If you have been accepted into the Forestry or Land and Food Systems faculties, you are eligible to apply for the  study option.

What is Land One?

Land One includes a selection of core courses in Biology, Economics, Math, and English, as well as an integrative seminar. You’ll take all of these key classes with a maximum of 50 to 60 other students. You will also take part in a seminar, where you’ll enjoy hands-on experiences, build relationships with your instructors, and learn how to solve the problems that are negatively impacting our land.

Why should you choose a first-year study option?

If you’re looking to make new friends from your first day, Land One could be the right path for you. You’ll benefit from smaller class sizes in select courses and your seminar group, a dedicated study space, and low student-to-instructor ratios. Also, you will get to participate in experiential learning opportunities such as field trips and other hands-on activities.

Is Land One right for you?

To take part in Land One, you’ll need to take all of the classes required for the program, which will provide you with 16 credits that can be applied to meet your program requirements. On top of that, you’ll have time to choose additional courses in your first year that help you meet your program requirements and build your own educational path.

Land One’s seminar course covers a range of issues related to land use, climate change, food security, and sustainability. Much of your time will be spent discussing and addressing how to solve these problems. You’ll also take part in some hands-on activities, such as a visit the funnyŠÊ˜·³Ç Farm to learn more about sustainable food systems and a two-day field trip to funnyŠÊ˜·³Ç’s Malcolm Knapp Research Forest, where you’ll experience the coastal old-growth rainforest first-hand.

If you’re in Forestry, Land One is particularly useful if you have enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources or the Bachelor of Urban Forestry. It is a particularly good fit for the Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources.

If you’re in Land and Food Systems, you’re eligible for enrolment in Land One if you’re taking a Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology, a Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition, and Health, or a Bachelor of Science in Food and Resource Economics . Land One is also a good fit if you plan to apply in second year to the Global Resource Systems program.

How to apply

Applications to Land One are now open and the deadline is May 15,Ìý2025.ÌýOnce you have been accepted into your Forestry or Land and Food Systems degree program, you will need to  through Land One’s website. As part of the process, you’ll be asked to write a letter of intent (500 words maximum) explaining why you want to join the Land One cohort. Land One is limited by size, so apply early!

Enrolment in the study option may require additional high school courses not required for admission, so it’s important to Ìý´Ç²Ô±ô¾±²Ô±ð.

The post Should you join the Land One study option in first year? appeared first on funnyŠÊ˜·³Ç | Undergraduate Programs and Admissions.

Emily says that the highlight of her degree has been all of the hands-on experiences she’s been involved in, including research, co-op, and an internship in Germany where she explored how field robots could improve soil health. All of these opportunities have made her confident in her ability to transition from school to industry.

1. What made you decide to major in Biology?

Coming out of high school, I was really curious about how smaller systems work together to create larger ones. I had a tough time choosing a major because I was equally passionate about physics and math, but I ultimately chose biology because of its versatility. It connects to so many different scientific fields, so I never felt boxed into just one area of study. I started my first two years at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, studying Molecular Biology. After transferring to funnyŠÊ˜·³Ç, I initially majored in Microbiology, but I quickly realized it was more restrictive than I expected. I wanted the freedom to explore a wider range of topics, like human biology and ecology, to get a better sense of where I saw myself after graduation. Switching to Biology gave me that flexibility and allowed me to shape my education around my interests while keeping my options open for the future.

2. What has been your experience in the program so far?

Honestly, my experience in the Biology program has been really rewarding. funnyŠÊ˜·³Ç Okanagan offers so many opportunities to learn and grow, both inside and outside the classroom, and I’ve tried to take full advantage of them. Some of my favourite courses so far have been Environmental Microbiology and Cell Physiology, both having challenged me to think critically and deepen my understanding of complex biological systems.

Beyond coursework, getting involved in research has been a huge highlight. Between my directed studies in the Complex Environmental Systems Lab and my honours thesis in the Microbial Ecology Lab, I’ve been able to work alongside faculty, graduate students, and peers, building valuable connections across campus. These hands-on experiences have made everything I’ve learned in class feel so much more tangible, and they’ve really solidified my interest in research.

Emily in the study field, collecting composite soil samples with a 30cm soil corer to separate the core into three distinct depths. She used these samples to measure aggregate stability at each depth, a major soil health indicator.

3. Currently you’re on a co-op. What has that experience been like?

Participating in the co-op program has completely shaped the trajectory of my degree. I feel incredibly fortunate that the Summerland Research and Development Centre is located so close to funnyŠÊ˜·³ÇO, as it allowed me to complete all three of my co-op terms there. Each term, I had the opportunity to work in different labs with various scientists, gaining exposure over a range of research projects and methodologies. This experience not only helped me develop technical skills, such as laboratory techniques and experimental design, but also strengthened my soft skills, including teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. It gave me invaluable insights into potential career paths and work environments post-graduation, and I feel much more confident in my ability to transition from academia to industry or research-based roles.

I highly recommend the co-op program to anyone in the sciences as it provides hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and a level of professional growth that’s hard to replicate in a classroom setting.

