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UBC Theses and Dissertations

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The UBC Theses and Dissertations collection promotes open and comprehensive access to a significant body of unique knowledge created by graduate students to support further research and for private study. The authors retain copyright ownership and moral rights to their theses. The content of theses may not be re-purposed or exploited for commercial gain without the explicit permission of the authors.

UBC graduate students began submitting their theses online via cIRcle, UBC’s digital repository, in fall 2007, a practice that both simplified the submission process and also ensured the availability of this research to a global audience in a timely manner. As of March 2012, UBC Library has digitized and made openly accessible the full-text of more than 32,000 theses submitted by graduate students between 1919 and 2007. In addition to providing information about specific fields of study these theses also reveal important information about changes in pedagogy at the University and within academic disciplines. Authors concerned about having their pre-2007 theses included as part of this collection can notify [email protected] to have their thesis removed. Similarly, if copyrighted material appears in a thesis the copyright owner can request that material be removed.

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Dissertation & Thesis Formatting Frequently Asked Questions

By Allan Cho on July 30, 2020

[Updated August 1, 2020]

The following are frequently asked questions regarding dissertation and thesis formatting.   We provide the following information as further support to answering commonly asked questions.  

Using memos in the body of a thesis. I am not aware of any UBC-specific formatting rules for memos. In other words, the UBC Grad Studies page has rules for block quotes but not for other things like memos. What about consistency? What about “complete memos” at the end of the thesis as appendices, but a shortened memo as a block paragraph in one of her chapters. Is this permissible? 

• APA has its own rules about writing memos, so  this is a grey area where citation style may/may not affect formatting in the thesis
• Please check with your department supervisor and also with previous dissertations/theses in your area of research for examples and best practices

Are there any formatting rules for creating captions for images/tables/figures that are in appendices? And is it a requirement to have these captions included in the Table of images/tables/figures of a thesis?

• No, there are no specific rules for captions in the appendices 
• Appendices must be limited to supporting material genuinely subsidiary to the main argument of the thesis. They must only include material that is referred to in the thesis.
• The following are appropriate for inclusion in the appendices:
• Additional details of methodology and/or data.
• Diagrams of specialized equipment developed.
• Copies of questionnaires or surveys used in the research.

How does citation style its impact paragraph spacing?   In my thesis, there is a space between every new section, sub-section, et cetera. But how would this change if a student is required to follow a very specific citation format?  (e.g. APA format in the thesis). 

• APA recommends no additional spaces between the start of new paragraphs/sections
• As a recommendation, you can go to Open Collections [ https://open.library.ubc.ca/cIRcle/collections/ubctheses ], and find recent previous submissions from your department.  

If you are still unsure, please contact your supervisor/advisor 

What is the main distinction between th e Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (G&PS) p re-review service and the RC Thesis Formatting service? 

• G+PS offers a general review to see if you’re on the right path with very general guidelines; it won’t answer any specific questions about formatting or other services
• RC service will help refer you to correct resources for more nuanced questions (e.g. Copyright, ethics approval, etc.)
• RC provides a pre-formatted dissertation template for you to populate with your content
• RC provides support using this template 
• RC offers one-on-one consultations for specific questions on your template

What is the turn-around time for G&PS pre-reviews?

• According to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (G&PS), it is 2-weeks.

What are the deadlines for Dissertation and Thesis Formatting submission?

• For most updated deadlines, go here: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/deadlines?type=deadline&deadline_type=571

Do I  have the option to embargo my work?

Yes, all information about delaying and embargo of your thesis/dissertation can be found on G+PS – https://www.grad.ubc.ca/current-students/final-dissertation-thesis-submission/delaying-publication-your-thesis

If I am an undergraduate student, should I still be using the Thesis Formatting template even though it seems to be intended for graduate students? Are there any formatting differences between an undergraduate thesis and a graduate thesis?

• Each undergraduate department may have its own specifications.  As undergraduates fall outside of the Faculty of Graduate + Postdoctoral Studies (G+PS), please contact your own department
• The Institutional Repository (cIRcle) has an archive of previous undergraduate theses with information on submission – https://circle.ubc.ca/submissions/submit-content/undergraduate/#fragment-5c201678217a9eeb6fca4f2cf24394f9-0

I found that in the thesis template, Chapter 1 doesn’t start at page 1 after the roman numerals.  I hope you can help me with this. It might be a problem with the Table of Content.  I am using the UBC thesis template.

• For your pagination issue, you can start with the two guides:
• How to guide:  PC (p.2)     Mac (p.2)
• Thesis Template User’s Guide: PC (p.4)     Mac (p.4)

I have an issue with converting my thesis into a PDF.  Some of the words (e.g. chapter headings in the table of contents and sub-section numbers) become blurry in the pdf format of the file. 

• The “blurriness” is indeed some sort of font formatting, and you can clear it as follows.  In the document, for each numbering level, click to select the number and press Ctrl+SpaceBar; this should revert font formatting to that of the underlying paragraph style.  Resource from: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2013_release-word/list-number-blurry-multilevel-list/ddd957aa-d531-4711-88e2-66fd4d7594fc
• The problem can be the PDF converter program. Sometimes, the PDF converter program may need to be reinstalled on the computer.  Try it again after reinstallation.

