GROWTH IN ACTION Program Expansion
GET SCIENCE DONE BY EXCELLENCE Research
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THE FUTURE NEEDS BRILLIANT SCIENCE
Building a Science District
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BUILDING A REPUTATION CERCs
GET SCIENCE DONE THROUGH BIG PARTNERSHIPS
Working with Others
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GET INDIGENOUS SCIENCE DONE Indigenous Pathways
GET SCIENCE DONE IN THE COMMUNITY Engagement
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GET SCIENCE DONE VIA UNIQUE FACILITIES Access to Remote Worlds
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GET SCIENCE DONE WITH STUDENTS
Student Experience
Some years sparkle, some years shine. For this faculty of science, 2024 was a full-on fireworks display – one of the best years on record.
It began in March with the announcement that the Government of Alberta would provide funding support for a new science building on campus. Currently called the Multidisciplinary Science Hub – we’re searching for a better name! – this building will remodel teaching, learning, and research. In addition, it will allow 2,000 more students to be trained for innovative science-based careers in Alberta’s economy. We are grateful for the government’s support of this transformative initiative alongside funding commitments from the university and community partners.
Next came the launch of the 2024-2030 strategic plan, Get Science Done. Developed through hundreds of consultations with students, industry partners, community members, and faculty, this plan puts science centre stage in Alberta. Why? Because it is easy to overlook the science that drives innovation. Get Science Done will guide this faculty as we visibly propel Alberta’s economy by building powerful people, partnerships, and places, including a science district that attracts the best and brightest from across Canada and beyond.
The growth has started. In September, we welcomed the largest incoming cohort of new science students in our history. The student body grew to more than 7,096 across undergraduate and graduate levels. While growing, we are not even beginning to meet the demand. The acceptance rate is extremely competitive, less than 10 per cent for some programs. And this does not factor in the talented young people who do not even apply because they do not have the required 90 per cent average. These numbers underscore the urgency to increase our physical capacity.
At the heart of this upswing, Faculty of Science researchers have been involved in major breakthroughs and some of the biggest science news on the planet. From finding new dinosaur species to advancing the frontiers of quantum computing, University of Calgary scientists are on the global stage.
And these are just the foundations. In 2025, we’ll be designing the new science building, expanding groundbreaking research, and graduating more skilled talent – in short, getting science done in a way that drives Alberta’s future.
It is time for this large and powerful faculty to shine. That is brilliance building!
Dr. Kristin Baetz, PhD Dean, Faculty of Science
Excellence doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intention, good timing and – as every scientist knows –experimentation.
The Faculty of Science launched its bold strategy, Get Science Done, with an event in downtown Calgary in May 2024 that attracted an exceptional turnout from industry, campus and community. An appetite for experimentation was in the air. Calgary attracts problem solvers and entrepreneurs — and the elevation of science in this mix is adding excitement to a shared vision of what’s possible.
Get Science Done sets out four imperatives and the paths to achieve them by 2030: Space and culture for new ways of doing research.
RADICAL RESEARCH COLLABORATION:
ACTIVATING SCIENCE EDUCATION
Educational experiences that produce inspired and workplace-ready graduates prepared to power Alberta’s and Canada’s economy.
DESTINATION SCIENCE DISTRICT
A national profile that makes Calgary a destination for students, researchers and partners.
A THRIVING CULTURE
Reducing barriers so people can energetically Get Science Done.
Read the Get Science Done: Strategic Plan here.
The Faculty of Science puts science talent first, for Calgary, for Alberta and beyond.
At the centre of success – whether it’s a startup or massive corporation – you will find talented people trained in the fields of science and mathematics. Science is a core ingredient for solving problems and a prominent driver of today’s innovation economy. In fact, it is so central, it is often taken for granted.
As the planet evolves, and we innovate for a better world, science will be front and centre. And not science as it was, but science as it needs to be – radically collaborative, interdisciplinary, and focused on solutions.
The Faculty of Science is planning to meet the demand for science-trained graduates with bold growth. In 2024, we celebrated 875 new graduates, and in the fall held the largest orientation event for new students on record, welcoming 1,549 students. There is an urgent need to train more! The new science district is designed to expand spaces by at least 2,000 students and will increase the workplace readiness of graduates.
Growing innovative programs for multidisciplinary skill sets
More than 600 new spots over four years for students in data and computer science are being added in response to demand for homegrown talent in Alberta’s innovation economy. Students can now graduate with a Bachelor of Science with a major or minor in Data Science, honing sharp skills in data design and analysis, coding, statistics and new computing frontiers. An additional 75 seats each year in the new data science program and 90 new seats each year in an expanded Computer Science degree program will triple the capacity to launch skilled graduates into these key roles in industry.
