Undergraduate Certificate in Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences

In this era of rapid environmental change, it is essential for University Graduates to understand the complex interactions among the major spheres that make up our planet—from the atmosphere to the core. Gaining insight into how Earth has evolved and continues to change, will influence many of the careers that UBC students choose to pursue, from politics to economics, from science to social studies and beyond.

To provide this foundation, the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS) has created this 9-credit Undergraduate Certificate. It may be be built into your degree studies with no extra credit requirements; however, check with your degree advisor for confirmation.

Join us in exploring the only home we have ever known!

The Certificate will touch on nine themes related to Earth and its changing environment including:

• Earth Systems Science
• Non-renewable resources
• Alternate sources of energy
• Pollution
• Current climate change
• Reference to the current climate crisis
• Climate and environmental change impact on society
• Ancient climate change
• Changes in biodiversity / extinctions

Eligibility Information

To take the Certificate you must already be registered in a degree specialization. Unclassified Students cannot take the Certificate at this time.

Almost all UBC Undergraduate Students are eligible to take this Certificate. The exceptions (those who are not eligible) are Undergraduate Students registered in any degree administered by EOAS, the CMS Environment and Earth Sciences option, the BA in Environment and Sustainability, and the BSc in Geographical Sciences. 

Any courses taken as Credit/D/Fail are not eligible to be used toward the Certificate.

Program Requirements

To complete the 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 class standing of 2 (second year) is required, although some courses have additional prerequisites. 

*Note that if you have already successfully taken some of the courses below in a past term, you can use them as part of the requirements to attain this Certificate, as long as it was not taken as Credit/D/Fail. In other words, if you got a mark (equal to or greater than 50%) out of 100% for it, you can use it! This also applies if you have already taken two of the courses below. Both are eligible to be used, as long as you got a passing (50% or more) grade for them. If this situation applies to you, you should check the boxes for the course(s) you have already taken on the form below, as well as the boxes for the course(s) you still need to complete in order to earn the Certificate.

1. The Geosphere (3 credits)

One of EOSC_V310^1,2, EOSC_V311¹

2. The Atmosphere and Hydrosphere (3 credits)

One of ATSC_V313³, EOSC_V314¹, EOSC_V340³, EOSC_V345⁴

3. The Biosphere (3 credits)

One of EOSC_V315¹, EOSC_V326⁵, GEOS_V303⁶, GEOS_V306⁶, GEOS_V307⁶

¹Prerequisite: Class Standing 2 (second year) in any faculty
²Credit exclusion with EOSC 110; if you have taken EOSC 110, you should register in EOSC 311 to meet the requirement for this Certificate.
³Requires some 100-level course prerequisites
⁴Prerequisite: Class Standing 3 (third year) in any faculty
⁵Prerequisite of at least one Biology 100-level course and Class Standing 3 (third year) in any faculty
⁶Courses have recommended prerequisites

The UBC calendar page for the Undergraduate Certificate in Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences includes these formal program requirement details as well.

Registration Link

If you would like to move forward and enroll, click this link to register in the Certificate:

Register Here