Master of Science (MSc), Health and Exercise Sciences (HES)
It starts with a passion for science and healing. Research the importance of human health and movement under the expert supervision of a faculty member.
Faculty/School
Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Health and Exercise Sciences
Why study a MSc in Health and Exercise Sciences at UBC Okanagan?
Dive into the science of movement, health, and behaviour in our dynamic program designed to deepen your understanding of how these factors shape the way we live.
The MSc in Health and Exercise Sciences (HES) is a research-based program that also includes mandatory coursework. Prior to starting an application, interested students are strongly urged to identify and contact a potential research supervisor. See full list of Graduate supervisors below.
Visit the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar for full information on admission and program requirements. The calendar is a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services and academic policies at UBCO.
Our research faculty investigate a diverse range of topics related to health and exercise. They are happy to share with you their excitement about what they study so, after reading their profiles, we invite you to contact relevant supervisors to discuss your research interests.
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Philip Ainslie | Professor | Centre for Heart, Lung & Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences | philip.ainslie@ubc.ca | 250.807.8089
Graduate student supervisor
Research Interests: The specific focus of Ainslie's research is directed to the integrated mechanisms which regulate human cerebral blood flow in health and disease.
Research Interests: Dr. Dalton’s research interests focus on understanding the sensorimotor control of the human nervous system using various models of study (neuromuscular fatigue, healthy adult aging, and traumatic brain injury.
Neil Eves | Professor | Centre for Heart, Lung & Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences | neil.eves@ubc.ca
Graduate student supervisor
Research Interests: Eve's primary research interests are in the integrative aspects of pulmonary, cardiac and vascular physiology and how the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems can be manipulated to optimally improve the health of individuals with chronic respiratory disease.
Glen Foster | Associate Dean, Research; Professor | School of Health and Exercise Sciences | glen.foster@ubc.ca | 250.807.8224
Graduate student supervisor
Research Interests: Foster's research aims to approach complex physiological problems using integrative and applied experimental approaches that focus on multiple systems in vivo.
Research Interests: Gainforth's research aims to close the gap between health behaviour change research and practice by examining knowledge translation – the act of moving research evidence into the hands of research users.
Hashim Islam, PhD | Assistant Professor | Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, School of Health and Exercise Sciences | hashim.islam@ubc.ca | ART 154, 1147 Research Road
Graduate student supervisor
Research Interests: Islam’s research program focuses on how exercise, nutrition, and cardiometabolic disease impact mitochondrial function in different cells and tissues within the human body.
Jennifer Jakobi | Professor | Office of the Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation, School of Health and Exercise Sciences | jennifer.jakobi@ubc.ca | 250.807.9884
Graduate student supervisor
Research Interests: The long term objective of Jakobi's research program is to develop prehabilitation programs that focus on maintaining functional independence in older adults.
Mary Jung, PhD | Professor | Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Health and Exercise Sciences | mary.jung@ubc.ca | 250.807.9670
Graduate student supervisor
Research Interests: type 2 diabetes prevention; dietary and exercise adherence; equity, diversity, and inclusion
Jonathan Little | Professor | Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Health and Exercise Sciences | jonathan.little@ubc.ca | 250.807.9876
Graduate student supervisor
Research Interests: Little's research is focused on understanding how the metabolic disruptions that characterize type 2 diabetes affect cellular inflammation and explore how different exercise and nutritional strategies can be used to reduce inflammation and improve overall cardiometabolic health.
Ali McManus | Director | Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Health and Exercise Sciences | ali.mcmanus@ubc.ca | 250.807.8192 | ART 168
Graduate student supervisor
Research Interests: McManus's research focuses on the physiological consequences of sedentary behavior in children.
Chris McNeil | Professor | Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Health and Exercise Sciences | chris.mcneil@ubc.ca | 250.807.9664 | Art 133
Graduate student supervisor
Research Interests: McNeil's program of research uses an integrative approach to investigate the performance and plasticity (adaptability) of the human neuromuscular system.
Sarah Purcell | Assistant Professor, CCDPM | Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, Southern Medical Program | sarah.purcell@ubc.ca
Graduate student supervisor
Research Interests: Energy metabolism; dietary energy requirements; body composition; obesity; women’s health.
