Earth and Ocean Sciences

a view of the earth from space

About Earth and Ocean Sciences

Earth and ocean sciences spans all aspects of understanding the history and dynamics of our planet, as well as how to best manage its resources and the environment we live in. At UBC you'll get to combine interests in physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, computer applications and the environment sciences. Areas of focus include mineral and fuel deposits, crustal and mantle processes, sedimentary geology and geobiology, environmental geology, Earth’s physics, climate, and palaeontology. The program is housed in UBC's modern Earth Sciences Building--and affiliated with 10 research facilities, a geological field school, a weather-instrument platform, a natural sciences museum, and three industry-facing research groups focused on critical minerals. If you love science and the great outdoors, you'll get to merge your academic pursuits with your personal passions.

Program Details

This is a flexible program designed for students who want to explore the broad spectrum of disciplines within UBC Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences. You can select courses for broader or more focused perspectives.

Skills

  • Application of knowledge about the physical environment, spatial relations, and climate change 
  • Recognition and classification of earth materials, movements, and structures 
  • Identification of relationships between geoscience problems and societal factors 
  • Application of various scientific approaches to solve geological and oceanographic problems 
  • Field research and analysis 
  • Modeling and sampling techniques 
  • Usage of programming languages including MATLAB and Python

Career Options

With an undergraduate degree

  • Air pollution field technician 
  • Air quality meteorologist 
  • Climate service technician 
  • Climatological technician 
  • Environmental impact analyst
  • Environmental technician
  • Fisheries technician
  • GIS technologist
  • Groundwater technologist
  • Health and safety officer
  • Laboratory manager
  • Land surveyor
  • Mineral technician
  • Museum administrator
  • Park naturalist
  • Science journalist or writer
  • Water and wastewater technician

With additional study

  • Ecologist
  • Environmental geologist
  • Environmental science manager 
  • Environmental toxicologist
  • Fisheries technician
  • Forester 
  • Geochemist
  • Geomorphologist
  • Geophysicist
  • Geologist
  • Geoscientist
  • Metallurgist
  • Mineralogist 
  • Oceanographer 
  • Palaeontologist
  • Seismologist 
  • Soil scientist 
  • Teacher or professor
  • Urban planner 
  • Volcanologist

UBC Science Earth and Ocean Sciences Graduates Work As

  • Environmental Hydrogeologist, Hemmera 
  • Geologist, Alamos Gold Inc 
  • PhD Student in Mining Engineering, University of Quebec 
  • Research Assistant, Mineral Deposit Research Unit 
  • Mining & Metals Professional, Golden Predator Corp.

Related Professional Groups

More Career Resources

Musqueam First Nation land acknowledegement

We honour xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam) on whose ancestral, unceded territory UBC Vancouver is situated. UBC Science is committed to building meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples so we can advance Reconciliation and ensure traditional ways of knowing enrich our teaching and research.

Learn more: Musqueam First Nation

Faculty of Science

Office of the Dean, Earth Sciences Building
2178–2207 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC Canada
V6T 1Z4
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