4. You won a Mitacs scholarship last year. What was that like?

Winning a Mitacs scholarship was an incredible opportunity that allowed me to take my research beyond Canada and gain hands-on experience in an international setting. Through the program, I interned at the Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) in Germany, working with the SoilRob junior research group. Our goal was to explore how autonomous field robots could improve soil health in diverse agricultural landscapes.

The experience was both challenging and rewarding. I got to assist in field campaigns, apply various soil evaluation methods, and help refine data collection strategies to make them practical across different agricultural contexts. Working in an interdisciplinary, international team really strengthened my ability to collaborate across cultures and scientific backgrounds. Beyond the technical skills I gained, the internship opened my eyes to the global challenges in sustainable agriculture and soil management. It reinforced my passion for research that connects technology and environmental science. The Mitacs program not only gave me valuable work experience and networking opportunities but also shaped the way I think about scientific research on a broader scale.

5. Do you have any tips or advice for getting the most out of a funnyŠÊ˜·³Ç experience?

Absolutely! My biggest piece of advice is to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way whether it’s research, co-op, extracurricular activities, or networking events. funnyŠÊ˜·³ÇO offers so many ways to get involved, and the more you put yourself out there, the more you’ll gain from the experience. If you’re interested in research, don’t be afraid to reach out to professors, even if you don’t have prior lab experience. Many faculty members are open to mentoring students who are eager to learn and getting involved in research early can open doors to scholarships, conference presentations, and even publications. I also highly recommend participating in the co-op program or other work-integrated learning opportunities. These experiences give you a clearer sense of what career paths might interest you while helping you build essential skills and professional connections.

Finally, balance is key. While academics are important, make sure to enjoy your time at funnyŠÊ˜·³Ç by joining clubs, attending events, and exploring the community. University is as much about personal growth as it is about academic achievement, so make the most of it!

The post Choosing Biology for flexibility and hands-on experiences appeared first on funnyŠÊ˜·³Ç | Undergraduate Programs and Admissions.

There are three ways to shape your first year in the Faculty of Arts.  and the  offer curated course schedules, where you’ll take most of your classes with the same group of students—helping you build connections with peers and professors from the start. These programs provide a more structured, interdisciplinary learning experience with built-in academic support, making them a great way to transition into university. You can also choose to create a Custom Timetable, selecting individual courses and building your own schedule.

What are Arts One and CAP?

Arts One and CAP allow students to study together in small seminars (up to 25 people) and larger lectures (up to 125 people). Each brings courses and ideas together across different disciplines – for example literature, history, psychology, economics, and philosophy – by focusing on a shared topic or theme.

Both programs are worth 18 credits, but you can take up to 12 additional credits (2 classes) each semester to explore other subjects you’re interested in.

Why should you choose Arts One or CAP?

Arts One and CAP will help ease your transition from high school to university by offering:

• A pre-selected timetable — most of your first-year requirements are included, so you don’t have to worry about picking courses to fulfil your degree requirements
• Coordinated assignment deadlines, which means your major assignments won’t overlap or cause too much stress
• Dedicated academic support with program-specific advisors who are there to help you throughout your first year
• Access to exclusive study spaces where you can connect with your classmates and professors

The small-group format makes it easier to form friendships and build a sense of community, while close interaction with your professors helps you build personal connections and sets you up for a variety of degree pathways across different disciplines.

What’s the difference between Arts One and CAP?

Arts One

Arts One is a single, integrated course led by five instructors who work together to create the assignments and a reading list centred on a shared theme. The program is capped at 100 students, and then divided into five seminars each with up to 20 students. You will also meed regularly in smaller groups to present and discuss the papers you’re writing, offering a more personalized way to refine your work and ideas.

Rather than taking six separate one-term courses, you’ll take one cohesive course with multiple components that let you approach the materials from a variety of perspectives.

You’ll explore classical and contemporary texts from novels and philosophical writings to political texts, films, drama, and graphic novels to discuss their impacts on culture and society. The professors will take turns giving the weekly lectures, and you’ll work closely with one instructor who leads your seminars and tutorials each week.

CAP

In CAP, you’ll get to choose from one of , each offering a different combination of courses from across the Faculty of Arts. This year’s streams are: Environment and Society, Individual and Society, Law and Society, Media Studies, Philosophy and Economics, and Political Science.

While courses in your CAP stream are separate, the faculty members work together to make sure the themes and concepts you study in each course are connected. They will also coordinate deadlines for your major assignments and tests, making it easier to stay on top of your work.

Like Arts One, CAP offers smaller classes than you will find if you create a Custom Timetable, with seminar-style courses typically having 25 students, and lectures ranging from 100-125 students.

How to register

Registration for both Arts One and CAP is first-come, first-served. Both programs simplify the process by offering easy-to-use forms on their websites, or you can register directly in Workday when first-year registration opens in June. Find out more about and on their websites.

Looking for more information? Read what it’s like to be an and a and why students chose each program.

The post Which Arts first-year study option is right for you? appeared first on funnyŠÊ˜·³Ç | Undergraduate Programs and Admissions.