Bachelor of Arts General Major in Social Sciences

at University of Lethbridge - Lethbridge Campus Canada

Physics is the study of matter and energy at all scales, from the sub-nuclear to the dimensions of the universe. It is the fundamental science — all other sciences and technologies rely on the principles of physics.

Physics involves observing and understanding natural phenomena. It is evident in the world around us in everything from the seasons, the motion of objects, the flight of birds, the night sky and the weather, to lasers, electronics and the technology we rely on today.

Physics is very much a “hands-on” science, so the most effective way for you to learn the subject is to actually do physics. Astronomy teaches you how to study objects at a distance and interpret the information gathered. This helps us begin to understand the universe we live in. The skills you will learn in astronomy are also applicable to remote sensing and its application to environmental problems.

The department offers a comprehensive physics major. The foundation of this program is built in the first two years, as you study mechanics, waves, electricity and magnetism, optics, thermal physics and modern physics.

In your third and fourth years, you will gain a deeper understanding of the fundamentals and delve into more advanced and specialized areas. Specialized topics may include the research interests of department faculty members, as all faculty members are involved in rigorous research programs.

Faculty members also ensure you are provided with a wide view of physics, exposing you to all areas of the subject and describing a wide variety of applications. This enables you to make informed decisions when choosing the areas you may wish to pursue in the future.

We encounter religion in many manifestations frequently on TV and the Internet: breathtaking mosques, colossal Buddhas, the Pope addressing huge crowds, brutal religious wars or unusual rituals.

Studying religion enhances our understanding of what it is to be human. It enables us to learn more about the diverse cultures of the world, their ancient histories and their highest values. While you may not discover the meaning of life by studying religion, you will learn how others have answered that perennial human question, and how those answers have shaped people’s lives and the lives of those around them.

The University of Lethbridge is a secular (non-religious) institution of learning; we do not try to promote belief in any of the religions that we study. Rather, we attempt to study religion in as objective a manner as possible. Of course, each person faces challenges when trying to do so with neutrality, because we may have predispositions for or against particular religions, or toward religion in general.

In religious studies, our explorations are wide-ranging, embracing the human religious response, from the great world religions to marginal and quasi-religious phenomena, such as shamanism and magic. We examine history, social and cultural configurations, symbolism, and literature, as well as theologies and metaphysical philosophies within belief systems. You will study shared themes and marked differences in myths and rituals, and how religion permeates even our secular lives.

Psychology delves into what makes people tick. Psychologists study the relationship between mind and behaviour by investigating the nature of thought processes and behaviours in humans and other animals.

Psychologists also study the evolutionary, social and cultural factors affecting the development of our thoughts and behaviours, focusing on topics that have a direct bearing on our day-to-day experience.

A major in Psychology will help you develop skills in analyzing and interpreting complex material, particularly as it relates to behaviour. You will learn theories of how people interpret the world and act in it, as well as theories of human behaviour.

As a psychology student, you will learn from those at the forefront of psychological research. Our faculty members are regularly published in the top journals and make an ongoing contribution to an ever-advancing field.

You will inevitably become a savvy and critical consumer of evidence-based information related to people’s behaviour such as self-help, psychological and medical advice.

Chemistry studies the elements that comprise all matter. Everything around us — the air we breathe, water we drink, food we eat, cars we drive, even our bodies — are made from these elements.

There are five main branches of chemistry:

• Analytical focuses on the detection and measurement of chemical species used in fields like forensics.
• Organic deals with carbon compounds, which are the main components of living matter.
• Inorganic delves into all the remaining elements, most of which are found in the mineral world.
• Physical looks at the study of the fundamental principles governing the behavior of matter.
• Theoretical starts by exploring basic physical theories like quantum mechanics in order to provide frameworks within which all chemical phenomena can be understood.

The primary focus of the program is to provide you with extensive theoretical knowledge in all five branches, in addition to enhancing your technical and practical skills with hands-on experience. Throughout the program, you will receive intensive laboratory instruction on the transformation and safe handling of chemical compounds, as well as hands-on training in advanced instrumental techniques such as elemental analysis, optical spectroscopy, magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction and mass spectrometry.

As a chemistry student, you will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities that provide the infrastructure to support the research interests of our award-winning faculty, your instructors, as they investigate diverse areas of the chemical sciences including catalysis, nanomaterials and food chemistry.

