Program Overview

Applied Animal Biology Program

The Applied Animal Biology program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of animal biology, behavior, and welfare. The program is offered at UBC's Vancouver campus and is a four-year Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology degree.

Program Description

The program focuses on the study of animal behavior, physiology, and related fields as they apply to farm, companion, and other animals. Students will learn about the role of animals in human society and the ethical, environmental, and other issues that arise from human-animal interactions. The program provides training in research skills, preparing students for graduate work or admission to veterinary or human medicine.

Why Choose this Program?

• Study real-world biological issues, problems, and challenges and their solutions.
• Gain practical, in-the-field experience.
• Receive training in research skills for graduate work.

Program Information

• Campus: Vancouver
• Faculty: Faculty of Land and Food Systems
• Degree: Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology
• Length: 4 years
• Co-op: Yes
• Honours: Yes

Experiential Learning and Research

The program offers experiential learning opportunities through internships, practicum, and co-op placements. The Applied Animal Biology Practicum provides students with real-world skills that are transferable to a wide range of jobs working with animals.

Campus Features

Students will have the opportunity to complete research at the Dairy Education and Research Centre, which provides educational opportunities and training for Canadians and international scientists and students.

Sample Courses

• Year 1:
  • BIOL 112 - Biology of the Cell
  • CHEM 121 - Structure and Bonding in Chemistry
  • LFS 150 - Scholarly Writing and Argumentation in Land and Food Systems
  • PHYS 131 - Energy and Waves (Lecture)
• Year 2:
  • BIOL 201 - Introduction to Biochemistry
  • APBI 214 - Animal Sheltering and Companion Animal Support Services
• Year 3:
  • LFS 250 - Land, Food and Community I: Introduction to Food Systems and Sustainability
  • BIOL 205 - Comparative Invertebrate Zoology
• Year 4:
  • APBI 314 - Animals and Society
  • APBI 315 - Animal Welfare and the Ethics of Animal Use
  • APBI 398 - Research Methods in Applied Biology
  • APBI 312 - Reproductive and Digestive Physiology
  • APBI 410 - Applied Animal Health and Physiology
  • APBI 413 - Stress and Coping in Animals
  • APBI 414 - Animals and Global Issues
  • APBI 416 - Compassionate Conservation

Your Future

Many Applied Animal Biology graduates go on to careers in veterinary medicine, human medicine, biology, natural resource planning, ecology, agronomy, conservation, land management, organic farming, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, and more.

Related Programs

• Biology
• Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology
• Sustainable Agriculture and Environment
• Zoology

Program Requirements

• Canadian high schools: specific course requirements vary by province.
• International high schools: specific course requirements vary by country.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme: completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.
• IB Certificate Courses: may be used in an admissions average.
• English-language requirements: English is the language of instruction at UBC; all prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission.
• Degree-specific requirements: Applied Biology requires IB Math Analysis and Approaches SL or HL, one of IB Biology, IB Chemistry, or IB Physics, Grade 11 or equivalent Chemistry, and Grade 11 or equivalent Physics.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the Applied Animal Biology program is competitive and based on a student's academic performance, as well as other factors such as English-language proficiency and degree-specific requirements. The University of British Columbia acknowledges that its two main campuses are situated within the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people, and in the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation and their peoples.