Graduate Degrees
Pursue a MAg, MF, MSc, MA or PhD
Engage in research that can change the world! Study agriculture and food, the environment, community and individual well-being, and bioresource innovation at the graduate level in the Faculty of ALES.
Why ALES?
Take your education to the next level and join a passionate group of graduate students in the interdisciplinary Faculty of ALES. Access our comprehensive agricultural and environmental research infrastructure and teaching facilities on the U of A North Campus, or at one of the many research stations, ranches or labs in Alberta. Learn from award-winning professors, including prestigious grant-holders and research chairs.
What’s right for me? Graduate degrees may be thesis or course-based. Course-based programs equip students to upskill in early-mid careers and are shorter to complete, while thesis programs involve rigorous research and discovery. Let your aspirations or goals guide your choice.
Areas of study
Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science
Study disciplines within the science of agriculture and food, including human nutrition, plant biosystems, food engineering, and animal science. The Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science (AFNS) offers the following degrees and specializations:
- MAg in Animal Science, Food Science & Bioresource Technology, Human Nutrition, Plant Biosystems
- MBA/MAg in Business & Agriculture
- MSc in Animal Science, Food Science & Bioresource Technology, Human Nutrition, Plant Biosystems
- Course-based MSc specializations in Food Safety & Quality and in Meat Quality
- PhD in Animal Science, Food Science & Bioresource Technology, Human Nutrition, Plant Biosystems
Human Ecology
Study human ecology, a multidisciplinary field that explores relationships between people and the environments they interact with most closely. The Department of Human Ecology offers the following degrees and specializations:
What are graduate students in this department working on? Check out human ecology student profiles to read featured content about current students and recent graduates.
Renewable Resources
Dedicate your degree to the environment and its renewable resources, such as forestry, soil science, land reclamation or other areas of focus. The Department of Renewable Resources offers the following degrees and specializations:
- MSc in Conservation Biology, Wildlife Ecology & Management, Protected Areas & Wildlands Management, Forest Biology & Management, Water & Land Resources, Land Reclamation & Remediation, Soil Science, Agroforestry
- Professional Masters including
- Combined degree in MBA/MF or MBA/MAg
- International Dual degree in Forestry, Environmental or Conservation Sciences
Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology
Delve into the world of natural resources, agriculture, food, the environment, and climate change through the lens of economics or sociology. The Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology (REES) offers the following degrees and specializations:
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- MAg in Agricultural & Resource Economics, Rural & Environmental Sociology
- MSc in Agricultural & Resource Economics,Rural & Environmental Sociology, Forest Economics, Risk & Community Resilience (Interdisciplinary)
- MBA/MAg in Agriculture & Business
- PhD in Agricultural & Resource Economics, Forest Economics, Rural & Environmental Sociology
What are graduate students in this department working on? Read featured graduate student reports and other publications in the REES Collection in the U of A Education & Research Archive (ERA).
Compete and share your research in Three Minute Thesis (3MT™)
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT™) is an academic competition that gives participants just three minutes to explain the breadth and significance of their research to a non-specialist audience. In 2023, Zak Kaal won first place at the university with his presentation, Green Skies Ahead: Sustainable Aviation Fuel from Waste.
LEARN MORE AND WATCH
Meet a recent grad
Growing up in an industrial city in Bangladesh surrounded by textile factories inspired Saiful Hoque to study textiles, resulting in a PhD in Textile and Apparel Science.
ALES Graduate Student Association
The ALES GSA provides graduate students in the Faculty of ALES with opportunities for involvement, service, leadership, and professional development. They host skill-building and social events, like intercultural potlucks and an annual research symposium. Find a network of like-minded grad students at the organization and consider gaining experience as a member of the executive team.