*Applications for the Master of Land and Water Systems August 2025 entry open on 15 September 2024. Read more.

Develop a rewarding career sustaining our vital resources

The Master of Land and Water Systems (MLWS) is a 12-month professional program that provides graduates with science-based skills, training and knowledge in natural resources and environmental sciences and effective communication skills.

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» Welcome to MLWS

» Admissions

» Career Paths

Why MLWS?

Where MLWS Can Take You

Learn About Potential Career Paths

Xiaojing (Sylvia) Deng

Agricultural Land Use Inventory (ALUI) Technician

“I enjoy the diversity of my work, from using technology like ESRI software to conducting outdoor field surveys, and the satisfaction of contributing to agricultural land use planning in British Columbia."

Hao Zheng

Environmental Engineer

“Working as an engineer, you will have many chances to work outside and travelled a lot. During last five years I got the chance to travel many places in China, so I got the opportunities to see different types of soil and geological morphologies."

Anmoljeet Kaur

Environmental Scientist

"I enjoy conducting historical research on contaminated areas and collaboratively working with the team to find potential recommendations to protect the environment. It gives a lot of satisfaction to work on problems and find solutions."

Ahmad Amer

Water Data Coordinator

"I enjoy working with the Strategic Initiative team on providing strategies and ideas for managing one of the most crucial, finite resources on the Coast, water !"

Anne Joseph

Research

"My job is a continuation of the Major Project I did during my MLWS degree. It developed from a systematic review to a comprehensive laboratory analysis that I am currently working on."

Amy Sigsworth

Environmental Consulting

"I have a wide range of roles and responsibilities working for a small consulting firm. However, my main responsibilities are conducting soil surveys and agricultural land capability assessments. I also monitor soil handling at construction sites and assist in developing reclamation plans."

Skylar Kylstra

Environmental Consulting

"I [recently completed] work with the MLWS program as a research technician. My primary responsibility was working on research projects in the field of land and water systems, but I also supported the development of some of the curriculum for the MLWS program."

Naomi Roberts

Research

"My main responsibilities are: coordinating research and extension programs/projects to advance regional food systems within communities in BC, communicating and liaising with municipal planners, producing academic and community-focused reports, and grant writing."

Luc Anderson

Provincial Government

"Authorizations for recreation on Crown Land, project planning and management for capital and operational projects, engaging with First Nations, other government agencies, and stakeholders on recreation issues, field inspections and reporting, trail and infrastructure construction and maintenance."

Rachael Roussin

Agricultural Consulting

"I coordinate an agricultural extension program for the Kootenay and Boundary region. The Kootenay and Boundary Farm Advisors support producers to improve agricultural production and efficiency by helping find solutions to farm-specific production issues, coordinating educational events and connecting producers to information."

Jenny (Jie Ying) Huang

Research

"I process water quality data and use Arc GIS to digitize landscape features as a Research Assistant at UBC’s Faculty of Forestry."

Erika Nassichuk

Municipal Government

"I review development applications for work to be done near watercourses. I enforce both the Environment and Tree bylaws. I educate the public and work with local interest groups & more."

Ashley Rose

"I was drawn to the MLWS program because I could receive a professional degree in one year and explore my interests in watershed management. The major project component was extremely rewarding, as I learned about the interconnections between land use and water management."
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https://mlws.landfood.ubc.ca/alumni/ashley-rose/

Effects of Aggregate Extraction on Water Storage in the Pepin Creek Watershed, British Columbia, Canada

Effects of Aggregate Extraction on Water Storage in the Pepin Creek Watershed, British Columbia, Canada Yining (Rachel) Wang, MLWS 2016 View article in Scientific Researcher – An Academic Publisher all-projects ubc mlws
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https://mlws.landfood.ubc.ca/all-projects/7458/

Meet Our Students

Collaboration from around the world

https://mlws.landfood.ubc.ca/class-of-2024/emily-port/

Emily Port

Previous Education: B.Sc. Biological Sciences - Specialization in Microbiology, University of Alberta
https://mlws.landfood.ubc.ca/class-of-2024/emily-port/

https://mlws.landfood.ubc.ca/class-of-2024/ugyen-tshomo/

Ugyen Tshomo

Previous Education: B.Sc. Environmental Sciences with minor in Development Students, Asian University for Women, Bangladesh. Masters in Marine Plastics Abatement, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.
https://mlws.landfood.ubc.ca/class-of-2024/ugyen-tshomo/