I need to create sub-sections in my Appendix C (e.g., C.2.1, C.4.1.1), but I don’t know how to do that. The UBC Research Commons template seems to only program to Heading 8.

Secondly, I also don’t know why the figure name sequence does not work in Appendices.

• First, Copy the template caption into Appendix B as it shows Figure 0.1. 
• Second, Right click the “0” choosing “edit field” and then change the file properties to Heading 7 (this is the heading level for appendices in the template). 
• Third, right-click the “1” choosing “edit field”.   The original field code is “SEQFigure \* ARABIC \s 2 “, the 2 after \s resets the sequence after each Heading 2, but appendices are under Heading 7.
• Fourth, change the whole code to “SEQFigure \* ARABIC \s 7 “
• Lastly, update the table of figures 
• ** Remember to separate each figure/table with its own page so that the Table of Contents will reflect these new sub-appendices

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CPEN - 499: Undergraduate Thesis

Cpen 499 (3/6) c undergraduate thesis.

Project in electrical engineering or computer engineering involving design, experimental and/or computer simulation work as selected from topics supplied by faculty members. An individual project thesis is to be prepared according to specifications available from the departmental office. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [0-6-0] or [0-12-0]

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The History Writing Centre is an online resource available to any undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a history course at UBC who would like help with their writing.

Research and writing are the most important skills that students develop during their university careers. The Writing Centre offers guidelines and tips for all aspects of the writing process, as well as the formatting of citations.

Peer Tutoring for History Essays

The Department of History has peer writing tutors for those who need assistance or a second opinion on their history essay. Our peer tutors are happy to review your drafts and discuss ways to improve your paper.

Drop-in Office Hours

• Tuesday: 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM on Zoom
• Wednesday: 1:00 PM to 3:20 PM  in-person in  BuTo 1226

The service will not be available during the reading break.

Acceptable citation styles

MLA Style – Developed by the Modern Language Association, a non-profit membership organization that promotes the teaching and study of literature and language.

Chicago Style – Developed by the University of Chicago. This style is sometimes known as Turabian Style.

Both of these styles place bibliographic citations at the bottom of the page as footnotes, or at the end of a paper as endnotes. Both citation styles are equally acceptable, and each has a series of rules for the citation of different kinds of sources, such as books, journal articles, chapters in collected works, etc. Each style also has a particular format for your bibliography, which must be included at the very end of your paper for the reader’s information.

Whether you choose to use the MLA or Chicago citation style, you must use the selected is style consistently throughout your paper. Keeping your citation format consistent is a key feature of a well-presented and well-referenced argument.

Inappropriate citation styles include APA Style, developed by the American Psychological Association, and CBE Style, developed by The Council of Biology Editors. These styles are commonly used in the Social Sciences and the Sciences, respectively, and feature in-text citations instead of footnotes or endnotes. If you feel that using in-text citations might be appropriate for your paper, consult your instructor or TA.

Choosing a Topic

When choosing a topic, a few things should be considered:

• Is the topic manageable? Make sure the topic is narrow enough to formulate a useful, manageable argument.
• Is there adequate source material available? Consider that an obvious or especially popular topic may put a strain on available library resources, and that a particularly obscure topic may yield very few sources at all.
• Is the topic credible? The student should be careful to avoid sensationalist topics, and should focus upon topics that can be dealt with historically. Finding an angle of historical inquiry often involves asking how and why particular events or circumstances influenced individuals and their societies.
• What interests you? Choose a topic that sparks your interest. Review lecture notes, texts and other course materials that have engaged you. If you’re still having trouble, speak with your instructor.

Drawing Conclusions

Your paper should propose strong conclusions. These conclusions should reflect the argument you stated in the introduction, and should summarize the material you have presented for the final consideration of the reader.

Restating your case is a literary device that brings the reader back to your initial claims after having reviewed the material, in order to complete the argument. Essentially you are reminding the audience of your argument and asking them to consider its validity now that you have presented all of the evidence.

Avoid ending your paper by posing a question for the reader’s consideration. Keep your conclusions focused on the evidence as it supports your argument and summarize your position concisely. If there are further considerations related to your subject that have yet to be examined by scholars, mentioning them would be an effective way to wrap up.

Formulating a Thesis

A research essay cannot simply report on historical events or ideas, it must have a particular point. When formulating a thesis, consider the following: What is a thesis? A thesis is the central, core argument being made by the author. The thesis should provide the research paper with a point, or reason for presenting the evidence uncovered during the investigation of the topic. Are a thesis statement and an introduction the same thing? No, the introduction presents the topic to the audience, defines the subject, period, and event or ideas to be discussed. The thesis statement makes clear to the reader exactly what is being argued by the author. What is it about this topic that is problematic? Many topics are naturally problem-based, and are readily debatable. Determining on which side of the debate you stand can lead to the formulation of an argument. Focusing on your stance(s) and arguing for their preeminence as causal factors would constitute a thesis for your paper. Do I agree with the scholarship? Determining where you stand on the chosen topic can be a starting point when developing an argument. Some topics are widely documented, but their sources may disagree with one another or present contrasting hypotheses or explanations. Are you convinced by a certain approach to a particular topic? Are they based upon newly discovered evidence that you find persuasive? Are there specific themes within this topic that I can investigate? Many historical topics involve many different actors or agents. You may wish to examine such a topic by focusing upon a particular sub-theme such as the role of women or minorities, the state of political or gender relations, or the influence of science and technology. This can be further explored in light of causative or consequential effects – that is, how did the actors or agents affect events, or how did the events affect the actors? Can the evidence that I have uncovered support the claim I am making? It would be wise to consider the evidence you have found during your investigation and weigh it objectively before writing your essay. Devising an argument before fully considering the material could lead to an unexpected discovery: your argument is flawed or unsupportable. Read your sources critically, and take careful notes of what you have discovered. After you have made your initial determination and formulated an argument, these notes will then help you to form the body of your essay. The more notes you have, and the more carefully you have kept track of the key evidence you have uncovered, the more easily you will be able to construct and link together the main points of your paper.

