This undergraduate certificate is designed to improve understanding of the processes that operate in the Earth System over various time scales and to highlight the impact changes to these systems have on our planet in the present day. In the current period of rapid environmental change, it is more important than ever that as many UBC graduates as possible have knowledge of the complex interactions between the major spheres that comprise our planet, from atmosphere to core.
Nine themes related to Earth and its changing environment will be touched upon through the undergraduate certificate irrespective of course selection:
- Earth System Science
- Non-renewable resources
- Alternate sources of energy
- Pollution
- Current climate change
- Reference to the current climate crisis
- Impact of climate and environmental change on society
- Ancient climate change
- Changes in biodiversity / extinctions
The undergraduate certificate is open to the majority of undergraduates across UBC. It cannot be taken by students who have made Earth Systems and the Environment a focus of their studies including a degree administered by EOAS, the CMS Environment and Earth Sciences option, the B.A. in Environment and Sustainability or the B.Sc. in Geographical Sciences.
This undergraduate certificate is offered on the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation.
For more information see the certificate website.
Admissions Information
To register interest, complete the form on the certificate website.
Students from all undergraduate programs can apply other than those that are taking any degree administered by EOAS, the CMS Environment and Earth Sciences option, the B.A. in Environment and Sustainability and the B.Sc. in Geographical Sciences. For students taking one course per term, the undergraduate certificate could be completed in three terms, or, depending on course selection, the undergraduate certificate could be completed in one winter term.
Program Requirements
To complete the undergraduate certificate, students are required to take one course from each of the 3 units below for a total of 9 credits. Depending on course selection, a minimum 2nd year class standing or higher is required, although some courses have additional prerequisites.
| 1. The Geosphere (3 credits) |
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| 2. The Atmosphere and Hydrosphere (3 credits) |
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| 3. The Biosphere (3 credits) |
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1 Prerequisite: 2nd year class standing or higher is required. |
3 Requires some 100-level course prerequisites. |
4 Prerequisite: 3rd year class standing or higher. |
5 Prerequisite of one Biology 100-level course and 3rd year class standing or higher. |
6 Courses have recommended prerequisites. |