Science Viewbook 2012
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Transcript of Science Viewbook 2012
S C I E N C EFaculty of
Explore our programs and opportunities and discover why we are simply one of the best Science faculties you can choose from!
•Astrongreputationwithworld-renownedfacilities,labs,andcollections.
•Outstandingfacultycapturingnumerousteachingandresearchawards.
Expect nothing less from a world class university!
•Nationalandinternationalrecognitionforresearchdevelopmentswithover$70millioninresearchfunding.
•Anactivestudentbodyofferingstrongpeersupport,developmentandcommunityinvolvement.
Welcome to the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta
Inlinewiththeuniversity’svisionofdiscoveryandexcellenceinteaching,researchandcreativeactivity,weareheretoofferqualityeducationandtraininginthesciences,withhighstandardsandvalues.
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Why choose the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta?
Size matters
Beingapartofalargeuniversitymeanswecanofferstudentsaccesstonumerousresources,internationally-recognizedprofessors,millionsofdollarsinscholarships,over300studentclubsandservicesandincredibleresearchopportunities.Withoursizecomesadedicationtoqualitythatwillnotbecompromised.
Youwillhaveaccessto:
• State-of-the-art facilities, seven libraries, specialized museums and collections, and student-focused resources and centres.
• Opportunities to take part in and lead research projects, and publish in top international journals.
• Outreach opportunities that bring science education into our community.
• Department advisors assigned to every Specialization and Honors student.
• A dedicated team of advisors for students in the BSc General program.
• Work experience and research opportunities for Canadian and international students.
TheFacultyofSciencehasseventeachingdepartmentsandawidevarietyofcoursesandprogramsavailabletostudy.Enjoyaricheducationthatprovidesastrongscientificbackgroundinyourchosenfieldaswellasspecializedtraininginthesciences.
Weoffer:
• Over 70 undergraduate degrees to choose from with 37 different areas to study.
• Interdisciplinary sciences that encourage collaborations between different science disciplines.
• Small laboratory sections that teach the necessary steps for effective experimentation, specialized lab techniques and the ability to operate and understand complex apparatus.
• Field classes that that encourage hands on learning.
• Undergraduate research courses available from the 2nd year of university.
• Course offerings that span numerous scientific disciplines.
Computing Science Building
Education comes first
Educationisatthecoreofallouractivities.
LearningintheFacultyofSciencemeansyouwillreceivespecializedscientifictraininginvariousareasofmodernscience.
Asasciencestudentyoucanexpect:
• Quality education that is both challenging and innovative.
• Opportunities to learn from and work with professors who are recognized internationally for their contributions to science.
• Hands-on learning experiences through field schools, research and various initiatives.
Specialized scientific training
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Why study Science at the University of AlbertaWhy choose the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta?
Reputation TheUniversityofAlbertaisoneofthetop5universitiesinCanadaandhasahistorythatisrichintraditionandexcellence.In2008ourinstitutionturned100yearsoldandwascelebratedforits’significantcontributionstothegrowthanddevelopmentofAlbertaandCanada.
Afewnotablecontributionsinclude:
• U of A researchers were the first in the world to transform embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing cells.
• The “Father of Alberta’s Oil industry”, Geology Professor Charles Stelck’s groundbreaking fossil research led to discovery of Alberta’s oil reserves.
• Jonathan Schaeffer, Vice-Provost in the Department of Computing Science, and Canada Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence solved the game of checkers, and was named one of 2007’s top ideas by the New York Times.
Results Auniversitydegreegivesyouaccesstonumerouscareeroptions.Itprovidesanopportunityformovementwithinorganizationsandadvancementintomorestrategicroles.GraduatingfromtheFacultyofScienceopensupavarietyofoptionsandopportunities:
• Stable employment with private industry, government and global organizations.
• Entrance into graduate study.
• Pursuit of professional degrees (Medicine, Dentistry, Business, Pharmacy, Law etc.).
• Research opportunities with various organizations, universities, the private sector and government agencies.
The Faculty of Science employs over 300 professors who are passionate about teaching students and pursuing their research interests. Many of our instructors are nationally and internationally acclaimed and have won many distinguished awards.
Teaching Excellence
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So what does this mean for you?Learningfromaprofessorwhoistopintheirresearchfieldmeansyouhaveaccesstothelatestresearchdevelopmentsastheyhappenandcantakepartinamazingscientificdevelopments.
ManyoftheseinstructorsarewritingUniversitytextbooksthatwillbeusednationallyandinternationally
Ourprofessorsarepassionateabouttheirresearchfieldsandareequallyenthusiasticaboutsharingthisknowledgewithstudents.Teachingexcellenceisimportantandtheyarededicatedtotheirstudents.
Weareveryproudtohave:
• 6SteacieAwardwinners-awardedonce a year to a Canadian scientist or engineer who is 40 years old or younger for outstanding scientific research carried out in Canada.
• 16winnersofRutherfordAwardsforExcellence in Undergraduate Teaching - awarded for excellent teaching at the University of Alberta.
• 26CanadaResearchChairs-appointed to outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields, as well as exceptional emerging researchers, acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field.
• 3NSERCChairs-electedVice-President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
• 2AlbertaIngenuityCentresofExcellence -specialized research institutes that support the highest calibre of research.
• 10membersoftheRoyalSocietyofCanada - the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada.
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Which Degree Program is right for you?The BSc General program I like having the flexibility to take different courses and really develop my love of science. In a way I’m designing my own degree program.
TheBScGeneralprogramisaverydiversedegreeandincludesamajorandminorsubject,orareaofconcentrationfromvariousareas.AllmajorsmustbeinScience,butyourminorcanbeinScience;Arts;Business;orAgricultural,LifeandEnvironmentalSciences.ThisprogramalsoprovidesanexcellentfoundationforstudiesinprofessionalprogramssuchasMedicine,Dentistry,OccupationalTherapy,PharmacyorVeterinaryMedicine.
The BSc Specialization program I really like having the chance to focus on one area while taking optional courses at the same time. I am learning to be a specialist in my field.
Thisprogramoffersamorefocusededucationinonechosensubject.StudentsareexpectedtomaintainahigherstandardofacademicachievementthanthoseintheGeneralprogramandmaytakeasetnumberofoptionswithintheirprogram.TheSpecializationprogramcanprovidethebackgroundtohelpyouproceedtoahigherdegree,but,itsprimaryfunctionistoprovideacomprehensiveeducationattheundergraduatelevel.
The BSc Honors program I’ve always wanted to get into research and focus my studies in one area. The Honors program will give me great preparation for grad school.
SimilartotheSpecializationprogram,theHonorsdegreeprovidesexcellenttraininginonespecificsubject.Studentsreceivecomprehensivescientifictraining,participateinaresearchcomponentandareexpectedtomaintainahigherstandardofacademicachievementthanthoseintheotherprograms.
The BSc/BEd Combined programTeaching has been my lifelong dream. With the combined program I can not only become a Science teacher but I can earn 2 degrees in just 5 years.
Thishighly-structuredprogramisdesignedforstudentstocompletetwodegrees-aScienceSpecializationdegreeandanEducationdegree-infiveyears.TheBSc/BEdcombinedprogramtrainsstudentstoteachatthesecondarylevelinacombinationoftwooffollowingthreeareas:BiologicalSciences,PhysicalSciencesandMathematicalSciences.
