2016-2017 University of Alberta Faculty of Science Viewbook

SCIENCE To shape the world

6,000 Undergraduate Science students

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Degree Choices

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UAlberta Professors have been awarded 3M National Teaching Fellowships, more than any other university in Canada

1st

in Canada to offer an Undergraduate Research Certificate

We are Science 27

120

Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

of the 167 students admitted to the UAlberta MD program were UAlberta Science grads (2013 Stats)

1,375 Refereed publications

by Science faculty members in 2013-14

11 Faculty of Science research centers and institutes

Which Science degree is right for you?

BSc General

BSc Specialization

I like having the flexibility to take different courses and really develop my love of science. In a way I’m designing my own degree program.

I really like having the chance to focus on one area while taking optional courses at the same time.

I am learning to be a specialist in my field.

• A very diverse degree including a major and minor.

• A degree with a focused education in one chosen subject.

• All majors must be in Science.

• Minors can be in Science, Arts, Business, or Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences.

• An excellent way to study more than one area with the flexibility desired when preparing for professional careers.

• Students are expected to maintain a higher standard of academic achievement than those in the General program.

• Primary function is to provide a comprehensive education at the undergraduate level.

Business Minor

BSc Honors

I’m planning to take my science skills and go into Business for myself. The Business Minor program will help me get there.

I’ve always wanted to get into research and focus my studies in one area. The Honors program will give me great preparation for grad school.

• Pursue a Business minor as part of the BSc General, BSc Specialization in Math & Finance and BSc Specialization in Computing Science program.

• The Honors degree provides excellent training in one specific subject. (Similar to the Specialization program).

• Courses in Accounting, Finance and other Business subjects complement our science degrees and add a strong background in business education.

• Provides comprehensive scientific training along with a research component.

• Students are expected to maintain a higher standard of academic achievement than those in the other programs.

• Application to a Business Minor can be made after completing a list of pre-requisite courses, normally in first year of university.

Teaching has been my lifelong dream. With the combined program I can not only become a Science teacher but I can earn 2 degrees in just 5 years.

BSc/BEd Combined

• A highly-structured program designed for students to complete two degrees - a Science Specialization degree and an Education degree - in five years.

• Students trained to teach at the secondary level.

Science programs at a glance

Biological Sciences

Chemistry

The Biological Science degree programs cover a range of topics – all relating in some way to the life sciences. Our programs cover the environment – climate change and its effects on life, and biodiversity – plants, animals, microorganisms and ecosystems, genetics, health studies, cellular structures, past life forms, and evolution.

Considered the “Central Science”, chemistry is connected to all scientific disciplines in one way or another. Our degrees offer specialized training in the theoretical and practical components of chemistry. Students take a selection of courses in general, analytical, organic and physical chemistry, as well as mathematics and related courses in environmental studies.

General Degree

General Degree

Specialization Degrees

• Major or minor in: - Chemistry - Physical Sciences

• Chemistry

• Major or minor in - Biological Sciences - Bioinformatics Specialization Degrees • • • • •

Animal Biology Ecology Evolutionary Biology Microbiology Molecular Genetics

• Physiology and Developmental Biology • Plant Biology Honors Degrees • • • • • •

Animal Biology Ecology Evolutionary Biology Microbiology Molecular Genetics Physiology and Developmental Biology • Plant Biology

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Honors Degrees • Chemistry

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2500

Average number of chemistry lab glasses sold each year

Computing Science

Earth & Atmospheric Sciences

One of the first programs of its kind established in Canada, we have earned a reputation for being innovative, creative and responsive. Combine a computing science background with another topic of your choice to create a flexible and applied program. Students build a strong theoretical and mathematical foundation through the program that includes hardware and software design and processes. Training in artificial intelligence, user interface design, and telecommunications is offered in later years.

Our programs examine the Earth, its structure and evolution, and the atmosphere above us. It is unique in Canada in that it offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental earth science, geology, atmospheric science and geography.

General Degree

Honors Degrees

• Major or minor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

• Atmospheric Sciences • Environmental Earth Sciences • Geology • Paleontology

General Degree

Honors Degrees

Specialization Degrees

• Major or minor in Computing Science

• Computing Science

• Atmospheric Sciences • Environmental Earth Sciences • Geology • Paleontology • Planning (City Planning)

Specialization Degrees • Computing Science • Computing Science Specialization in Software Practice • Computing Science Business Minor

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Science programs at a glance

Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

Physics

The mathematical and statistical sciences form the foundation which supports our science based culture and helps to address some of today’s most pressing issues – climate change, epidemiology, and economic forecasting.

