Program information
Get your hands dirty in the laboratory and in the field while you study all aspects of living things and their processes. You’ll gain an excellent foundation in all fields of biology while learning the practical skills of a working biologist. Within the Biology program, you can choose to focus on a number of subject areas, including ecology, cell and developmental biology, and physiology.
What you'll learn
Biology is the study of all aspects of living things and their processes, including plants, animals and insects, and their relationships to their environment. The Biology program on UBC’s Okanagan campus offers you a wide variety of practical experience in laboratory and field work, the chance to leverage computers, and the opportunity to develop your oral and written communication skills.
Experiential learning and research
There are ample opportunities for field work in the Biology program’s course offerings, including Limnology, Field Ornithology, Flora of British Columbia, and more. Two senior-level course options allow you to conduct independent research projects in the field.
Take your studies abroad with the Go Global program and the Exchange and Research Abroad program, or participate in original research – either your own or a professor’s in your field.
Campus features
UBC’s Okanagan campus is home to a number of world-class research facilities, including the Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology Research Facility, the Centre for Microbiome and Inflammatory Research, and the Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience, and Ecosystem Services (BRAES). BRAES is a consortium of 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Úfaculty members and students, collaborators and partner organizations working together to advance research and teaching in conservation and ecology.
Program advantages
In this program, you’ll be able to tap into research opportunities and the expertise of renowned professors in the field. Additionally, you’ll be able to take advantage of world-class research facilities, including the Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience, and Ecosystem Services. Students also benefit from hands-on and in-the-field learning.
Life at UBC's Okanagan campus
UBC’s Okanagan campus is renowned for its research opportunities and access to professors. On a tight-knit campus like the Okanagan’s, you’ll be able to work closely with award-winning faculty and make meaningful connections with your peers. Professors are collaborating with student researchers on cutting-edge projects like climate change research, Alzheimer’s treatments, and even algorithms to optimize business and research.
Courses
There are hundreds of courses you can take within Biology. Here are a few you might like.
Evolutionary theory and its underlying genetic basis; population, community, ecosystem, and behavioural ecology. Specific case studies and current environmental concerns.
Agents of infectious disease in humans. Physiology and structure, mechanisms ofpathogenesis, immunological response, clinical disease caused, laboratorydiagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control. Properties and uses of antimicrobial agents, resistance, vaccines, and bioterrorism.
Introduction to concepts of immunology. Immune system, innate immunity and complement, adaptive immunity, cellular and humoral immune response, cytokines, T-cell activation, the major histocompatibility complex, antibody structure and genetics, immune system and cancer, AIDS, autoimmunity, hypersensitivity.
Concepts in empirical and theoretical population genetics. Primary processes shaping genetic variation within and among populations. Methodologies for measuring genetic variation in nature, and practical applications of population genetic principles to genomics, molecular evolution, human evolution, and conservation biology.
Outcomes
Work in health sciences, environmental assessment, or food production, in national parks or with engineering firms. Biology serves as the gateway to a wide range of careers in fields such as:
- Human or veterinary medicine
- Molecular genetics
- Ecology
- Neuroscience
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“I highly recommend the co-op program to anyone in the sciences as it provides hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and a level of professional growth that’s hard to replicate in a classroom setting.”
Emily P., Bachelor of Science in BiologyRead Emily's story
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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 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿ÚSauder 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 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Úin 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 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ústudents walk you through UBC’s residences, study spots, recreational facilities, lecture halls, academic buildings, and more.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science website to learn more about Biology.