Program Overview

Wood Products Program at UBC's Vancouver Campus

The Wood Products program at the University of British Columbia's Vancouver campus is a major in the Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources degree. This award-winning program combines science, engineering, and business, making it an ideal choice for innovative individuals who enjoy problem-solving.

Program Overview

• Study at Canada's national centre of excellence for wood products
• Choose to minor in Commerce
• Get involved with innovative projects or participate in co-op
• Learn in an award-winning program, recipient of the Yves Landry Foundation Award for the Most Innovative Manufacturing Technology Program at the University Level, and the Alfred Scow Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Student Experience and Learning Environment at the University of British Columbia

Program Information

• Campus: Vancouver
• Faculty: Faculty of Forestry
• Degree: Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources
• Length: 4 years
• Co-op: Yes
• Honours: No

The program provides a comprehensive understanding of wood science, business, and advanced manufacturing operations, while developing transferable skills in problem-solving, communication, leadership, and teamwork. After completing foundational courses in math, physics, and chemistry in the first year, students begin developing their knowledge of wood and material science and primary and secondary wood processing technologies. In senior years, students learn how to analyze and optimize manufacturing operations, and in their final year, they focus on an area of interest with a major project.

Experiential Learning and Research

As a Wood Products student, you will:

• Enjoy access to UBC's Centre for Advanced Wood Processing, a $2 million wood products manufacturing facility
• Gain hands-on experience at the faculty's extensive machine laboratory
• Participate in a one-week tour of BC wood products manufacturing operations
• Complete a major project in your final year

Campus Features

The award-winning Forest Sciences Centre on UBC's Vancouver campus offers wireless study space, high-tech classrooms, and labs equipped with the latest technology. The Faculty of Forestry also has two major research forests in British Columbia, and jointly manages a third, altogether totaling 25,000 hectares or more than 60,000 acres.

Your Future

Pursue a career in material science, engineering, computer science, material processing, wood finishing, product design, quality control, or sales and marketing – or go on to graduate studies in wood science, finance and business, building construction technology, or medicine. As a Wood Products graduate, you will be highly sought after by employers and able to secure entry-level and middle-management positions with excellent starting salaries and opportunities for advancement.

Program Graduates

• Engineering and Product Development Manager, Superior Cabinets
• Production Control Manager, Structurlam Products LP
• Sawmill Production Superintendent, Chetwynd Forest Industries
• Analyst, FPInnovations

Related Programs

• Bioeconomy Sciences and Technology (Vancouver, 4 years)
• Earth and Environmental Sciences (Okanagan, 4 years)
• Economics (BSc) (Okanagan, 4 years)
• Materials Engineering (Vancouver, 4 years)
• Mechanical Engineering (Okanagan, 4 years)

Program Requirements

Canadian High Schools

• 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

International High Schools

• 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

International Baccalaureate

• 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 Biology
• If you intend to major in Wood Products or specialize in Harvest Planning and Engineering (Forest Operations), Physics 11 is strongly recommended

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 English Language Admission Standard.

General Admission Requirements

• Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level 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 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 Biology
• If you intend to major in Wood Products or specialize in Harvest Planning and Engineering (Forest Operations), Physics 11 is strongly recommended

Degree-Specific Requirements: Natural Resources

• 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 Biology
• If you intend to major in Wood Products or specialize in Harvest Planning and Engineering (Forest Operations), Physics 11 is strongly recommended

Related Courses

The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in Grade 11 and Grade 12:

• Language Arts
• Mathematics and Computation: Calculus is recommended for the Harvest Planning and Engineering specialization
• Sciences: Biology 11 or IB Biology HL or SL is strongly recommended for all majors and specializations. IB Physics SL or HL is also recommended for the Wood Products major and the Harvest Planning and Engineering specialization.