Sociology is the study of society, including the interaction between individuals, groups, and institutions. Sociological study helps develop original ways of looking at the world and the individual’s place within it.

The application of sociological thinking can lead to a better understanding of social problems and issues and suggestions about how these issues may be overcome in real-world terms.

By studying sociology, you will gain insight into how people interact with one another and how values and beliefs both shape and are shaped by the structures and processes around us. The primary goal of the discipline is to stimulate sociological thinking — applying imagination and critical analysis to the many facets of social life.

As a sociology student, you will be exposed to a wide variety of alternative theories of social behaviour, structure, and change through a wide range of courses on topics such as: crime, religion, work, gender, age, ethnicity, politics, culture and health.

History as an academic discipline examines the past to explain how we got to where we are today. We live in a world that is politically, economically, and socially complex; to engage it effectively and better understand ourselves, we must first understand the many historical factors that shape our lives. Historians work to sharpen the collective memory of society.

As a history student, you’ll learn about great leaders of the past and what ordinary people believed and valued - how they lived, worshipped, worked, fought and died. You’ll have the opportunity to take thematic and regional courses in ancient, medieval and modern history from the geographic areas that shaped our world today.

We are confident that our courses, as well as our diverse areas of expertise, will offer something of interest to everyone studying history at uLethbridge.

Psychology delves into what makes people tick. Psychologists study the relationship between mind and behaviour by investigating the nature of thought processes and behaviours in humans and other animals.

Psychologists also study the evolutionary, social and cultural factors affecting the development of our thoughts and behaviours, focusing on topics that have a direct bearing on our day-to-day experience.

A major in Psychology will help you develop skills in analyzing and interpreting complex material, particularly as it relates to behaviour. You will learn theories of how people interpret the world and act in it, as well as theories of human behaviour.

As a psychology student, you will learn from those at the forefront of psychological research. Our faculty members are regularly published in the top journals and make an ongoing contribution to an ever-advancing field.

You will inevitably become a savvy and critical consumer of evidence-based information related to people’s behaviour such as self-help, psychological and medical advice.

The environmental sciences focus on understanding the Earth’s natural systems and how we, as humans, interact with them.

Environmental scientists study the impact of these interactions on the biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere using an interdisciplinary and integrative approach. They provide us with the information we need to address some of the most pressing issues facing humanity today - such as climate change and the loss of biodiversity.

The major in environmental science will provide you with an appropriate background in the natural and physical sciences that is needed to understand how natural and man-made systems function. It will provide you with a broad perspective that is required to appreciate the role of humanity in global environmental change.

As an environmental science major, you will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities, including those present in the Alberta Water and Environmental Sciences Building. These facilities house the infrastructure used in the groundbreaking research by our award-winning faculty - ensuring that you are exposed to cutting-edge, multidisciplinary environmental research throughout your degree.

You will also be provided the flexibility and versatility to obtain the key skills that are required to answer pressing research questions in sub-disciplines such as ecology (aquatic, riparian, and grassland), remote sensing, and geographical information science (GIS), biodiversity assessments, conservation, ecophysiology, and environmental toxicology.

Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. In a world that is increasingly data-driven, knowing how to extract and interpret information is key. Statistics help evaluate ideas, test hypotheses and give clarity to complex issues.

If your passion is the environment, statisticians help manage our natural resources and understand the impact of climate change. If your passion is public policy, statisticians work with governments and non-governmental organizations to measure the health of the economy and assess the effectiveness of programs. If your passion is sports, statisticians help improve teams through player drafting, signing and development. No matter where your passion lies, you are likely to find statisticians active in that area.

The major in applied statistics is structured to provide a firm theoretical background in statistics and to allow you to apply specific statistical techniques within your discipline of interest. The program has three possible concentrations:

• Economics
• Geography
• Psychology

Each of these disciplines makes extensive use of statistics in the analysis of real-world data. Students in this major and any chosen concentration will learn about statistical resources and benefit from training across multiple departments.

Indigenous Studies explores art, law, philosophy, health, politics, history, gender studies, ecology, business, customs and language - all from a unique Indigenous perspective - making this one of the most sought-after programs of its kind in Canada.

In this program, you’ll have the opportunity to investigate First Nations’, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) history, heritage and culture, as well as the contemporary issues that face FNMI communities.

As a student of Indigenous Studies, you’ll have access to Indigenous instructors, who are often nationally or internationally renowned, seasoned professionals with real-world experience.