There are a number of resources available both online and in the UBC libraries.

Do not subscribe to radically revisionist interpretations of historical events or to conspiracy theories that cannot be supported by the weight of accessible, credible evidence. Well researched and well-written histories will always provide the reader with explicit references to the sources used in the authors’ investigations.

Online sources such as government documents, statistics, bibliographic references, etc. can be valuable sources of information. However, the credibility of these sources can vary widely. When consulting sources online, consider the nature of the publications you encounter.

Consider the following when evaluating an online source:

• What are the credentials of the person or group hosting the site?
• What was the publication date of the site, and when was it last updated?
• Are they making bold or innovative claims without providing reference to their own source material or evidence?
• Is it possible that their arguments are unsubstantiated?

The university library web site provides access to a wide variety of online academic journals, known as electronic-journals or Ejournals, and many historical journals are among them. Authors of articles featured in such sources are typically professional historians, and their work is usually peer-reviewed, which means that it has been examined for credibility and accuracy by an editorial committee and a series of experts in that particular field. Another valuable online resource is the article database kept by major periodicals such as The New York Times newspaper, The Economist magazine, etc.

Primary sources are those that were produced or recorded in the era which you are researching. The university’s library has a wide variety of primary source material including copies of newspapers and magazines dating back to the 18th century. Be sure to note all of the publication information for proper citation.

Secondary sources are those written about the past from the point of view of a future date. Typically they are produced by authors who have examined a variety of primary sources dating to a previous era or eras while conducting an investigation into an historical topic. After sifting through a good deal of evidence such as autobiographies, speeches, government records, etc, the authors of secondary sources are then able to draw a series of broader conclusions about particular historical subjects.

It should be noted, however, that not all the authors of secondary works on historical subjects are professional historians. It is also important to distinguish between an author who is summarizing other people's views, and an author's who is expressing his or her own views.

Consider the following when conducting your research investigation:

• Start early as the university’s library sources are placed under considerable strain when end of term approaches. Examine the library’s catalogue online and if it’s not available, you can request that they be sent to UBC via Interlibrary Loan.
• Speak with your Instructor and/or TA, they will undoubtedly have some suggested reading suitable for your research.
• Examine the authors’ bibliographies for further sources. The disclosure and citation of sources is a fundamental part of the discipline of history at every level, and the bibliographies of many works will yield a wealth of titles for additional reading.
• Taking notes as you examine your sources is a vital component of the research process, and they will be of immense value as you stitch the major points of your argument together. When reading, note down any major findings, authors, or quotations that you find which are of value to your central thesis. In these cases, each individual part or chapter of a monograph or an edited volume may have its own argument, and may draw a series of specific conclusions.

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Guided Independent Learning Opportunities

LFS offers many ways for you to deepen your academic experience. If you’re a 3rd- or 4th-year student wishing to clearly demonstrate competency and mastery of your major, or if you just want to enrich your degree with a unique learning opportunity, this page is for you. These opportunities are engineered to help you transition from being a student to the next step in your career, whether that’s graduate studies or a smooth entry into the working world.

Undergraduate Thesis

If you’re particularly keen on research or intend to pursue a research-intensive graduate program, you are encouraged to consider completing an undergraduate thesis (available in both the FNH and APBI programs, these courses are numbered 499). The undergraduate thesis gives you an opportunity to work closely with a faculty member, with the material at an advanced level. This project may be of your own design, or it may be part of your supervisor’s ongoing research. Working on an undergraduate thesis ill give you an idea of what it’s like to work at the graduate level focusing in depth on a single topic. It will also give you the opportunity to practice and apply your skills in experimental design, data collection and data analysis. And just like a graduate-level thesis, it will equip you with experience in academic writing and oral presentation. You are encouraged to present your work at the UBC Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference (MURC) and in exceptional cases, you may even be able to submit your work for publication in a peer reviewed journal.

If you are in the Honours program for your degree, the undergraduate thesis may be required.

The thesis isn’t for everyone; of the independent study options, the thesis is the most challenging. If you have an interest in research, but are not committed to this level of engagement, consider a Directed Studies – see below!

Credit value:

All undergraduate thesis courses are worth 6 credits, which means they require a significant investment of time and passion.

