Student directed seminars

The Student Directed Seminars program provides upper-year undergraduate students (in 3rd year or later) the opportunity to propose, coordinate, and lead their own 3-credit seminar class with a small group of peers on a topic not currently offered at UBC-Vancouver.

Each seminar brings together a group of highly-motivated students to explore and investigate a topic through learning activities including group discussions, research papers, presentations, guest lectures, applied problem-solving, and Community Service Learning.

Having the opportunity to coordinate a seminar has instilled a level of personal agency over my learning that I would not have likely obtained from the traditional classroom environment.

former sds coordinator

Student participants have a role in shaping many aspects of the course as well. From helping to edit the course syllabus and choose readings, to peer marking, facilitating learning activities, and leading individual classes, each student builds their own learning experience and contributes to the learning outcomes for their peers.

The Student Directed Seminars Advisory Committee is made up of faculty members from various departments, staff from the Centre for Student Involvement & Careers, the Alma Mater Society (AMS), and a former SDS Student Facilitator.

All course proposals are reviewed thoroughly for academic rigor, quality of course plans, appropriate marking schemes and assignments, and the overall qualifications and suitability of the student coordinator(s).

Advisory Committee Members 2020-2021

• Dr. Pam Kalas, 2019-20 SDS Program Chair, Senior Instructor (Botany)
• Dr. José Rodriguez, 2020-21 SDS Program Chair, Senior Instructor (Chemistry) 
• Robyn Leuty, Manager, Workplace Learning (Program Sponsor) (CSI&C)
• Natalie Gerum, Educator (CSI&C)
• Pam Garcia, Program Coordinator (CSI&C)
• Kristen Palmer, SDS alumna (Psychology/GRSJ)
• Elizabeth Wong, SDS alumna (Integrated Science)
• Tommy Kuo, SDS alumni (Chemical Biology)
• Jeff Miller, Senior Associate Director, Faculty Partnerships (CTLT)
• Dr. Sarika Bose, Lecturer (English)