The First-Year Focus (FYF) program has been discontinued as of 2024W.
Our First Year Focus program has been replaced with Course Bundle Early Registration, an updated option for cohort-based first-year studies that widens the available areas of interest to include all our programs. Please visit our Getting Started page to learn more about your options for course registration and everything you need to know about first-year at UBC Science.
Former First-Year Focus Information
First-Year Focus (FYF) helps students build a strong foundation in the computational sciences (FYF-C) or life sciences (FYF-L) in a supportive, cohort-based program. You'll form friendships, be part of an inclusive community of diverse students, and build the skills you need to explore a wide range of disciplines as you advance to second year at UBC Science.
FYF makes it easy to meet other first-year students and form connections, cuts down on your commute, and introduces you to computational/data sciences and life sciences.
FYF Program has 2 tracks: FYF-C (Computation) or FYF-L (Life sciences). Students in either of the tracks are registered in a same set of courses together as a group. See what your schedule might look like as a part of FYF-C or FYF-L.
Why First Year Focus?
First-Year Focus (FYF) is designed to help you connect with fellow students formally and informally–both in class and during social and extracurricular activities.
Starting from 2023-24, FYF Program will be offered with 2 streams: FYF-C (Computation) and FYF-L (Life science). First Year Focus students take a common set of courses (with a focus on either Computation or Life Science) with the same class of about 180 UBC Science first-year students—your community. You will also take an in-person FYF Seminar course once a week to develop your skills and further connect with your community. You select the remaining courses (usually four to five, in-person or online) based on your interests and to meet the requirements for promotion to second year in UBC Science. You’ll immerse yourself in the computation or life science while gaining the flexibility to pursue almost everything UBC Science has to offer as you progress in your degree, such as computer science, the earth sciences, the life sciences, the physical sciences, and so on.
Meet other first-year students and form connections
I like the cohort that comes with it, the gateway space that FYF provides, and the backbone it provides for transition into university through positive study techniques.
- Take your core first-year classes with the same cohort of students – work in consistent, small teams.
- Attend regular events with fellow FYF students to make connecting with friends and peers easier.
- Like to study in a group? Enjoy your own, dedicated study space at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre for you to connect with other FYF students.
- Connect with designated mentors who are upper-year students at Faculty of Science to help you navigate your first year.
I met many people during FYF who I've managed to become good friends with and I am able to consult them should I need any help with anything in the classes that we have shared.
FYF allows an easier transition to university and provides and opportunity to meet people with similar interests, taking the same course.
Photo: Student Panel at SCIE 100, 2022W
Increase scheduling flexibility with different combinations of online and in-person classes
- FYF offers a mix of online and in-person classes as you prefer. If fit your needs, you are able to select courses that are mainly offered online, which will significantly cut down on your commute time.
If I were trying to convince new students to apply to join the program, I'd really just mention the decreased commute time (and more sleep), eased transition from high-school, dedicated study space, and help with establishing connections with peers.
Online learning gave me the benefit of staying and home and not needing to do two-hour transits everyday.
Build a foundation in computation and life sciences and help solve complex problems
FYF is a great opportunity to delve into the computational sciences and helps a smoother transition into the rigors of university.
- Tackle the problems in computation and life sciences, and explore your career options in a supportive environment.
- Attend specialized workshops, guest lectures and activities designed to teach you scientific thinking skills, such as problem solving, communication, and critical thinking that are key skills that employers are looking for.
- Connect with a wide range of professional networks and opportunities in the industries and fields for individuals with relevant backgrounds in computation and life sciences, including urban planning, finance, engineering, mineral exploration, business and marketing, health sciences, and more.
I would recommend the program to future students because it helps you connect with like-minded students who are as passionate about computational sciences as you are.
Classes and Schedules
To join the First-Year Focus Program, you will first to choose a Stream from the 2 options we offer: FYF-C (Computation) and FYF-L (Life Science): (1) FYF-Cfocuses on developing computational skills in math, data sciences, and computer sciences, which is a foundation to many other science majors; (2) FYF-L focuses on life sciences and is designed for students who are interested in entering the fields such as microbiology and immunology, biology, and health related sciences, etc.
For both FYF-C and FYF-L, we offer multiple Standard Timetables with a combination of online and in-person lectures/discussions/labs. Depending on your preferred way of learning and course schedules, you can register for courses by choosing a Standard Timetable.
Please click on the dropdown menu below to see an overview of different timetables for both FYF-C and FYF-L. For detailed Standard Timetable schedules, please explore on BSC Standard Timetables webpage.
