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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 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 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 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
2012 The stellar winds of nearly half the dying stars in the universe have remained a mystery for almost four decades. As a result of his research, Dr. Thirumalai has been able to propose a mechanism that promises a resolution of this outstanding problem. His work brings together two hitherto disparate areas of physics into a single cohesive theory, with implications for dying stars as well as for stars that are still forming in the universe. Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD)
2012 Dr. Bichler developed a procedure for the formation of carbon-sulfur bonds, which finds application in the synthesis of molecules with therapeutic properties. Currently, the work is being applied towards the development of medications for the treatment of parasitic illnesses including Chagas disease and malaria. Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD)
2012 Dr. Mawani made a series of compounds for the treatment of bone density disorders, studying their efficacy in cells and bone mineral. From these studies, one compound was identified for the potential oral treatment of osteoporosis and thus requires further analysis. Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD)
2012 Dr. Kirby participated in experiments at J-PARC,the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex. He contributed to the T2K particle physics experiment and measured the rate at which subatomic neutrino particles passed through a detector. This measurement confirms that the recent T2K research findings are reliable, and advances research in this field. Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD)
2012 Dr. Casiraghi studied how viruses can trigger auto-immunity, which causes body cells to attack each other. She found that Epstein-Barr virus infection, which typically causes mononucleosis, can also leave a patient more susceptible to multiple sclerosis and lupus. This research sheds light on the causes of these diseases and reveals targets for the development of new treatments. Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD)
2012 Dr. Bornn developed statistical methods to study the environment, including air pollution and crop yields. His work shows that models used to understand these systems can be greatly simplified. These simpler models are not only more robust, but also easier to interpret. This helps researchers as they seek to understand the environmental process. Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics (PhD)
2012 Dr. Gerstein examined evolution at the genomic level. She showed that the number of chromosome sets, known as ploidy, influences the rate yeast populations adapt to stressors, such as high salt. She found that specific genetic changes during adaptation are influenced by both ploidy and environmental challenges. Her findings provide insight into the genetic basis of evolution. Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD)
2012 Dr. Young developed a vaccine against West Nile Virus, and subsequently vaccinated two species of wild birds. As well as production of a potentially effective vaccine that may be used to ensure the survival of endangered species, this research contributes to the development of vaccination methods for all species of wild birds. Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD)
2012 Dr. Brochu conducted research on computer-assisted techniques to be used in making feature films. He developed new techniques for simulating moving surfaces, such as cloth and liquid surfaces. His research helps improve the realism of computer-generated visual effects for feature films, from splashing water in a glass, to plumes of smoke, to clothing for virtual characters. Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD)
2012 Dr. Shopsowitz's research focussed on making new nano-materials from wood pulp. This led to the discovery that wood-based nano-particles can be used to create highly porous materials that mimic iridescent insect shells. It is anticipated that the properties of these materials will make them useful for colour-changing sensors and energy storage devices. Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD)

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