UBC generates and applies research to drive large-scale improvements in STEM education.

The Faculty of Science is a key incubator of educational innovations at UBC, and beyond. Led by our education initiatives and the dedication of world class professors, we've transformed our science courses, improving the classroom experience of thousands of UBC undergraduates every year.

50+ teaching fellows

Have supported UBC Science faculty members in adopting evidence-based, interactive teaching methods.

200+ courses

Have been transformed over the past 10 years—over 100 of them undergoing substantial improvements.

16,000+ students

A year take transformed science courses—representing about three-quarters of student FTEs in the Faculty.

Interactive teaching

Methods have helped to substantially increase student learning and success across the entire Faculty.

Skylight: The UBC Science Centre for Learning and Teaching

UBC Science's education research and innovation hub, Skylight works across the Faculty and with other units to contribute to the body of theoretical and practical knowledge about learning and teaching science, and to help students expand the depth and breadth of their learning.

Skylight

Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative

An $11M initiative from 2007-2017 that transformed undergraduate science education at UBC and beyond with an evidence-driven, department-based approach to improving teaching and learning, helping more than 180 courses and 16,000 students per year. 

UBC CWSEI

Committed to Open Learning

Via Coursera and EDx, UBC Science offers free genetics, computer science, game theory and climate literacy non-credit courses online. We've also developed free, open textbooks in a growing number of classes, including math and physics.

Online Science Classes

Undergraduate Education

Departments

Teaching and learning at UBC Science is conducted across nine departments and 25 program specializations, providing a broad range of educational options.

First-Year Science Programs

The Science One and Coordinated Science programs complement the standard curriculum at UBC Science, offering students a variety of ways to structure and focus their first year.

Program Specializations

UBC offers a broad, relevant and forward-looking array of programs in the life, physical, earth, mathematical and computing sciences.

Co-op and Professional Development

UBC Science Co-op programs encourage students to take their education and skills into the real world, helping them build that all-important professional network.

Beyond the Classroom

Removing Barriers to Science Education

Science 101 and the Faculty's Indigenous Initiative are designed to lessen economic, cultural and gender-based barriers to science education.

Internationalization and Global Citizenship

The Faculty's Co-op programs and exchange programs encourage students to make their education a truly international experience. UBC Science also works to attract a geographically and culturally diverse student body, helping all undergraduates benefit from global perspectives.

An Eye to the Future

UBC's dual degree in Science and Education extends the Faculty's commitment to science education beyond the University, helping to bolster the next generation of science teachers in high schools and elementary schools across Canada.

New labs and classrooms

Upgrading UBC's Life Science's Labs

A $20 million investment from the provincial government will enable UBC to upgrade and expand the aging teaching and laboratory space used by life sciences students at the university's Vancouver Campus.

State-of-Art Earth Sciences Facilities

UBC's Earth Sciences Building features large up-to-date teaching spaces, new computer labs, and geoscience labs with a public view.

A Dedicated Home for Science Students

The Abdul Ladha Science Student Centre—funded by UBC Science students and the generous support of technology entrepreneur Abdul Ladha—offers a dedicated space for UBC's 8,000 science students.