Earth and Environmental Sciences

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Learn how our planet works, and use that knowledge to benefit both people and the environment.

A certificate icon
Degree

Bachelor

Length

4 years

Faculty/School

Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science

Why study Earth and Environmental Sciences at UBC Okanagan?

Our close-knit campus allows you to work together with faculty to conduct or assist with research projects. Work closely with your classmates and professors while studying in an outdoor setting. Our degree structure allows you to choose the courses best suited to your interests.

Study a variety of topics, including mineral resources, water resources, river hydrology, climate and paleo-climate, hydrogeology, land use management, and geochemistry.

By the time you graduate, you will have gained skills in observation, data collection, laboratory techniques, spatial data analysis, the integration of multiple information sources and the communication of your findings.

Degree Options

At UBC Okanagan, you can specialize in Earth and Environmental Sciences through a Major or Honours Program. A Minor is also available to students Majoring in another discipline.

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Sample Courses

These are examples of courses you can enrol in during your studies. To plan your academic journey, please visit undergraduate student resources.

EESC 101 - Environmental Science
EESC 111 - Earth Science
EESC 121 - Earth History
BIOL 116 - Biology for Science Majors I
MATH 100 - Differential Calculus with Applications to Physical Sciences and Engineering

EESC 201 - Optical Mineralogy and Petrology
EESC 205 - Introduction to Hydrology
EESC 213 - Introductory Forest Science and Management
EESC 222 - Geomorphology
GEOG 272 - Cartography and Remote Sensing

EESC 309 - Global Biogeochemistry
EESC 315 - Environmental Impact Assessment: Techniques and practice
EESC 325 - Structural Geology
EESC 342 - Hydrogeology
EESC 380 - Fundamentals of Geographic Information Science I

EESC 413 - Analytical Methods in Hydrology
EESC 422 - Fluvial Geomorphology
EESC 423 - Tracers of Natural Processes
EESC 425 - Tectonics and Orogenesis
EESC 444 - Dynamic Modelling of Human-Environment Systems

Plan your academic journey by exploring the first-year planning guides designed for Bachelor of Sciences students.

Explore customized Program Plans designed to support your journey to graduation and beyond.

Careers and Outcomes

UBC degrees are respected by employers around the globe. Program graduates will have the skills to pursue a career in a variety of fields like,

  • Contaminated sites specialist
  • Environmental geoscientist
  • Environmental impact assessor
  • Environmental policy analyst
  • Environmental reporter/writer
  • Environmental standards enforcement officer
  • Geologist
  • Geomorphologist
  • Geophysicist
  • Hydrologist
  • Hydrometric specialist
  • Land use analyst
  • Mine geologist
  • Park warden/naturalist
  • Stream restoration specialist
  • Water resource manager
  • Wetlands specialist

Admission, Fees, Applying

You could soon be studying at one of the world’s top universities. Be sure to review the content below to prepare for attending UBC Okanagan.

Experiential Learning

Expand your horizons while studying abroad, conducting meaningful research, or working in the community with your UBC colleagues.

Learn more about Co-op, Go Global, Undergraduate Research Awards and other opportunities at Experiential Education.

Global and Close-Knit

At UBC Okanagan, you gain all the benefits of attending a globally ranked, top 5% university while studying in a close-knit learning community. 50% of graduates, from all across the globe, choose to stay in the region.

Discover the Okanagan

A diverse natural region with sandy beaches, beautiful farms, vineyards, orchards and snow-capped mountains, the Okanagan is an inspirational landscape perfect for those seeking leisure or outdoor adventure.

UBC's Okanagan campus borders the dynamic city of Kelowna, a hub of economic development with a population of more than 150,000 people— the fourth fastest-growing population in Canada.