Business MinorI’m planning to take my science skills and go into Business for myself. The Business Minor program will help me get there.
StudentscanpursueaBusinessminoraspartoftheBScGeneral,BScSpecializationinMath&FinanceandBScSpecializationinComputingScienceprogram.TheadditionalcoursesinAccounting,FinanceandotherBusinesssubjectscomplementoursciencedegreesandaddastrongbackgroundinbusinesseducation.StudentsmayapplytotheBusinessMinorprogramsaftercompletingalistofpre-requisitecourses,normallyintheirfirstyearofuniversity.
The BSc General program Studentsmustpresentaminimum70%averageusingthefollowingfivesubjects:
• EnglishlanguageArts30-1
• PureMathematics30
• TwosubjectsfromBiology30,Chemistry30,Physics30,ComputerScience(CSE)AdvancedLevelorMathematics31
• Onesubjectatthe30-levelineitherHumanities, Science or Fine Arts
BSc Specialization Program Studentsmustpresentaminimum75%overallaveragetobeconsidered.MostprogramsrequireEnglishLanguageArts30-1,PureMathematics30,andthree30-levelSciences
BSc Honors Program Studentsmustpresentatleastan80%overallaverage.MostprogramsrequireEnglishLanguageArts30-1,PureMathematics30,andthree30-levelSciences
BSc/BEd program Studentsmustpresentaminimum75%averageonthefollowingfivesubjects:
• EnglishLanguageArts30-1(minimumgradeof60%)
• Biology30
• Chemistry30
• PureMathematics30
• Onesubjectatthe30-levelineitherHumanities, Science or Fine Arts (Physics 30 recommended)
Applicants must present the minimum application average along with the required courses to be considered for admission. Course requirements vary by program and applicants must also meet the competitive average for the year in which they are applying.
Admission Requirements
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Remember!
TheFacultyofSciencehasaMay1stapplicationdeadline.
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Biological Sciences BScGeneral
BScSpecialization
BScHonors
AnimalBiology • •
Bioinformatics • •
BiologicalSciences •
Ecology • •
EvolutionaryBiology • •
Microbiology • •
MolecularGenetics • •
PhysiologyandDevelopmentalBiology
• •
PlantBiology • •
Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
BScGeneral
BScSpecialization
BScHonors
AppliedMathematics •
ComputationalScience(Mathematics)
•
MathematicalSciences •
Mathematics • • •
MathematicsandEconomics • •
MathematicsandFinance •
Statistics • • •
Physical Sciences BScGeneral
BScSpecialization
BScHonors
Astrophysics • •
Chemistry • • •
Geophysics • •
MathematicalPhysics •
PhysicalSciences •
Physics • • •
Programs at a Glance
Computing Science BScGeneral
BScSpecialization
BScHonors
Bioinformatics • •
ComputingScience • • •
ComputingScienceBusinessMinor
•
ComputingScienceSpecializationinSoftwarePractice
•
Science/Medicine BScGeneral
BScSpecialization
BScHonors
Biochemistry • •
CellBiology • •
ImmunologyandInfection • •
Neuroscience •
Pharmacology • •
Physiology •
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
BScGeneral
BScSpecialization
BScHonors
AtmosphericSciences • •
EarthandAtmosphericSciences •
EnvironmentalEarthSciences • •
Geology • •
Paleontology • •
Planning •
Psychology BScGeneral
BScSpecialization
BScHonors
Psychology • • •
BSc/BEd BScSpecialization
BSc(SpecializationinScienceandEducation)/BEd(Secondary)CombinedDegreesProgram
•
I am...
Department of Biological Sciences
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What you will learn:BiologicalSciencedegreeprogramscoverarangeoftopics,yettheyallrelateinsomewaytothelifesciences.Ourprogramscovertheenvironment-climatechangeanditseffectsonlife,biodiversity-plants,animals,microorganismsandecosystems,Genetics,healthstudies,cellularstructures,pastlifeforms,andevolution.
BiologicalSciencesstudentsallbuildanexcellentfoundationduringthefirstyearoftheirchosendiscipline.Theremainingthreeyearsofanindividual’sprogramoffermanyopportunitiestoindulgetheirownscientificcuriositybytakingpartinundergraduateandgraduateresearchclassesthatmakemeaningfulcontributionstoscientificdevelopment.
Honors and Specialization Degrees• Animal Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Microbiology
• MolecularGenetics
• Physiology&DevelopmentalBiology
• PlantBiology
The Department of Biological Sciences is the most diverse in the Faculty of Science and offers degree programs in nine different focus areas as well as a wide variety of courses and research opportunities.We also have world-class facilities accessible to both undergraduate and graduate students meaning everyone has access to research and development opportunities. Our rich course selection serves several disciplines across campus and can also be applied to a Biological Sciences major in the General Degree.
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I am making a difference
Department of Biological Sciences
Running with the polar bearsCanadaishometoalmosttwothirdsoftheworld’spolarbearpopulation.However,thisiconicspeciesisatriskduetochangesintheglobalecosystem.UniversityofAlbertaProfessorDr.AndrewDerocherisaworld-renownedresearcherwhostudiestheeffectsofclimatechangeandtoxicchemicalsonlargearcticmammals,andmorespecifically,polarbears.
Pollution,energydevelopment,overharvesting(hunting)andtourismallposesignificantthreatstothepolarbearpopulation.Butitisclimatechangethatleadstothemeltingofarcticiceandleadingtothemeltingofarcticseaiceandlarge-scalechangesinseaicedistributionthatcausesthemostproblemsforbears.
Arcticseaiceisthepolarbear’snaturalhabitat.Itisessentialtotheirsurvivalandtheyuseitformatingaswellastravelbetweendensandhuntinggrounds.Changesintheamountandkindofseaicecanresultinsignificantweightloss,highermortalityratesandultimatelyextinctionofpolarbears.
Dr.Derocher’sresearchlooksattheecology,conservationandmanagementofthesepowerfulpredators.Hewantstobetterunderstandhowtheseanimalslive,aswellastheeffecthumanactivitieshaveonthepopulation.Hisresearchfindingsarethensharedwithlocalandnationalmanagementagenciestohelpdevelopandadoptbettermanagementpolicies.
Dr. Andrew Derocher
I am making a difference9
Repairing Human Nerve damageAssociateProfessorDr.DeclanAliisstudyingthetinyzebrafishtofindsolutionsforregeneratingdamagednervecellsinpeople.Zebrafish,acommonfreshwatertropicalfish,sharethesameflight-or-fightreactionthathumansdo.
Zebrafishareagoodmatchforhumansbecausenervecellsdelivertheirinstantmessagingthesamewayforfishandpeople.AccordingtoDr.Ali,“Allsensoryinformationhastobetransferredfromonepartofthebraintoanotherbysynapses”.Inadamagedbrainorspinalcord,communicationalongthenervesiscutoff.Thesolution:re-connectthesynapticcontactpoints.
Whilethisconceptiscomplicated(andrequiresmoreresearch),Dr.Alibelievessomethingcanbelearnedfromthetinytropicalfish.“Webelievethatthedevelopmentofcommunicationpathwaysfornervesinazebrafishembryoissimilartotheregenerationofsynapticcontactsindamagednerves.”
