Forest Sciences

University of British Columbia

Canada, Vancouver

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University of British Columbia

Canada , Vancouver

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Application Fee

CAD 125

Campuses

Vancouver

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines15-May-2023

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

CAD 52,468 / year

Next Intake 15-May-2023

Forest Sciences

About

You can study intense specialization in a single field.

If you have an inquisitive mind and want to unravel the mysteries of nature, Forest Sciences could be for you. As a student in this academically challenging degree, you'll improve your understanding of forest wildlife, fires, insects, diseases, soil, tree genetics, and forest regeneration.

You'll also learn how to ask and approach important questions like: How do plants and animals in forest ecosystems react to insects and disease, climate change, pollution, harvesting, and recreational use? How can we sustain the biological diversity of our forests while meeting our resource needs?

Experiential learning and research

As a Forest Sciences student, you'll:

Complete extensive, hands-on lab work.
Take part in a week-long field school at the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest in Maple Ridge, BC.
Write an original, six-credit thesis under the supervision of a faculty member in your final year.

Campus features

The award-winning Forest Sciences Centre on UBC's Vancouver campus offers wireless study space, high-tech classrooms, and labs equipped with the latest technology.

The Faculty of Forestry also has two major research forests in British Columbia, and jointly manages a third, altogether totalling 25,000 hectares or more than 60,000 acres.

Study scientific principles related to forests, forest organisms, and plant and animal ecology. Forest Sciences is based on the principle that forests are complex ecosystems made up of thousands of living organisms and non-living components, and that our use of one part of the forest ecosystem can impact all of the others.

Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4

CONS 101 - Introduction to Conservation
Seminars on current natural resources conservation and forest sciences topics.
APBI 200 - Introduction to Soil Science
Physical, chemical and biological properties of soils; soil formation, classification, use and conservation. There are no prerequisites for this course, but background in Biology 12, Chemistry 12, and Physics 12 (or first-year university-level) is strongly advised.
CHEM 121 - Structure and Bonding in Chemistry
Fundamentals of bonding theories and structural chemistry, with applications relevant to modern society.
BIOL 121 - Genetics, Evolution and Ecology
Principles of storage and transmission of genetic variation; origin and evolution of species and their ecological interactions.

FRST 200 - Forest Plant Biology I
The structure, diversity and development of trees and other plants, with emphasis on the angiosperms.
FRST 201 - Forest Ecology
The structure and function of forest ecosystems, including: energetics; productivity; nutrient, carbon and water cycling; soils; the physical environment; population and community ecology; disturbance ecology; ecological succession; biological diversity and ecological resilience.
FRST 210 - Forest Plant Biology II
The functional biology of trees and other forest plants in their environment, with an emphasis on gymnosperms.
FRST 211 - Forest Classification and Silvics
Forest classification and the application of silvics in forest management, including world forest classification systems, the Biogeoclimactic Ecosystem Classification system, and ecosystem diagnosis in the field.

FRST 302 - Forest Genetics
Population genetics and conservation of genetic resources; principles of genetics and their application to forestry.
FRST 307 - Biotic Disturbances
Concepts of disturbance ecology with special reference to insects and diseases in the forests of British Columbia; forest health problems in the biogeoclamatic zones of BC; present management strategies and future potentials in a scenario of climate change.
FRST 351 - Interior Field School
Field study at an interior BC location concentrating on land use, management and silviculture. Fees will be assessed to meet expenses. Students with FRST 351 and FRST 350 can only count 2 credits toward their program requirements.
FRST 395 - Forest Wildlife Ecology and Management
Biology of important bird and mammal species resident in forested regions, with particular emphasis on the influences of silvicultural and logging practices.

FRST 385 - Watershed Hydrology
Measurement and analysis of hydrological processes in response to forest management activities.
FRST 386 - Aquatic Ecosystems and Fish in Forested Watersheds
Effects of forest management activities on fish and aquatic ecosystems.
CONS 330 - Conservation Science and Sustainability
Fundamental concepts in conservation science. Different philosophies, perspectives, and disciplines used in setting priorities for managing biodiversity at all scales.
FRST 495 - Biological Diversity and Forest Management
Principles, problems, and practices of managing forests and nature reserves for biological diversity; integration of forestry and wildlife with particular emphasis on diversity of all life forms.

Disciplines

Faculty of Forestry

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Graduation from a university-preparatory program at a senior secondary school: General Secondary Education Certificate (Tawjihi). Certificates must be official. Photocopies are acceptable if certified by school principal, head, or counsellor. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Career

Pursue a career as a forest geneticist, a biodiversity specialist, a fisheries and wildlife officer, a forest ecologist, a pathologist, or an entomologist. Many Forest Sciences graduates go on to graduate school and careers in research and teaching. Others acquire professional certifications as Registered Professional Foresters or Registered Professional Biologists.

Program graduates

Senior Research Associate, Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University
Instructor, Renewable Resources Management Program, Yukon College
Yukon College Research Scientist and Tree Breeder, British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations

Related programs

- - Name
  - Campus
  - Length
- - Earth and Environmental Sciences
    - Okanagan
    4 years
  - Forestry
    - Vancouver
    4 years
  - Freshwater Science
    - Okanagan
    4 years
  - Global Resource Systems
    - Vancouver
    4 years
  - Urban Forestry
    - Vancouver
    4 years

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

CAD 52,468

Application Fee

CAD 125

How to Apply

As you complete the online application, keep the following tips in mind:

Start early and take your time. Once you begin the application, you will be able to save it and return to it later – but only up until the deadline. Once you have submitted your application to UBC, you will not be able to edit it. Since the online application can sometimes time out if left open for too long, we recommend working on your personal profile questions outside of the application (where you can run them through a spell-checker) then copy and paste them into your application.
Let the online application guide you. You’ll be asked to provide only the information we need based on your degree choice(s), your previous education, and other factors.
Tell us your full academic history. It’s important to include all of the high schools, colleges, and/or universities you have attended. Don’t leave anything out!
Be accurate. UBC has a number of methods in place to authenticate information provided in the application. These methods include, but are not limited to, contacting references, verifying academic records, and requesting additional documentation to verify your personal profile. If an application is found to contain untrue or incomplete information, UBC may, at its discretion: withdraw an offer of admission; require you to withdraw from UBC; subject you to academic discipline; or share the information provided with other post-secondary institutions, law enforcement agencies, or other third parties.
Use an email address you check frequently. Once you have submitted your application, UBC will communicate with you primarily by email.
Note your UBC student number. Write down your UBC student number somewhere safe. You’ll need it in future correspondence with UBC.