Known as a “fundamental Science”, physics provides a true understanding of how the world really works. Our students build a strong background in modern physics, mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, relativity, quantum mechanics, statistical physics and laboratory work. Topics in areas like laser spectroscopy, optics, electronics, nuclear physics, particle physics, stellar atmospheres, stellar interiors, field theory, condensed matter and fluid dynamics are introduced in later years of the program.

Our undergraduate programs help to develop specialized skills in applied mathematics, mathematical economics, math and finance and computational sciences.

General Degree

Honors Degrees

General Degree

Honors Degrees

• Major or minor in: - Mathematics - Statistics

• Applied Mathematics • Mathematics • Mathematics and Economics • Statistics • Mathematics and Finance

• Major or minor in: - Physics - Physical Sciences

• • • •

Specialization Degrees • • • • •

Computational Science Mathematics Mathematics and Economics Mathematics and Finance Statistics

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Specialization Degrees

Astrophysics Geophysics Mathematical Physics Physics

• Astrophysics • Geophysics • Physics

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High-powered telescopes in our roof top Observatory for future astronomers to enjoy

Psychology

Medical Science Degrees

Shared between the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Arts, our Department of Psychology offers students comprehensive opportunities to study two different aspects of the field.

In collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, we offer a number of outstanding undergraduate programs in health.

A science degree in psychology focuses on how the brain functions as well as how we perceive, learn and forget things.

Students learn about perception and motivation, behavior and cognitive development with emphasis on the physical, biological and mathematical sciences.

General Degree

Specialization Degrees

• Major or minor in Psychology

• Psychology

Specialization Degrees

Honors Degrees

• • • •

• • • • • •

Biochemistry Cell Biology Immunology and Infection Pharmacology

Biochemistry Cell Biology Immunology and Infection Neuroscience Pharmacology Physiology

Honors Degrees • Psychology

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Why choose the Faculty of Science?

Make the world Scientific Training Education comes first and is at the core of all our activities.

Learning in the Faculty of Science means you will receive specialized scientific training in various areas of modern science. You can expect:

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• A solid scientific lab training. As a Science student you will enjoy the highest number of contact hours and the lowest fees in our first year science labs than any other university in Canada.

Number of specialized research and teaching lab facilities run by Science departments

• Opportunities to learn from professors who are recognized internationally for their contributions to science.

• Hands-on learning experiences through field schools and specialized facilities.

• Interdisciplinary courses that encourage collaborations between different science disciplines.

• Training and support that teaches you how to engage in or direct research at the undergraduate level.

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Photo: Whale Shark Monitoring in Tofo, Mozambique Image courtesy of All Out Africa

your classroom Southern African Field School Experience world class field education and research in Southern Africa.

SAFS is an accredited field based study abroad program offered by the Faculty of Science in Swaziland, South Africa and Mozambique.

The program offers life changing educational experiences for undergraduate students in Wildlife Ecology, Marine Ecology along with the opportunity to engage in Directed Research.

Students will connect with local communities, develop strong international networks and explore impactful research questions that will inspire future development in Africa.

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science.ualberta.ca/africa

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Why choose the Faculty of Science?

Specialized Laboratories and Facilities • Small laboratory sections that are available to all science students.

• Lab training that provides the necessary steps for effective experimentation, specialized lab techniques and the ability to operate and understand complex apparatus.

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• Access to Teaching Assistants and Lab Coordinators.

• Earth Science field classes encouraging hands on learning in various sub-disciplines.

• Unique learning sites like the Geoscience rock garden, Physics Observatory and Paleontology bone beds.

• Specialized labs like the Aquatics facility, Biology greenhouses and UofA Biotron.

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Average size of our 1st year undergraduate biology labs

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6,000 Test tubes used in 1 year

Photo: Dark Matter DetectorDepartment of Physics

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Why choose the Faculty of Science?

Our Size Being a part of a large university means we can offer students access to numerous resources, internationallyrecognized professors, millions of dollars in scholarships, and incredible global opportunities. With our size comes a dedication to quality that will not be compromised.

You will have access to: • State-of- the- art facilities, specialized museums and collections, and student-focused resources and centres.

• Outreach opportunities that bring science education into the community.

• A dedicated team of advisors.

• Academic support services including the Decima Robinson Support Centre for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences.

2nd largest

• Our science focused work experience program for Canadian and international students.

Research library system in Canada with a total of 11 libraries

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Science museums and collections

Photo: Lounge, CCIS Building VIEWBOOK

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Where will your Science degree take you?

