Faculty of Science
Skylight

UBC Science AI Curriculum Initiative

Purpose

The Faculty of Science invites applications for the UBC Science AI Curriculum Initiative, a program providing curricular and instructional design support to UBC Science instructors developing or redesigning courses with an emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) concepts or tools. The program aims to accelerate innovation in AI education across the Faculty, strengthen curriculum alignment within and across programs, and build instructor capacity for the ethical, inclusive, and responsible integration of AI into teaching and learning. 

Scope

The UBC Science AI Curriculum Initiative will support the following curriculum development:

  • Creating new courses that focus on AI foundations or the use of AI in scientific contexts at the undergraduate or graduate level;
  • Embedding AI literacy and applications into existing undergraduate or graduate courses;  
  • Integrating AI-enabled pedagogies, such as using generative AI or machine-learning tools in teaching or assessment. 

Eligibility

Tenured or tenure-track faculty members or lecturers with multi-year appointments in Science are eligible to apply. Sessional instructors, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, or staff may be included as co-applicants but not as principal applicants.

Categories of Support

Successful applicants will be provided with a range of support to help meet their project’s goals. For example, hours will be allocated to project work from a Skylight-hosted team of Graduate Academic Assistants (GAAs).

Applicants may request support for one or more of the following activities, depending on project needs and readiness:

  1. Refining Course Learning Goals – Align course learning goals with program outcomes and current AI competencies relevant to your discipline.
  2. Designing the Course (High-Level Design) – Develop or redesign course structure, sequencing, and pedagogical approach to integrate AI topics or tools.
  3. Developing Course Content – Support in creating course materials, datasets, activities, and assessments that meaningfully incorporate AI into existing course activities or that facilitate student learning of AI concepts
  4. Evaluating Learning Technology/AI Needs – Assess the technological infrastructure and ethical considerations for using AI tools in learning and assessment. May include testing and assistance in deployment.
  5. Developing Senate Curriculum Documentation – Receive assistance drafting or revising course proposals for Senate approval, including articulating outcomes and completing the course proposal template.
  6. Supporting Instructor(s) During Pilot Course Offering – Receive just-in-time consultation and troubleshooting support while piloting the new or revised course.  
  7. Evaluating and Revising the Course – Gather feedback, analyze student learning, and iteratively refine course materials based on pilot findings.
  8. Other Support – Describe the other support your project requires.

Projects will be provided with project management support and guidance on professional development options. Applicants can also request up to $2,000 for technical needs (e.g. software licenses, compute credits).  

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated on the following:

  • Curricular Alignment – A strong rationale for the new or revised courses within the existing curriculum.  
  • Relevance and Impact – The potential to strengthen AI teaching and learning within Science or across disciplines.
  • Feasibility – A realistic plan and timeline aligned with the requested supports.
  • Innovation – Creative, responsible, and pedagogically sound integration of AI concepts or tools.
  • Equity, Ethics, and Inclusion – Attention to accessibility, privacy, and responsible AI use.
  • Sustainability and Dissemination – Plans to share and sustain outcomes within UBC Science.

While both undergraduate and graduate courses are within scope, this program will support primarily undergraduate courses. 

Expectations

Successful applicants will:

  • Collaborate with Skylight on project planning, including staffing support needs;
  • Meet with Skylight leadership at an agreed-upon frequency to discuss project milestones;
  • Pilot or implement course changes within one academic year or submit Senate curriculum proposal for new courses within one year;
  • Submit a short project summary describing outcomes, lessons learned, and future plans;
  • Consider presenting their project at a Skylight event.

How to Apply

Submit your Expression of Interest by 5:00 pm on December 8, 2025, by completing the Qualtrics form which was sent via email. The form asks about team members, which course is involved, a brief (up to 150 words) description of the project, and which of the above categories of support might be needed.  

Full proposals will be due February 20, 2026.  

For guidance or to discuss ideas, contact Skylight at skylight@science.ubc.ca.   

Timeline

  • November 10, 2025 – Call for Expressions of Interest  
  • December 8, 2025 – Expressions of Interest are due  
  • December 18, 2025 – Successful applications will be invited to develop full proposals  
  • December 19, 2025 to February 19, 2026 – Skylight will support proposal development process  
  • February 20, 2026 – Full proposals due  
  • April/May 2026 – Funding/projects start 

Musqueam First Nation land acknowledegement

We honour xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam) on whose ancestral, unceded territory UBC Vancouver is situated. UBC Science is committed to building meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples so we can advance Reconciliation and ensure traditional ways of knowing enrich our teaching and research.

Learn more: Musqueam First Nation

Skylight: Science Centre for Learning and Teaching


skylight@science.ubc.ca

Faculty of Science

Office of the Dean, Earth Sciences Building
2178–2207 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC Canada
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