Global Resource Systems University of British Columbia

Overview

The Global Resource Systems programme at the University of British Columbia offers a unique interdisciplinary approach to solving complex environmental and resource challenges. Students engage with global food systems and agrifood networks while examining their critical links to human and environmental health. This flexible degree path integrates sciences, humanities, and social sciences to prepare graduates for impactful international careers.

Why Global Resource Systems at University of British Columbia?

Students benefit from the exceptional flexibility to design their own curriculum, bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and the humanities. The University of British Columbia provides a rich learning environment at the Vancouver campus, featuring access to the on-campus working UBC Farm and proximity to diverse agricultural lands. A defining feature of the programme is the mandatory international experience, where students spend one or two semesters studying or volunteering abroad to develop essential cross-cultural sensitivity.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: CAD 54443 per year
• National fee: CAD 6484 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to provide a foundation in land and food systems before moving into specialised regional and resource areas. Modules may include:

• Land, Food and Community
• Genetics, Evolution and Ecology
• Structure and Bonding in Chemistry
• Differential Calculus with Applications
• Conversational Spanish
• Global Issues in Cultural Context
• First Nations Health and the Traditional Role of Plants
• Atmospheric Environmental Chemistry
• Urban Worlds

Careers with Global Resource Systems

Graduates are equipped for diverse professional roles on the international stage, working within local, regional, or national governments. The programme prepares students for careers in the private sector and with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), focusing on areas such as fresh water resource management, forestry, and food security. Whether working in sustainable agriculture or international development, alumni apply their regional specialisations to solve resource problems in communities worldwide.