Students in the atrium

Faculty of

Agricultural, Life &Environmental Sciences

UA graphic depicting wheat and raindrops on water

The Faculty of ALES at the U of A provides solutions to global challenges, such as agriculture and food, the environment, community and individual well-being, and bioresource innovation.

Comprising four departments and more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs, ALES turns science into solutions that encompass the entire human experience.

Prospective Students

An undergraduate degree in ALES challenges you to find solutions for real-life problems. Pursue a degree that matters and secure a job in an in-demand career.

Graduate Programs

ALES offers a variety of science-based graduate programs, including several specializations that are available as course or thesis-based.

Research

ALES conducts a robust research program that provides solutions to global challenges in our comprehensive research and teaching facilities.

  • 17,500+

    Alumni with over 60%
    living in Alberta

  • $48M

    in external research
    funding annually

  • 25,000

    Acres of farm and ranch land
    spanning Alberta

Cover of publication reads Shaping Alberta with three pictures: one of a forest, one of a field of crops, and an aerial view of rural Alberta

Shaping Alberta: The Impact of the Faculty of ALES

2023

Since our inception in 1915, the faculty has contributed to the province's economics, environment and society. Read more about the activities and successes of our students, faculty and researchers, and our ambitious vision for the future.

Read the publication

Quick Links

What's on

aerial view of the Breton Plots, rich green fields of crops in rectangle plots

Breton Plots Field Day

Please join us at the University of Alberta Breton Plots, a historic and unique site that is one of the longest running agricultural soil experiments in North America. It continues to enable research on soil health, higher yields, greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen fertilizers, nutrient balances, crop rotation and carbon sequestration.

More information

See all ALES events

SHAPE THE FUTURE

Our students are tomorrow’s change makers - seeking out today’s challenges to keep us moving forward. They will overcome barriers, help feed the world, improve food sustainability and contribute to a better world for all of us. They will, with our support. Give today to the Shape the Future campaign for student success.

Our Latest News

The cricket ick factor: sustainability not a selling point for bug-based snacks
Society and Culture, Research, Science and Technology
The cricket ick factor: sustainability not a selling point for bug-based snacks
Malnutrition may be a hidden health factor for people with obesity and osteoarthritis
Health And Wellness, Research, Science and Technology
Malnutrition may be a hidden health factor for people with obesity and osteoarthritis
Video Spotlight: A stitch in time to fight fabric waste
Society and Culture
Video Spotlight: A stitch in time to fight fabric waste
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Convocation ‘25: Amanda Hardman, BSc in Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture Systems major
Students
Convocation ‘25: Amanda Hardman, BSc in Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture Systems major
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Convocation ‘25: Emily Mahon, BSc Environmental & Conservation Sciences
Students
Convocation ‘25: Emily Mahon, BSc Environmental & Conservation Sciences
Alumni Fuel Economy Amid Tariff Tensions
Discovery
Alumni Fuel Economy Amid Tariff Tensions
New research helps Alberta communities take fuel away from wildfires
Science and Technology, Research
New research helps Alberta communities take fuel away from wildfires
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Using GIS to find connection in the environment and in the classroom
Instructors, Research
Using GIS to find connection in the environment and in the classroom
Traditional diet shows promise for modern gut health
Health And Wellness, Research, Science and Technology
Traditional diet shows promise for modern gut health
Rubik’s Food
Feature
Rubik’s Food
Verna’s Vlog with Rickey Yada
From the Provost's Desk
Verna’s Vlog with Rickey Yada
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Meet Jemma Forgie: Designing safer futures by improving protective clothing
Science and Technology, Research, Health And Wellness
Meet Jemma Forgie: Designing safer futures by improving protective clothing
UNIVERSITY NEWS
From the lab to the field, Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) scholarship supports critical research in crop development and drought resilience
Students, Research
From the lab to the field, Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) scholarship supports critical research in crop development and drought resilience
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Convocation ‘25: Caleb Reid, BSc Forest Business Management
Students
Convocation ‘25: Caleb Reid, BSc Forest Business Management
Plant partnership: fungi help spruce trees fight off budworm attacks
Science and Technology, Research
Plant partnership: fungi help spruce trees fight off budworm attacks
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Awards and accolades: Spring 2025
Students, Instructors
Awards and accolades: Spring 2025
Bioengineered red yeast turns wood waste into a valuable fatty acid
Research, Science and Technology
Bioengineered red yeast turns wood waste into a valuable fatty acid
The ‘smartwear revolution’ begins: clothing with built-in sensors will improve balance, reduce injuries and support people with muscle weakness
Health And Wellness, Science and Technology, Research
The ‘smartwear revolution’ begins: clothing with built-in sensors will improve balance, reduce injuries and support people with muscle weakness
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Seeing the forest through the trees in Mexico
Students, Travel
Seeing the forest through the trees in Mexico
Rheumatology enters the chat: research projects use AI and collaborative thinking to improve patient care
Research, Health And Wellness, Science and Technology
Rheumatology enters the chat: research projects use AI and collaborative thinking to improve patient care
New theory on dairy cow disease could revolutionize animal health — and maybe human medicine
Health And Wellness, Research, Science and Technology
New theory on dairy cow disease could revolutionize animal health — and maybe human medicine
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Family matters: celebrating the work of family science researcher and educator Deanna Williamson
Research, Instructors
Family matters: celebrating the work of family science researcher and educator Deanna Williamson
Mates for life: identical twin grads share vision of veterinary careers
Health And Wellness
Mates for life: identical twin grads share vision of veterinary careers
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Convocation ‘25: Janna Ehrenholz, BSc Clothing, Textiles & Material Culture
Students
Convocation ‘25: Janna Ehrenholz, BSc Clothing, Textiles & Material Culture
North American boreal forest holds 31 per cent more trees than thought
Research, Science and Technology
North American boreal forest holds 31 per cent more trees than thought
Video Spotlight: Research in record time
Science and Technology, Health And Wellness, Research, Society and Culture
Video Spotlight: Research in record time
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Making waves at the Ronald O. Ball Lecture in Food & Agriculture
Research, Society and Culture, Science and Technology
Making waves at the Ronald O. Ball Lecture in Food & Agriculture
UNIVERSITY NEWS
The Ag Club’s annual Bar None, the longest running event on campus, reaches fund-raising milestone
Students
The Ag Club’s annual Bar None, the longest running event on campus, reaches fund-raising milestone
Alberta researchers aim to revolutionize animal feed
Science and Technology, Research
Alberta researchers aim to revolutionize animal feed
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Field researcher's early evacuation decision safeguards team from wildfire threat
Research, Health And Wellness, Employees
Field researcher's early evacuation decision safeguards team from wildfire threat