September 3, 2004 for immediate release


On September 7, classes will begin in the University of NorthernBritish Columbia's 2004-05 academic year. While reliable studentenrolment numbers won't be known for another two to three weeks, it'sexpected that about 3700 students will be registered with UNBC thisfall.

New Programs
Northern Medical Program - the first 24 students in thisunique-in-Canada program are currently completing their first semesterof courses at UBC in Vancouver. The students will arrive at UNBC inPrince George in January, 2005, and take classes in the recently openedNorthern Health Sciences Centre.

Business Administration - this master's level program has 23 studentsin its first cohort from Prince George, Quesnel, Williams Lake, andFort St John.

Aboriginal Health Sciences - the first cohort of two-dozen studentshave begun taking courses in the Nechako Valley and coursework isfocusing on aboriginal approaches to health and healing.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - approximately 50 students aremajoring in this program, which provides a thorough understanding ofthe life sciences, suitable for advanced study in areas such asgenomics, biotechnology, or medicine (including the Northern MedicalProgram).

Other Facts and Figures
- A typical tuition fee for a full-time student pursuing a bachelor'sdegree program is $4030 - a 10% increase over last year. Among BCuniversities, UNBC has the lowest tuition increase this year.

- A 25,500 square foot addition to the University's Teaching Laboratoryis opening next week. The $6.3-million addition includes two largelecture theatres, classrooms, and computer labs. The addition was builtto accommodate growth in high-tech programs such as computer science.

- Professional degree cohorts are currently underway in Terrace (SocialWork and Education), Fort St John (Social Work and Education), DawsonCreek (Social Work), Whitehorse (Social Work and Community Health), andQuesnel (Nursing and Social Work). There is also auniversity-transition program being offered in Massett, the WeekendUniversity program in Williams Lake, and First Nations Studies in NewAiyansh. Various other courses are offered in communities acrossnorthern BC.