Engineering education expands in northern B.C.

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C.—A new degree for applied science in engineering is being offered to students in northern B.C.

The master of applied science in engineering degree is the first of its kind to be made available in the region.

“We’re thrilled to be expanding post-graduate education in the north so students can study closer to home,” said Anne Kang, minister of advanced education and skills training, in a press release. “This long-awaited engineering program opens doors to new career paths and good-paying jobs for students. At the same time, it answers the needs of local employers and will spur economic development in northern B.C.”

The program is available at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) in Prince George. The research-based degree focuses on managing engineering challenges and needs specific to cold environments. Officials stated the program will expands science, technology, engineering and math opportunities within the region and so high-tech programs are available to students outside major urban centres.

The degree program increases UNBC’s engineering student spaces by 30, with an additional 15 graduates per year.

“This new master of applied science program is the next step in advancing engineering education in northern B.C.,” said Geoff Payne, interim president of UNBC. “Working under the supervision of UNBC’s exceptional school of engineering faculty, students in this program will acquire expertise in their chosen area of specialization and create knowledge that will contribute to the discovery of solutions that will have impacts locally and globally.”

The 30-credit degree program builds on UNBC’s existing engineering degrees, master of engineering in integrated wood design and two bachelor of applied science (BASc) degrees. One is in civil engineering and the other in environmental engineering. UNBC also offers a joint BASc degree in environmental engineering with the University of British Columbia.