Mar 29, 2024  
University of Alberta Calendar 2022-2023 
    
University of Alberta Calendar 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Faculty of Science General Information


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Members of the Faculty

Listings of the members of the Faculty can be found in the Faculty of Science Directory.

Certificates

The Faculty of Science offers certificates to graduating students which formally acknowledge that students have studied particular themes. These themes can be concentrations within a discipline, or subjects that cross interdisciplinary boundaries.

Normally the requirements for the certificates can be completed as part of the requirements for the degree; however, in some cases, a student may need to take more than the minimum required for their degree program in order to qualify for both the degree and the certificate. The following certificates are available:

Certificate in Computer Game Development:

The Certificate in Computer Game Development is a joint certificate offered by the Faculties of Arts and Science and is open to any undergraduate student at the University of Alberta. The certificate complements discipline-specific studies with courses that provide opportunities to work in multidisciplinary teams, build complete small and medium-scale games, and interact with industry.

Details of the courses and other requirements for the certificate can be found in Certificate in Computer Game Development  of the University Calendar in the Faculty of Arts Programs.

Certificate in Engaged Leadership and Citizenship in Arts and Science

Effective September 2022, there will be no further admission to this embedded certificate. Students who declared the certificate prior to September 2027 must complete all certificate requirements by April 30, 2027. The last Certificate in Engaged Leadership and Citizenship in Arts and Science will be granted at Spring Convocation 2027.  Continuing students must refer to the Calendar in effect when they declared the certificate for program requirements.

The Certificate in Engaged Leadership and Citizenship in Arts and Science is a joint certificate offered by the Faculties of Arts and Science and is open to any undergraduate student at the University of Alberta.

Students wishing to pursue the Certificate in Engaged Leadership and Citizenship in Arts and Science must apply through Undergraduate Student Services in the Faculty of Arts or through Undergraduate Student Services in the Faculty of Science by the application deadline for convocation (see Academic Schedule ).

Details of the courses and other requirements for the certificate can be found in Certificate in Engaged Leadership and Citizenship in Arts and Science [Arts]  of the University Calendar in the Faculty of Arts Programs.

Geophysics

The Department of Physics offers two programs dealing with solid earth physics. The Honors in Geophysics program (see Honors in Geophysics ) prepares students for graduate work in geophysics. The Specialization in Geophysics  program prepares students with the conceptual and laboratory background required for employment at the BSc level in industry, government and technical schools. Also see Physics Honors Programs  and Physics Specialization Programs  (Physics).

Professional Association

The practice of geophysics in Alberta is regulated by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA).

The right to practise geophysics in Alberta and accept professional responsibility for such work as well as the right to use the geophysicist title is limited to those registered with APEGA.

Members of the Geophysics Student Society are automatically student members of APEGA. Graduates are encouraged to join APEGA as Geophysicists-in-training. Acceptable experience following graduation is necessary for registration as a Professional Geophysicist, the APEGA membership category which confers the right to accept responsibility for geophysical work. Contact the APEGA office for more information.

Marine Science

Excellent opportunities for the study of marine biology and related subjects exist at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC) on Vancouver Island, BC. An academic program operates at the station, with summer and fall programs providing credit toward degrees in Science.

Prerequisite for all the MA SC courses is consent of the Department of Biological Sciences.

Students are expected to take a full course load of 15 units of course weight during the Fall Term. Courses run Monday to Saturday.

In addition to tuition paid to the University there are room and board fees payable to BMSC. Information concerning course prerequisites and application procedures for Marine Science may be obtained from BMSC, the Department of Biological Sciences or the Office of the Dean of Science. Permission to register in these courses is available from the University Programs Coordinator of the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, to whom application should be made. See BMSC website www.bamfieldmsc.com.

See Course Listings  for descriptions of available Marine Science courses.

See also BMSC website www.bamfieldmsc.com for courses offered in the current year.

Northern Studies

Students interested in Canada’s North and especially those planning a career in northern Canada should include within their curriculum some of the following: ANTHR 246, 340, 355, 445, and 446; BIOL 366 ; CANST 302 and 408; EAS 453 and 455; ENCS 201; INT D 443; POL S 432. These courses may be taken within the framework of existing General, Specialization, or Honors programs in the Faculty of Science. Students interested in Northern Studies should mention this to their faculty advisor.