Hisgoalistobetterunderstandthesequenceofsynapsesusedduringtheescaperesponseofembryoniczebrafish.Hehopesthatonedaythisknowledgewillleadtomedicaltechniquesthatrepairnervesdamagedbyspineandbraininjuries.
Expandinghumanpopulationsaroundtheworldareoftenresponsiblefordisplacingresidentwildlife.Somespeciesstruggletosurviveinhuman-alteredlandscapeswhileothersexploitthemandthrive.Twoimportantquestionsarise:Howcanwemakeiteasierforwildlifespeciesindeclinetotraversethesefragmentedlandscapes,howcanweminimizetheconflictthatsometimehappenswhenspeciesarenotgoodatcoexisting?
AssociateProfessorDr.ColleenStClairandherstudentsstudyhabitatfeaturesthataffectanimalmovementstohelpfindwaysofmakingiteasierforwildlifetomove
throughlandscapes.Theirworkhasrevealedthatwolvesavoidhigh-useroadsandtrailsinJasperNationalParkandbirdsusehabitatcorridorsalongwaterways.
Tosolvetheseissuesofhuman-wildlifeconflict,theycombinelearningtheorywithwildlifemanagementandcomeupwithalternativestoundertakinglethalcontrolofproblemwildlife.Herdingelkonhorsebacktopreventovergrazingofthreatenedgrasslandandusingslingshotstoteachbearstobemorewaryofhumansinaresorttownarejusttwoexamplesofwhattheresearchershavecomeupwith.
Increasing landscape permeability and solving human-wildlife conflict
Aliah Adams Knoph, Former Graduate Student
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Chemistry has a direct impact on almost every part of our lives and is considered the “Central Science” because it is connected to all scientific disciplines in one way or another. From the development of environmentally friendly cleaning products to finding cleaner water sources, chemistry is essential.
Department of Chemistry
OurDepartmentofChemistryisoneofthetopthreeChemistrydepartmentsinCanadaandweoffercoursesandresearchopportunitiesinAnalyticalChemistry,ChemicalBiology,ChemicalPhysics,GeneralChemistry,MaterialsandSurface,Nanotechnology,OrganicChemistry,PhysicalChemistry,TheoreticalandComputationalChemistry.
What you will learn:Attheundergraduatelevel,studentscanenrollinaBScHonorsorSpecializationdegreeinchemistry,oraBScGeneraldegreewithaconcentrationinchemistry.
BoththeHonorsandSpecializationdegreesofferspecializedtraininginthetheoreticalandpracticalcomponentsofchemistry.Studentstakeaselectionofcoursesingeneral,analytical,organicandphysicalchemistry,aswellasmathematicsandrelatedcoursesinenvironmentalstudies.Bothdegrees
areaccreditedbytheCanadianSocietyforChemistry.StudentsineitherdegreereceivethenecessarytrainingforacareerasaprofessionalchemistalthoughtheHonorsprogramisbettersuitedforstudentswhowanttopursuegraduatestudiesandresearchinthefield.
AchemistrymajorintheGeneraldegreeoffersalessstructuredprogramandgivesstudentstheflexibilitytoenrollinchemistrycourses,aswellasotherscienceandartsoptions.
“Dr. Jeff Stryker…” (Advanced Organic Chemistry Professor) “…is a very engaging lecturer and presented a very difficult subject in a fun and interesting way. He also had a no-nonsense attitude when it came to work while retaining a laid back attitude that encouraged one to learn.”-DavidGrewer,4thyearChemistrySpecializationstudent,onwhichprofessorinspireshim.
I am finding a cure
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Treating diseases
Dr.DavidBundle,ChemistryProfessorandDirectoroftheAlbertaIngenuityCentreforCarbohydrateScience,isaworldleaderincarbohydratechemistryandglycobiology.
HisresearchincludesthedevelopmentoftargetedcancervaccinesandthedesignandsynthesisofdrugstotreatAlzheimer’sdisease.
WhenhefirstjoinedtheUniversityofAlbertaDr.BundlewasamemberofthelateRaymondLemieux’sresearchteamthatdevelopedthefirstsyntheticbloodgroupantigens.Thisdiscoveryisrecognizedasthebeginningofthemoderneraofcarbohydratechemistryandcreatedthepossibilityofa
patient’sbloodtypebeingeliminatedasabarriertoorgantransplants.
Dr.Bundle’sworkhasledtoseveralscientificbreakthroughsandaspin-offcompany;TheraCarb.Hisresearchteamhasdevelopedaninhibitorthatblocksthecholeratoxin,aharmfuleffectofcholerainfections,aswellasavaccineagainstCandidaalbicans.
IncollaborationwithcolleaguesPavelKitovandGlenArmstrong,heisalsoworkingonthedevelopmentofadrug;Polybait,thatpreventstheE.colibacteriafrommakingcontactwithkidneycells.
ThedrugwillconverttheE.colibacteriatoanaturally-occurring
proteinmolecule,whichcanthenbetransportedtotheliverandeventuallyeliminatedfromthebody.Testingisintheearlystagesbutsofarthedruglookspromising.
Dr.Bundle’sworkisnotonlyimportanttoadvancingcarbohydratechemistryandglobalhealth,butisappreciatedbyhisstudentsaswell.Heteachesintroductoryorganicchemistryandshareshisexpertiseandloveofthesubjectwithhisundergraduatestudents.
Nanotechnology for your health
Dr.JillianBuriakisaprofessor&seniorresearchofficerattheNationalInstituteforNanotechnology(NINT).Sheisanaward-winningexpertinsemiconductorsurfacechemistryandleadsanimportantresearchgroupatNINT.In2007sheteamedupwithDr.FabrizioGiulianifromtheDivisionofNeurologytoinvestigatethecausesandtreatmentsofneurodegenerativedisorders,specificallymultiplesclerosis.
Partoftheresearchinvolves“..growinghumancorticalneuronsandprovidingananostructuredenvironmentinwhichtheneuronsthinktheyareathomeinthebrain.”Bydoingthis,researchersgetabetterunderstandingofhowneurodegenerativediseasesdevelopandtheeffectsofdifferenttreatments.
“Youcanstudytheeffectsofdifferentdrugsorfactorsondifferentpartsoftheneurontounderstand,fromafundamentalperspective,whatisleadingtoneurodegenerationandwhetheryoucanpreventit.”
ForDr.Buriak,nanotechnologyopensthedoorstootherpossibilities,too.“Becausetheseneuronswillbegrowingonsiliconchips,wecouldhavetheabilitytomeasuretheelectricalactivitiesofthesecells.”
DrBuriak,alongwithateamofotherscientistsfromtheUofAandNINT,arealsoimprovingtheperformanceofplasticsolarcells(hybridorganicsolarcells).Thisisofgreatinteresttomanybecauseofthehighcostandshortageoftheultra-highpuritysiliconand
othermaterials.Aftertwoyearsofresearchtheyhaveseenimprovementsofabout30percentintheefficiencyoftheirworkingmodel.
