Science Advising

If a medical or personal issue is affecting your academic life, see us as soon as possible!

Don't wait for exams. Our advisors can connect you with resources to help you cope with extenuating circumstances. We can also help you with general inquiries like applying for a minor, taking a term off, Faculty level requirements, taking summer courses, graduation eligibility, and more.

What should I do before visiting Science Advising?

Look through the online UBC Academic Calendar and this website. We expect you to have completed a little bit of research before contacting our office—just like you wouldn't show up at your professor's office asking questions to which the answers can easily be found in your lecture notes or textbook! Resourcefulness is an important skill to develop and hone during your university years.

Planning Your Degree

Visit here for a year-by-year overview of your degree and to learn more about different types of degrees (majors, dual degrees, minors).

Planning Your Degree

Degree Requirements

Students must fulfill both Faculty and specialization-specific requirements in order to progress through their degree.

Sufficient Progress and Requirements

Science Peer Academic Coaches

SPAC coaches work with you one-on-one to help you achieve your academic goals. Set goals, discuss study habits, and co-create an action plan.

Science Peer Academic Coaches

Forms, applications and permission letters

What types of questions can and can't we answer?

Your departmental advisor is the best contact for discussing requirements for your specific specialization (e.g., major). They can also help you choose courses once you’re in the specialization. They are who can confirm that you’re meeting specialization-level requirements for your degree and eventual graduation.

If you need help with course registration waitlists, you need to contact the course’s department advisor. For example, if you need help with a Chemistry course, reach out to Chemistry Advising.

At Science Advising, we can support your planning for the BSc Specialization Application and chat about your options based on your interests; however, when it comes to specifics of the specializations, departmental advisors are the experts. You can also attend program information sessions, workshops (such as Beyond First Year), and career fairs to gather more insight to inform your specialization decision.

We can also provide guidance throughout your academic journey, support you during personal challenges, discuss academic concessions, connect you to resources and services, review Faculty-level degree requirements and your degree progression, check Faculty-level graduation eligibility and refer you to your departmental advisor to check your specialization-level requirements for graduation, and more.

The Academic Calendar is the rule book for your time at UBC. Academic Advisors can help clarify and confirm the rules, regulations and expectations set out in the Calendar, and help you interpret the policies as they apply to your situation. However, advisors cannot give information beyond what is established in the Calendar.

If you have questions about policy within the Academic Calendar or any concerns, please contact the Associate Dean Students.

Talk to an Advisor

Drop-in Advising is the fastest way to get your questions answered, in three simple steps:

Join the virtual Science Advising line.
Review the final confirmation screen carefully.
When it's your turn, you'll get a text with instructions.

In-person drop-in advising is located at the Science Advising office: 6221 University Blvd, also known as the Chemistry/Physics A building.

Alternate Contact

We strongly recommend contacting us through drop-in advising - it allows us to provide better, more personalized advising and is more efficient. If it truly is not an option, you can submit a contact form. Please note that our response to these messages will be significantly delayed (peak periods: 10 - 15 business days) and the fastest way to connect with us is through drop-in advising.