The Earth, Energy, and Environment department was reenvisioned because humanity is facing some very big challenges, ones that cannot be addressed within academic silos. Creative solutions to our planet’s problems will require new collaborations and diversity of thought. This department powers the future through the training of new people, new communities and new research.
Developed in 2024 to launch in 2025, the new Energy Science program immerses students in a cross-disciplinary approach to energy generation, transmission and storage. They explore all sources of energy – conventional, renewables and beyond – in the context of energy policy, regulation and communications. A capstone project on relevant energy issues gives students an opportunity to work with industry partners on real-world problems. These well-rounded graduates will be ready to hit the ground running in high-impact energy careers or furthering a research future.
The future is multidisciplinary!
In 2024, the Faculty of Science welcomed two Canada Excellence Research Chairs. The prestigious awards are given to world-renowned scholars to develop ambitious research and training programs with high potential for impact. Recipients receive $8 million in funding over eight years, giving them time to develop their programs and build relationships with other academics and local communities.
Dr. Deborah McGregor, PhD, who is cross-appointed with the Faculty of Arts, is working to build understanding and support for Indigenous leadership in Earth-based reconciliation and justice. She is focusing on climate change as the overriding symptom of the planetary health crisis. Her program is working to help humanity understand how it can reconcile its relationships with the Earth to support life by learning from Indigenous Peoples and acting on their knowledge and advice. She is the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Indigenous Ways of Climate and Water Sustainability for Planetary Health and Well-being.
Dr. Urbasi Sinha, PhD, is an international leader in quantum science. She works on applying technology to new tools that can be placed on satellites to help them send secure messages using quantum physics. To do this, she and her colleagues are trying different ways to produce and control photons (tiny particles of light), which are key to quantum communication. They’re looking at how to build this technology into compact systems that can work well in space. The goal is to make communication more secure and reliable. She is the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Photonic Quantum Science and Technologies.
The classic science theatres and labs have created tens of thousands of success stories. As influential as they are classic, it is time to do more.
The Faculty of Science is in clear need of expansion and revitalization. More science graduates and more interdisciplinary science research are crucial to a prosperous innovation economy for Calgary and Alberta.
In March 2024, the Government of Alberta announced provincial funding for a new building and transformation of existing spaces. The anticipated $450-million revitalization will turn the northeast corner of campus into a dynamic science district. The university is prioritizing this investment in science to serve the community at an exciting and important time. The proposed site for this multidisciplinary science hub is parking lot 21, just north of the Science Theatres, and design is now underway.
2,000 New Student Seats
Learning and lab spaces that address the critical need to expand, better meeting both the high volume of qualified applicants, and even higher demand for skilled graduates.
High-quality coaches and coordinators that support students as they acquire hands-on skills, take part in internships and co-ops, acquire workplace-ready attitudes and experience, including personal and professional well-being.
Companies and startups that enable easy collaboration between students and researchers at the crossroads of science, technology and business.
Research clusters structured around seven “neighbourhoods” that tackle urgent questions in areas where Calgary has a leading edge such as aerospace, health innovation, new energy pathways and precision agriculture.
This year, community partners made 876 individual gifts to the Faculty of Science, with a record number of donations to science during the university’s Giving Day. Attention to science is growing. These contributions for programs, such as Math Camps for Girls, directly enable the transformative research and training underway in the faculty.
Excitement is also mounting behind the scenes, where community leaders are preparing to launch an ambitious project that will revitalize research and teaching space over the next five years, including the new building.
“To maintain Alberta’s thriving economy, which is fuelled by energy, agriculture, biotech and aerospace, we must continue to stay at the forefront of world-leading science through the University of Calgary.”
Mark Little BSc’85, Former CEO, Suncor
Kaylie Green was a remarkable young scientist. As an undergraduate, her passion for astronomy led her to become the first student ever offered an internship at UCalgary’s Rothney Astrophysical Observatory. Kaylie passed away in 2023 while completing her PhD in astronomy at the University of Western Ontario.
As part of the university’s 2024 campaign, the Green family started a fund to name a telescope at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory after Kaylie. This high-powered device will shine with Kaylie’s passion for astronomy and inspire many more to reach for the stars. The Faculty of Science is moved and proud to be a part of this project, alongside Kaylie’s family, friends and loved ones.
Science is one of the largest faculties at the University of Calgary, one of Canada’s top research universities.
At the heart of the faculty’s future is a commitment to scientific excellence. In 2024, the faculty’s nucleus of research and discovery was driven by:
A team of researchers from the Faculty of Science is building and operating the most extensive, comprehensive and powerful ground-based sensor network in the world to be used for space environment research. The Geospace Dynamics Constellation-Ground (GDS-G) sensor network will observe the space environment to study different aspects of the zone where our atmosphere meets space, called the ionosphere-thermosphere.