Registration and thesis approval process:

You will need a strong academic foundation to be considered for an undergrad thesis. It is your responsibility to find an academic supervisor for your thesis, so start looking early! You should contact your designated program advisor for your major (see below for quick links) as well as the individual faculty member(s) with whom you are interested in conducting a project. Do this well in advance of the start of the academic term. We strongly encourage you to start looking at least 4 months in advance of when you would want to be registered in this course. For example, you should approach potential supervisors in the summer regarding projects which would begin in September. Opportunities for conducting projects are limited.

To learn more about expectations and timelines:

• Details about FNH 499
• Details about APBI 499

If you have questions about the undergraduate thesis, you are encouraged to talk to the program advisor for your major to discuss how to include a thesis within your program requirements.

Examples of past and/or current student thesis projects:

• Does information about dairy cow housing affect the public’s trust in farmers and their milk purchasing intentions?
• Predictive factors of release, euthanasia and mortality in rehabilitated harbor seals
• Factors for Academic Achievement – looking at a sense of belonging, course interest and wellbeing in undergraduate students
• Optimizing and characterizing sour dough starter culture in unconventional doughs

Undergraduate Essay

Available in the APBI program only, the undergraduate essay (course number: APBI 498) allows you to complete a comprehensive analysis of the peer-reviewed literature of an approved topic under the supervision of a faculty member. Unlike the Undergraduate Thesis, the essay does not require you to conduct original research. If you take this route, you will typically complete your essay in a single term in the final year of your program. The topic is normally determined together with your supervisor.

Students normally enroll in either the Undergraduate Thesis or the Undergraduate Essay, not both. In exceptional cases, students may do both, and this would require approval from their supervisor.

Undergraduate essay courses are worth 3 credits, and require a significant investment of time and passion.

Registration and essay approval process:

It is your responsibility to find an academic supervisor for your undergraduate essay, so start looking early! Get in touch with your designated program advisor for your major as well as the individual faculty member(s) with whom you are interested in conducting a project well in advance of the beginning of the academic term. We strongly encourage you to start looking at least 4 months in advance of when you would want to be registered in this course. For example, you should approach potential supervisors in the summer regarding essay topics which would start in September.

If you have questions about the undergraduate essay, please contact  the Program Coordinator  for the Applied Biology program. They can help you assess how this option could fit within your program requirements.

Examples of past and/or current student essays:

• Improving and refining euthanasia methods for rodents used in research
• Rhizoremediation as an alternative approach to treat polluted soils: A review

The Applied Biology Practicum (APBI 496) and LFS Career Development Practicum (LFS 496) are ways for you to gain practical experience in your field of study. In these courses, you work alongside on-site mentors (which could include academic faculty, industry or community partners), to develop skills and knowledge in a particular field. This is hands-on learning in its true sense! Each of these courses is supervised by a faculty member.

For the APBI Practicum, the number of placements available each term is limited. You cannot register yourself –you must apply and be accepted. To review the course syllabus, and current practicum opportunities, go  here .

The LFS Career Development Practicum (LFS 496) is open to students in all programs and an excellent opportunity for you to earn credits while being engaged with a mentor in a local company whose business is food system related. You can also get your hands dirty with existing projects at the UBC Farm. Many of these projects include the opportunity to conduct original research with supervision. Check out the listings of all available practicums and timelines for applications at the  Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm . You can also use your own connections to find a company for your placement.

You can earn a maximum of 6 credits from your practicum, either as one 6-credit option or two 3-credit projects.

Registration and approval process:

For LFS 496: You can apply for practicums in February, July and November for practicums that start in May, September and January, respectively.

• APBI 496: please contact  the Program Coordinator  for the Applied Biology program.
• LFS 496: Get in touch with your designated program advisor for your major to see how the practicum can fit in your program of study, or please contact  Veronik Campbell , Community Engaged Education and Partnerships.

Directed Studies

Directed studies credits (courses numbered 497) are available across all four undergraduate programs (GRS, FRE, FNH and APBI). In directed studies, you will work on a one-to-one basis with a faculty mentor on an academic project. The Directed Studies incorporates elements of the Thesis and a Practicum.

Directed Studies allow for flexibility and for you to delve more deeply in to a topic of interest to you. While similar to the Thesis and Essay, Directed Studies do not require a research component. Your final report will give you valuable experience with scientific writing — and you may get to hone your public speaking skills with an oral presentation.

When your project is industry-sponsored and might contain or generate proprietary information, the final report will not be a public document, as is the case with the thesis or essay.

You will be required to prepare a proposal with your academic supervisor with clear learning outcomes and rubric for evaluation that must be signed off by your program advisor.

Normally, directed studies courses are normally worth 3 or 6 credits, but it’s possible to also pursue a 2-credit version.

Registration and directed studies approval process:

It is your responsibility to find an academic supervisor for your directed studies. If you’re planning to undertake directed studies, start seeking an academic supervisor well ahead of when you want to begin. You should contact your designated program advisor as well as the individual faculty member(s) with whom you are interested in conducting a project, well in advance of the beginning of the academic term. We strongly encourage you to start looking at least 4 months in advance of when you would want to be registered in this course. For example, you should approach potential supervisors in the beginning of the summer regarding projects which would start in September. Opportunities for conducting projects are limited.

• Details about FNH 497
• Details about APBI 497

If you have questions about directed studies, you are encouraged to talk to your program advisor to discuss how directed studies could fit within your program requirements. Not sure who your program advisor is? It will be listed on the webpage for your major.