Professional Registration

Graduates of EAS programs may qualify for registration as professional geologists (P. Geol.). The practice of geology in Alberta is governed by provincial law in the interest of public protection against unskilled practice. The right to practice independently (meaning that you are legally able to accept responsibility for your work and sign for it), and the right to use the title of professional geologist (P. Geol.), are restricted to individuals registered by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). Members of the PS Warren student society are automatically student members of APEGA and as such are introduced to the professional association.

Individuals who are planning to meet the knowledge requirements for P. Geol. while also completing their degree at the University of Alberta should plan their program course selection carefully. Attention is drawn in particular to the science subject requirements, additional to calculus, physics and chemistry. APEGA verifies that specific knowledge requirements are met, by reviewing academic credentials course-by-course. Holders of degrees that do not cover the APEGA syllabus may be assessed examinations in missing subjects by the APEGA Board of Examiners before being accepted for registration. Current syllabus and registration information is available at the Departmental Office or from APEGA. Full information is available at www.apega.ca

Specific questions about programs of study or individual courses applicable to professional registration can also be directed to the Departmental APEGA Liaison.

Science After Degrees

An individual holding one or more undergraduate degrees from recognized postsecondary institutions may earn an additional undergraduate degree (After Degree) from the Faculty of Science. The After Degree may be a Bachelor of Science General , a Bachelor of Science Specialization  or a Bachelor of Science Honors . The BSc Specialization in Science and Education degree is not available as an After Degree. There may be a limit on the number of After Degree students admitted each year because the Faculty of Science is under enrolment management. Admission priority will be given to students applying for their first after degree from the Faculty of Science.

Note: For success in your chosen program, ensure you have satisfied the pre/corequisite requirements for all courses. Departments have the right to remove students from courses for failing to present a passing grade (or higher, where stipulated) in the prerequisite course(s) and/or for failing to be enrolled in the corequisite course(s). Please see www.uofa.ualberta.ca/science/programs/undergraduate/admission-to-science for more information.

  1. All of the admission, program, academic standing and graduation standards that apply to a regular degree also apply to After Degree programs, except as noted in Graduation Year . Admission to a BSc Specialization or BSc Honors After Degree program requires the approval of the appropriate Department and the Faculty office. Please refer to Faculty of Science Admission Requirements  for program admission requirements in the Faculty of Science.
  2. An After Degree may not duplicate the degree(s) previously completed. The major or minor of a BSc General After Degree may not be the same as the major or minor of the previous degree(s). The only exception is that students who wish to upgrade a previous Science minor to be the major in the After Degree may do so provided their new minor does not overlap with either the major or minor of the previous degree(s). In the case of BSc Specialization and BSc Honors programs, the area of concentration may not be the same as that of the previous degree(s). However, qualified students holding a BSc General degree from this institution or its equivalent from another institution may use the After Degree to upgrade their previous major to a BSc Specialization or BSc Honors program.
  3. If applying to a BSc General After Degree program, a major and a minor must be declared upon application.
  4. All students in After Degree programs must follow the program to which they have been admitted and must demonstrate progress towards completion of the degree in each Fall/Winter (see Graduation Year ).
  5. To complete an After Degree, a minimum 30 units of course weight will be required if the student holds a BSc degree from the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta, and a minimum of 60 units of course weight will be required if the student holds an undergraduate degree from another Faculty or University. The actual number of credits required to complete an After Degree is dependent on the coursework that was completed prior to the After Degree program and will be determined at the time of admission.
  6. In a BSc General After Degree program, students with a previous BSc General degree from the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta must complete a minimum of 9 senior units of course weight in their major and a minimum of 6 senior units of course weight in their minor while registered in the After Degree program. Students holding a degree from outside the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta must complete a minimum of 18 senior units of course weight in their major and a minimum of 12 senior units of course weight in their minor while registered in the After Degree program.
  7. In a BSc Specialization or BSc Honors After Degree program, students with a previous undergraduate degree from the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta must complete a minimum of 15 senior units of course weight in the area of concentration of the new degree while registered in the After Degree program. Students holding a degree from outside the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta must complete a minimum of 24 units of course weight in the area of concentration of the new degree while registered in the After Degree program.