Canadian Immigration Updates
Review details about the recently announced changes to study and work permits that apply to master’s and doctoral degree students. Read more
The role of the Faculty is to support graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and the entire UBC graduate community in pursuit of a personal, professional and academic experience second to none. Among other responsibilities, G+PS seeks to ensure a transparent, consistent and equitable administration of graduate programs and awards, evaluation and quality assurance of graduate programs, advocacy for graduate and postdoctoral needs within the larger academic community, assistance with individual student and postdoctoral problems, and the provision of outstanding opportunities for professional development of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty in their role as supervisors.
At G+PS, we have been defining graduate education as 'the formation of scholars* who make a difference for good in the world'. Here, 'formation' entails learning, but also cultivating habits of heart and mind, and developing a professional identity and sense of purpose. The scholarship pursued refers to the broad activities that bring knowledge, rigour, and creativity to the extension and transformation of knowledge, whether that is inside the academy, outside its walls, or crossing between.
At the Vancouver campus, there are close to 3600 doctoral students and 6200 master's students, the fourth largest graduate student population among Canadian universities. About 30% of master’s students, and 44% of doctoral students at UBC are international.
G+PS plays a central role in the strategic direction of graduate education at UBC. It facilitates discussion on campus about the future of graduate education, provides an information hub for all topics related to graduate education, celebrates the achievement of graduate students and alumni, and provides advocacy for graduate students & Postdoctoral Fellow needs.
In its administrative capacity it provides services to units and graduate students across all academic faculties on the Vancouver campus – from recruitment of new students along the entire lifecycle to graduation and beyond. Services include: orientation, health and well-being, professional development, program administration, and thesis/dissertation support among other things.
G+PS is the home of the Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program (ISGP), a unique graduate program that allows scholars to design their own curriculum under supervision of supervisors from any unit.
The university also hosts 850 postdoctoral fellows. UBC-appointed postdoctoral fellows can be found in over 90 departments and at affiliated sites including BC Cancer Agency, BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital, the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, St. Paul’s Hospital, and Vancouver General Hospital.
* term taken from Walker et al (2008), The Formation of Scholars. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Research Highlights
UBC offers over 300 Graduate Degree Programs in nearly every academic field imaginable, and opportunities to pursue cutting-edge transdisciplinary study that crosses traditional boundaries. There is sure to be a program offered that aligns with your interests.
UBC attracts $580 million per year in research funding from government, non-profit organizations and industry through 8,800 projects and UBC researchers file over 230 patents a year. Many programs have state-of-art new buildings and facilities. At UBC you will work side by side with passionate scholars as you delve into the most meaningful questions of our world.
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 Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Recent Thesis Submissions
Doctoral Citations
| Year | Citation | Program |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Dr Evoy studied the technical and ethical dimensions of health service funding decision-making processes. This interdisciplinary research provides practical insights for health administration and opportunities for greater public understanding of how local health service funding decisions are made on their behalf. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2009 | Dr. Sheinin negotiated science and story together, to explore sustainability in Eagle Creek, West Vancouver. She incorporated new practices into her daily living that better sustain watershed supplies, recreation, and salmon spawning in the creek. This research illuminates teaching from non-human nature, interdisciplinary questions, and an alternative research ethics. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2008 | Dr. Bombard examined the nature and extent of genetic discrimination faced by Canadians at risk for Huntington disease. She found that genetic discrimination is frequent among Canadians and results in high levels of distress. This research provides direction to clinicians and informs policy supporting individuals at risk for genetic diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2008 | Dr. Geddes developed themes of adolescent depression generated by adolescents' definitions of depression. Adolescents' self-recognition of depression, and social and emotional competence were also examined in association with dimensions of depressive symptoms. This research provides new insights regarding the concept of adolescent depression and its early detection and intervention. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2008 | Dr So developed a universal platform for the accurate quantitative analysis of gene expression. Termed the U-STAR platform, it represents the culmination of his investigations into state-of-the-art gene expression technologies, resolving the many deficiencies in these technologies that compromise their ability to provide quantitative information. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2008 | Dr. Petrie Thomas found that in 8-month-old infants born extremely preterm, decreases in heart-rate during focused attention and sustained focus while exploring novel objects strongly predicted cognitive development. This knowledge will lead to methods for the very early identification of infants at-risk for attention and cognitive problems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2008 | Dr. Camp examined sex and gender in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Using population health, CT scan and pulmonary function data Dr. Camp found significant differences between men and women in the epidemiology, pathophysiology and exposure history of this disease. This research also illuminated the importance of measurement validity in gender studies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2008 | Dr. Duska analyzed the sources of legitimacy and effectiveness of norms of social control within the Tibetan Diaspora in India. The questions raised, the methodology used and the findings are critical to policy debates about how cosmopolitan states accommodate different ethnic and religious communities within a liberal constitution. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2008 | Dr. Macnaughton studied how young people with psychotic illnesses gain insight into their conditions. He showed the instrumental role of narrative in helping individuals find an understanding that is resonant with their experience and adaptive to their lives.The research will help clinicians engage people into care, and promote meaningful recovery. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |