Students in the atrium

Faculty of

Agricultural, Life &Environmental Sciences

UA graphic depicting wheat and raindrops on water

The Faculty of ALES at the U of A provides solutions to global challenges, such as agriculture and food, the environment, community and individual well-being, and bioresource innovation.

Comprising four departments and more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs, ALES turns science into solutions that encompass the entire human experience.

Prospective Students

An undergraduate degree in ALES challenges you to find solutions for real-life problems. Pursue a degree that matters and secure a job in an in-demand career.

Graduate Programs

ALES offers a variety of science-based graduate programs, including several specializations that are available as course or thesis-based.

Research

ALES conducts a robust research program that provides solutions to global challenges in our comprehensive research and teaching facilities.

  • 17,500+

    Alumni with over 60%
    living in Alberta

  • $48M

    in external research
    funding annually

  • 25,000

    Acres of farm and ranch land
    spanning Alberta

Cover of publication reads Shaping Alberta with three pictures: one of a forest, one of a field of crops, and an aerial view of rural Alberta

Shaping Alberta: The Impact of the Faculty of ALES

2023

Since our inception in 1915, the faculty has contributed to the province's economics, environment and society. Read more about the activities and successes of our students, faculty and researchers, and our ambitious vision for the future.

Read the publication

Quick Links

What's on

Branded graphic reads Congratulations Class of 2025

Spring 2025 Convocation

Join us in celebrating the graduating class of 2025! Years of studying and exams have paid off with degrees for these dedicated students, who are joining a community of more than 340,000 U of A grads. Hear our faculty present as convocation speakers and watch our graduates cross the stage on Monday, June 16 at 3 p.m. Congratulations to everyone graduating this year, and their loved ones who supported them along the way.

More information

See all ALES events

SHAPE THE FUTURE

Our students are tomorrow’s change makers - seeking out today’s challenges to keep us moving forward. They will overcome barriers, help feed the world, improve food sustainability and contribute to a better world for all of us. They will, with our support. Give today to the Shape the Future campaign for student success.

Our Latest News

UNIVERSITY NEWS
Convocation ‘25: Emily Mahon, BSc Environmental & Conservation Sciences
Students
Convocation ‘25: Emily Mahon, BSc Environmental & Conservation Sciences
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Convocation ‘25: Caleb Reid, BSc Forest Business Management
Students
Convocation ‘25: Caleb Reid, BSc Forest Business Management
Alumni Fuel Economy Amid Tariff Tensions
Discovery
Alumni Fuel Economy Amid Tariff Tensions
New research helps Alberta communities take fuel away from wildfires
Science and Technology, Research
New research helps Alberta communities take fuel away from wildfires
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Using GIS to find connection in the environment and in the classroom
Instructors, Research
Using GIS to find connection in the environment and in the classroom
Traditional diet shows promise for modern gut health
Health And Wellness, Research, Science and Technology
Traditional diet shows promise for modern gut health
Rubik’s Food
Feature
Rubik’s Food
From skydiving to seedlings: GoPro finds new use in forestry
Research, Science and Technology, Business
From skydiving to seedlings: GoPro finds new use in forestry
Researchers genetically engineer yeast to produce healthy fatty acid
Research, Health And Wellness, Science and Technology
Researchers genetically engineer yeast to produce healthy fatty acid
Breakthrough research helps young liver transplant patients preserve muscle
Research, Health And Wellness
Breakthrough research helps young liver transplant patients preserve muscle
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Convocation ‘25: Janna Ehrenholz, BSc Clothing, Textiles & Material Culture
Students
Convocation ‘25: Janna Ehrenholz, BSc Clothing, Textiles & Material Culture
Plant partnership: fungi help spruce trees fight off budworm attacks
Science and Technology, Research
Plant partnership: fungi help spruce trees fight off budworm attacks
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Awards and accolades: Spring 2025
Students, Instructors
Awards and accolades: Spring 2025
Bioengineered red yeast turns wood waste into a valuable fatty acid
Research, Science and Technology
Bioengineered red yeast turns wood waste into a valuable fatty acid
The ‘smartwear revolution’ begins: clothing with built-in sensors will improve balance, reduce injuries and support people with muscle weakness
Health And Wellness, Science and Technology, Research
The ‘smartwear revolution’ begins: clothing with built-in sensors will improve balance, reduce injuries and support people with muscle weakness
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Seeing the forest through the trees in Mexico
Students, Travel
Seeing the forest through the trees in Mexico
Rheumatology enters the chat: research projects use AI and collaborative thinking to improve patient care
Research, Health And Wellness, Science and Technology
Rheumatology enters the chat: research projects use AI and collaborative thinking to improve patient care
Research could help focus efforts to restore habitat for threatened caribou
Research, Science and Technology
Research could help focus efforts to restore habitat for threatened caribou
Gluten-free food affordability a struggle for nearly half of Canadian households with kids who have celiac disease
Health And Wellness, Research
Gluten-free food affordability a struggle for nearly half of Canadian households with kids who have celiac disease
Women are still doing most of the housework
Society and Culture, Health And Wellness, Research
Women are still doing most of the housework
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Convocation ‘25: Amanda Hardman, BSc in Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture Systems major
Students
Convocation ‘25: Amanda Hardman, BSc in Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture Systems major
North American boreal forest holds 31 per cent more trees than thought
Research, Science and Technology
North American boreal forest holds 31 per cent more trees than thought
Video Spotlight: Research in record time
Science and Technology, Health And Wellness, Research, Society and Culture
Video Spotlight: Research in record time
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Making waves at the Ronald O. Ball Lecture in Food & Agriculture
Research, Society and Culture, Science and Technology
Making waves at the Ronald O. Ball Lecture in Food & Agriculture
UNIVERSITY NEWS
The Ag Club’s annual Bar None, the longest running event on campus, reaches fund-raising milestone
Students
The Ag Club’s annual Bar None, the longest running event on campus, reaches fund-raising milestone
Alberta researchers aim to revolutionize animal feed
Science and Technology, Research
Alberta researchers aim to revolutionize animal feed
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Field researcher's early evacuation decision safeguards team from wildfire threat
Research, Health And Wellness, Employees
Field researcher's early evacuation decision safeguards team from wildfire threat
U of A ranked in the Top 100 worldwide in five subjects
Research, Business, Society and Culture, Science and Technology, Health And Wellness
U of A ranked in the Top 100 worldwide in five subjects
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Awards and accolades: Winter 2025
Students, Instructors
Awards and accolades: Winter 2025
3D printability of pea protein shapes up with plasma treatment
Research, Science and Technology
3D printability of pea protein shapes up with plasma treatment