Certificates

The Undergraduate Certificate in Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences enhances our understanding of Earth's systems and highlights their relevance amidst current rapid environmental change.

This certificate program is pending final approval by the UBC Board of Governors.

If approved this certificate will be available to undergraduate students graduating in May, 2026 and beyond.

 

This nine-credit certificate is designed to improve understanding of the processes that operate in the Earth System over various time scales and to highlight the impact changes to these systems have on our planet in the present day. In the current period of rapid environmental change, it is more important than ever that as many UBC graduates as possible have knowledge of the complex interactions between the major spheres that comprise our planet, from atmosphere to core.

Video - coming soon

Nine themes related to Earth and its changing environment will be touched upon through the certificate:

  • 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

Admissions Information

Students from all undergraduate programs can apply BUT NOT those that are taking any degree administered by EOAS, the CMS Environment and Earth Sciences option, the BA in Environment and Sustainability and the BSc in Geographical Sciences.

To register interest:

Register Here

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 is required, although some courses have additional prerequisites.

1. The Geosphere (3 credits)

One of EOSC_V3101,2, 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 in any faculty
2Credit exclusion with EOSC 110
3Requires some 100-level course prerequisites
4Prerequisite: Class Standing 3 in any faculty
5Prerequisite of one Biology 100-level course and Class Standing 3 in science
6Courses have recommended prerequisites