The calibre of this facility enables UCalgary to foster national and international partnerships that advance Canada as a global space research leader.
The goal of truly clean and sustainable energy is very much a work in progress. Despite great strides, sustainable energy solutions are often only partway there. For example, even green batteries pose environmental risks and problems. That’s why a group of researchers has established the Laboratory for In Operando X-ray Science (LinXS). “In operando” means “while in operation.” This lab is a state-of-the-art testing ground, funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, to evaluate the electronic properties of materials in real-time conditions.
Projects will include new catalysts for hydrogen production, turning waste carbon dioxide and methane into useful fuels, and new solid-state lithium-ion batteries. Having these capabilities in house will significantly shorten development times, expanding the frontier of these technologies in Calgary and creating regional expertise.
Five awards per year allow researchers across the university to accelerate game-changing ideas that are ready to move from concept to practical solutions. In 2024, one was awarded to Dr. Gabriel Ménard, PhD, in Chemistry. His team has created a novel way to capture lithium, a high-demand chemical extracted from brines and mines, directly from salty water mixtures.
This has significant potential to increase access to lithium with lower costs and environmental impacts. Called the Parex Resources Innovation Fellowships, these awards are made possible by a $3.24 million endowment by alumnus Wayne Foo and Parex Resources, a Calgary-based company involved in oil exploration, development, and production in Colombia.
Dr. Christopher Clarkson, PhD, worked in the oil industry for more than a decade before he was captivated by research at the University of Calgary. Now a professor in the Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment, he knows how the industry works.
As the Tamaratt Research Professor in Transitional Energy and ARC/Ovintiv Chair in Subsurface Transitional Energy Pathways, he leads two partnership groups involving Chevron, Shell, Canadian Natural Resources, ARC Resources, Birchcliff Energy, Occidental Petroleum, Artis Exploration and Ovintiv. These big companies and Clarkson’s talented research team are evolving new frontiers in unconventional reservoirs and transitional energy pathways.
UCalgary is a top startup creator in Canada.
Imagine this: a simulated environment where cybersecurity professionals and students can practice cyberattacks, test systems and undertake research without risking actual infrastructure. Cybersecurity is a high-stakes and growing concern – and the University of Calgary is becoming a prime destination for cybersecurity and privacy research, thanks to a partnership with Raytheon Canada and ENFOCOM Corporation.
The Canadian Cyber Assessment, Training and Experimentation Centre (CATE) at UCalgary is the first of its kind in the region – a facility equipped with state-of-the-art simulation equipment, called a cyber range. Here, students acquire skill and agility through scenario-based cybertraining and can spearhead new forms of cyber resiliency with emerging technologies. Companies and organizations can use the facility as well. To further advance the profession, the Faculty of Science is now offering a new Master of Information Security and Privacy program.
Along with the United States Consulate, the Faculty of Science partnered with the Canadian Black Scientists Network to untangle some of the challenges in the racialized fields of science, technology, engineering, and medicine.
In 2024, supported by the Alberta node of the network, Black scientists at UCalgary and allies strengthened the world of research and education by helping to elevate, make visible, celebrate and connect Black scientists, an underrepresented demographic in science.
The Science Co-op Program offers undergraduate students in the Faculty of Science the opportunity to participate in four to 16 months of paid, fulltime work experience. Students who complete a minimum of eight months of eligible co-op work will graduate with a “Co-operative Education” designation on their transcript and degree parchment. New this year, students are also eligible to earn for-credit professional development option courses, alongside their co-op work terms.
In fall 2024, the Science Career Centre also launched career advising and workshops for all science students to support them in their career preparation and exploration. This is part of a growing suite of experiences, inside and outside the classroom, that cultivates well-rounded graduates.
Science and business training comes together in the novel Kennedy Scholars program. Two students joined the University of Calgary in fall 2024 to embark on a five-year program that starts in the Faculty of Science and ends in the Haskayne School of Business. Sara Affara and Nandini Seth will learn from world-leading experts in computer science (cybersecurity, software development, game design, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence), then learn how to start their own business or become changemakers in a large organization once they add a Master’s Degree in Management. Affara, who was born in Egypt and grew up in Airdrie, wants to become a game developer and open her own game studio. Seth, who’s from St. Thomas, Ont., was born in India and grew up in Atlanta. During high school, she learned to code and has pursued it ever since.
The Kennedy Scholars Program offers up to $125,000 for the top candidate from outside Calgary and $75,000 for the best applicant from the Calgary area. Business leader Paul Kennedy gifted $2.3M to the program in 2022, making it one of the most prestigious in North America.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Faculty of Science is attracting students from all parts of the province and Canada, preparing them for Alberta’s innovative workforce and globally competitive careers. The 2024 trainees were registered in 20 different programs with increasing emphasis on computer science and multidisciplinary skills.
