Academic Breadth Requirement

The University of Northern British Columbia encourages all of its students to embrace Academic Breadth in both knowledge and skills. The ideal graduate has demonstrated literacy and numeracy in study, has acquired breadth of knowledge outside the chosen discipline(s) of study, and has developed the habit of analytical and critical thought. Certain degree programs lend themselves to a formal requirement for Academic Breadth in study.  

Students pursuing the degrees of BA, BComm, BHSc, and BSc* are required to meet the University’s Breadth requirement, as set out below, as a condition of graduation. Each graduate is required to have completed successfully at least 3 credit hours from each of the four Quadrants, or to have transferred to UNBC from another institution acceptable course(s) such that the requirement is met.
 
At least 3 credit hours from: Arts and Humanities

English (ENGL)
History (HIST)
Philosophy (PHIL)
Women's Studies (WMST)


 
At least 3 credit hours from: Physical Science

Astronomy (ASTR)
Chemistry (CHEM)
Computer Science (CPSC)
Mathematics (MATH)
Physics (PHYS)
Statistics (STAT)
 
At least 3 credit hours from: Natural Science

Biology (BIOL)
Geography (GEOG)
Environmental Science (ENSC)
Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENVS)
Forestry (FSTY)
Health Sciences (HHSC)
Natural Resources Ecosystem Management (NREM)



 
At least 3 credit hours from: Social Science

Anthropology (ANTH)
Commerce (COMM)
Economics (ECON)
Education (EDUC)
Environmental Planning (ENPL)
First Nations Studies (FNST)
Global and International Studies (INTS)
Northern Studies (NORS)
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management (ORTM)
Political Science (POLS)
Psychology (PSYC)
This requirement applies to all students admitted or readmitted to UNBC for studies beginning with the September 2010 Semester or later.

*Students pursuing the degrees of BA Nature Based Tourism, BA Nisga'a Language Fluency, BSc Biology, BSc Forest Ecology and Management, BSc Outdoor Recreation and Conservation, BSc Wildlife and Fisheries, and BSc Conservation Science and Practice are exempt from this regulation because academic breadth has been incorporated within the curricula.

University Learning Outcomes

Graduates from the University of Northern British Columbia demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities appropriate for their degree in the following areas:
 
•    Academic breadth and depth
•    Analytical, critical, and creative thought
•    Liberality, inclusiveness and an appreciation of diversity
•    Personal growth, leadership skills and effective communication
•    Engaged citizenship from the local to the global level
•    Lifelong learning and intellectual development

Each academic degree program, individually, is structured so as to address these outcomes.