Sciences student life
Science education at Athabasca University
Studying science at Athabasca University means getting high-quality distance and online learning. We give you the skills and knowledge you need to discover and pursue your interests in natural and human sciences and mathematics. You can complete your Bachelor of Science degree or choose to take individual courses without enrolling in a program. Many of our courses can help you complete a degree from another institution or fulfill admission requirements to professional programs such as medicine.Learning online
Our classes are all delivered online so you can work through the course material at your own pace. Your assigned tutor can help you with every part of your course.
Science labs
While the AU Faculty of Science and Technology does offer some in-person labs, we know that our students can’t always do their work in a bricks-and-mortar laboratory.
Instead, many of our undergraduate science courses allow you to conduct experiments from the comfort of your own home with virtual or home-based experiments (mail-out lab kits).
If you are in a course that requires an on-site lab, they are held in Athabasca, Edmonton, Calgary, and other Alberta locations. A few labs are located in other provinces. See lab locations. You are responsible for arranging and paying for your transportation, accommodation, and meal costs.
At certain times of the year, it is possible to complete 2 or more labs in consecutive weeks.
Student projects
Students have the opportunity to undertake research projects in any of our science disciplines. The 495 and 496 senior project courses consist of supervised research projects that are tailored to the student. Projects can be completed in a lab setting, a field study setting, or at home using computational approaches or lab kits, as appropriate. In many cases, students have been able to complete research projects at teaching and research institutions or work environments that are located close to the student.
Learning support
Regardless of where you're at in your learning journey, AU offers resources, tools, and services to help you succeed.
Updated December 02, 2021 by Digital & Web Operations (web_services@athabascau.ca)