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Return to: Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences [ALES]
Faculty Objectives
Our undergraduate mission is to promote the development of graduates who are scientifically competent; sensitive to environmental, global, and other social issues; creative; and capable of leadership in addressing challenges faced by individuals, families, and the agriculture, forestry, food, and other natural resources sectors. The Faculty strives to develop the following skills and traits in its students:
- Critical and creative thinking skills: the ability to analyze, integrate, and extrapolate information;
- Good judgment in problem solving and decision making;
- Good communication skills: literacy, speaking, and listening;
- An appreciation of knowledge and education, and a commitment to continuous learning; and
- An appreciation and understanding of international and cross-cultural considerations.
The Baccalaureate degrees in the Faculty provide students with a broad education and comprehensive preparation in their specialities. Programs provide students with:
- a solid foundation in applicable social, physical, and biological sciences, and in the humanities. Programs stress more than simple proficiency in these disciplines; they offer courses that feature an integrated, multidisciplinary treatment of subjects;
- awareness of current issues in the various disciplines and the ability to solve problems in their chosen occupations.
- the necessary academic background for graduate studies.
Members of the Faculty
Listings of members of the Faculty can be found in the Faculty/Lecturer Directory.
Student Advising
Undergraduate students seeking advice on academic matters such as program requirements, course scheduling and registration, academic standing, appeals, and University referrals should consult ALES Student Services.
Definitions
The following terms are specific to the Faculty of ALES and used throughout this section of the Calendar. Also see the Calendar’s Glossary .
Approved Program Elective (APE): courses that build on the requirements of a major and allow some customization of the learning experience. APEs should be selected from lists posted on the Faculty website.
Capstone Course: synthesizes knowledge and skills learned throughout the four years of the program. These courses are integrative and experiential, and are taken in the final year. The Faculty reviews potential Capstone Courses annually to ensure that specific criteria are met.
Free Electives: courses that allow students to broaden their background and knowledge base. These courses may build on their discipline or be of personal interest but unrelated to their program. Any university-level course can be considered a free elective.
Major: Academic area of focus within a degree program. Students who have not selected a major by the end of their first year in the program may be required to declare one before registering for the next academic year.
Minor: Secondary area of focus that complements a major within a degree program.
Normal Course Load: A normal full academic course load is 15 units of course weight per term in Fall/Winter. Students wishing to take more than 15 units of course weight in a term must have satisfactory standing and approval of ALES Student Services.
Program Core: consists of the central program elements in each degree.
Graduate Studies
Programs leading to advanced degrees at the Master’s and Doctorate levels are offered by most Faculty departments. Course programs and thesis projects are arranged in consultation with Faculty members or with the Department’s graduate coordinator.
See this Calendar’s Graduate Programs General Information for general information about graduate studies. Specific information about requirements and opportunities in a particular field of study may be obtained from the appropriate Department in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. These Departments include:
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