DrBuriakbelievesitwillbefivetosevenyearsbeforeplasticsolarpanelscanbemassproducedsothatsolarenergyisreadilyavailabletoeveryone.I am finding a cure
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I am creating a new reality
OurComputingSciencedegreesallowstudentstocombineacomputingsciencebackgroundwithanothertopicoftheirchoicetocreateaflexibleandappliedprogram.Studentsbuildastrongtheoreticalandmathematicalfoundationthroughtheprogramthatincludeshardwareandsoftwaredesignandprocesses.Traininginartificialintelligence,userinterfacedesign,telecommunicationsandmoreisonofferinlateryears.StudentscanalsoopttoapplyforaBusinessminorwhichallowsthemtousetheirdegreeinanybusinessenvironment.
OtherprogrammingincludestheSpecializationinSoftwarePractice-whichfocusesonprofessionalsoftwaredesignandBioinformatics-acombinationofmathematicalandcomputingknowledgethatcanbeusedtoanswermedicalandbiologicalquestions.
What you will learn Data Mining to help breast cancer patientsDatamining,orknowledgediscovery,involvesanalyzinglargestoresofdatatofindconnectionsandpatternsandsummarizingitintousefulinformation.
ComputingScienceProfessor,Dr.OsmarZaïaneandhisteamattheAlbertaIngenuityCentreforMachineLearningareusingdataminingtoimprovetheinterpretationofmammograms-oneofthemostdifficultmedicalimagestoanalyze.
AccordingtoDr.Zaïane,therearethousandsandthousandsofmammogramsthatdoctorshavetogothrougheachyear.Theyaredifficulttoanalyze,andmistakescanbemade
The Department of Computing Science at the University of Alberta was one of the first programs of its kind established in Canada and has a well-earned reputation for being innovative, creative and responsive.
Our hands-on courses and state-of-the-art facilities attract global attention and our talented professors are always eager to incorporate the latest developments in technology and techniques into their undergraduate teaching.
Department of Computing Science
Itisrecommendedthattwodoctorsreadeverymammogram,butwithashortageofradiologists,onlyasmallpercentofmammogramsinAlbertaarerandomlyselectedforasecondopinion.That’swheredataminingcanmakeabigdifference.
Usingmachine-learningtechniques-meaningthecomputerlearnsasitacquiresmoreinformationfromdoctors-Dr.Zaïane’steambuiltaprototypecalledShufti².Shufti²isabletoexamineimagesanddetermineifcancerispresent.ItalsoprovidesacolorcodeddetectionconfidencelevelforRadiologists.
AccordingtoDr.Zaïane,theprototypeisnotdesignedtoreplacethehumanexpertinmakingadiagnosis,buthelpnarrowdownthepoolselectedforasecondreadingwithintelligentcriteria.“Whenthemachinecan’tmakeapredictionwithanydegreeofcertainly,thenmaybethosearethecasesthatshouldbesentforsecondreading[byadoctor].Ratherthanselectingrandomly,weselect,inasmartway,thecasesthataredifficult.”
I am creating a new reality13
Mentionthewords“virtualreality”andthefirstthingsthatcometomindareprobablysciencefictionfilmsandspecializedcomputergames.Itistrue-virtualrealityiswellknownforits’entertainmentvalue-butalsohascountlessotherpracticaluses.UniversityofAlbertaprofessorsDr.PierreBoulanger,ProfessorandDirectoroftheAdvancedMan-MachineInterfacelaboratory,andDr.WalterBischof,ComputingScienceProfessor,areexploringthe
varioususesforvirtualrealitythroughtheirresearch.
Dr.Boulangerresearchesvirtualprototypeswhichisawaytotestcommercialproductsinthevirtualworld.Thistechnologycansavecompaniesthousandsofdollars,allowingthemtorefineaproductinthevirtualworldbeforesendingitintofullproduction.AnothermemberofDr.Boulanger’steamworksontechnologyusedtocreate
virtualconferencerooms.(Inwhichparticipantsappeartoactuallybeintheroom).Tomakethisenvironmentasrealaspossibleeverydetailmustbeconsideredandparticipantsshouldappeartobetalkingtoeachother.
Dr.Bischoff’steamstudiesnumerousapplicationsthatincludecomputer-assistedsurgicaltraining.Forcesensorsattachedtothesurgeon’stoolswillallowexpertstoanalyzeandevaluatethesurgeon’sperformance.
Did you know?TheDepartmentofComputingSciencehasaHighSchoolInternshipprogramthatprovidespaidworkexperiencetograde11and12studentsinterestedincomputingscience.Studentsareselectedbasedongradesandinterest,andareplacedinlabsoncampus!
Collaborative Virtual Environments
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A small department with a BIG impact, the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences offers programs that examine the Earth, its structure and evolution, and the atmosphere above us. It is unique in Canada in that it offers its students an interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental earth science, geology, atmospheric science and geography.
I am uncovering our past
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
What you will learn
Examining the atmosphere, surface and interior of the Earth.
ThroughtheEnvironmentalEarthScienceprogramstudentsexaminehowhumanbehaviorandactivitiesaffectourenvironmentgloballyandlocally.TheAtmosphericSciencesdegreeexaminestheEarth’satmosphere,weatherandclimate.
Geologystudentslearnaboutmaterialsthatmakeuptheearth,theprocesseswhichaffectthesematerialsandtheoriginandevolutionoflife.ThisprogramiscertifiedbyAPEGGA(AssociationofProfessionalEngineers,GeologistsandGeophysicistsofAlberta)andstudentsparticipateinanumberoffieldplacementsaspartoftheireducation.
TheHonorsPaleontologydegreeintegratesbackgroundsinpaleontology,earthsciencesandbiologicalsciencesbyconcentratingonthestudyoffossilsandancientlifeforms.
TheSpecializationinPlanningprogramfocusesondevelopinggraduateswithabroadrangeofplanningknowledgeandexperience,withaconcentratedfocusonenvironmentalplanning,environmentalsciences,andtheroleofcomputingtechnologyinPlanning.
I am uncovering our past15
Did you know?Climate change and the Arctic
The History of PollutionEarthandAtmosphericSciencesPhDgraduateColinCookefocusedhisresearchonhumanimpactsontheenvironment.HisNationalGeographicSociety-fundedworkcombinedpaleolimnology(thestudyofancientlakesediments)withthefieldsofarchaeology,andgeochemistry.
HisstudyofancientlakesedimentfromhighaltitudelakesintheAndeshasrevealedforthefirsttimethatmercurypollutionoccurredlongbeforethestartoftheIndustrialRevolution.
Colin’sresultsfromtwoseasonsoffieldworkprovidedthefirstunambiguousrecordsofpre-industrialmercurypollutionfromanywhereintheworld.HisteamrecoveredsedimentcoresfromhighelevationlakeslocatedneartheNewWorld’slargestmercurydeposit.Bymeasuringtheamountofmercurypreservedinthecoresbackthroughtime,theyreconstructedthehistoryofmercuryminingandpollutionintheregion.
AccordingtoColin,“Theideathatmercurypollutionwashappeningbeforetheindustrialrevolutionhaslongbeenhypothesisedonthebasisofhistoricalrecords,butneverproven.”
“Wefoundthatmercurymining,smeltingandmissionsgobackasfaras1400BC.Moresurprisingly,miningappearstohavebeganbeforetheriseofanycomplexorhighlystratifiedsociety.Thisrepresentsadeparturefromcurrentthinking,whichsuggestsminingonlyaroseafterthesesocietiesemerged.”
