Faculty of Science

At UBC Science, outstanding scientists and students strive to unravel the principles that underlie our universe - from the subatomic to the macroscopic, from pure mathematics to biotechnology, from ecosystems to galactic systems. Through the breadth and depth of our academic endeavours and the calibre of the people who make up our community, we take pride in discovering new scientific knowledge and preparing Canada’s and the world’s next generation of scientists.

A diverse range of highly ranked programs

With access to master’s and doctoral degrees through nine departments and 350 research groups, our graduate students work with world-class faculty to explore the basic sciences, and to pursue interdisciplinary and applied research across departments and units. UBC’s research excellence in environmental science, math, physics, plant and animal science, computer science, geology and biology is consistently rated best in Canada by international and national ranking agencies.

Committed to outstanding graduate training

UBC Science houses a wide range of prestigious NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience and related industry programs: from atmospheric aerosols to high-throughput biology, from biodiversity research and ecosystems services to plant cell wall biosynthesis, from quantum science and new materials to applied geochemistry. The options for enriched graduate training in industry related fields are almost endless.

World-class research infrastructure

Our affiliated institutes and centres include UBC's Michael Smith Laboratories, Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, Biodiversity Research Centre, Life Sciences Institute, Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences, Mineral Deposit Research Unit, and TRIUMF, Canada’s national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics.

Top research talent

UBC Science boasts more than 50 Canada Research Chairs, 12 fellows of the Royal Society of London, and has been home to two Nobel Laureates. Our graduate students have won 15 prestigious Vanier Scholarships.

A diverse, supportive community of scholars

UBC Science is committed to excellence, collaboration and inclusion. Women account for 41 per cent of the Faculty's graduate enrollments, and the percentage of international students has increased to 50 per cent over the past decade.

Mission
To nurture an exceptional scientific learning and research environment for the people of British Columbia, Canada, and the world.
 

Research Centres

Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology

Computational Sciences and Mathematics

Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences

Genomics and Biological Sciences

Human-Computer Interaction

Life Sciences

Chemistry and Materials Science

Physics

Sustainability

Research Facilities

Designed to inspire collaboration and creativity across disciplines, the new Earth Sciences Building (ESB) lies at the heart of the science precinct on UBC’s Vancouver Campus. The $75 million facility is home to Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Statistics, the Pacific Institute of the Mathematical Sciences, and the dean’s office of the Faculty of Science. ESB’s updated teaching facilities will help Canada meet the challenges of a transforming and growing resource sector. Just as importantly, the researchers and students working and learning in the new facility will offer a valuable flow of well-trained talent, new ideas, and fresh professional perspectives to industry.

Research Highlights

Receiving more than $120 million in annual research funding, UBC Science faculty members conduct top-tier research in the life, physical, earth and computational sciences. Their discoveries help build our understanding of natural laws—driving insights into sustainability, biodiversity, human health, nanoscience and new materials, probability, artificial intelligence, exoplanets and a wide range of other areas.

UBC Science boasts 50 Canada Research Chairs and 10 fellows of the Royal Society of London, and has been home to two Nobel Laureates. 

Schools / Departments

Department

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 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
2011 Dr. Yang investigated the surface chemistry of water and organic solvents at liquid/mineral interfaces using nonlinear spectroscopy. These studies are relevant to environmental and industrial processes, such as the mechanism of ice formation and the development of oilsands extraction. Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD)
2011 Dr. Ren studied electron spin transport in low-dimensional nanoscale devices. He developed a spectroscopy technique employing thermopower to image effects of electron interactions in these devices. Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD)
2011 Dr. Tafti's research focused on the geochronology and petrogenesis of igneous rock suites and the metallogenic evolution of the Gangdese belt, in Tibet. The research identified a major, previously unrecognized but economically important magmatic event of Jurassic age, and also made a substantial contribution to our understanding of the tectonic evolution of this part of the Himalayan Orogen. Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences (PhD)
2011 Dr. Asgeirsson developed a novel method for analyzing experimental data based on comparisons to a large sample of computer simulations. This new method was applied to the measurement of the oscillation frequency of neutral B mesons. The method can also be used by scientists analyzing other types of experimental data. Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD)
2011 Dr. Hall examined the relationship between harbour porpoise behaviour, and oceanographic and celestial events. She found the foraging strategies used by porpoise are specialized and are related to season, tidal direction, and lunar phase. She also discovered two sites where porpoises breed, the first to be identified in British Columbia. Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD)
2011 Dr. Tait studied how a herpesvirus protein may act as trigger of Multiple Sclerosis. He developed methods to isolate this viral protein in large quantities, then demonstrated how it can structurally and functionally mimic proteins found naturally in the brain, leading to disease. This research has the potential to contribute to future MS treatment. Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD)
2011 Dr. Milkeraitis developed a new astronomical technique to detect clusters of galaxies. She discovered over fifteen thousand clusters of galaxies from nearby to over 8 Billion lightyears away which were emitting light when our Universe was quite young, and measured properties such as mass. This work contributes to dark energy and dark matter research. Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy (PhD)
2011 Dr. Stevens studied rotating higher dimensional black holes, and examined particle motion in such a space. He also proved the non-existence of exotic structures in three-dimensional gravity. Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD)
2011 Dr. Hepperle used computers to study the formation of decamethyldizincocene, the first known molecule to have a bond between any of the 3d transition metals. He further contributed to a study of how a particular zirconium catalyst can cheaply and cleanly produce an enantiopure form of cyclic amines, the building blocks for many pharmaceuticals. Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD)
2011 Dr. Yim studied the effect of one antibiotic on a common disease causing bacteria, Salmonella. She showed that low levels of this antibiotic alter its characteristics rather than just stopping its growth. This research has broadened understanding of how antibiotics affect bacteria which may lead to using them more wisely. Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD)

Pages