First Year Focus - Computation (FYF-C)
| Courses | Timetable #1 | Timetable #2 | Timetable #3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term1 | MATH 100 | in-person | in-person | in-person |
| SCIE 113* | online | in-person | in-person | |
| SCIE 100 | in-person | in-person | in-person | |
| CPSC 110 | online + in-person lab | online + in-person lab | online + in-person lab | |
| Term2 | DSCI 100 | in-person | in-person | in-person |
| MATH 101 | in-person + in-person discussion | in-person + in-person discussion | in-person + in-person discussion |
First Year Focus - Life Science (FYF-L)
| Courses | Timetable #1 | Timetable #2 | Timetable #3 | Timetable #4 | |
| Term1 | MATH 100 | in-person | in-person | in-person | in-person |
| SCIE 113* | online | in-person | in-person | in-person | |
| SCIE 100 | in-person | in-person | in-person | in-person | |
| BIOL 180 | online | online | in-person | in-person | |
| Term2 | DSCI 100 | in-person | in-person | in-person | in-person |
| MATH 101 | in-person + in-person discussion | in-person + in-person discussion | in-person + in-person discussion | in-person + in-person discussion |
*SCIE 113 may include in-person sessions (seminars, events) in addition to the scheduled class time. SCIE 113 fulfills one of the two Communication Requirement courses that you need to take during first year.
Note: You will need to fulfill pre-requisites (if applicable) before taking the courses in the timetables.
Example FYF course schedules
First-Year Focus program allows students to build a core group of peers by taking same sets of courses, while still giving freedom to explore their own professional interests. Adding to the courses in Standard Timetable, students can still self-select 1-2 courses per term based on their academic interests and availability. Students can pursue most specializations* after completing FYF. The examples below give some insight into how this program can apply to your future studies and towards your career goals.
Student A: Getting ahead of water-borne disease
Self-selected courses Term 1
- CHEM 121
Self-selected courses Term 2
- BIOL 112
- CHEM 123
This student comes from a rural community where a number of preventable water-borne diseases impact the health of their friends and family. They're considering focusing their studies in ways that can contribute to preventing future outbreaks. They're also interested in bioinformatics, ecology, protein structure and metabolic modelling—all of which increasingly rely on a foundation in computational sciences. Based on the courses selected by Student A, they may be headed towards microbiology and immunology or biology. Coursework in computational sciences can facilitate future studies no matter which life science they specialize in.
Student B: Where earth science meets food security
Self-selected courses Term 1
- CHEM 121
Self-selected courses Term 2
- PHYS 131
- + two electives, such as Earth Science
Student B is curious about earth sciences, including air pollution, natural disasters and weather. They've learned the field involves computer programming—including producing weather and climate forecasts, predicting sea level rise and its impact on infrastructure, and water supplies that support farming. They come from a drought-prone part of the world and want to help forecast and combat the impacts of climate change. Student B expects to apply to the major in earth and ocean sciences.
Student C: Combatting the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Self-selected courses Term 1
- CHEM 121
Self-selected courses Term 2
- CHEM 123
- + one or two electives
This student came across the work of Nobel prize-winning chemist Frances Arnold on the directed evolution of enzymes and was inspired to learn more about chemistry in our everyday world—from how the touch screens on our phones work, to why leaves change colour in the fall, to how soap is an effective precaution against COVID-19. One thing that caught their eye is the concept of bioplastics as a way to reduce ocean pollution. Student C knows the computational sciences are key to integrating chemical theory and modeling with experimental observations, such as predicting the atomic structure and properties of organic and inorganic materials. A foundation in computational sciences, paired with their expected major in chemistry, can set them up to identify cost-effective and sustainable products that won’t wind up in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Student D: Reducing viral spread in a pandemic
Self-selected courses
- 1 lab course, such as ASTR 101
- + three or four electives
In the face of recent pandemics, Student D has become aware of how statistics play a vital role in modelling the impact of proposed mitigation strategies and shape public health approaches. They've noticed how influential these models can be on their friends and family and how likely they are to follow health and safety guidelines. News headlines that Canada needs to improve its data collection for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to better understand the impact of the pandemic on Indigenous peoples have also caught their attention—they’re passionate about reconciliation and, paired with their studies in statistics, they’re realizing they can help support Indigenous populations through modelling. Student D is keenly aware that solutions are rooted in the computational sciences and building a foundation in the area will be instrumental in their future studies and career aspirations.