GRS is a competitive second year program. All GRS students have to complete the following requirements. However, the year in which they take certain requirements may vary depending on their first-year university experience. For example, if you did first-year arts and lack Biology and Chemistry you can take these courses once you are part of the GRS program.

LFS 100: If you are transferring into GRS from another faculty or university, you may be exempt from taking LFS 100. Please see the Land and Food Systems Website here for more information.

First year Math: Please visit the LFS FAQs here for more information on which first year math course is the best fit for you.

If you have questions, contact your academic advisor, Roxana Quinde, at quinde@mail.ubc.ca. 

Helpful Links and resources: 

First Year

  • LFS 100
  • BIOL 111/112 or 121
  • CHEM 121 (111)1
  • ECON 101 or LFS 101
  • LFS 150 or WRDS 1502
  • Language3
  • MATH 100, 102, 104, 110, 180, or 1844
  • Program Electives5
1 CHEM 111 is not for students with Chemistry 12.  
2 Or equivalent course to fulfill Communication Requirement.
3 Students who pass an oral proficiency test for a language relevant to their regional specialization are exempt, and must choose 6 credits of program electives approved by a program advisor.
4 Students who have not completed Calculus 12 should take MATH 180 or 184 to fulfill their first-year Math requirement.  
5 Courses that provide a foundation for the resource specialization. Science-based resource specializations require BIOL 121 and 140 and CHEM 113 or 123. Economics-based resource specializations require ECON 102. Must be approved by a program advisor.

Second Year

  • LFS 250
  • LFS252
  • GRS 2906
  • Language3
  • Program Electives7
  • Unrestricted Electives
3 Students who pass an oral proficiency test for a language relevant to their regional specialization are exempt, and must choose 6 credits of program electives approved by a program advisor.
6 At least 1 credit is required.
7 Courses that provide further foundation for the resource specialization. Typically in land and food systems, biology, chemistry, or economics. Must be approved by a program advisor.

Third and Fourth Years

  • LFS 350
  • LFS450
  • Field Experience8
  • GRS 3909
  • GRS 490
  • Resource Specialization Electives10
  • Regional Specialization11
  • Anthropology and Culture
  • Economics and Commerce
  • Geography, History, and Political Science
  • Regional Specialization Electives
  • International Experience12
  • Program Electives7
  • Unrestricted Electives
7 Courses that provide further foundation for the resource specialization. Typically in land and food systems, biology, chemistry, or economics. Must be approved by a program advisor.
8 Met by a field studies course that is pre-approved by a program advisor.
9 At least 1 credit is required.
10 300- or 400-level courses from one resource discipline or from several disciplines that relate to a resource theme. Must be approved by a program advisor.
11 Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, or the Americas. The regional specialization requires 18 credits that are relevant to the region. These can include social sciences, humanities, language courses, and experiential learning. At least 3 credits must relate to each of these areas: anthropology and culture, economics and commerce, and geography, history, and political science. Must be approved by a program advisor.
12 Met by learning in the region of specialization for at least one term, or three-month period. Options include participation in UBC’s Go Global Student Mobility Programs or work-based learning (internships). Must be pre-approved by a program advisor.