Working with government and the mineral exploration community to build a new home for UBC's world-class Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences.
Vancouver is the world capital for mineral exploration, and UBC-educated geoscientists have graduated to become key figures in the industry. UBC's Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS) maintains strong ties with the mining and petroleum industries, including consulting firms and government labs, where many students find employment during summers and after graduation.
But the current supply of trained geologists and scientists can’t keep pace with the demands of Canada’s natural resource sector—despite the cyclical nature of the industry, 60,000 new skilled workers will be required in Canada’s mining and oil sector over the next 10 years.
EOS is well-positioned to help fill the demand—but expanded and updated facilities are needed to give UBC graduates a significant advantage in their careers. UBC's Earth Sciences Building will feature state-of-the-art facilities for research into mineral exploration and sustainable mining practices, and expanded educational facilities to help tackle a shortage of geosciences professionals.
Understanding Our Planet Through Science
The University of British Columbia has a history of leadership in advancing the earth, ocean and atmospheric sciences—and in graduating world-class scientists who find career success in the natural resource industries.
EOAS brings together a dynamic, diverse group of scientists dedicated to understanding how the earth works. From studying the planet's beginnings to unearthing current and future environmental trends, our faculty and students have a unique opportunity to study, to discover, and to specialize in all the major earth science disciplines.
But the Department has outgrown its 30-year-old facilities. Our students require physical space to learn and to connect with peers. Our researchers need dedicated laboratory space to collaborate and investigate the challenges facing our planet. With growing industry demand for skilled graduates, we need the facilities to educate the next generation of top earth scientists.
About Earth and Ocean Sciences
From research to teaching, UBC leads Canadian institutions in the study and understanding of the earth—EOAS is the largest, most productive and most competitive earth sciences department in the country. The department has forged strong partnerships with resource industries and professional communities.
Led by an interdisciplinary group of scientists and educators, EOSS was created ten years ago by integrating Geological Sciences, Oceanography, Geophysics, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences into a single, focused department. Faculty members are recognized leaders in their fields, conducting research that encompasses every continent and most of the world’s oceans. UBC earth scientists take an integrated approach to understand how humanity impacts our planet. Our collective expertise makes us uniquely positioned to advance solutions for complex problems of climate change, the environment and sustainability.
Growing Pains
EOS has created a world-class community of researchers and earth science students, but through years of expansion the Department's growth has far exceeded our capacity. The EOS main building was built in 1974 and houses many of the department's faculty members and their research labs. But the building only has two dedicated teaching spaces—not nearly enough to meet the educational needs of 360 major and honours students, 170 graduate students and more than 6,400 undergrads.
Investing in ESSB
With a $37.5 million investment by the Province of British Columbia, UBC Science is now seeking an additional $37.5 million in individual and corporate support to make the much-needed facility a reality. That support will help EOS realize its full potential as a world-calibre earth science research group, and offer the best education to thousands of future geoscientists and industry leaders.
Contact the UBC Science development office at 604.822.3404 to learn more about how you can help build the Earth Sciences Building—and ensure the success of our graduates into the future.
