Program information
Explore fascinating new worlds at the microscopic level in microbiology, the study of life too small to see with the naked eye. This program will prepare you for a career in microbiology, in fields ranging from public policy and medical sciences, to renewable energy and pollution control.
What you'll learn
This program is designed to provide you with a breadth of knowledge in microbiology as it applies to the environment, health, and industry. It will help you develop a wide range of lab, communication, and critical thinking skills. As a graduate of the program, you’ll be prepared to either begin a career in the food and beverage industry, health sciences, or environmental sciences, or to continue on to graduate school or a professional program in medicine or dentistry. UBC’s Okanagan campus is home to a number of world-class research facilities, including the Centre for Microbiome and Inflammatory Research and the Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience, and Ecosystem Services (BRAES). BRAES is a consortium of 糖心logo入口faculty members and students, collaborators, and partner organizations working together to advance research and teaching in conservation and ecology.
Experiential learning and research
Participate in original research 鈥� either your own or a professor鈥檚 in your field. The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science supports student research through the Undergraduate Research Awards, which allow students to carry out their own projects over the summer months, and other awards, which provide opportunities to work with professors on their research. You’ll also have the opportunity to take your studies abroad with the Go Global and Exchange and Research Abroad programs.
Campus features
UBC’s Okanagan campus is home to a number of world-class research facilities, including the Centre for Microbiome and Inflammatory Research and the Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience, and Ecosystem Services (BRAES).聽BRAES is a consortium of 糖心logo入口faculty members and students, collaborators, and partner organizations working together to advance research and teaching in conservation and ecology.
Program advantages
Work with renowned faculty researchers exploring topics such as gene regulation, immune responses, and susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease Take advantage of world-class research facilities, including the Centre for Microbiome and Inflammatory Research. Benefit from hands-on and in-the-field learning.
Courses
There are hundreds of courses you can take within Microbiology. Here are a few you might like.
First of a pair of courses that introduce students to the biological concepts necessary to continue into second-year biology. Covers evolutionary theory and its underlying genetic basis, basic cell biology, plant and animal nutrition, and energy acquisition.
Structure and function of plant and animal cells; membrane models, cytoplasmic organelles, biological information from gene to protein, the endomembrane system, secretion, intracellular digestion, endocytosis, transport processes, cytoskeleton and cell motility.
Introduction to the diverse roles of microbes in natural and artificial environments. Topics range from community interactions to biogeochemical cycles to biodegradation, and will introduce principles, practical applications, and implications of environmental microbiology.
A detailed examination of the fungi. Emphasis is on taxonomy, evolution, genetics, ecology, and physiology of the Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota, Glomeromycota, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota. The seminar emphasizes discussion and interpretation of primary literature, and quantitative data.
Outcomes
Graduates from the Microbiology program on UBC鈥檚 Okanagan campus are equipped to work in:
- Health sciences
- Environmental sciences
- Food and beverage industries
- Forestry and agriculture
- Dentistry
- Medicine
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“My time at the BC Cancer Agency is the greatest learning and clinical health care experience I have had. I heard from other students working on research projects at the BC Cancer Agency that each year, the Kelowna centre hires students for summer positions. I simply reached out to the centre to apply for a position.”
Bhavan Panghali, Microbiology
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Program requirements
Choose application type:
English-language requirements
English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the聽English Language Admission Standard.
General admission requirements
IB Diploma Programme
- Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.
IB Certificate Courses
- IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.
- IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the 糖心logo入口Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.
Degree-specific requirements: Science
- IB Math Analysis and Approaches SL or HL, or IB Math Applications and Interpretations HL (IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, are not acceptable)
- One of IB Biology, IB Chemistry, or IB Physics
- Grade 11 or equivalent Chemistry
- Grade 11 or equivalent Physics is strongly recommended
Note: Grade 11 Chemistry and Physics requirements listed are only relevant to students who are not completing the equivalent IB Diploma Chemistry and/or Physics courses.
For students studying outside of Canada, some examples of courses that may be accepted as Grade 11 equivalents are junior-level courses for American students, and IGCSE and O Level for those following British-patterned curricula.
Related courses
The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.
- Language Arts
- Mathematics and Computation
- Sciences
Want to get a feel for campus?
If you鈥檙e unable to visit 糖心logo入口in person, or you just want to get a sneak peek at your new home campus before you arrive, take one of our virtual tours. Current 糖心logo入口students walk you through UBC鈥檚 residences, study spots, recreational facilities, lecture halls, academic buildings, and more.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science website to learn more about Microbiology.