September 1, 2006

Classes in the 2006-07 academic year will begin on Tuesday, September5, marking the beginning of UNBC’s 15th year of offering courses. ThisFall, more than 3500 students are expected, but precise numbers won’tbe known until the end of the month.

New This Year:

Bachelor of Health Sciences
Unique in Canada, this bachelor’s degree program is designed to preparestudents for a diversity of career opportunities in health professions.The program has three majors – biomedical studies, aboriginal and ruralhealth, and environmental health. The first-year enrolment was targetedat 25 and the program is already full.

Language Certification
Prince Rupert and Fort St. James will be the sites for new programsthat are integral to the preservation of local aboriginal languages.Students in the program will earn a certificate that will allow them toteach Tsimshian (Prince Rupert) and Carrier (Fort St. James) languagesin local elementary schools.  Each program will have more thantwo-dozen students.

MA English – Studies in Literature, Culture, and Place
This new graduate degree features particular strengths in popularculture, First Nations literature, and literary representations of thenatural environment.

Campus Expansion
This academic year, UNBC is preparing to open a new campus in Terraceand a new Teaching and Learning Centre on the Prince George campus.Both buildings are scheduled to open in early 2007.

A New President
This academic year is also the first for UNBC President Don Cozzetto.He has identified six priority areas – enrolment management,implementing the academic vision, external relations, research andindustry linkages, regional operations, and athletics – that will guideUNBC’s future.   

Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC - 250.960.5622