BMSC Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre

The process for the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre to offer a university credit course at BMSC is as follows: send a detailed proposal to the BMSC Director at least one year in advance of the summer semester that you are interested in teaching. This proposal should include a course description, course outline, major topics to be addressed in the lecture, lab, and field portions of the course, and a basic equipment list. Courses are usually but not exclusively focused on taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the diverse coastal environment at our doorstep.

The Director would consider whether such a course fits into the BMSC Strategic plan. If the course is approved by the Director, then the course proposal is forwarded to the Management Council Academic Committee of the Western Canadian Universities Marine Sciences Society (WCUMSS) for approval, which meets once per year. Following approval by the Management Council, the University Programs team would then approach the member universities to request the course be included in their calendars.

Our courses are immersion style requiring intense commitment from students, TA’s and Instructors. The courses run for 3 or 6 weeks in the summer months, from Monday to Saturday with occasional commitment on Sundays. Evenings sessions may also be required depending on tides, etc.

Salaries are competitive, please contact University Programs Office for details.

Depending on your course requirements and class size, you will be assigned a lecture room (equipped with audio/visual equipment as required), laboratory and office space.  Several teaching labs are equipped with seawater tanks.

For BMSC courses which require students be transported in boats, SVOP (Small Vessels Operators Proficiency) certification is a requirement for TA’s and is highly desirable for Faculty.

Click here for details

A private room in a BMSC cabin with shared kitchen is provided for Instructors.

Instructors may take advantage of the food services in our cafeteria at BMSC staff rates.

Click here for instructions to apply for a work permit prior to your arrival (note processing times).

You may also apply at your point of entry into Canada:

If you are applying for your work permit while crossing the border, it is recommended that you do so during working hours so that Immigration Canada may contact BMSC if there were any questions or concerns.

Under NAFTA, a labour market opinion from HRSDC is not required before applying for a work permit. Instructors are excluded because you are an academic coming to teach a university course. However, you will need paperwork to establish this when you reach the border.

Immigration Canada requires the following:

1. A Passport, valid beyond the term of your appointment
2. Birth Certificate or Citizenship Papers
3. Letter of appointment that clearly states the course you are teaching is a university course. You will be emailed an appointment letter that includes this information. Make sure you have this letter with you at the border.
4. Your transcript and CV to establish your qualifications as a university professor.
5. $150 (CDN) to pay for the work permit.

In order to pay you, University of Victoria (UVIC) requires a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) with a current expiry date on the card. If your card has expired, you must apply for a new one.

• Click here for instructions about how to apply for, or to renew your temporary Social Insurance Number. 
• You will need your valid work permit when making the application.
• You may apply in person at any Service Canada Office.
• The nearest Service Canada Office is located in Port Alberni. Click here for the address and hours of operations
• Click here for alternative Service Canada Offices.