Faculty of Arts and Science

About Faculty of Arts and Science

The Faculty of Arts and Science is the largest academic unit within the University of Lethbridge, located in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Established alongside the founding of the university in 1967, the faculty operates primarily on the main Lethbridge campus, which overlooks the Oldman River valley. The university is a publicly funded institution governed by the Post-secondary Learning Act of Alberta. Academic programs within the faculty are recognized by the Alberta Ministry of Advanced Education. The faculty provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a wide range of disciplines spanning the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

The faculty is structured into numerous departments that facilitate specialized study and multidisciplinary research. Humanities departments include English, History, Modern Languages and Linguistics, and Philosophy. Social science offerings encompass Anthropology, Economics, Geography and Environment, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. The natural and mathematical sciences comprise Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mathematics and Computer Science, and Physics and Astronomy. Additionally, the faculty administers several interdisciplinary programs, such as Neuroscience, Indigenous Studies, Urban and Regional Studies, and Biochemistry, allowing students to combine methodologies from multiple fields of study.

Undergraduate degrees offered by the Faculty of Arts and Science include the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), and Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc). The faculty also provides combined degree options in partnership with other faculties, such as the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education or Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Management, enabling students to earn two degrees within a five-year timeframe. At the graduate level, the faculty offers Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs. Coursework and research training prepare students for careers in technical sectors, public administration, research institutions, and further professional education.

Campus facilities supporting the Faculty of Arts and Science are integrated into the University of Lethbridge infrastructure. Key facilities include University Hall, the original academic building designed by architect Arthur Erickson, and the Science Commons, which opened in 2019. The Science Commons is a major interdisciplinary research and teaching facility equipped with specialized laboratories, imaging suites, cleanrooms, and collaborative spaces designed for scientific discovery. Students and faculty also have access to the University of Lethbridge Library, which holds physical and digital collections supporting arts and science disciplines, as well as dedicated computing labs, geospatial analysis facilities, and field study sites.

Research is a core component of the Faculty of Arts and Science, with several research centers and institutes affiliated with its departments. Notable areas of research concentration include behavioral neuroscience, water resources and environmental science, remote sensing, theoretical physics, biological chemistry, and oral history. The faculty houses multiple Canada Research Chairs and Board of Governors Research Chairs, who lead grant-funded research projects supported by national agencies such as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Teaching methods within the faculty emphasize undergraduate research opportunities, practical laboratory work, field courses, and independent study options. The university operates under a liberal education model, requiring students across all disciplines to complete foundational courses outside their primary major to build broad analytical, communicative, and quantitative skills. Co-operative education programs are available, allowing qualified students to complete paid work terms integrated into their academic schedules across government, non-profit, and industrial sectors.

Admissions to the Faculty of Arts and Science are based on academic criteria established by the University of Lethbridge, primarily evaluating secondary school transcripts or post-secondary transfer credits. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through standardized tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. The faculty maintains academic advising services to assist students with course selection, degree planning, credit transfers, and career pathways. Student services, academic support, health services, and housing are provided through the broader university administration.