University of Alberta

About University of Alberta

The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Established in 1908, it is one of Canada's largest universities by campus size and student enrollment. The university operates five campuses, with the main North Campus situated on the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River. Its other campuses include Campus Saint-Jean, Augustana Campus, South Campus, and Enterprise Square. The University of Alberta is accredited by the Government of Alberta and is a member of Universities Canada (formerly the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada). It holds institutional accreditation from various professional bodies for its specific programs, ensuring adherence to national and international standards in fields such as engineering, medicine, law, and business. Academic strengths at the University of Alberta encompass a broad range of disciplines, with particular recognition in areas such as artificial intelligence, energy research, health sciences, humanities, and Arctic studies. The university has a significant research output, contributing to advancements across numerous fields. It hosts a variety of research centers and institutes, facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration and specialized investigation. Examples include the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII), a leader in artificial intelligence research, and the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, focused on infectious diseases. Key programs and departments at the University of Alberta are organized into 18 faculties and schools. These include: * **Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences:** Offers programs in agriculture, food science, forestry, environmental science, human ecology, and nutrition. * **Faculty of Arts:** Encompasses a wide array of humanities and social sciences, including anthropology, art and design, drama, economics, English and film studies, history, linguistics, modern languages and cultural studies, philosophy, political science, psychology, and sociology. * **Augustana Faculty:** Located in Camrose, Alberta, this faculty offers a liberal arts and sciences curriculum with programs in sciences, humanities, social sciences, and fine arts, providing a smaller, residential campus experience within the larger university structure. * **Faculty of Business:** Provides undergraduate and graduate programs in accounting, finance, marketing, human resource management, operations management, and strategic management. The Alberta School of Business is internationally accredited by AACSB International. * **Campus Saint-Jean:** A French-language campus offering programs in arts, sciences, education, and nursing, serving the Francophone community and promoting bilingualism. * **Faculty of Education:** Offers undergraduate and graduate programs for aspiring teachers and educational researchers, covering elementary and secondary education, educational psychology, and educational policy studies. * **Faculty of Engineering:** Features programs in chemical, civil, computer, electrical, materials, mechanical, mining, petroleum, and engineering physics. It is one of the largest engineering faculties in Canada and its programs are accredited by Engineers Canada. * **Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research:** Oversees all graduate programs and research activities across the university, offering master's and doctoral degrees in virtually all disciplines. * **Faculty of Law:** Offers the Juris Doctor (JD) degree, with specializations and joint programs available, focusing on legal theory, practice, and social justice. * **Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry:** Provides programs in medicine (MD), dentistry (DDS), dental hygiene, and various medical sciences. It is a major center for health research and clinical training in Western Canada. * **Faculty of Native Studies:** Focuses on Indigenous peoples, cultures, histories, and contemporary issues, offering programs in Indigenous governance, law, and communities. * **Faculty of Nursing:** Offers undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, preparing students for careers in diverse healthcare settings. * **Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences:** Provides programs in pharmacy (PharmD) and pharmaceutical sciences, covering drug discovery, development, and patient care. * **Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation:** Offers programs in physical education, recreation, sport management, and kinesiology, focusing on human movement, health, and leisure. * **Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine:** Offers professional programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology, alongside research in rehabilitation sciences. * **Faculty of Science:** Encompasses a broad range of scientific disciplines, including biological sciences, chemistry, computing science, earth and atmospheric sciences, mathematical and statistical sciences, and physics. Courses offered at the University of Alberta span a comprehensive curriculum, reflecting the breadth of its faculties. Students can pursue undergraduate degrees (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Commerce, etc.), professional degrees (Doctor of Medicine, Juris Doctor, Doctor of Dental Surgery, Doctor of Pharmacy), and graduate degrees (Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration, Doctor of Philosophy, etc.). The university offers over 200 undergraduate programs and more than 500 graduate programs, with a wide selection of individual courses covering foundational knowledge, specialized topics, and interdisciplinary studies. The University of Alberta's campus size is substantial, with the North Campus alone covering approximately 92 hectares. This campus is home to the majority of the university's academic buildings, research facilities, libraries, student residences, and recreational amenities. The university libraries hold extensive collections, supporting research and learning across all disciplines. The university also maintains botanical gardens, observatories, and various research stations across Alberta. The University of Alberta is a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, a collective of Canada's most research-intensive universities. It is also affiliated with the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the International Association of Universities. Its establishment in 1908 was a key moment in the development of higher education in Western Canada, fulfilling a mandate to provide a comprehensive university education and contribute to the economic and social development of the province. Over its history, the university has graduated a significant number of alumni who have pursued careers in various fields, including science, politics, arts, and business, contributing both nationally and internationally.