Study at a top 40 research university

Our strength across a broad range of subjects—geology, math, physics, biology, computer science, and environmental science—earns top marks in Canada.

Join a North American leader in STEM education

We've made unprecedented investments to enrich the experience of thousands of science students and help them succeed.

Nearly 3,000+ paid co-op positions

UBC Science places domestic and international students in paid co-op positions—you get the support you need to build your skills and network.

A special place for fieldwork

Affiliated geological field schools, marine research stations, natural history museums and nuclear particle accelerators are yours to discover.

Where does UBC rank internationally?

THES Global Ranking 2023

40th

ARWU Global Ranking 2022

44th

US News Global Ranking 2022

35th

QS World Rankings 2024

34th

UBC Science subject area rankings

	Ranking Agency	Global Ranking	Canadian Ranking
Ecology	ARWU Shanghai Rankings 2022	19	1
Natural Sciences	QS World University Rankings 2023	17	1
Environmental Sciences	QS World University Rankings 2023	12	1
Earth and Marine Sciences	QS World University Rankings 2023	16	1
Geology	QS World University Rankings 2023	16	1
Geophysics	QS World University Rankings 2023	17	1
Environment and Ecology	US News and World Report Rankings 2022	11	1
Plant and Animal Science	US News and World Report Rankings 2022	7	1
Applied Microbiology	US News and World Report Rankings 2022	22	1
Microbiology	US News and World Report Rankings 2022	47	1
Life and Earth Sciences	CWTS Leiden Ranking 2023	23	1
Computer Science	Maclean's Magazine 2023 Rankings	NA	1 (Tied)
We’re proud of our rankings, but they don’t tell the whole story. To find out if UBC is the right fit for you, meet some of our students and professors, and explore our program offerings.

Meet UBC Science

Sumedha Sharma Integrated Sciences	Ronnie Chen Mathematics and Computer Science	Gilbert Lam Pharmacology	Marisol Valerio Geological Engineering + Co-op
Al Shaibani Microbiology and Immunology, English Literature	Cecilia Montauban Environmental Science	Michelle Kunimoto Physics and Astronomy	Angela Sunario Microbiology and Immunology, Master of Management
Joban Bal Biology	Javier Rivera Indigenous Student, Biology	Anna Hughes Physics and Astronomy	Markus Thormeyer Environmental Science

Explore your first year options

Design your own timetable

Most first-year UBC Science students design their own timetable, which offers the most flexibility. You select both the courses and the sections you attend according to the requirements of the degree program you want to enter in second year. Most of your lectures will be in large rooms but labs and tutorials will be in smaller groups. You can also benefit from small-group classes, like our first-year seminar in science.

Science One

Science One presents biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics in a unified, integrated format. The program has its own dedicated space, and cultivates critical, independent thought as the basis of scientific inquiry.

Learn more

First-Year Focus

First-Year Focus (FYF) helps students build a strong foundation in either computational sciences (FYF-C) or life sciences (FYF-L) in a supportive, cohort-based program. Students take a common set of courses (with a flexible combination of online, hybrid, or in-person courses) with the same cohort of about 180 UBC Science first-year students—your community. You can select additional courses based on your interests. You’ll gain the flexibility to pursue almost any majors from second year that UBC Science has to offer as you progress in your degree. Separate application is required.