BCIT jointly offer a Biochemistry and Forensic Science program, building on the Faculty of Science at UBC and the hands-on forensics training at BCIT. In this program, which is unique in Western Canada, “Graduates will be proficient at working in a laboratory setting and gain important critical-thinking and analytical skills. In addition, graduates will have conducted both academic and applied research, conducted forensic testing, and will be able to communicate their results effectively.” Students could choose to pursue graduate research studies or to work in law enforcement or a wide range of laboratory settings.
Environmental Engineering (with UNBC)
UBC’s Applied Science programs all have a general first year at the Vancouver or Okanagan campuses — with one exception. Environmental Engineering is a 4.5 year degree offered jointly between UBC and the University of Northern British Columbia, making use of the Environmental Science Faculty in Prince George and the Applied Science Faculty at UBC Vancouver. Students learn to apply science and engineering principles to improve air, water and land systems to create a healthy environment. “Graduates of the program will have technical expertise, hands-on problem solving skills and an understanding of environmental issues in resource industries such as forestry, mining, pulp and paper, chemical process, fisheries, oil and gas, agri-food, water and all areas of the new ‘environmental economy’ – such as reclamation, remediation and restoration.” This program is accredited and can lead to the Professional Engineering designation.
Bachelor of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urbanism
This new program at UBC starts this fall, after many years of anticipation. Students with an interest in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design can attend this academic and studio-based program, which will make them strong candidates for Masters’ programs in architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture and more. These programs draw on the interconnectedness of design fields to offer a series of core classes and then specialize under the guidance of UBC’s expert undergraduate and graduate faculty. (Admission requires completion of a creative assignment.)
SFU
SFU admission is based on completion of grade 11 and 12 courses; some programs require a supplemental application
Bachelor of Sustainable Energy Engineering
The SEE program opened in Fall 2019, in a purpose-built new building on the SFU Surrey campus. The program is intended to make students experts in clean technology; courses include ones shared by other engineering disciplines together with courses unique to this program. The curriculum includes 3 required co-op terms and will prepare students to work worldwide, using engineering to make meaningful environmental change.
Bachelor of Interactive Art and Technology
Also located on the SFU Surrey Campus, SFU’s School of Interactive Art and Technology (SAIT) attracts visual and media artists alongside programmers who are interested in computer art and computer-user interaction. In their words, “SIAT is a program about ideas and the creative ways we can use art, design and technology to understand and solve problems. SIAT is interdisciplinary. That means your course work combines art, design, social science, and computer science, so you develop the unique blend of critical thinking and creative skills that employers look for.” Students benefit from small classes in spaces designed specifically for the program, with teachers who develop their independence, interdisciplinary thinking, and readiness for those famous “careers no one can even imagine yet” that we are all trying to get ready for.
SFU Criminology
Students preparing for careers in law enforcement or law sometimes struggle with what to study at the undergraduate level. SFU’s Bachelor of Arts in Criminology provides them with an ideal foundation and would also suit students looking to work as social workers or with the Department of Children and Families, Canadian Border Services, or other provincial-level careers. Students in this interdisciplinary program will have the opportunity to take courses from psychology, anthropology, sociology, statistics, law, and political science, along with the core criminology courses. In addition, students at SFU’s Surrey campus can complete a Police Studies certification.
SFU Data Science
Understanding data is one of the key competencies in the emerging marketplace and has uses from science to social sciences, from government to business. This SFU program is exciting because it draws from many areas of strength — Business, Computer Science, Science, and Applied Mathematics — and also because it was designed in consultation with industry and in consideration of employment trends. The program offers co-operative education opportunities, as well as two capstone projects to connect students to local businesses and provide solutions to real-world problems. This could be the ideal program for students who enjoy the mathematical side of business and computer programming and want to be sure their degree is industry-ready.
Beedie Bachelor of Business Administration Joint Majors
The hallmark of the Beedie BBA is its flexibility and capacity to accommodate students with a wide range of interests. The program can be completed over two or three semesters per year to accommodate different learning styles and work schedules and can be combined with a wide variety of other majors. Students with interests as wide-ranging as biology, interactive art and technology, environmental studies and computer science can increase their workplace readiness by adding on the business skills to effectively bring their ideas to market. Students interested in the advertising/PR/marketing side of business can do the dual communications/BBA degree, while those interested in human relations can pair business with psychology. SFU’s robust co-op program also makes their BBA a compelling choice.
Want to learn about cool programs and small and mid-sized universities? Check out our other posts in this series.
