Faculty of Science

About Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science at Carleton University is an academic division located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Established alongside the university in 1942, the faculty provides undergraduate and graduate education in various scientific disciplines. As a major division of Carleton University, it operates on the university’s main campus, situated between the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal. The faculty offers degree programs leading to Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Master of Science (M.Sc.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees, serving a student body that participates in both theoretical instruction and practical laboratory research.

The faculty comprises several departments, schools, and institutes that oversee distinct fields of study. Primary academic units include the Department of Biology, Department of Chemistry, Department of Earth Sciences, School of Computer Science, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Department of Physics, and the Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science. Through these units, students can pursue specialized majors, minors, and honors programs in areas such as biochemistry, bioinformatics, biotechnology, earth sciences, environmental science, food science, geomatics, neuroscience, and photonics. The programs are structured to fulfill provincial educational standards established by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities in Ontario.

Academic programs within the Faculty of Science are designed to provide foundational knowledge in empirical methodologies, quantitative analysis, and scientific research techniques. Students in the School of Computer Science, for example, study software engineering, cybersecurity, data science, and theoretical computer science. The Department of Physics focuses on medical physics, particle physics, and astrophysics, maintaining collaborative research connections with national institutions. The interdisciplinary programs integrate coursework from multiple scientific domains, allowing students to examine complex topics such as climate change, ecological conservation, and natural resource management from combined biological, chemical, and geological perspectives.

Research infrastructure within the Faculty of Science includes specialized laboratories, computational facilities, and analytical centers located across the Carleton University campus. Key facilities include the Herzberg Laboratories building, the Nesbitt Biology Building, and the Steacie Building for Chemistry. The faculty operates research greenhouses, high-performance computing clusters, electron microscopy units, and mass spectrometry instruments. Additionally, the university’s geographical location in Canada’s capital city enables collaborative research projects with federal institutions such as the National Research Council Canada (NRC), Health Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

The faculty incorporates practical learning opportunities into its curriculum through co-operative education (co-op) options, field courses, and undergraduate thesis projects. Co-op programs allow eligible students to complete paid work terms in government laboratories, private technology firms, and research organizations prior to graduation. Field studies are integrated into programs such as Earth Sciences and Environmental Science, providing students with direct experience in geological mapping, environmental sampling, and ecological monitoring in various North American habitats. Advanced undergraduate and graduate students conduct supervised research projects that contribute to peer-reviewed scientific publications.

Academic governance within the Faculty of Science is led by the Dean of Science, alongside associate deans who manage undergraduate studies, graduate studies, and research initiatives. The faculty adheres to institutional quality assurance processes mandated by the Carleton University Senate and the Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance. Individual professional programs within or affiliated with the faculty, such as specific computer science streams or medical physics specializations, align with relevant national professional bodies, including the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) and the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP).

Degree requirements for students in the Faculty of Science include a combination of core science courses, mathematics prerequisites, elective subjects, and practical laboratory components. Undergraduate B.Sc. programs generally require four years of full-time study to complete 20.0 credits, structured to ensure breadth of scientific knowledge alongside depth in a chosen specialization. Graduate degree programs require thesis research, seminar participation, and advanced coursework, preparing graduates for technical careers in industry, government service, health fields, education, or further academic study.