Examples of past and/or current student directed studies projects:

• Applications of genetic modification that could improve agricultural animal welfare
• How predator prey relationships influence body size
• Investigating the effect of a multiple micronutrient supplement on zinc, copper, and selenium concentrations in Cambodian women
• Application of phospholipase A2 in cake formulation

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Career & Experience

Undergraduate research.

There are many ways to get involved in research at UBC Okanagan.

Through undergraduate research you can:

• enhance your studies and refine your academic or career interests
• deepen your knowledge of an academic subject or topic
• build experience for co-op or other employment
• get to know potential supervisors for graduate studies
• apply what you are learning in class
• learn more about an industry or particular research area
• get hands-on experience in a lab or other research setting
• develop teamwork, presentation, project management, communication and organization skills

Access Support

UBC Okanagan’s Undergraduate Research Ambassadors have experience in research and are here to assist you in navigating the many opportunities available to you as an undergraduate student to get involved in research and build upon your academic experience.

Undergraduate Research Ambassadors can help with:

• guidance on how to get started in your specific discipline
• strategies for connecting with faculty members to learn about their research and potential opportunities
• connecting to research communities on campus
• tips for thriving as an undergraduate researcher
• workshops, events, and resources to help you expand your research network

Undergraduate Research Ambassadors are available for appointments between September and March.

Undergraduate Research Newsletter

Join our mailing list for regular updates throughout the term and information about events and opportunities in Undergraduate Research at UBC Okanagan. The Newsletter is issued monthly to your inbox between September and March.

Research Opportunities by Faculty

Faculties Schools and Departments are your starting point for specific information about research initiatives and opportunities in each discipline.

Visit the Research Website: https://fass.ok.ubc.ca/research/

Research Opportunities and Information by Department

Review specific research themes, institutes and labs, opportunities for undergraduate students, and awards by department.

• Community, Culture and Global Studies
• Economics, Philosophy and Political Science
• History and Sociology

Visit the Research Website: https://science.ok.ubc.ca/research/

• Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics
• Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences

Visit the research website: https://management.ok.ubc.ca/research/

• See the Undergraduate Student Resources for research-related opportunities for students.

Visit the research website: https://fhsd.ok.ubc.ca/research/

Research Opportunities and Information by School

Review specific research themes, institutes and labs, opportunities for undergraduate students, and awards by School.

• School of Nursing Research Website
• School of Health and Exercise Sciences
• School of Social Work

Visit the research website: https://fccs.ok.ubc.ca/research-creation/

• Check Funding and Awards for undergraduate research funding opportunities in FCCS.

Visit the Research and Partnerships page to learn more about research in the Okanagan School of Education: https://education.ok.ubc.ca/research-partnerships/

• For student awards and scholarships in the Okanagan School of Education visit Student Resources

Visit the research website: https://engineering.ok.ubc.ca/research/

• Capstone is a fourth-year course running from September to April during which students work in teams to solve engineering problems. Learn more about the Undergraduate Capstone program here .
• Learn more about awards for undergraduate research in Applied Science.
• Check out the Engineering Researcher Reference Guide 

Visit the Southern Medical Program research website: https://smp.med.ubc.ca/research/

See the Student Research page for research-related opportunities for students.

Research Opportunities Abroad

As a UBC student, you are eligible to get involved in research as part of your academic studies at many of UBC’s 150 partner universities through the Go Global program.

Undergraduate Research Resources

Enroll in the self-access Canvas course developed in partnership with the Centre for Scholarly Communication .  Modules are designed to help you learn more about research opportunities at UBC Okanagan and support you through the process. Topics include approaching opportunities, time and project management, proposal and research writing, academic and scholarly integrity and more.  Click the link below to join the course and get connected.

Enroll here

Awards and Programs Supporting Undergraduate Research

There are a number of awards, programs, and funded opportunities for research at the undergraduate level at UBC Okanagan.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) funding is available for undergraduate students in the School of Engineering, the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, and the School of Health and Exercise Science within the Faculty of Health and Social Development.

For more information, visit your Faculty’s specific NSERC-URA information pages:

• Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
• Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
• School of Engineering
• Faculty of Health and Social Development

Receive mentorship from a UBC Okanagan faculty or staff member while participating in a paid work experience on campus. Many opportunities are research related and can complement your studies. Learn more about the application process and important deadlines here.

A variety of undergraduate research awards and opportunities are available to students through Faculties. Please see specific resources below for further details, timelines, and application processes.

• Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies
• Faculty of Management
• Okanagan School of Education (awards and scholarships)
• School of Nursing

The Indigenous Research Mentorship (IRM) Program is an opportunity for self-identified Indigenous undergraduate students to gain practical research and laboratory experience while working with a UBC Okanagan faculty member or post-doctoral fellow. Find further information on the Indigenous Research Mentorship Program here .

MURPH is an undergraduate research program at UBC Okanagan aimed at offering a unique cross-disciplinary platform to undergraduate students for engaging in academic research while also providing professional training through custom-designed workshops. Project teams comprising multiple undergraduate students and faculty members across different disciplines work together on applied health research projects. For more information or to check the application process, visit MURPH .