6,272 20 130 3
BSc students
Undergrad programs
MSc students in professional programs
Professional Graduate Programs: Quantum Computing Data Science and Analytics Information Security
On a path transformation to truth and reconciliation
The Faculty of Science Indigenous Pathway Program has been created to admit students who meet the admission average, but who are missing one or more prerequisite courses for the major of their choice.
The process was implemented to ensure equitable access by providing additional pathways in recognition of the broad range of education experiences prior to university. Students complete the necessary foundation courses and are then admitted to their major. Individualized academic and cultural support, and a welcome and supportive learning environment are provided for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students through the Writing Symbols Lodge.
A child’s early environment can pose risk or build resilience with lifelong effects, and we do not fully understand why and how. Dr. Tamara Bodnar, PhD, is an assistant professor in biological sciences who researches child health and wellness, with a focus on understanding how early environment affects health across a lifespan.
Her interests include the gut-brain immune axis, brain development, immune function and neurodegeneration. Her work also extends to the community and, as an Indigenous scholar, her aim is to continue establishing partnerships with Indigenous communities to explore relevant health outcomes.
Almost daily coverage in the media, from local radio and television morning shows to the Globe and Mail, Wall Street Journal and National Geographic.
Communicating science has never been easy – and is becoming even more important, especially for a faculty committed to engaging the community on the frontiers of science.
That’s why the faculty created a Science-Communicator in-Residence program, one of the first in the world, to help build the capacity and culture to build bridges, create entertaining public events, and inspire industry collaborations through exposure to science in accessible ways.
OCEAN SCIENCE
Dr. Rachel Lauer, PhD, talked deep sea science with National Geographic.
CALGARY WATER MAIN BREAK
Dr. Cathy Ryan, PhD, was quoted as a water expert on CTV News, and CBC.
DROUGHT-RESISTANT WHEAT
Research by Dr. Marcus Samuel, PhD, was featured in the Canadian Press, Toronto Star, and CBC.
WASPS
Top-read UToday story in 2024 featured Dr. Jackie Lebenzon, PhD, as a bug expert.
Recognized for excellence for more than 50 years, the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory south of Calgary is a key research facility that inspires students with hands-on exposure to astrophysics. Almost 10,000 grade-school students visit the observatory each year, creating experiences with science that last a lifetime. It excites many students about careers in math and physics. For the general public, the observatory provides dark sky viewing nights and popular lectures. More than 8,442 people participated in Rothney programs in 2024.
The public can also view the night sky on the AuroraMAX, a ground camera, led by the University of Calgary, set up in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. It allows people to view the unpredictable northern lights from the comfort of their home.
Far from landlocked Calgary, on the west coast of British Columbia, the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre plays an outsized role for the Faculty of Science. The centre – run by the University of Victoria, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Alberta, and University of Calgary – is recognized as one of the best coastal and marine research and training facilities in the world.
UCalgary’s Dr. Sean Rogers, PhD, director of the centre, says the vision is to inspire transformational relationships with the ocean through science. Located in traditional territories of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations on Vancouver Island, it provides year-round ocean access for partner universities and visiting scientists. Attendees live in residence and explore oceanography, ecology, fisheries, biodiversity, climate change, invasive species, place-based learning in First Nations territories and environmental regulations.
The first of its kind in Canada, this globally unique field research station outside of Brooks, Alta., is designed to enable technological advances in the area of carbon dioxide subsurface geological storage. Through its many interactions with UCalgary, Science faculty members and students can access the Newell County station and gain exposure to the science of carbon storage.
Specifically, the research station is used to establish the safety and commercial potential of carbon storage and address concerns around climate change. It is operated by Carbon Management Canada and was built through a partnership between the University of Calgary, the federal government, and Cenovus. The station is an active partner and participant in many major science grants, projects, and initiatives.
Your daily life, your community, your company, and your future are all enriched by science.
This is a time when getting involved with science makes so much sense. The Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary would be delighted to grow with you. Your attendance at public science events, your company in our co-op program, your good words about what’s happening here, or making a donation to put your name on a lab. It all has substantial impact, as we grow to better serve the community, and the future.
Sign up for email notices about public talks and events here: Follow the faculty on social media
Or, reach out for a conversation about anything in the world (of science)!
Faculty of Science
University of Calgary
540 Biological Sciences Building
University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4
Email: scidean@ucalgary.ca
Phone: (403) 220-5516
UCALGARY FACULTY OF SCIENCE
UCALGARYSCIENCE
@UCALGARYSCIENCE
@UCALGARYSCIENCE
