Bachelor of Arts in Music

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.

A General Major in the Social Sciences, unlike a single discipline major, allows you to customize your course selection to your interests and abilities. Where you compromise depth of focus in one area, you gain breadth of knowledge in a few key areas, thus increasing your flexibility. This multidisciplinary approach provides access to the "big picture" or the wider context of any subject area. Conversely, the courses you choose can enhance your focus, and provide a cross-discipline perspective on one particular theme.

Students choosing a general major in the social sciences select three disciplinary streams from the following:

• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Economics
• Geography
• History
• Kinesiology
• Native American Studies
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Women & Gender Studies

As a student participating in a General Major degree program, you’re not limited to studying only within your three streams. As part of your liberal education, you will be required to take classes outside your major(s). This allows you to develop skills and experience in all three streams.

Agricultural studies delves into the relationships between the social, economic, political and environmental factors that affect the agricultural sector — from farm level production to international policy. This unique program focuses on both the art and the science of agricultural practices from theoretical and applied perspectives, including extensive lab experience and a special emphasis on current issues and cutting-edge research.

You will develop an expansive breadth and depth of knowledge in all things agriculture. Firmly grounded in the humanities and natural and social sciences, this liberal education approach ensures comprehensive, multi-faceted exposure to the study of agriculture and agri-food.

Agricultural studies takes full advantage resources and course offerings in the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Geography and Economics.

This broad range of perspectives will expand your understanding of issues such as policy development, the farm as a production unit and the environmental implications of land use. You’ll also be exposed to the latest developments in genetic engineering, precision farming and animal nutrition, to name just a few.

Political science is the systematic study of government, politics, and political behaviour, both empirically and normatively. Empirically, it looks at how political conflict is organized and resolved, how rulers are chosen, how governmental decisions are taken, and what policies and laws are determined and implemented, in settings ranging from Canada as a whole to our provincial and local governments to other countries to the relations amongst countries. Normatively, it considers how political actors understand their obligations towards one another, and the degree to which decisions are made out of a sense of right or out of expediency.

As a political science major, you will study the principles, organizations, and administration of government. The major includes both management and political science courses. The political science major offers flexibility to choose courses that fit your personal and career interests. In addition to the required courses, political science majors can choose six political science and three management electives.

Additional Management Opportunities
Once you have chosen your major, consider the option of working toward a secondary area of focus. A four-course minor will enhance your resume and complement your major. A minor may be required or optional depending on your major and will be recognized on your transcript. Some minors are not available in all programs.

• First Nations' Governance
• Information Systems (suspended until further notice)
• International Management
• Language (available to International Management majors only)
• New Media
• Population Health
• Social Responsibility
• Supply Chain Management

Anthropology studies the diversity of human life in every part of the world. Long-term ethnographic fieldwork is the hallmark of the anthropological approach to studying the human condition and allows you to see how your world fits into a larger context.

Contemporary anthropology examines the material, social, and cultural conditions of human behaviour and life from a “locally global” perspective.

Anthropology will expose you to a variety of different cultures. At the same time, you will learn to examine your own life from an anthropological perspective. You will learn how to explore and understand radically different contexts in both your own and other cultures.

Two elements distinguish anthropology: an intensely comparative, wide-ranging view of human society and culture, and a strong desire to know how individuals in specific cultures make sense of the world and respond to its challenges.

Anthropologists are committed to understanding common aspects of human social life, despite apparent differences. They typically spend long periods of time doing field research where they interact with people in their environment to gain cultural understanding.

Agricultural biotechnology examines agriculture and the natural world, emphasizing the relationships between food production, the environment, science and society.

The program focuses on the life sciences, with prominence given to the application of biotechnology in agriculture. It also delves into agriculture’s associated sectors including: government, policy development, farm production, environmental implications and agricultural sciences.

Studying agricultural biotechnology will give you a strong science and economics background rooted in both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, and focusing on the issues, research and course materials relevant to agriculture.

In this lab-extensive, hands-on learning environment, you will concentrate on the physiology of microbes, plants and animals, as well as the systems they thrive in — helping you build technical skills in areas such as biochemistry and molecular biology.

As a multidisciplinary major, agricultural biotechnology takes full advantage of resources and course offerings in the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry & Biochemistry and Economics. This multi-faceted approach allows you to explore new applications in science and develop fresh perspectives about how to address challenges in food production through changes in economics, production or diversification. 

Student clubs | The Agricultural Students’ Society has an active presence on campus, organizing a number of events including tours of local agriculturally based businesses and research facilities.

Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA). Once you have completed your degree, you may apply to the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA) to be registered as a Professional Agrologist within Alberta. Contact us early in your degree for further information.

Economics is a behavioural science that studies the conditions under which individuals provide the best possible satisfaction of their needs. It is not specifically about money, things or material objects - it’s about the consequences of individual decisions made under conditions of scarcity.

Everybody thinks of and deals with economics whether they are aware of it or not. It concerns everybody and everything, transcending time and space, and is at the core of our civilization and human existence. It is a means of looking at all human interaction, regardless of culture, race or gender.

As an economics student, you will gain a deep understanding of the decision making process at the individual, firm or government level. You will learn how unhampered market processes lead to efficient production of goods and services, and the effects of interfering with these processes.

You will deal with a variety of topics, such as the comparison of economic systems, the economics of marriage and family, as well as banking and private property rights. You’ll also delve into current concerns like employment, inflation, government bailouts, the national debt, nonrenewable resources, agriculture and the environment.

Computer science is the study of algorithms and data structures and their applications in designing new and efficient solutions to industrial, technological, environmental or social problems.

Learn to tackle difficult problems using a variety of high-tech tools and approaches, and effectively communicate your expertise to others by coupling your technical learning with a solid grounding in liberal education. The program is designed to enable you gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, including access to state-of-the-art hardware and software in our three computer labs whenever you need to use them.

Combine critical studies in art history and theory with extensive hands-on museum and gallery experience. Study visual, material, and cultural production from a global perspective and learn a historical framework for understanding imagery and material culture. Gain a deeper knowledge of historical and contemporary art practices through your studies and your work with the University’s extensive art collection of more than 16,000 objects, learning to manage and conserve artwork and curate exhibitions.

You have full access to co-operative education, international exchanges, independent and applied studies as well as volunteer opportunities. uLethbridge is the only university in Alberta to offer co-operative education to all majors in the university, at both the undergrad and grad level.

Internship Opportunities

• Expand your experiences and gain new perspectives beyond the art gallery and classroom. Focus on areas such as exhibition organization and installation, collections management, and public programming.

Political Science is the systematic study of government, politics and political behaviour. It studies how a society governs itself at all levels and various ideas about how it should be governed in the future.

As a political science student you will study how political conflict is organized and resolved in the “real world.” You will look at how rulers are chosen, governmental decisions are taken and how decision-making processes are organized. You’ll learn how governments design and implement their laws and policies in Canada and abroad.

You will also consider how political leaders understand their obligations towards one another and how decisions are shaped by different views of “what’s right,” “what works” and “what’s possible” in different circumstances.

The Department of Political Science offers four sub-fields of study and encourages you to choose a variety of courses from each area to ensure you gain a broad view of the discipline. These are: Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory.