The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) announced July 26 it will be offering two new masters programs based at its Wood Innovation and Design Centre, currently under construction in Prince George.
The Master of Engineering in Wood Design will have a technical focus, offering specializations in wood structure engineering, engineering for sustainable development and forest product engineering.
The Master of Science in Wood-Related Engineering Research will be a thesis-based program.
According to Matt Wood, spokesman at UNBC, the engineering program will begin in fall 2015. No start date has been set for the research program because UNBC is still determining what the staffing levels will be, added Wood.
The programs, once launched, will accommodate 36 students.
The B.C. government is giving the school $237,000 immediately to UNBC to help pay for student and faculty recruitment and curriculum development. Victoria will give up to $229,000 for additional costs this year.
"One of our government's priorities has been adding training capacity in regions across British Columbia to allow students to complete their programs closer to home. These new master degree programs, which focus on wood design and wood-related engineering, will enhance British Columbia's reputation as a leader in building with wood," said Jobs Minister Shirley Bond, in a press release.
Construction is currently underway at UNBC's Wood Innovation and Design Centre. The building is expected to open in fall 2014.