Energy and Environment • Researchers from our Applied Mathematics Institute are using mathematical models and equations to determine rate of spread, energy release rates and temperature distribution to help fight and manage forest fires. Applied Mathematics is also being used to manage endangered species.

• Our Environmental Earth Science program examines how human behavior and activities affect our environment, both globally and locally.

• Geologists understand the interactions between humans, ecosystems and the earth. They can investigate environmental problems associated with mining, environmental impacts of exploration and re-cultivation, land use management and more.

• Learn to predict weather patterns, and examine how pollutants, human behavior and other external factors affect climate change. Study the Earth’s atmosphere, weather and climate through our Atmospheric Sciences degree.

• Geophysics is the non-invasive investigation of conditions below the earth’s structure.

Geophysicists are able to investigate environmental concerns like the effects of climate change on Arctic sea ice, they can conduct environmental assessments on nuclear test sites and use environmental magnetism to improve our understanding of past global change.

• By understanding the chemical make-up of our natural environment, chemists have the ability to observe, measure and reduce the damaging effect of pollutants and human activity on the environment. Clean water supplies, pesticide free foods and fertilizer alternatives are only a few examples of the results of Chemistry.

• Planners do more than just build cities. The Science degree in Planning covers Environmental Planning, which manages the effects of new developments, infrastructure and communities on the natural environment.

• The Ecology program looks at the relationship between organisms and their environment. How they react to their environment, interactions with the chemical features within their environment, and how populations are distributed or managed. Program streams are available in Freshwater Biology, Conservation Biology and Plant Ecology.

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Photo: Stephanie Neufeld, ‘02 BSc, ‘05 MSc. Image courtesy of Epcor, Tegan McMartin

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Where will your Science degree take you?

Health

• Whether they are developing new therapeutics and vaccinations, detecting food borne illnesses or using nano-materials to facilitate heart transplants, our chemists prove that chemistry plays a major role in the health industry.

Our Science degrees span all spectrums of human, animal and plant health. Here is a sample of how our degrees are used in the health industry.

• Consider our Immunology and Infection degree which focuses on infectious diseases from both the pathogen and host immune system perspectives.

• Cell Biology takes a coordinated approach to the study of cells. It integrates all the other life sciences in studying cells from the point of view of how they function.

• Mathematical Biology (a branch of Applied Mathematics) uses mathematical equations and models to solve scientific problems in the life sciences.

Mathematical principles and applications are being

• Biochemistry tries to unravel the complex chemical reactions that occur in a variety of life forms, thus providing the basis for practical advances in all areas of medicine, agriculture, veterinary medicine and forensics.

www.psych.ualberta.ca/research/researchlabs.php Check out the Stroke Neuroprotection and Neuroplasticity lab to learn about the work being done to reduce cell death (neuroprotection) and promote behavioral recovery after a stroke.

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Photo: Computing Science lab – scanning MRI images to locate tumors

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used to manage and control the spread of diseases, develop cancer treatments, help fight HIV and more.

• If you are interested in the effects of drugs, examining harmful chemicals and understanding the use and abuse of drugs in society then our Pharmacology degree is an excellent choice for you.

• Our Neuroscience program covers all aspects of brain function, including brain development, nerve cells and synapses, sensation and perception, learning and memory, control of movement, animal behavior, cognitive psychology and disorders of the nervous system.

• A background in Physiology will provide an understanding of the way cells function and how tissues and organs work, not only in people, but also in animals and plants.

• Our science degree in Psychology focuses on how we perceive, learn and forget things and how the brain functions. Students gain an understanding of areas like perception and motivation, behavior and cognitive development.

$67.2

Million Approximate amount of national and international research grants faculty, post-doctoral fellows and graduate students attracted in 2013/14

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Where will your Science degree take you?

Industry and Technology

• Attention all Gamers! Our Specialization degree in Computing Science can be tailored to include subjects like user interfaces, graphics, programming languages, art and design and more.

• Degrees in either Mathematics and Economics or Mathematics and Finance offer a diverse education in mathematics, finance, economics and actuarial sciences. You will also develop a management science background making it a great choice if you are interested in becoming a Financial Analysts.

• Interested in Software development and programming? Our Specialization in Computing ScienceSoftware practice has a broad range of courses to develop depth in programming, algorithms, hardware, software design, user interfaces, project management, and business issues.

• Not only do companies rely on data from Statisticians to help with efficiency and quality of goods and services, but they are also an important component in market research.

• Secure electronic transactions are important to the banking, government and private sector. The Specialization degree in Computational Science.

