Course formats at UBC
At UBC, most undergraduate courses include three hours of class time per week. There are five main course formats.
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Lectures
Most courses are offered as lectures. Lectures usually range from 50 to 80 minutes in length and may involve anywhere from 30 to 200 students. -
Tutorials
Lecture courses also commonly have tutorials. They provide an opportunity for discussion in smaller groups. You will usually be expected to participate in these group discussions. -
Labs
Many science, math, and engineering courses at UBC have laboratory (lab) work, which includes practical activities in addition to lectures or tutorials. Labs require small-group work under the direction of a Teaching Assistant (TA). In some courses, you must pass the lab in order to pass the course. Labs and tutorials are usually mandatory and, in some cases, grades are given for attendance. -
Seminars
Many graduate (and some upper-level undergraduate) courses follow a seminar format. These smaller classes are generally less formal, encourage discussion, and sometimes include presentations. Students are often given grades for their presentations and for verbal participation in class. -
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) classes
In a PBL class, rather than listening to a lecture, you will solve problems that occur in real-life situations. Most of the time, you will work in small groups under the general guidance of your professor.
