Faculty of Science

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Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science at Algoma University delivers a high calibre programming with a focus on research and experience.

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Most of our students have the opportunity to work in a research lab or for a local company as volunteers, student workers, through our internship courses and the capstone thesis. Several of our students publish their research in scientific journals.

The Faculty of Science delivers top-quality academic programming in Biology, Psychology, and Environmental Science. Faculty of Science programs are built to help students develop critical thinking skills allowing them to contribute solutions to current challenges facing humanity in the twenty-first century. The Faculty of Science prides itself on exceptional faculty/student relationships. Our small class-sizes allow students to get to know their professors, and meet with them regularly to ensure that they are reaching their goals.

Our professors are there to help students if they are struggling, and to help them grow throughout their academic careers. The Faculty of Science provides relevant high-quality education with a particular focus on getting students involved in the research process.

Consequently, our graduates leave Algoma University feeling like they have truly become scientists. Many graduates report that this experience greatly prepared them for their careers.

Work with World-Class Researchers

Algoma University has world-class researchers. Our researchers bring in millions of dollars in research grants, and students in our programs have the opportunity to interact with these researchers, learn from them both formally and informally, and even conduct research in their labs. Over the last eight years, our undergraduate students have published 28 research papers in the peer reviewed scientific literature. In the SLSE, we understand that to become a great researcher, you need to learn from and train with great researchers.

students experiencing nature during science field trip

Become a Scientist

Our goal is for every graduate to leave our program feeling like they have become a scientist. To accomplish this, we have structured our programs to focus on teaching students the scientific method, how to use data and statistics to address scientific hypotheses, as well as basic and advanced laboratory techniques. Students can hone their research skills in weekly lab sessions, during internship courses, or while working on an Honours Thesis project. We get students doing science, so when they graduate, they feel like scientists.

Find your Passion

We know that our incoming students have only scratched the surface in their scientific education. Our programs give students exposure to the breadth of topics that span Biology, Psychology, and Environmental Sciences. Students have the chance to explore many topics within their field of study, and then choose electives that match their interests later in their degree program. This approach ensures that students are given the chance to discover what they enjoy in their program, and pursue it. This approach differs from more specialized undergraduate programs where if a student wishes to pursue a new direction, they must start over. Science is about discovery – discover your passion in Algoma’s Faculty of Science.

Programming	Campus	Admission
Bachelor of Science - Biology	SSM	Gr. 12 English & Math, Two Gr. 12 Sciences from Biology, Chemistry or Physics
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science	SSM	Gr. 12 English & Math Two Gr. 12 Sciences from Biology, Chemistry or Physics
Bachelor of Science - Psychology	SSM	Gr. 12 English & Math, Two Gr. 12 Sciences from Biology, Chemistry or Physics
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology	SSM/BRAM	Gr. 12 English

Full Professor

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Dr. Twiss brings more than 20 years of academic experience to the University. He joined Clarkson University in 2002 and he was appointed Department Chair in 2020. Dr. Twiss received his BSc from Trent University, an MSc from the University of Toronto, and after receiving his PhD from Université du Québec in 1996, he held a postdoctoral fellowship at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. His current research focuses on winter limnology and the development of novel approaches to year-round remote sensing of water quality. He has published fieldwork on every Laurentian Great Lake and the Saint Lawrence River. He has brought in over $2M in external funding and has published over 100 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and conference proceedings, he has given 53 presentations, and he has supervised 17 graduate and 66 undergraduate students.

His professional service includes participation on Great Lakes science advisory boards (US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), International Joint Commission) and leadership as President of the International Association for Great Lakes Research, where his professional expertise and that of colleagues have helped ensure the protection of these crucial waters. His collaborations include the regional Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) community more specifically with the Kaswentha, and he works to ensure that data sovereignty is respected and decolonization is addressed. He expanded the River Environment and Sensor Observation Network (REASON) project into the Mohawk nation of Akwesasne, which not only increased the power of the observatory but the technology transfer, sharing of funds and data, increased the capacity of the Akwesasronon for mutual benefit.

Dr. Twiss has taught a large number of courses focused on microbiology, limnology, botany, and water protection. More significantly he has developed many experiential learning programs for students. For example, the Great Lakes Limnology practicum took place over an intensive 8-day research expedition across Lake Ontario where students learned about pelagic microbial ecology and water birds with nightly seminars onboard the US EPA research vessel Lake Guardian. He also developed an experiential learning program for students with the renowned Trudeau Institute for Infectious Disease Research. Another course, Great Lakes Water Protection, integrates broad topics in geology, limnology, economics, and fine art in order for students to appreciate the ecological and social importance of the Great Lakes region.

Dr. Twiss states, “My time at Clarkson University, a technologically strong university, has provided me with many teaching, experiential learning, research and administrative experiences that I am looking forward to sharing with Algoma as it continues its steady rise as a university. As Clarkson begins to acknowledge its position in the North Country of New York on the traditional territory of the Kaniekehaka (Mohawk), a connection to Algoma University and its Special Mission will be welcomed. I am honoured to begin that connection.” Dr. Twiss has developed a diversity of partnerships, is an advocate for underrepresented groups, and is passionate about the success of students and colleagues.

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“My experiences in the Biology program at Algoma U’s Faculty of Science, specifically my time as a research assistant, ignited a passion for research that I continue to pursue today at the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy. I was able to develop a deeper understanding of the methods that underly scientific experiments, and even learned basic coding skills using statistical software. I also secured an Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) allowing for the opportunity to conduct a unique research project with Dr. Schamp’s team during a summer work term. These experiences opened many doors for me in Pharmacy school.”

Ryan Pelletier

Graduate, Bachelor of Science, Biology (2016), PharmD Candidate