UniversityofAlbertaGeophysicistandProfessor,Dr.ChristianHaasisresearchingtheroleofArcticandAntarcticseaiceintheclimatesystem.AccordingtoDr.Hass,“TheeffectsofglobalwarmingontheseaiceoftheArcticarenotclearatall”.Factorssuchasairtemperature,waterheatflowandmotionoftheiceplayarolein
boththethicknessoficeandtheshrinkingcoverageovertheocean.
Usingaerialsurveyinghardware,Dr.HassisabletosurveytheiceontheArcticOceaninbothwinterandsummerconditions.HisdatashowsthattheseaiceintheregionoftheNorthpolehasthinnedupto53percentbetween2001and2007.
• AtmosphericSciences
• EnvironmentalEarthSciences
• Geology
• Paleontology
Honors and Specialization Degrees
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I am searching for a solution
What you will learn
Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
Mathematical Modelling of the Immune SystemMathematicsProfessor,Dr.MichaelY.Liusesmathematicalmodelstostudyhumanimmuneresponsestoinfections,mostnotablythatofHIV.“Myresearchinterestinthisareaisthemodelingoftheinvivoinfectionprocessofcertainvirusesandhowtheimmunesystemrespondstotheinfection,aswelltheinteractionoftheinfection,immunesystemandvarioustreatmentmeasures.”Dr.Lialsostudiesthemathematicaltheoryofepidemiology.“Inmypointofview,mathematicalmodelscanbeveryusefulinidentifyingtheunderlyingmechanismsforanepidemicorendemicprocess.”
If you enjoy solving puzzles and clever number games, or even calculating the scoring average of your favorite sports player, then you have a true appreciation for Mathematics. Mathematics and Statistics play a fundamental role in our modern world and provide us with the tools for analyzing and solving problems in a variety of fields.
OurDepartmentofMathematicalandStatisticalSciencesoffersawiderangeofprogramsandcoursestochoosefrom.
WiththeMathematicsandAppliedMathematicsdegreesstudentscanchooseeitherthe“purebeauty”ofmathematicsanditsprinciples,orthevariouswaystousemathematicalprinciplestosolverealworldproblems.OurHonorsMathematicsprogramisforstudentswithanappreciationforabstraction,logicandsymmetry,whiletheSpecializationprogramcombinesaninterestinmathematicswiththestudyofarelateddisciplinesuchasphysicsorstatistics.
WeofferdegreesinadvancedstatisticsaswellasComputationalSciencewhichcombineinterestsinmathematicsand/orstatisticswithstudiesincomputingscience.
Interestedinthefinancialindustry?OurMathematicsandFinanceandMathematicsandEconomicsdegreesofferadiverseeducationinmathematics,finance,economicsandactuarialsciences.
I am searching for a solution17
Did you know?Asymptote:Acomputerlanguagethatdrawsgraphicsandchartswithoutusingacomputermouse!
UnderthedirectionofUniversityofAlbertaMathematicsProfessorJohnBowman,undergraduatestudentsAndyHammerlindlandTomPrincedevelopedavectorgraphicslanguageknownasAsymptote.
Asymptotebeganin2002asasummerundergraduateresearchprojectforAndywhowasanundergraduatestudentatthetimeinHonorsMathematics.TomPrincejoinedtheteamandcontributedamethodforembeddingAsymptotegraphicsintoLaTeXwhichisthestandardtypesettingprogramusedintheSciencecommunity.
Asymptoteisacompletelytext-basedgraphicsprogram.TodrawapictureusingAsymptote,theuserdoesnotneedtoreachforhis/hermouseatall.Anentiredocument,withmathematicallyperfectresizableillustrations,canbeexclusivelyconstructedinLaTeXbytypingcode.Thelanguagecancreate2Dand3Dgraphics,andcanbeusedformultiplefunctionsincludingdrawing,clipping,andcolorfills.
BothAndyHammerlindlandTomPrincehavenowgraduatedfromtheFacultyofScienceandarepursuingindividualgraduatework.
Fighting forest firesDr.ThomasHillen,UniversityofAlbertaProfessorandDirectoroftheAppliedMathematicsInstitute,istheprojectleaderforMITACSprojecton“forestfirespreadinheterogeneouslandscapes”.
ThisteamofCanadianresearchers,incollaborationwiththeGEOIDEprojectonForestFiresandStochasticModelling,hopestodevelopamulti-scaleapproachtothemathematicalmodellingofforestfirespreadandcontrol.
Canadianresearchershavelonglookedatinfluencerslikemoistureandwind,fuel,andlandscapetopographywhenstudyingforestfires.Theyhavecreatedfirehazard
tablesanddevelopedcomputerguidedpredictiontools.Thisteamwillusemathematicalmodelsandequationstodeterminerateofspread,energyreleaserates,temperaturedistributionandmore.ThereishopethattheMITACSprojectwillhelpstrengthenthetoolstobothfightandmanageforestfiresinCanada.
• AppliedMathematics
• ComputationalScience
• Mathematics
• MathematicsandEconomics
• MathematicsandFinance
• Statistics
Honors and Specialization Degrees
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Physics is known as a “fundamental Science” as it involves a true understanding of how the world really works. How did the universe begin? And how is it changing? Physicists study universal laws governing matter, space, energy and time, and the interaction between these elements. Our Department of Physics is one of the largest of its kind in Canada with a faculty that is internationally recognized for its teaching and research.
I am bringing science to the community
Department of Physics
What you will learnAsaPhysicsstudentyouwillbuildastrongbackgroundinmodernphysics,mechanics,thermodynamics,electromagnetism,relativity,quantummechanics,statisticalphysicsandlaboratorywork.Topicsinareaslikelaserspectroscopy,optics,electronics,nuclearphysics,particlephysics,stellaratmospheres,stellarinteriors,fieldtheory,condensedmatterandfluiddynamicsareintroducedinlateryearsoftheprogram.
OurAstrophysicsprogramconsidersthephysicsbehindcosmologicalobjectsandtheirinteractions,whiletheMathematicalPhysicsdegreedrawsfrommathematicalmodelsandtheoriestocreatemethodsthatareusedto
solvephysicalissues.InGeophysics,studentsuseprinciplesfromPhysicstounderstandthestructureanddynamicsoftheEarthbelowitssurface. TheInstituteforSpaceScience,
ExplorationandTechnology(ISSET)SpaceAcademy
TheISSETSpaceAcademybringsgrade7to9studentstotheUniversityofAlbertacampusoverthesummertoexploretheworldofPhysics.Thetwoweek-longcamp,immersesjuniorhighschoolstudentsinavarietyof“physicsrelated”activities.Studentbuildandflyrockets,handlerealmeteoritesandexperiencingthe3-Dvirtual-realityversionofamagneticstorminouterspace.
Physics in the Community
The knowledge of Nature
Photo:InfocusImageryInc.AuroraBorealis
I am bringing science to the community19
Did you know?TherealityofAntimatter
FansofDanBrown’sbook“AngelsandDemons”areundoubtedlycuriousandfearfulofthelegendaryantimatter-thevolatilesubstancethatevildoersinthebookplannedtostealanduseintheirplansformassdestruction.Manywonder,doesantimatteractuallyexist?Isittrulyasdangerousasitisperceivedandcanitgetintothewronghands?AccordingtoUniversityofAlbertaPhysicistandCERNresearcherDr.RogerMoore-thereissimplynoneedtofear.
