On Wednesday, September 7, the University of Northern British Columbia will begin offering courses in its 20th academic year.

Final enrollment numbers for the fall will not be known until later in September. However, an initial estimate indicates that applications are up nearly 8 percent over last year.

New Programs

UNBC has added another building block to its health-related programming with the addition of a PhD in Health Sciences. Graduates with the degree will have an area of concentration as well as a familiarity with other disciplines intended to enable them to undertake research and leadership within the increasingly complex and multidisciplinary health sector. The degree joins the PhDs in Psychology and Natural Resources and Environmental Studies as the University's third doctorate-level offering.

This year will also mark the first full academic year for two masters-level programs that started in January: the MSc. Business Administration and the MEd. Special Education.

Athletics

UNBC Northern Timberwolves basketball begins the season with a home opener at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre on November 11. The men's Timberwolves are welcoming former BCCAA all-star Jose Araujo back to their roster. On the women's team, BCCAA all-star Kady Dandeneau returns after being sidelined for a year recovering from an injury.

The T-wolves’ soccer season starts September 10 with a home game against Langara at Rotary Field. The men's team returns to the pitch after making it all the way to the Provincial final last season.

Facilities

The 2011/2012 academic year will be the first full year of operation for UNBC's biomass gasification system. Independent third-party testing recently concluded is one of the cleanest running in North America.

Orientation

Northern Degrees Orientation 2011 starts this weekend and includes a number of activities:

• Residence move-in:  Sunday, September 4, 8:30am – 7:30pm, at the UNBC student residences. Along with president George Iwama, UNBC staff, athletes, and returning students will help new students move into their new homes.
• Campus tours: Monday, September 5, 9am-12pm. New students participate in a campus tour and get help finding their classrooms.
• Orientation for all new students: September 6, 8:30am to 4:00pm, at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre. New students will have the opportunity to win prizes and explore the campus.
• Barbeque: September 6, 11:30am-1:30pm, at the Agora Courtyard. Students can enjoy a free barbeque.

Visit www.unbc.ca/orientation for further information or contact orientation-info@unbc.ca/250-960-6379

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New students can get help from the many faculty, students, and staff wearing "I Love UNBC: Ask Me" buttons.