SS@UA courses
The Summer School offers the opportunity to take courses in the Spring Semester from May 2 - June 13 and/or in the Summer Semester from July 4 - August 15. Please be aware that some course dates may vary. All courses are regular academic credit courses and are available in multiple disciplines such as Humanities, Sciences, Business, Physical Education and Recreation, Education, and Native Studies. Canadian students will study along side international participants.
How to research courses available during the Summer School
To research which course you might want to register in view the course listings. This pdf file provides a description of all courses offered at the University of Alberta. You will need to look at the course schedule pdf file to see which ones are being offered in the Spring and/or Summer semesters. These documents are also available on the Office of the Registrar and Student Awards website.
Another way to research courses is to log into our BearTracks computer system. Click the "Guest Sign In" button and you will be taken to a screen where you can search the available courses by semester. When doing your search if the "Show Open Classes Only" box is checked then you will only see courses that still have space. Uncheck this box and you will see all the courses on offer but some may already be full.
Please be aware that some courses will have prerequisites and you must be able to show that you have completed a comparable prerequisite course. Also please note that for courses in Engineering or Business you must be registered in an Engineering or Business degree/programme at your home university. It may be necessary for the Summer School Advisor to obtain permission for you to be registered in the courses you would like to take. This may take some time to do; therefore, it may be necessary for you to apply before you know if you will be registered in your desired courses. Questions? Email the Advisor.
Not sure what to take?
If you have a particular interest in Canadian or Native cultural development and social issues then you might want to look for courses under Native Studies (course prefix: NS), tourism or recreation (RLS), Aboriginal dance (DANCE), history (HIST) or sociology (SOC).
If you have an interest in Canada's political, economic or business systems you might want to look for courses under economics (ECON), political science (POL S), through the diversity of academic learning environments and sociocultural experiences. Here’s your opportunity to discover first hand what makes Canada unique.
Some courses offer practical skills development, mini-internships, or hands-on experience in the subject matter. For example:
- The Spring Semester Environmental/Conservation Sciences/Forestry Field School allows you to explore the natural environment in rural Alberta as you spend a month at the off-campus field school in Lac La Biche, Alberta. This course (REN R 299) is designed to further develop your measurement skills and improve your understanding of ecology and natural resource management. April 25 - May 17.
- The Spring Semester Outdoor Education and Leadership (River) is your chance to imagine what the fur traders might have seen and experienced in this extended canoe/kayak expedition. You will develop skills in leadership and outdoor survival; including communication and small group living, “Leave no Trace” wilderness education, nature interpretation and awareness, and extensive river activities (white-water canoeing, river rescue, navigation). These two courses (AUPED 286, AUPAC 226/326) offer opportunities for canoeing and river rescue certification. April 27th - May 23rd.
- Seek out adventure in our concentrated Outdoor Explorations (Mountains) program. The program begins on the UofA campus completing general wilderness orientation and essential equipment preparatory work. From there students will spend several weeks backpacking in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. These 4 courses (PEDS 497, PAC 197, PAC 197, PERLS 497) take place May 24 - June 29.