Dr.RogerMooreisworkingontheATLASprojectatCERN(EuropeanCentreforNuclearResearch)andiscurrentlyresearchingdarkmatter.
ThefactisthatbothantimatterandmatterhaveexistedsincetheBigBang,anditistrue;halfagramofantimattermixedwiththesameamountofmatterwouldcreateanexplosionequaltokilotonsofTNT.Butantimatterisverydifficulttocreate.AccordingtoDr.Moore,“Itwouldtakeroughly10millionyearstomake0.5gramsofantimatter”,andyouthenhavetoworryaboutstorage.“Youjustcan’tkeepantimatterinabottle.Abottleismadeofmatter-matterandantimatter,togethertheygoboom.”
UniversityofAlbertaPhysicistandCanadaResearchChairinSpacePhysics,Dr.IanMannhasbeenstudyingthephysicsofmagneticstormsandsubstormsandhopestoonedaypredictwhenspacestormswillactuallyoccur.
FortunatelyforDr.Mannandhisteamofresearchers,thisgoalmayberealizedsoonerthantheyinitiallythought.Theteamhasuncoveredascientificbreakthroughinthefieldofspacephysics…anditstartedwithsomethingbeautifulandseeminglyinnocent-theNorthernLights.
AuroraBorealis-commonlyknownastheNorthernLightsisactuallytheresultofsolarparticlescollidingwiththeearth’satmosphereduringaspacestorm.Thisbeautifuldisplay,visibleonlyintheNorthernhemisphere,canactuallybecomeadeadlysourceofenergythatcancauseconsiderabledamagetosatellitesandspacecrafts.
AccordingtoDr.Mann,“TheenergyenteringEarth’satmospherefromsuch
stormscanbeequivalenttotheenergyproducedfrom10majorpowerstationsonEarth.”
TheteamhaspartneredwithNASAandusesfivesatellitesfromNASA’sTHEMISmission,alongwithground-monitoringstationsinNorthernCanada,todetectmagneticdisturbancesinspace.Thisdataisthenusedtolocatestormsandactuallypinpointtheeyeofthestorm.Oncethisisdonetheycancalculatehowfastitistravellingandultimatelypredictwhenitwillarrive.
Byknowingwhenastormisabouttoenterouratmosphere,morecanbedonetoprotectastronauts,satellitesandequipment.
FortunatelytheNorthernlightscanstillbeadmiredfromafar,andDr.MannistheleadinvestigatorfortheAuroraWatch-awebsitethatmonitorsgeomagneticactivityinEdmonton.Thoseonthemailinglistwillbealertedwhenthereisahighchanceofseeinganaurorathatnight.
Chasing storms- from outer space?
Physics in the Community
• Astrophysics
• Geophysics
• MathematicalPhysics
• Physics
Honors and Specialization Degrees
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The Department of Psychology is shared between the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Arts and is one of the largest and best-known departments of its kind in North America. Its diversity means it can offer students comprehensive opportunities to study two different aspects of the field.
Department of Psychology
ASciencedegreeinpsychologyfocusesonhowthebrainfunctionsaswellashowweperceive,learnandforgetthings.Studentslearnaboutperceptionandmotivation,behaviorandcognitivedevelopmentwithemphasisonthephysical,biologicalandmathematicalsciences.
What you will learn:OurSpecializationandHonorsprogramsemphasizeresearchandarestructuredtogivespecifictraininginPsychology.OurFacultyspecializesinbehavioralsystemsandcognitiveneuroscience,developmentscience,cognitionandcomparativecognitionandbehavior.
Honorsprogramstudentsprepareforgraduateschoolbydoingaresearchprojectandtakingpartinresearchapprenticeshipprogram.CombinedwiththeIndustrialInternshipProgram,eitherdegreewillbeexcellentpreparationforgraduatestudiesandprofessionalpractice,orbasicandappliedresearch.
APsychologymajorintheGeneralProgramprovidesamorediversemixofcoursesandacomprehensiverangeofexperiencesandskillsimportantforunderstandingthemindandbehavior.
AteamofresearchersintheUofADepartmentofPsychologyisonestepclosertoansweringanintriguingandpopularquestionaboutanomaliesinoursleeppatterns.
Thatquestioniswhy,eventhoughsomeoneiscompletelyunresponsiveandlackingawarenessduringREMsleep,istheirbrainactivitysimilartowhentheyareawake?
UofAAssociateProfessorofPsychologyDr.ClaytonDicksonisamemberofthisteamwhichislookingatwaysoftreatingsleepdisordersandimprovingexistingsleepmedications.Theteamhasrecentlydiscoveredsleeppatternsinatypeofanesthesiathataretheclosestevertoanatural,non-groggysnooze.Intheirstudytheresearchersusedananestheticknownasethylcarbamateorurethane,andtheirfindingsshowthatthistypeofanesthesiacaninducethefullspectrumofthestagesyouwouldseeduringnaturalsleep.
Bycomparingthebrainwavesofratsundertheanesthetictothoseoccurringwithnaturalsleep,researchersdiscoveredcyclicchangesofbrainstatesthatwerealmostidenticaltothoseseenduringthenaturalsleepcycle.Changesinmuscletone,respirationratesandheartbeatwerealsosimilar.
Duetothehighchemicaldosagerequired,ethylcarbamateisnotsuitableforuseinhumanconsumption.Thefindingshowevercanbeusedbyneuroscientists,physiologistsandothersinthefieldtounravelthemysteriesofsleep.
The Science of sleep
I am understanding behavior
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Did you know?DevelopmentalPsychologistandProfessor,Dr.JeffBisanzplayedasignificantroleintheformationofCUP(theUniversityofAlbertaCommunity-UniversityPartnershipfortheStudyofChildren,Youth,andFamilies);anorganizationthathelpsuniversityresearchershelpthegeneralpublicdirectly.
CUPwascreatedasawaytohelpresearchersconnectwithcommunityleadersdirectlyandhaveanimpact.AccordingtoDr.Bisanz,“Therewasafeelinginthecommunitythatallsortsofinnovativeprogramswerebeingdeveloped,butcommunityleadersfelttherewasapiecemissing.Theywantedtohavecontactwithresearcherswhocouldhelpthemkeepup-to-date.”Fromthissentiment,whichwasechoedbyresearcherswhowantedtobedoingresearchthatwasrelevanttothecommunity,CUPbegan.
CUPhasmanyongoingprojectsthatfocusonfamilies,childhooddevelopment,healthandmentoring.
DrPeteHurdandhisstudentsaretryingtoanswerthequestionofwhysomeindividualsaremoreaggressivethanothers.
Dr.Hurd,aProfessorintheDepartmentofPsychology’sBiocognitionUnitandtheUniversity’sCentreforNeuroscienceisresearchingtheevolutionofsocialbehaviorbetweenindividualsinconflictsituations.Hisresearchusesmathematicalmodeling(includinggametheoryandgeneticalgorithms),tounderstandbothcommunicationanddecisionmakinginaggressivesituations.