Robert Shave | Professor | Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Health and Exercise Sciences | rob.shave@ubc.ca | 250.807.9708
Graduate student supervisor
Research Interests: Shave's work examines the acute and chronic effects of exercise and/or environmental stress upon the heart.
Paul van Donkelaar, PhD | Professor | Community Engagement, Social Change, Equity, Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Health and Exercise Sciences | paul.vandonkelaar@ubc.ca | 250.863.3230 | ART 174
Graduate student supervisor
Research Interests: Dr. van Donkelaar's research focuses on gaining a better understanding of traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to intimate partner violence.
Dr. van Donkelaar is currently not accepting any new graduate students.
For official tuition and fee information, scroll to the bottom of the academic calendar page for master’s programs and look for “Standard Master’s Degree Programs.”
Funding Opportunities
Graduate student stipends are funded through a combination of internal and external awards, teaching assistantships (TA) and research assistantships (RA). Talk to your supervisor about research grants, as well as award and scholarship opportunities.
Students are expected, whenever possible, to apply for relevant scholarships and fellowships. Funding beyond the expected completion time of 24 months is not guaranteed.
Assistantships
Teaching Assistantships (TA)
Providing financial support, TAs allow graduate students to develop skills in teaching, supervision and student assessment. As a TA, you may lead seminars, help teach undergraduate courses, and assist in student evaluations and marking, receiving mentorship from their supervisor, the course instructor. See positions currently available.
Research Assistantships (RA)
As a paid RA, students assist their supervisor or other researchers in conducting high-level research, which often contributes to the student’s thesis. See positions currently available.
Scholarships and Awards
UBC Awards
UBC Okanagan’s College of Graduate Studies administers a variety of merit-based graduate awards. The College manages a number of award competitions each year and administers payment of all internal and selected external awards.
External Awards
All prospective graduate students should explore and apply for external awards and fellowships, including in the case of domestic students, scholarships offered by Canada’s three research councils: CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.
Graduate scholarships and awards may also be available from foundations, private companies or foreign governments (check with your country’s education authority).
Admission and Applying
Find a Supervisor
Please contact at least one potential research supervisor before starting your application. Admission to the program requires the support of a faculty supervisor as well as satisfying program-specific criteria. See full list of Graduate supervisors above.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements described on this page are only a summary. Visit the College of Graduate Studies website to ensure you are familiar with all requirements.
Applicants to the MSc program are expected to have a four-year bachelor’s degree in a biological, natural, health or social science or another related field of study.
After conversion of grades to the UBC scale, applicants are required to have either:
A minimum overall B+ (76%) average across all third- and fourth-year courses
A least 12 credits in third- and fourth-year classes in their intended field of study with an A- (80%) average
In exceptional cases, applicants who do not meet these grade requirements but have significant relevant research training or professional experience may be granted admission on the recommendation of the School of Health and Exercise Sciences Graduate Committee and with the approval of the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.
No applicant will be admitted to the MSc program until a member of the HES faculty has agreed to supervise their thesis research.
A complete application package will contain:
Statement of intent or purpose
Online application and application fee
Official transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
Applicants from outside Canada, for which English is not their primary language, must present evidence of competency in the English language prior to receiving an admission offer. Acceptable English language proficiency tests and required test scores are listed on the College of Graduate Studies website. Test scores must be taken within the last 24 months.
Required grades and degree credentials vary by country and institution. Search the International Student Evaluation Manual — a guide to assist international students in estimating their eligibility.
An international student advisor can answer questions about immigration, medical insurance and the transition to UBCO.
How to Apply
Applying takes time. We recommend starting your application two months in advance.
For full consideration and eligibility for entrance scholarships, all application materials must be submitted by:
At UBC Okanagan, you gain all the benefits of attending a globally ranked, top 5%
university while studying in a close-knit learning community. 50% of graduates,
from all across the globe, choose to stay in the region.
A diverse natural region with sandy beaches, beautiful farms, vineyards,
orchards and
snow-capped mountains, the
Okanagan is an inspirational landscape perfect for those seeking leisure or
outdoor
adventure.
UBC's Okanagan campus borders the dynamic city of Kelowna, a hub of economic
development with a population of
more than 150,000 people— the fourth fastest-growing population in
Canada.
