Centres and Institutes
The research environment in the Faculty of Science is enriched by superb research institutes and centres. Areas of research expertise include artificial intelligence, particle physics and space exploration, among others.
Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII)
Established in 2002, the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute's work began as the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Machine Learning (AICML), a joint effort between the Government of Alberta and the University of Alberta. Today, the research centre at U of A is home to 36 Amii Fellows, 26 Amii Canada CIFAR AI Chairs, and more than 400 undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate researchers working to produce world-leading AI and machine learning advancements across various sectors. Amii is one of three named centres of excellence in the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy tasked with advancing Canada’s AI potential; the associated research centre at the University of Alberta is a primary driver of Amii’s AI research excellence.
Applied Mathematics Institute (AMI)
Established in 1987, the Applied Mathematics Institute aims to promote fundamental and applied research on mathematical sciences and to stimulate collaborative research within the University of Alberta community. The AMI regularly organizes seminars and supports the publication of the Canadian Applied Mathematics Quarterly (CAMQ) - a Canadian scientific journal devoted to research articles related to the applications of mathematics. The AMI also supports national and international mathematical conferences and workshops.
Canadian Centre for Isotopic Microanalysis (CCIM)
The Canadian Centre for Isotopic Microanalysis provides Canadian and international researchers in academia, government, and industry with access to leading-edge instrumentation and research expertise in geochemistry and geochronology. CCIM is dedicated principally to research on mineral and energy resources. The team of dedicated academics and technical staff collaborates with researchers, both professionals and students, from across Canada and internationally to address questions of high scientific and societal impact. CCIM utilizes unique analytical instruments and lab facilities, and develops special techniques to analyze the smallest ('micro') quantities of minerals for a range of isotopes.
Canadian Ice Core Archive (CICA)
Representing more than 10,000 years of evidence of changes to our climate in 1.4 kilometres of ice core samples, the Canadian Ice Core Archive (CICA) collection at the University of Alberta represents invaluable potential for researchers around the world to answer critical climate change questions. With a well-established reputation for research excellence in the Canadian north, researchers from the University of Alberta have spent decades getting to the bottom of what is happening at the top of the Earth, a region increasingly recognized for its valuable water, mineral, and energy resources.
Centre for Earth Observation Sciences (CEOS)
The Centre for Earth Observation Sciences brings together investigators in an international network of research initiatives, funded by provincial, national, and international agencies. Earth Observation Science plays a key role in monitoring environmental changes, resource management, and formulating sustainable development policies. Basic and applied research initiatives supports the Centre's ability to assess and monitor changes in biodiversity, enhance mineral and mining exploration, play a role in environmental risk mitigation and more.
Centre for Particle Physics
The Centre for Particle Physics promotes interaction and collaboration among researchers in particle physics. The Centre provides a favourable environment to advance particle physics studies, to help train leaders for the future well-being of the field, to assist in the dissemination of knowledge, and to promote interaction between the University and the broader community.
Institute for Geophysical Research (IGR)
The Institute for Geophysical Research encourages interdisciplinary collaborations between geophysical researchers and their students. The IGR defines geophysical research quite broadly to include study of the Earth, its oceans, atmosphere and cryosphere and its near-space environment. It also includes study of the sun, the other planets and the solar wind and its interactions with planetary magnetic fields. The Institute runs occasional seminars followed by social gatherings and in the Fall Term each year, the IGR runs a Graduate Student Symposium and Undergraduate Poster Session.
Institute for Space Science, Exploration and Technology (ISSET)
The Institute for Space Science, Exploration and Technology embraces a variety of scientific and engineering disciplines related to the exploration of space. ISSET builds on long-standing institutional excellence in space research in order to take advantage of emerging, cross-disciplinary opportunities and to develop partnerships with other institutions, agencies and industry. In addition, ISSET offers unique educational experiences for undergraduate and graduate students, and develops provincial capabilities in space research through educational outreach programs, visiting professor positions, workshops and scientific meetings.
Theoretical Physics Institute (TPI)
The Theoretical Physics Institute's mission is to support theoretical physics research on campus and the province as well as provide opportunities for interactions among theorists across Canada. Founded in 1960, the TPI encourages collaboration between members and their graduate students and postdoctoral researchers across disciplines. Members are theoretical physicists drawn from physics, mathematics, and chemistry departments. It supports workshops, colloquium/seminar speakers, and short- and long-term visits by researchers of international standing.