Histeamseekstoanswerthequestions:
• Howdoesevolutionaryandgametheorypredicthowindividualsoughttobehaveinsocialconflicts?
• Whatfactorsinfluencedecisionsduringsuchinteractions?
• Whatmakessomeindividualsmoreaggressivethanothers?
Dr.Hurdisawidely-publishedbiologistworkingintheDepartmentofPsychologyandbringswithhimadifferentdynamictohisteamthatallowshimtoexamineresearchdatafromvariousangles.Themediaspotlightshoneonhisrecentresearchworkthatrevealedaman’sindexfingerlengthrelativetoringfingerlengthcanpredicthowinclinedheistobephysicallyaggressive.(Womendonotshowasimilareffect).
Dr.Hurd’sresearchshowedadirectcorrelationbetweenfingerlengthsandtheamountoftestosteronethatafetusisexposedtointhewomb.Histeamhasalsousedthesefindingstoshowhowlikelytheindividualwillbephysicallyaggressivethroughouthislife.
AccordingtoDr.Hurd,“Fingerlengthsexplainaboutfivepercentofthevariationinthesepersonalitymeasures,soresearchlikethiswon’tallowyoutodrawconclusionsaboutspecificpeople.Forexample,youwouldn’twanttoscreenpeopleforcertainjobsbasedontheirfingerlengths,”Hurdsaid.“Butfingerlengthcantellyoualittlebitaboutwherepersonalitycomesfrom,andthat’swhatwearecontinuingtoexplore.”
Understanding aggressive behavior
I am understanding behaviorDr. Pete Hurd
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The Faculty of Science, in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, offers a number of outstanding undergraduate programs. Both faculties are internationally recognized for their teaching and research excellence, and it is this expertise, combined with first class teaching facilities, that places the U of A among the leaders in medical science education.
Science and Medicine Degree programs
WeofferBScprogramsinsixareasofmedicalscience:Biochemistry,CellBiology,ImmunologyandInfection,Neuroscience,PharmacologyandPhysiology.Honorsprogramsareavailableinall6areasandSpecializationprogramsareavailableinBiochemistry,CellBiology,ImmunologyandInfection,andPharmacology.
BiochemistryBiochemistryisbothalifeandachemicalscience.AsaBiochemistrystudentyouwillexplorethechemistryoflivingorganismsandthemolecularbasisforchangeoccurringinlivingcells.Becausebiochemistrytriestounravelthecomplexchemicalreactionsthatoccurinavarietyoflifeforms,itprovidesthebasisforpracticaladvancesinallareasofmedicine,agriculture,veterinarymedicineandforensics.
Cell BiologyThislifesciencetakesacoordinatedapproachtothestudyofcells-thebasicunitsoflife.Itintegratesalltheotherlifesciencesinstudyingcellsfromthepointofviewofhowtheyfunction.Coursesinproteinfunction,geneexpressionanddevelopmentalbiologywillprovidestudentswithacomprehensivecellbiologybackground,andinturnpreparationforentryintotheworkforce,graduateschooloraprofessionalprogramsuchasmedicine.
Immunology & InfectionImmunologyisthestudyofthephysiologicalsystemthatpreventsorlimitsattackbyinfectiousorganisms.Thisisabroadlybasedprogramthatconsidersthefullrangeofhostresponsestopathogensthatoccurinlivingorganisms.Thediversityofinfectiousagentsandtheiradaptationsinresponsetohostimmunesystemswillbecentraltotheprogram.
NeuroscienceOurBScHonorsinNeuroscienceisaninterdisciplinaryprogramcoveringallaspectsofbrainfunction.Areasofstudiesincludebraindevelopment,nervecellsandsynapses,sensationandperception,learningandmemory,controlofmovement,animalbehavior,cognitivepsychology,neurochemistry,computationalneuroscienceanddisordersofthenervoussystem.
PharmacologyPharmacologyisthestudyofthewayinwhichchemicalsubstancesaffectlivingorganisms.Ourdegreeprogramcoversfourmainareas:
Pharmacodynamics:thestudyoftheeffectsofdrugsontheeventsandprocessesthatoccurinlivingthings,
Pharmacokinetics:thestudyoftheprocesseswhichlimitthedurationoractionofdrugs,
Toxicology:thestudyofthemechanismsbywhichchemicalscauseharmtoorganizations,andfinally,theuseandabuseofdrugsinsociety
PhysiologyPhysiologyisthestudyoflife.Thisprogramstudiesthewaycellsfunctionandhowtissuesandorganswork,notonlyinpeople,butalsoinanimalsandplants.Physiologyhelpsusunderstandhowourbodiesfunction,howdiseasesandstressaffectourbodies,andwhatcanbedonetomanagetheseeffects.Byaskingquestionsaboutthemajorsystemsofthehumanbody,physiologycanrangefromfocusingonthestudyofonemoleculeinonecelltoinvestigatinghowdietcanpreventcardiovasculardisease.
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We are creating opportunities
Real Opportunities Work Experience
Industrial Internship Program (IIP)Takeyourstudiesbeyondtheclassroomandgainvaluableworkexperience-allaspartofyourBScdegree.
TheFacultyofScience’sIndustrialInternshipprogramoffersstudentstheopportunitytoearnmoneyandvaluableworkexperienceintheirfield.Theprogramroundsoutyoureducationwithrealisticandpracticalexperiencestocomplementyourtheoreticalknowledge.It’sanopportunitytomeetcontactsintheindustry,practiceyourinterviewskillsandprepareforemploymentonceyougraduate.
Ourprogramissupportedbyindustryleaderswhoseethevalueinbridgingthegapbetweenclassroomknowledgeandtheworkenvironment.
Studentsareplacedprovincewidewithsuccessfulcompaniesfromvariousscientificfields.
The IIP opportunityTheprogramisavailabletoHonorsandSpecializationstudentsbetweenthethirdandfourthyearsoftheirprograms.Studentsareeligibletoparticipatein8,12or16monthworktermsandarepaidindustry-standardwages.EachdepartmenthasanIIPcoordinatorwhofacilitatestheprogram,monitorsthesuccessofthestudentandensuresthepropermatchbetweenstudentandemployer.Formoredetailedinformationvisittheindividualdepartmentwebsites.
Your U of A Career Centre (CAPS): Makingyourwayfromclassroomtocareer:CAPSWORKS.
CAPSoffersavarietyofcareerservicesandresourcestoUniversityofAlbertaundergraduateandgraduatestudents,postdoctoralfellows,alumniandtheUniversitycommunity.
Wecanhelpyou:
• Exploreyourcareeroptions
• Connectwithemployers
• Writearesume
• Findwork
• Aceajobinterview
• Stayintheloopabout career-related issues
www.caps.ualberta.ca
Not only are we are proud to attract and retain the brightest minds, but our students are well recognized for their achievements. The University of Alberta has a very generous scholarship program for entrance, continuing, transfer and international students.
We are creating opportunities
ScholarshipsWork Experience
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Entrance Scholarships and AwardsHighschoolstudentsalonereceiveover$14millioninentranceawardsandscholarships.Werecognizeacademicexcellencefromgrade10through12,aswellascommunityandleadershipinvolvement.Inadditiontomoneyawardedbytheuniversity,theFacultyofScienceoffersadditionalfundingtoentrancestudentswithoutstandingacademicachievement.
