Overview of Programmes

The UBC Philosophy Department is an active, mid-sized department that has broad interests in philosophical issues within the Anglo-American analytic tradition. Members of the department are engaged in research in ethics, social and political philosophy, philosophy of mathematics and science, logic, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind and language, aesthetics, and the history of philosophy.

The department has a lively atmosphere and meets regularly during the term for colloquia and other social events. The heart of the department is the Reading Room, which houses a strong collection of books and journals, and is a pleasant place to work. An active Graduate Student Colloquium provides a venue in which graduate members of the department may discuss their research, and most graduate students have an opportunity to hone their teaching skills as TAs or instructors.

  Three Degree Programmes

Three graduate programmes are offered: the Ph.D., the M.A. with thesis, and the M.A. by courses only. Students who do not already have a strong background in philosophy are encouraged to consider the course-only M.A.

  Interdisciplinary Resources

Supervision in applied ethics, including biomedical ethics, environmental ethics, and business and professional ethics is available in conjunction with the Centre for Applied Ethics. The W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics is an independent academic unit with resources for graduate education in applied ethics. Graduate students in the philosophy department are eligible to take courses and seek research supervision from Centre faculty. Applicants interested in pursuing research in applied ethics are encouraged to review information about the Centre at its web site and to submit a paragraph indicating how their proposed research might relate to the Centre's current programs of research.

The undergraduate Cognitive Systems Programme, which links Philosophy to faculty in several departments, is a valuable resource to graduate students in philosophy of mind.

UBC's Classics Department is strong in Ancient Philosophy and its faculty may serve on supervisory committees for students in the Philosophy Department.

  Co-operative Agreement with Simon Fraser University

Philosophy graduate students at UBC may take courses in the Philosophy Department at Simon Fraser University without paying additional fees. Supervisory committees may include members from both departments.

  Part-Time Studies

Those interested in graduate work who cannot devote themselves to their studies full-time may study part-time toward the M.A. There is no part-time programme leading to the Ph.D.