Photo: Computing Science Robotics lab

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allows students to study the mathematical foundations of computing, algorithms, logic, or the application of modern mathematical theory to errorcorrecting codes and cryptography, for example. • A background in Mathematical Physics is excellent for careers in technology – like the field of Optical imaging. Industries like government and defense employ these expertise to develop ground-based telescopes, long-distance surveillance devices and optical communication products.

https://www.cs.ualberta.ca Curious about the technology used in Self-parking cars, Space exploration or robots? Read about Machine Learning in the Department of Computing Science

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Where will your Science degree take you?

History

• Geologists examine the planet Earth- the materials of which it is made, the processes which affect these materials and the origin and evolution of life.

• Our Paleontology program concentrates on the study of fossils and ancient life forms. It is an interdisciplinary program designed to give students a strong background in paleontology, earth sciences and biological sciences.

• Geophysics is the non-invasive investigation of conditions below the earth’s structure. Geophysicists can locate underground storage tanks, delineate landfills and help with archaeological excavations.

• Studying Evolutionary biology teaches students to identify & classify species, (both living and extinct), their evolutionary relationships, adaptations and genetic variations, the way species originate and become extinct and the mechanisms involved in evolutionary change.

Photo: EAS Paleontology Museum VIEWBOOK

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Digital Learning at UAlberta DINO 101 - Our first massive open online course (MOOC) is a 12-lesson course teaching a comprehensive overview of non-avian dinosaurs. The class highlights Alberta’s rich dinosaur assets and is taught by world renowned Paleontologist, Dr. Phil Currie. (Dr. Currie is also the Curator of Dinosaurs at the University of Alberta Laboratory for Vertebrate Paleontology, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.)

STS 351 - Understanding Video Games (UVG) is UAlberta’s newest MOOC addition. UVG is is an online course on video game media and the relationship between games and modern culture.

http://uofa.ualberta.ca/dinosaurs Visit for the latest on dinosaur research and news at our university

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Photo: Branden Ayotte, BSc Specialization, Psychology and 3rd year MD student.

SIP Placement: Neuropsychology wing, Alberta Hospital.

“The number one benefit of participating in the SIP is the professional experiences you gain. I can’t overstate the value of having contacts in your field of study. Participating in the Science Internship Program was one of the best academic decisions I have ever made” .

Science Internship Program (SIP)

SIP will provide you the opportunity to: • Apply classroom knowledge to hands-on, real life situations.

• Graduate with a resume packed with relevant work experience.

Gain real-world work experience – before you graduate

• Boost your chances of landing a great job after graduation.

Whether you hope to work in a pharmaceutical company, in a research lab or make Canada’s wilderness your work space, the Science internship Program (SIP) will help you explore where your Science degree can take you. Students are eligible to participate in 4, 8, 12 or 16 month work terms and are paid industry standard wages.

• Build your strengths, clarify your interests and goals.

SIP is open to ALL Science undergraduate students.

For more detailed information visit: uab.ca/ScienceInternship VIEWBOOK

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Photo: Shrida Sahadevan, BSc Honors, Neuroscience and 1st year Rehabilitation Science student.

URI Research project: Bridging the gap between mathematics and psychology to explain learning and memory.

“I had always wanted a career in Medicine. However, after exposure to this line of research, I am given another career path that has its own special benefits”.

Research Certificate in Science (Biological Sciences)

UAlberta’s Undergraduate Research Initiative

The Research Certificate, the first of its kind in Canada, will provide an opportunity for undergraduate science students to engage in authentic and focused research.

The Undergraduate Research Initiative (URI) offers students a number of ways to be involved in research at the undergraduate level. A number of science students have received research grants for self-directed research projects ranging from “Dinosaur bones in our own backyard” to “Mapping industrial carcinogenic air emissions in Alberta”.

Through a series of project based courses and close mentorships provided by UAlberta researchers the program will equip students with transferable skills that will lead the pathway for an excellent foundation for continuing studies at the professional or graduate level or for employment in industry or government.

1/3 of students receiving stipends from the Undergraduate Research Initiative were from the Faculty of Science.

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Contact facebook.com/UofAScience twitter.com/ualbertascience instagram.com/ualbertascience Tel: 1-780-492-4758 Fax: 1-780-492-7033 Toll free: 1-800-358-8314 Mailing address: Faculty of Science 1-001 CCIS, University of Alberta Edmonton, AB Canada T6G 2E9 Email: science.recruiting@ualberta.ca Web: science.ualberta.ca

Faculty of

S C IE N C E University of Alberta