The Co-op program is open to undergraduate students in Arts, Fine Arts, Human Kinetics / Health & Exercise Sciences, Management, Media Studies and Science. Students of all skill-sets are eligible to participate in co-op and research-related work placements are possible though this program. To learn more visit Co-op .

makerspace UBCO is an interdisciplinary, peer facilitated work space designed to foster creative thinking through design and making, serving as a hub for innovation, cross-discipline collaboration and entrepreneurship. Open to all students in all disciplines, it is a space to incubate, design, prototype and fabricate ideas. Learn more through the makerspace UBCO website .

The Tuum Est Student Initiative Fund at UBC’s Okanagan campus provides financial support for student initiatives, conferences, and competitions. Learn more about the Tuum Est Student Initiative Fund here.

Learn more about a variety of undergraduate student awards through the following links:

• Undergraduate Student Awards
• Involvement and Activities Funding Opportunities
• Mitacs Programs

Upcoming Events

To find out about upcoming events in Undergraduate Research, go to the campus  Events Calendar  and type “research” in the search menu.

Connect with an Undergraduate Research Ambassador by emailing:  [email protected]

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We respectfully acknowledge the Syilx Okanagan Nation and their peoples, in whose traditional, ancestral, unceded territory UBC Okanagan is situated.

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As an honours student, you will have the opportunity to hone research skills through the completion of an undergraduate thesis, and become familiar with a range of methodological approaches to the study of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East.

Program Requirements

Admission into the honours program requires an overall average of 76% and the permission of the department. In addition, you are expected to maintain an 80% average in the program.

As an honours student in Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies, you are required to complete 60 credits, at least 48 of which must be at the 300- or 400-level, and 6 credits must be at 400-level.   Courses must include CNRS 449 or AMNE 499, the title under which students earn 6 credits for their honours thesis. Students are also required to take a 3-credit language course as a part of their 60 credits.

Declaring the honours

• Students with third-year status who are seeking admission to the honours program should first contact the AMNE Undergraduate Advisor .
• To formally apply for admission to the program, students must submit the AMNE Honours Program Application Form (see below) to the Undergraduate Advisor at [email protected] .

Usually, students may only be admitted at the end of year three.

Students intending to pursue graduate work in their fields are strongly encouraged to begin studying ancient languages at the earliest opportunity, even if the major does not require it. In addition, students interested in archaeology are strongly encouraged to include a field school as part of their program (e.g., a course such as AMNE 395).

Students who declared honours in CNERS

The program requirements changed with the departmental name change from Classical, Near Eastern and Religious Studies (CNERS) to Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies. However, only students who declared a major or honours in CNERS in 2021W or earlier are required to choose a stream. Therefore, the streams are not part of the program for 2022W and later students.

CNERS Honours program streams requirements

The study of the Greek and Roman worlds' archaeology, history, and literature.

Upper-level requirements:

• 24 credits of 300- and 400-level CLST or any of AMNE 306, 316-20, 323-27, 332-33, 345-48, 355-56, 376-77, an approved 400-level AMNE seminar: AMNE 420, 440, 470, 480
• 3 credits from CLST 401, 402, 403 or 404 or an approved 400-level AMNE seminar: AMNE 420, 440, 470, 480
• 15 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG, PHIL 310, PHIL 311
• 6 credits of CNRS 449 or AMNE 499

Near Eastern Studies in Egyptology

The study of Egypt and the Near East archaeology, history, and languages.

• 24 credits selected from 300- and 400-level NEST, RELG 305, 306, AMNE 311-12, 314, 351, 371-72, 382, 391-93, 471, or an approved 400-level AMNE seminar and up to 6 credits of HEBR 3 credits of NEST 400, 401, 402, CNRS 410 or an approved 400-level AMNE seminar
• 15 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG, may include up to 6 credits of ARCL 6 credits of CNRS 449 or AMNE 499

Religious Studies

The study of the texts and traditions of the Ancient Near East, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

• 24 credits of 300- and 400-level RELG, any of AMNE 331, 341, 361, 363, 366-67, 373, 383, 461-64. 3 credits of RELG 475, AMNE 461, 462 or an approved 400-level AMNE seminar
• 15 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG, and may include, with prior written approval from the CNERS Undergraduate Advisor, courses in Asian Studies (ASIA) that deal primarily with religion

The study of Greek and Latin language and literature.

• 27 credits of 300- and 400-level GREK and/or LATN
• 15 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG

Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology

The study of the material culture and major sites of Greece, Rome, and the Near East in the context of the history and societies that produced them.

• 12 credits in any of CLST, NEST, AMNE 306, 316-20, 323-27, 332-33, 345-48, 355-56 (Classical Studies), AMNE 311-12, 314, 351, 382, 391-93 (Near Eastern Studies), 420, 440, 470, 471, 480
• 12 credits of CLST 331 or AMNE 376 and CLST 332 or AMNE 377 (or CLST 330), NEST 304 or AMNE 371, and NEST 319 or AMNE 3723 credits from CLST 401 or AMNE 420, CLST 403 or AMNE 470, NEST 400, NEST 402 or AMNE 471, CNRS 410 or AMNE 472
• 15 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework in any of AMNE, ARBC, CLST, CNRS, GREK, HEBR, LATN, NEST, RELG, and may include up to 6 credits of ARCL

CNERS course codes changes

With the change of name from Classical, Near Eastern and Religious Studies to Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies, the department has unified all courses–CLST, CNRS, NEST and RELG–under a single course code, AMNE.

