Combined Major in Science
About Combined Major in Science
The CMS provides a structured curriculum that develops breadth by offering foundations in three discipline areas of science as well as an introduction in a fourth generalist requirement. Lab and field experiences through newly developed courses will promote experiential learning, and provide students the opportunity to understand how research is done. A statistics requirement will familiarize them with basic data interpretation and statistical modeling. A computing requirement will provide students with a basic ability in computation and data manipulation as well as develop problem-solving skills using computers. SCIE 300 (Communicating Science) will help students develop skills in critical evaluation and communication of scientific issues.
Program Details
CMS offers five areas of concentration--Chemistry, Life Science, Earth and Environmental Science, Mathematical Science, and Physics and Astronomy--consisting of a minimum of nine (9) upper-level credits. Students are required to complete studies in three areas of concentration (packages) in addition to a generalist requirement. The CMS provides students with a broad-based science education, with a focus on data handling, communications skills and experiential learning. Particularly suited to those interested in integrating three disciplines or designing the focus of their program, the CMS equips students with the background to understand and evaluate scientific issues and statements from a number of disciplines. Students preparing for professional schools such as education, law or medicine--or those interested in scientific journalism--should seriously consider the CMS. This new program specialization is not designed for students interested in research careers.
Skills
- Mental agility to draw connections and identify relationships across disciplinary boundaries
- Collaborative research in diverse teams
- Experimental design and execution Laboratory techniques specific to the disciplines you combine
- Computing skills and data manipulation
- Quantitative interpretation of data
- Reporting on experimental results and statistical modeling
- Critical evaluation and communication of scientific finding
Career Options
With an undergraduate degree
- Data analyst
- Environmental manager
- Laboratory technician
- Research assistant
- Scientific writer/journalist
- Software Developer
With additional study
- Dentist
- Doctor
- Lawyer
UBC Science Combined Major in Science Graduates Work As
- Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate, University of British Columbia
- Software Engineer, MDA
- Research Assistant, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute