UBC Engineering’s world-class faculty and researchers are committed to an instructional approach that is varied, experiential and engaging. This multi-faceted approach makes UBC engineers stand apart, on a firm foundation from which to build an exciting and rewarding career.

What you might expect/course format

While each course varies based on the subject and instructor, our VSP Packages feature:

  • Interactive in person lectures
  • Hands-on labs, fun and practical demonstrations
  • Team-based assignments
  • Fun social activities
  • Experience with industry standard software 

July 2025 Course Packages

The Power of Chemistry: an Introduction to Matter, Energy, and Chemical Engineering

Matter and energy are the building blocks of our universe. Using their understanding of these concepts, chemical engineers re-organize and transform matter and energy to produce new substances and materials. From the pharmaceuticals we take when we are sick, to the fuel we put in our vehicles, to the plastics, alloys and polymers that we find in our homes, in our phones and virtually everywhere around us, chemical engineers are involved, combining their technical skills with their understanding of social, economic and environmental factors. This course provides an introduction to chemical engineering by providing an overview of the physical processes and laws involved in the conversion of raw materials into refined products, and by applying these concepts to practical applications and designs. Students will have the opportunity to perform laboratory experiments illustrating some key concepts.

The Power of Biology: an Introduction to Biological Engineering

This course provides an introduction to biological engineering. It includes introductions to the fundamental concepts of microbiology, cell biology, genetic engineering, and bioprocessing, before explore more specialized topics like the production of biofuels, novel foods and pharmaceuticals, biomaterials, and recent advances in biotechnology. Humans are faced with new ethical quandaries with these astounding technological advances. Hence, the ethics and social aspects of bioengineering are also discussed. Participants will have the opportunity to apply theory into practice through lab experiments, including the genetic engineering of bacteria.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

For more information

For VSP Chemical and Biological Engineering-specific questions, email undergrad@chbe.ubc.ca.

Student testimonials

“I’d like to say I highly recommend this program. The UBC teaching staffs including our prof and teaching assistants, really impressed me. Every time I had some questions about the class or experiment, I would have the patient and quick reply from them. Also, the tasks are not really tough to do, if you try hard. From the dormitory window, we saw the sunset with the beautiful sea and old-growth forest. And firstly I think about that this program is only related to our studies, but the CHBE also arranged a series of activities in Vancouver city for our students. […]

…After our summer program, my friends and I miss the day in UBC almost everyday. If I can back to the past, I would finish my whole bachelor degree in UBC. I hope I can come back to UBC one day.”

– Qiuyu Chen, VSP Applied Science Student, 2019