The above program reflects the existing BA major in Classical, Near Eastern and Religious Studies with a new name and the new AMNE codes alongside the previously-required CLST, CNRS, NEST and RELG codes.

For example, the courses in bolded text below represent all the AMNE courses that were previously coded as CLST:

• 15 credits of 300- and 400-level CLST = AMNE 306, 316-20, 323-27, 332-33, 345-48, 355-56, 376-77, or an approved 400-level AMNE seminar

This ‘translation’ of codes from the old to the new allows students midway through their programs in CNERS (now AMNE) to continue completing the program requirements using the new AMNE codes. The program above is not designed for students declaring a specialization in AMNE in 2022W onward.

Advising is available to assist students who have been working towards the CNERS honours with planning their program around the updated requirements. Above all, we want to ensure that the requirements change does not disrupt student progress towards their scheduled degree completion date.

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Outstanding students registered in the third year of the Sociology major program may apply for admission to the Honours program for their fourth year.

Admission requirements.

• 75% or greater standing in 100-level Sociology courses and 68% or greater average in all 200-level courses
• 80% or greater average in all 300- and 400- level Sociology courses and  75% or greater average in all 300- and 400- level courses.

In preparation for the fourth year of study in the Honours program, students are encouraged to arrange for an Honours thesis supervisor by the end of the third year or during the summer preceding the fourth year. The formal application process normally occurs prior to the beginning of the fourth year.

New curriculum incoming

The program requires that students complete the following

Lower-level Requirements:

• 3 credits of introductory sociology (from SOCI 100, 101, 102)
• 3 credits of SOCI 217 Research Methods
• 6 additional credits of 100/200-level SOCI courses

Upper-level Requirements

• 3 credits of SOCI 310 Canadian Society
• 3 credits of SOCI 328 Social Statistics I
• 3 credits of classical sociological theory (from *SOCI 370, SOCI 371)
• 3 credits of contemporary sociological theory (from *SOCI 370, SOCI 372, SOCI 414, SOCI 415, SOCI 416, SOCI 469)
• 3 credits of advanced research methods (from SOCI 380, SOCI 381, SOCI 382, SOCI 383)
• 6 credits of SOCI 449 Honours Tutorial
• 27 additional credits of 300 and/or 400-level SOCI courses, of which at least 6 credits must be at the 400-level

*SOCI 370 is a 6-credit course that covers both classical sociological theory and contemporary sociological theory.

For degree requirements for all UBC Sociology programs, click here . 

Application Process

Students who would like to pursue an Honours degree in Sociology should complete the following steps prior to their final year of study.

• Calculate your GPA using the Sociology Honours Credit Worksheet.
• If you meet the GPA requirements for the Honours program, find a full-time faculty member in the Department of Sociology who is willing to serve as your Honours Thesis Supervisor.
• Prepare a thesis proposal in consultation with your Honours Thesis Supervisor.
• Grade Summary
• Thesis Proposal
• Proposed Reading List
• You will be contacted directly by the undergraduate advisor once your application is approved.

Steps after acceptance

• As soon as your Honours application is approved you will be registered into SOCI 449 (6) Honours Tutorial by the undergraduate advisor. Please make sure that you leave enough credit space to be registered in SOCI 449.
• The departmental deadline for submitting the thesis to your Honours Thesis Supervisor is March 30th.
• Once your thesis has been graded, the final grade/percentage will be reported by your Honours Thesis Supervisor to the undergraduate advisor and then entered into the SSC.
• Please send an electronic copy of the final version of your thesis to [email protected] . Your thesis will be archived in the department. You may also wish to submit your thesis to cIRcle UBC .

Guidelines for Sociology 449 Honours Thesis

Students enrolled in the Sociology Honours program must complete a Sociology Honours Thesis.

Although its length will vary with topic and research mode, normally this essay will be between 50 and 80 pages. It is expected to contain a measure of originality and to make a contribution to the field. The essay should be a focused piece of scholarship while at the same time demonstrating general knowledge of a sociological area.

The proposal should include a 2-3 page statement of the essay’s topic and objectives, a working bibliography, and a timetable. Prospective students are encouraged to begin discussion of this project with their Honours Thesis Supervisor several months ahead of this deadline.

Students will meet on a regular basis with their Honours Thesis Supervisor to discuss progress on their essay. It is recommended that students submit sections or chapters of their essay for feedback from their supervisor as the course progresses.

The deadline for submission of the final thesis to your Honours Thesis Supervisor is March 30th.

Students who would like to pursue an Honours degree in sociology should start planning during the summer before their fourth year.

Note: Please see the undergraduate advisor to clarify your program requirements, especially if one of the following pertains to you:

• You have sociology transfer credits, or
• You have completed an introductory statistics course other than SOCI 328.

Interested in completing your Honours in Sociology?

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Explore our doctoral dissertations and master’s theses that span all of the subfields of anthropology, including sociocultural, archaeological, museum and visual, linguistic, medical, and biological.

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Search unbc, mathematics and statistics, undergraduate thesis, introduction, topic selection, thesis supervision, grading criteria, agreement form.

