Bachelor of Arts and Science - Religious Studies & Computer Science (Optional Co-op)

For the Bachelor of Arts and Science, students must complete two majors: an Arts major, and a Science major.

People encounter religion in many manifestations frequently on TV and the Internet: breathtaking mosques, colossal Buddhas, the Pope addressing huge crowds, brutal religious wars or unusual rituals.

Studying religion enhances the understanding of what it is to be human. It enables them to learn more about the diverse cultures of the world, their ancient histories and their highest values. While students may not discover the meaning of life by studying religion, they will learn how others have answered that perennial human question, and how those answers have shaped people’s lives and the lives of those around them.

The University of Lethbridge is a secular (non-religious) institution of learning; the University does not try to promote belief in any of the religions that are studied. Rather, the program attempts to study religion in as objective a manner as possible. Of course, each person faces challenges when trying to do so with neutrality, because people may have predispositions for or against particular religions, or toward religion in general.

In religious studies, the explorations are wide-ranging, embracing the human religious response, from the great world religions to marginal and quasi-religious phenomena, such as shamanism and magic. The program examines history, social and cultural configurations, symbolism, and literature, as well as theologies and metaphysical philosophies within belief systems. Students will study shared themes and marked differences in myths and rituals, and how religion permeates even secular lives.

Computer science is the study of algorithms and data structures and their applications in designing new and efficient solutions to industrial, technological, environmental or social problems.

Students will learn to tackle difficult problems using a variety of high-tech tools and approaches, and effectively communicate their expertise to others by coupling their technical learning with a solid grounding in liberal education.

The program is designed to enable students to gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, including access to state-of-the-art hardware and software in the three computer labs whenever they need to use them.