Your degree in Forest Sciences

While studying Forest Sciences, you’re developing interdisciplinary skills to analyze issues impacting complex forest ecosystems, the ecology of living organisms, and how they interact with non-living elements. You’re also exploring how people can live in a more sustainable way from a scientific perspective.

Project and experimental design

• Hypothesis formulation and testing
• Laboratory experimentation
• Field trial design and implementation
• Safety protocols

Data gathering in the field and laboratory

You’ll learn field sampling techniques in disciplines such as:

• Forest and landscape ecology
• Disturbance ecology (entomology, pathology, fire ecology)
• Below-ground ecology
• Wildlife and fish ecology and management
• Tree physiology and genetics
• Climate change

You may also gain laboratory and analytical techniques such as:

• Quantitative chemical analyses
• Genetic/genomic analyses
• Data manipulation and analyses
  • Remote sensing and geographic information systems
  • Statistics and biometry
  • Computer programming and modeling
• Writing and interpretation
  • Critical thought and quantitative reasoning
  • Contextualization/synthesis with scientific literature
  • Interdisciplinary application of biological theories, practices and ethics
  • Technical report writing

• UBC Sustainability programs and clubs
  Browse on-campus paid and volunteer opportunities related to sustainability.
• Sustainability Ambassadors
  Develop collaboration and leadership skills through an on-campus volunteer role.
• UBC Forestry Co-op Program
  Gain paid work experience related to your degree by alternating academic terms with work terms through the Co-op Program.
• Work Learn Program
  Develop valuable skills through a part-time, on-campus job and grow your professional network.
• Forestry Digest
  Sign up to receive weekly updates about paid and volunteer opportunities, upcoming events, and more.
• Forestry Tri-Mentoring Program
  Connect with peers and industry mentors around career interests, and build your communication and networking skills.
• Let’s Talk Science
  Connect with educators and youth to deliver STEM learning experiences in school and community settings.
• Departmental events
  Network with Forestry students and faculty members at a variety of events.
• Departmental research opportunities
  Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions. 
• Haida Gwaii Institute Semesters
  Take immersive, UBC-accredited courses in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia on topics including Natural Resource Science, Marine Conservation, Community Resilience, and more.
• NSERC Undergraduate Research Awards
  Receive funding to work on research-related jobs and projects.
• UBC Centre for Sustainable Food Systems
  Check out educational and community-building events at the UBC Farm.
• Environmental mentorship program
  Find a mentor through the Connecting Environmental Professionals organization.
• UBC Climate Hub
  Facilitate the sharing of climate knowledge to empower youth to become Climate Ambassadors in their own communities.
• UBC Environmental Policy Association
  Learn about the impact of global climate change policies through various discussion-based events.
• AMS Sustainability
  Access resources and funding of up to $15,000 to support your sustainability-related initiative or project.
• Common Energy UBC
  Join 1 of 6 action teams to implement sustainability initiatives and practices into all aspects of the UBC community.
• UBC Geering Up
  Develop your leadership skills and share your passion for STEM with children and youth.
• ECO Canada job board
  Check out environmental employment opportunities.
• Go Global
  Learn more about international opportunities available for UBC undergraduate students.
• Canada Summer Jobs Program
  Check out summer jobs for full-time students.
• Federal Student Work Experience Program
  Apply for government positions across Canada through this student recruitment initiative.
• World’s Challenge Challenge
  Form a team at UBC to pitch your solution to a global problem in this student competition.
• Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions internships
  Apply your classroom knowledge to real-world settings through climate change mitigation or adaptation projects.
• UBC Sustainability research opportunities
  Participate in research and project-based roles to advance sustainability at UBC and in the region.
• UBC Student Environment Centre
  Access funding for projects that address environmental and sustainability issues.
• Women in STEM Summit
  Participate in the annual Women in STEM summit and get inspired by the stories of industry thought leaders.

• Advance Biofuels Canada
• Air and Waste Management Society
• BC Environmental Industry Association
• BC Wildlife Federation
• BIOTECanada
• British Columbia Conservation Foundation
• Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists
• Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology
• Canadian Institute of Forestry
• Canadian Federation of Agriculture
• Canadian Fuels Association
• Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication
• Canadian Society for Unconventional Resources
• Canadian Water and Wastewater Association
• Chemistry Industry Association of Canada
• Clean Energy BC
• College of Applied Biology
• Consumer Health Products Canada
• Connecting Environmental Professionals Vancouver
• Energy Council of Canada
• ECO Canada
• Environmental Studies Association of Canada
• Federation of BC Naturalists
• Innovative Medicines Canada
• Life Sciences BC
• Medtech Canada
• Nature Trust British Columbia
• Science Writers and Communicators of Canada
• Student Biotech Network

From your Forestry degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Forestry degree.