Transfer Scholarships and AwardsTransferstudentswithinAlberta,aswellasthosefromotherprovincesandcountriesalsohaveaccesstospecificscholarshipsandawards.Studentscanbeawardedforexcellinginacademics,athleticsandleadership.
Continuing Scholarships and AwardsOurcurrentSciencestudentsarerecognizedfortheirexcellenceinacademicsandresearchthroughnumerouscontinuingscholarships,bursariesandawards.
Formoredetails,checkoutwww.registrarsoffice.ualberta.ca/en/Scholarships-and-Awards.aspx
First year Science students win nearly 50% of the scholarships and awards available to students entering the University of Alberta!
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We are Science
Cohort Program / Science 100Real Science
Science 100 1 course + 40 students + 9 instructors = a new way of learningScience100isauniquefullyearcoursedesignedtopushstudentstothinkbeyonddisciplinaryboundaries.
Itiscompletelyinterdisciplinaryascoursematerialfromeachsciencediscipline:Biology,Chemistry,ComputingScience,EarthandAtmosphericSciences,Mathematics,PhysicsandPsychologyareallcombinedintooneunified,fullyearcourse.
Science100embracesanewwayofthinkingandincorporatesthreekeyprinciples:
1. An integrated science education
• Students have a unique opportunity to explore different sciences, see the connections between them and use this knowledge to solve complex problems.
• With a maximum class size of 40 students and a dedicated team of nine instructors, teaching assistants and lab technicians-Science100providesanexceptionallyhighinstructor student ratio and a high level of support.
2. Discovery-based, hands on learning
• This unique lab- & project-based course extensively uses active-and discovery-based learning & education
3. Collaboration and community engagement
• Students learn in an environment that encourages interactions with each other and with the teaching staff, preparing them for this new age of collaborative and interdisciplinary scientific discovery.
• Group research projects encourage collaboration and team building and help build public speaking and presentation skills.
Science 100
Faculty of Science Student Mentor ProgrameorsWanttofindoutaboutSciencefromastudent’spointofview?TheFacultyofScienceoffersamentoringprogramwhereprospectivestudentscancorrespondwithcurrentstudentsthroughemailandfindoutabouttheuniversityexperience.
OurStudentMentorsarecurrentSciencestudentsintheir2nd,3rdor4thyearofstudy.Thesestudentscomefromvarioussciencedegreesandhavesurvivedthefirstyearexperience.Theyknowaboutcampusresources,timemanagementandcourseworkloadissues,areactivelyinvolvedoncampusandareamongthetopsstudentsintheirclass.Theytakeprideintheireducation…sowhobettertoaskabouttheScienceexperience?
TogetintouchwithaFacultyofScienceStudentMentor,[email protected].
The Faculty of Science Cohort ProgramAgreatwaytomakefriendsstraightoutofhighschool,theFacultyofScienceCohortprogrammakesthetransitionfromhighschooltouniversityalittleeasier.
TheCohortprogramconsistsofsmallstudentgroups(cohorts)eachassignedtoaspecificcoursetimetable.Wehavedevelopedseveralindividualtimetables,eachwiththe3corecoursesforstudentstochoosefrom.Onceastudentsignsupfortheprogramandselectsatimetable,heorshebelongstothatspecificcohort.Itiscompletelyoptionalandisavailabletonewstudentsonly
StudentsineachcohortattendOrientationaswellasthreeoftheirfalltermclassestogether,thusprovidingafamiliarfacesinclasses.Theyareinvitedtoattendspecialeventsthroughoutthesemesterandhavetheopportunitytoformstrongsupportnetworkswithinthefirstweeksofschool.
FormoreinformationontheCohortprogramvisitourwebsiteatwww.science.ualberta.ca/en/ProspectiveStudents/CohortProgram.aspx
Student Mentor program / Science Cohort Program
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About the University of Alberta
The sharpest man-made object is only one atom at its pointCanadianresearchersattheNationalInstituteforNanotechnology(NINT)andUniversityofAlbertahaveearnedaspotintheGuinnessBookofWorldRecords.
LedbyDr.RobertWolkow,NINTPrincipalInvestigatorandUniversityofAlbertaPhysicsProfessor,theteamdevelopedtheWorld’sSharpestMicroscopeTip.
Onlyoneatomatitsendpoint,thetipusedinelectronmicroscopesisthesharpestman-madeobject.ItismadeofTungstenandfabricatedusingapatentedcontrolledetchingmethod.Itiscurrentlybeingevaluatedforitscommercialpotential.
“Wedidnotstartouttosetaworldrecord;weweretryingtomakeabettertoolforourresearch.”TeamleaderRobertWolkowsaidinreactiontotherecord“Havingaworldrecordisafunachievement,butwearereallyinterestedincommercializingthisproduct.”
Thefabricationmethodforthesharpestobjectwaspatentedin2008.
About the University of Alberta• TheUniversityofAlbertahas5campuses.
The Faculty of Science is located on the Main Campus, in the province’s capitalofEdmonton.Thecampuscoversabout50cityblockswithmore than 90 buildings on the edge of the North Saskatchewan River Valley.
• Wehaveastudentpopulationofapproximately37,000,including over5000studentsfrom142countriesaroundtheworld.
• Weleadthecountrywith32professorswhohavereceivednational3M Teaching Fellowships—Canada’s highest award for undergraduate university teaching excellence.
• WearetheonlyuniversityinCanadatowinnationalcollegiatechampionshipsinall11teamsports,mostrecentlywomen’s hockeyin2009-10.
• Wearegrowing!Openingin2011,thestate-of-the-artEdmontonClinic will transform patient care and health-care education. The facility will join health sciences students with educators, clinicians, and researchers in a team-oriented, one-stop health-care centre.
• TheAlbertaDiabetesInstituteisanewresearchfacilitydedicatedtodiscovering new ways to prevent, treat, and cure diabetes through multidisciplinary research and teamwork.
Come and visit us! Youarewelcometotourourcampus,meetwithanadvisororevenbeastudentforaday!Visitwww.ualberta.ca/campusvisitsformoredetails.
Did You Know?
The Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science TheCentennialCentreforInterdisciplinaryScience(CCIS)unitesresearchers,professorsandstudentsfromvariousdisciplinestocreateauniqueapproachtoscientificdiscovery.
ThisLEED-certifiedbuildinggivesourstudentstheopportunitytolearninanenvironmentthatencouragestheintegrationofinterdisciplinaryteachingandresearchbyworldclassresearchers.
Hometo5interdisciplinaryresearchgroups,theFacultyofScienceOfficeandtheDepartmentofPhysics,CCISalsofeaturesthePhysicsObservatoryequippedwith3telescopes,agreenhouse,aheavylabforsubatomicphysicsandsixnewlecturetheatres.
Itwasdesignedtoprovidethespace,environmentalcontrol,andtechnologicalcapacitiesneededtomeetFaculty’steaching,researchandtechnologytransferneeds.
FacultyofScience
UniversityofAlberta
1-001CCIS
Edmonton,AB,T6G2E1
Tel:(780)492-4758
Fax:(780)492-7033
E-mail:[email protected]
Website:www.science.ualberta.ca