• Format and timelines

The Undergraduate Thesis course provides an opportunity for students to gain experience independently by undertaking research in her or his area of interest. It allows students to integrate the abilities, skills, and knowledge acquired during undergraduate studies. It is open to students with 90 credit hours who are declared majors in mathematics and statistics with a minimum cumulative GPA 3.00 and who have identified a thesis supervisor. Working under the guidance of a faculty member (the thesis supervisor) students design, execute, and analyze research on an issue, problem or concept within the area of mathematics, statistics, or with a primary focus on mathematical or statistical techniques. This thesis option is primarily intended for students contemplating graduate studies or pursuing a career in research. As undergraduate theses are highly individual, the time commitment to the undergraduate thesis cannot be precisely defined. Students bring different levels of experience, knowledge, and abilities to problems that can vary widely in difficulty. However, depending on the phase of the project, students should expect to spend up to 12-15 hours per week on this course. Similarly, the amount of time thesis supervisors need to spend with each student will also fluctuate based on the individual student, thesis topic, and the phase of the thesis, with between 2-4 hours per week often necessary to provide the student with direction, deadlines, supervision, and constructive criticism. Some undergraduate theses may be of such high quality that the student may wish to submit a paper for publication. A high grade does not necessarily depend upon the successful completion of the thesis proposal, but comes from a thorough intellectual involvement in the thesis. The undergraduate thesis in mathematics will be worth six credit hours.

Students are responsible for contacting one or more potential supervisors to act as a thesis supervisor. It is anticipated that students should contact potential thesis supervisors before the end of the term in which they expect to complete 90 credit hours. Contact with potential supervisors must be made by the add/drop date of that academic term. The thesis supervisor will normally come from the department of mathematics and statistics and the choice is subject to the approval of the chair of mathematics and statistics. After discussions with various faculty members, an arrangement with one faculty member to serve as a thesis supervisor should be made. The student, thesis supervisor, and the chair of the mathematics department must sign a form which names the student, proposed thesis topic, and thesis supervisor. It may be feasible, or even desirable for some topics, for students to begin preliminary reading and planning through the summer months if the thesis topic can be adequately defined by this time.

The thesis supervisor is responsible for the direction and instruction of the student, and will ensure that adequate time is spent with the student to allow for the successful completion of the thesis. However, as in all other courses, the student is ultimately responsible for the completion of course requirements. The thesis supervisor is responsible for evaluating the: a) thesis proposal; b) thesis; and c) student presentation. Additionally, a thesis examiner will be required for all undergraduate theses. The student and the thesis supervisor will share joint responsibility for selecting the thesis examiner. The thesis examiner will normally be a UNBC faculty member, and will probably come from the mathematics and statistics department or from a science department or program. Occasionally it may be best to have a member of the community as a thesis examiner (e.g., a statistician or applied mathematician employed by the public or private sector). If the thesis examiner is not a member of the UNBC faculty, then they are required to have a minimum of a Master's degree in the same or a closely related field as the thesis. The thesis examiner will be primarily responsible for reading and grading the final draft of the thesis. Half of the final grade for the thesis and half of the grade for the thesis presentation will be provided by the thesis examiner. The thesis examiner may also aid in the grading of the thesis proposal, but this is not required. If any problems arise between the student, thesis supervisor, or thesis examiner the chair of the department of mathematics and statistics (or the Dean of CSAM if the thesis supervisor is a chair) will act as a mediator, ensuring that any differences are settled to allow the student to complete the thesis requirements.

As noted above, the thesis supervisor is responsible for evaluating the thesis proposal and the implementation of the research, the thesis, and the student presentation. However, the thesis examiner will provide 40% of the final grade. The grading criterion will be the following: a) 20% of the total grade will derive from the thesis proposal and the implementation of the research (evaluated by the thesis supervisor); b) 70% of the total grade will derive from the thesis (50% of which is evaluated by the thesis supervisor, and 50% by the thesis examiner) c) 10% of the total grade will derive from the student’s presentation of his or her thesis (50% from the thesis supervisor and 50% from the thesis examiner). Before credit is awarded for the thesis course, the student must make all changes to the thesis required by the thesis supervisor or the thesis examiner.

All final arrangements should be mutually agreed upon by the student, thesis supervisor and the thesis examiner. This agreement should be signed by the student, thesis supervisor, thesis examiner, and chair. This form must be signed as soon as possible, but at least by the end of the first term that the student started the thesis (normally the fall term of the fourth year). A basic time line for the completion of the thesis should also be included in this agreement (see Appendix I for a proposed copy of this form).

Format and timelines for thesis

The specific formatting of the undergraduate thesis, which includes citation style, font style, and size, margins, title page, table and figures style, etc., is found in the Mathematics and Statistics Undergraduate Thesis Formatting Guide. The course Undergraduate Thesis will normally begin, either in the fall or winter term immediately following the term in which the student completes 90 credit hours, or in the summer term following the term in which the student completes 90 credit hours if that term be the winter term, and be completed within twelve calendar months of the beginning of the term in which the thesis work commenced. Alternate arrangements as to starting and completion dates may be possible with the support of the Chair (or Dean if the thesis supervisor is the Chair).