Trained and supervised by leading experts, our M.Sc. and Ph.D. students develop and conduct independent research projects investigating a wide range of problems related to fisheries, freshwater systems, and the health of our oceans.
These include determining the effects of climate change, the assessment and management of artisanal and commercial food capture fisheries, recreational fisheries, coastal and watershed management, aquaculture biology and engineering, conflict resolution and the co-management of shared fishery resources, and the conservation of endangered exploited species in marine and freshwater environments.
Students in the Oceans and Fisheries graduate program (OCF) formulate and follow academic programs that are specific to their individual educational goals and that can draw on the expertise of faculty at UBC and other affiliated universities, and also the private and public sectors. To enable this, OCF offers either a 12 credit thesis or 18 credit thesis M.Sc. degree, and a Ph.D. degree. Graduate student supervisors are chosen from the IOF, and other units and departments within the faculties of Science, Forestry, Arts, and Land and Food Systems.
Learn More About Our Students
Ana PozasResearch topic: Investigating the diet quality of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) in the Gulf of California, Mexico and Southern California, USA People call sea lions the dogs of the sea: dogs are something familiar that most people love and are interested in, which can carry through to sea lions. That always reminds me that the ocean is not such a scary place and that there’s still so much to learn. |
Natalie BenoitResearch topic: Using environmental DNA (eDNA) to monitor outmigrating juvenile Pacific salmon Pacific salmon are ecologically and physiologically fascinating to me. I think they are the most interesting species due to their ecological, cultural, and economic importance. However, I may be biased |
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Meaghan EffordResearch topic: Ecological modelling and archaeological investigations into pre-contact (AD 1792) Tsleil-Waututh diets in Burrard Inlet The people, the students themselves, have incredibly diverse backgrounds. Not everyone has the same master’s, or undergrad or life journey. The graduate students each bring their own background, skills, and interests, and this is what makes IOF special. |
Samantha RamirezResearch topic: Modelling the spatial and temporal risk of hypoxia in Salish sucker and Coho salmon streams in the lower Fraser Valley I’m creating a model that will predict the hypoxic conditions of freshwater streams years from now. I will give that information to governmental organizations, so they know where to focus their conservation efforts. |
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Jessica SchaubResearch topic: Jellyfish diet I really enjoy the hands-on approach and the opportunity to apply all of my learning to scientific advancement. I now strive to spend my career contributing to scientific research, so a graduate degree was the obvious next step in my career path. |
Sara CannonResearch topic: Coral reefs, climate change, and resilience in the central Pacific I spent about eight years working for private industry and non-governmental organizations before deciding it was time to go to university, so I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a marine biologist. I went straight from my undergraduate degree from the University of California Santa Cruz to my Master of Science here at UBC, and now to my Ph.D. program. |
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