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Faculty of

Science

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The Faculty of Science at the U of A drives our collective knowledge forward as our researchers and students solve problems across a wide spectrum of disciplines. Whether combating climate change, advancing our understanding of health and the human body, or harnessing complex data, our community is using hands-on skills and innovative thinking to build a better world.

With seven departments and nearly 60 Bachelor of Science (BSc) programs in 39 subject areas, we are one of the most comprehensive science faculties in Canada. With expertise in artificial intelligence, paleontology, biology and many other programs ranked among the best in the world, our faculty equips students and researchers with the tools to solve some of the greatest challenges facing our communities today.

Prospective Students

From artificial intelligence to biology to paleontology, the Faculty of Science's programs are world-recognized. Get hands-on experience as you learn skills to tackle the biggest challenges facing our world.

Graduate Programs

Our graduate science programs offer students the opportunity to study with some of the world's best research scientists. Learn about the variety of master's and doctoral programs within each of our seven departments.

Research

The Faculty of Science has world-leading expertise in research areas encompassing some of the most critical fields of study facing our communities — with over $80M in annual research revenue.

  • #1

    in Canada for Earth Sciences

  • #2

    in North America for Artificial Intelligence

  • #3

    in the world for Paleontology

  • #2

    in Canada for Biological Sciences

Student on North Campus

We Will Shape the Future

Our students are tomorrow’s change makers—seeking out today’s challenges to keep us moving forward. They will overcome barriers, push the boundaries of our knowledge, and question the status quo and innovate on it. They will, with our support. Join the Shape the Future campaign and help us provide students with the opportunities and experiences they need to thrive in a changing world and shape an inspiring future for us all.

Give today

Quick Links

An aerial photo of the Faculty of Science. To help you with the registration process, we have developed this guide in hope to make this process easy for you to understand and follow.

Student FAQs

Whether you're new to the Faculty of Science or returning, our Student FAQ features a guide to helpful resources and answers to common questions.

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Returning to Science

Continuing your program this year? Find helpful resources for course selection and degree completion.

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Explore Online

Take virtual tours of some of the incredible museums, facilities, and collections in the Faculty of Science

Contours

Contours is the annual Faculty of Science magazine published by the Dean's Office. It is shared with Science alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students and other interested readers. It aims to connect alumni with other alumni, to keep people informed of developments in the Faculty of Science, and to build pride and encourage readers to become ambassadors for the Faculty.

Read Contours
Science Contours Winter 2023/24 cover

Giving

Your support helps train the next generation of scientists and supports our researchers in innovating new solutions to complex problems. To date, the faculty has graduated over 46,000 alumni and we have more than 1700 loyal donors who contribute to our annual success.

Alumni & Giving

Our Latest News

UNIVERSITY NEWS
Rock solid legacy
Research
Rock solid legacy
UNIVERSITY NEWS
To close the scientific gap
Science and Technology
To close the scientific gap
UNIVERSITY NEWS
AI’s architect
Instructors, Research, Science and Technology
AI’s architect
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Meet Vice Dean Anthony Singhal: Supporting scientific excellence in leadership and research
Employees
Meet Vice Dean Anthony Singhal: Supporting scientific excellence in leadership and research
Tuning in to the sounds of Canada’s wildlife
Research, Science and Technology
Tuning in to the sounds of Canada’s wildlife
Student-led crew brings Albertosaurus named Rose to the screen
Research, Science and Technology
Student-led crew brings Albertosaurus named Rose to the screen
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Rachael Chew: BSc General with Double Major, Biological Sciences and Psychology
Students
Rachael Chew: BSc General with Double Major, Biological Sciences and Psychology
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Convocation ‘25: Lindsay Weller, BSc specialization chemistry
Students
Convocation ‘25: Lindsay Weller, BSc specialization chemistry
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Congratulations to Dr. Dana Hayward
Congratulations to Dr. Dana Hayward
The science behind the surge in northern lights
Research, Society and Culture, Science and Technology
The science behind the surge in northern lights
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Science blooms with Arabidopsis
Research, Science and Technology
Science blooms with Arabidopsis
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Students reach for the stars with NASA launch
Research, Science and Technology, Students
Students reach for the stars with NASA launch
How to Build a Better Relationship With Your Dog
Just for Fun
How to Build a Better Relationship With Your Dog
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Faces of Philanthropy: Murdeshwar Family
Faces of Philanthropy: Murdeshwar Family
How the U of A became Canada’s top AI university
Science and Technology, Society and Culture, Research, Health And Wellness, Business
How the U of A became Canada’s top AI university
UNIVERSITY NEWS
National Indigenous People’s Day June 21st, 2025
National Indigenous People’s Day June 21st, 2025
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Convocation ‘25: Chenoa Kaufman, Bsc Honors in Molecular & Cellular Biology
Students
Convocation ‘25: Chenoa Kaufman, Bsc Honors in Molecular & Cellular Biology
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Patricia Eiman: BSc with Double Major, Chemistry and Biological Sciences
Students
Patricia Eiman: BSc with Double Major, Chemistry and Biological Sciences
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Osmar Zaiane receives the 2025 CAIAC Lifetime Achievement Award
Osmar Zaiane receives the 2025 CAIAC Lifetime Achievement Award
Cheeky discovery: scientists identify previously unknown soft tissue structure in dinosaurs
Science and Technology, Research
Cheeky discovery: scientists identify previously unknown soft tissue structure in dinosaurs
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Memory’s mutable mind
Science and Technology, Research, Health And Wellness
Memory’s mutable mind
UNIVERSITY NEWS
The vanishing archive
Science and Technology, Research
The vanishing archive
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Planetary linchpins: What rivers can tell us about climate change
Planetary linchpins: What rivers can tell us about climate change
New radiotracer could make breast cancer detection quicker, more accurate
Health And Wellness, Research, Science and Technology
New radiotracer could make breast cancer detection quicker, more accurate
Getting beyond the gut: AI tool reveals hidden health risks for people with inflammatory bowel disease
Research, Health And Wellness
Getting beyond the gut: AI tool reveals hidden health risks for people with inflammatory bowel disease
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Convocation ‘25: Adrien Lam, BSc Honors Immunology and Infection
Students
Convocation ‘25: Adrien Lam, BSc Honors Immunology and Infection
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Convocation ‘25: Emily Liu, BSc Specialization in Pharmacology
Students
Convocation ‘25: Emily Liu, BSc Specialization in Pharmacology
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Congratulations to Dr. Ben Dyson
Congratulations to Dr. Ben Dyson
U of A professor emeritus joins ranks of Newton, Darwin in Royal Society
Society and Culture, Science and Technology, Research
U of A professor emeritus joins ranks of Newton, Darwin in Royal Society
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Threatened grasslands key to carbon capture solutions
Threatened grasslands key to carbon capture solutions