Program Overview

Urban Forestry Program at the University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia offers a unique undergraduate degree in Urban Forestry, which is the first of its kind in Canada. This program focuses on the planning and management of urban green spaces, with an emphasis on sustainability, green space planning, and nature in the city.

Program Overview

The Urban Forestry program is a four-year degree that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of urban forestry and its applications. The program is taught in collaboration with the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, and students have the opportunity to learn from professionals in the field.

Program Structure

• The program is offered at the Vancouver campus of the University of British Columbia.
• The degree offered is a Bachelor of Urban Forestry.
• The program length is four years.
• Co-op opportunities are available, allowing students to combine their studies with full-time, paid work at top local and international organizations.

Experiential Learning and Research

As an Urban Forestry student, you will have the opportunity to participate in field courses in the Vancouver area and complete international case studies based on UBC research and the University's professional networks in Asia, Europe, and North and South America.

Campus Features

The University of British Columbia's Vancouver campus is home to the UBC Botanical Garden and the award-winning Forest Sciences Centre, which 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, totaling over 25,000 hectares.

Sample Courses

The following are some sample courses that you may take as part of the Urban Forestry program:

• UFOR 100 - Greening the City
• CONS 200 - Foundations of Conservation
• APBI 200 - Introduction to Soil Science
• SOCI 101 - Social Interaction and Culture
• UFOR 200 - Urban Forests and Well-Being
• ENDS 221 - Sustainability by Design
• CONS 210 - Visualizing Climate Change
• FRST 200 - Forest Plant Biology I
• CONS 481 - Conservation Planning and Wildland Recreation
• FRST 307 - Biotic Disturbances
• FRST 443 - Remote Sensing for Ecosystem Management
• UFOR 300 - Arboriculture Principles and Practice
• UFOR 400 - Urban Forestry Field School
• CONS 340 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems for Forestry and Conservation
• LARC 444 - Green Network Planning
• UFOR 403 - Ecological Restoration

Program Requirements

To be eligible for the Urban Forestry program, you must meet the following requirements:

• Canadian high schools: You must have completed Grade 12 with a minimum average of 70% in academic courses.
• International high schools: You must have completed the equivalent of Grade 12 with a minimum average of 70% in academic courses.
• International Baccalaureate: You must have completed the IB Diploma with a minimum score of 24.
• English-language requirements: You must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission.
• General admission requirements: You must meet the general admission requirements for the University of British Columbia.

Degree-Specific Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements, you must also meet the following degree-specific requirements for the Urban Forestry program:

• IB Math Analysis and Approaches SL or HL, or IB Math Applications and Interpretations HL.
• One of IB Biology, IB Chemistry, or IB Physics.
• Grade 11 or equivalent Chemistry.
• Grade 11 Biology (recommended) or Physics.

Career Opportunities

As an Urban Forestry graduate, you will have the knowledge and skills required to meet the growing demand for urban forest managers and urban forest planners. You can pursue a career as a city forester, a municipal arborist, a green infrastructure planner, a parks and recreation manager, or an urban forestry consultant.

Related Programs

If you are interested in the Urban Forestry program, you may also want to consider the following related programs:

• Conservation
• Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Forest Operations
• Sustainable Agriculture and Environment
• Zoology