The applied sciences – architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, nursing, and planning – change society's conception of what is possible as a matter of course. Applied scientists make dreams real, turn ideas into practice. We embody the interface between present and future.

The Faculty of Applied Science comprises a unique constellation of professional disciplines including; Architecture & Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Nursing and Community & Regional Planning. The core purpose shared across all of our four disciplines is to discover, create and apply knowledge, provide unwavering top-tier education and champion a community of responsible professionals devoted to serving a thriving, sustainable and healthy society. Our work and the professions which our graduates represent span the entire human-centred built environment. 

The disciplines within the Faculty of Applied Science are celebrated for the scope, strength and impact of their research activities. Our Faculty claims the spotlight in the global arena for our research in clean energy, communication and digital technologies, health and health technology among many others. We offer disciplinary-specific research based graduate programs as well as a range of professional graduate programs and pride ourselves on our ability to open doors of opportunity to students beyond their time within our Faculty.

Mission
We shape the people and the professions that shape the world.
 

Graduate Degree Programs

Recent Publications

This is an incomplete sample of recent publications in chronological order by UBC faculty members with a primary appointment in the Faculty of Applied Science.

 

Recent Thesis Submissions

Doctoral Citations

A doctoral citation summarizes the nature of the independent research, provides a high-level overview of the study, states the significance of the work and says who will benefit from the findings in clear, non-specialized language, so that members of a lay audience will understand it.
Year Citation Program
2022 Dr. Zhou developed novel optimization algorithms for integrated circuit routing. He uses machine learning techniques and divide-and-conquer methods to accelerate the chip design process while improving the performance. His work can help the industry shorten the design-to-market cycle and deliver better electronics. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
2022 Dr. Sarraf Shirazi proposed a 3-layer model for two-phase solid-liquid flow covering wide ranges of regimes, flow and geometrical parameters. He developed a fluid mechanics framework to explain the gravel packing operation. He also developed a machine learning pipeline to predict the slurry flow outcome based on the flow regime and behavior. Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD)
2022 Dr. Fong studied tools for educational video and how to improve them. He examined the types of analytics that instructors wanted in order to better engage and assess students, and ways to best support students and their study habits, In particular, he studied viewing patterns, video search techniques, and video annotation. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
2022 Dr. Holanda accelerated the process of designing machine learning hardware systems by better understanding how those systems learn and how they behave when they fail. The design process enabled by Dr. Holanda's work illuminates the path towards making the development of those systems significantly faster, economical, and environmentally friendly. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
2022 Dr. Ploumis studied the properties of human visual system in perceiving light and color. He subsequently applied his findings to develop methods that improve the visual uniformity of High Dynamic Range video content across various viewing environments, ultimately increasing the viewers' quality of experience. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
2022 Dr. Kelly built an ultrasound imaging system for the detection of breast cancer, targeting biomarkers clinically shown to complement mammography, especially in women with dense tissue, for whom such cancers are more common. This technology can help detect cancers sooner, while reducing false positives and callbacks, including unnecessary biopsies. Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD)
2022 Dr. Mayers examined the structural and societal systems that preclude equity-seeking groups from accessing safe environments and services that promote sustainable, healthy living. The purpose of her doctoral research was to examine the process in which decisions are made to propose more equitable city bicycling networks. Doctor of Philosophy in Planning (PhD)
2022 Dr. Mansouri studied the mechanical behaviour of candid aluminum alloys to replace steel in the automotive industry. He studied the effect of fabrication parameters on material performance. These findings contribute to making better models to further increase the safety of passengers in a crash scenario while saving on vehicle weight. Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD)
2022 Dr. Stone demonstrates the nature of gentrification as a disaster for low-income communities, and how Hurricane Katrina cascaded into a subsequent disaster of gentrification for the Central City neighborhood of New Orleans. The dissertation includes a co-produced advocacy film to support voting for anti-gentrification candidates in New Orleans. Doctor of Philosophy in Planning (PhD)
2022 Dr. Obada-Obieh studied how technological solutions in personal, professional, and involuntary relationships led to security and privacy concerns. She proposes a framework of how technological solutions can be (re)designed to address these concerns. Her research could make users feel safer while using these technologies in their relationships. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)

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