Trent University is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Bachelor of Arts & Science (B.A.S.) program – a dynamic degree where students delve into the intersections of the arts and sciences to better understand the world by blending creativity, scientific knowledge, and discovery.

To kick off the celebrations, the program is introducing a new annual lecture series created in honour of the late Dr. David Ellis, professor of Chemistry, who served as acting dean of Science and dean of Humanities at Trent before his passing in 2019. The November 16 lecture is inspired by one of Dean Ellis’ signature sayings “Ask Me Anything”, and will feature a discussion on visual argumentation by Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent, as the inaugural speaker.

“I am honoured to be the speaker at the inaugural lecture,” shared President Groarke. “This event is a fitting tribute to honour the legacy of Dr. David Ellis, a man whose open-mindedness and natural curiosity for intersections between the arts and sciences was the driving force behind the dynamic degree program that embodies core elements of the Trent experience.”

Since the B.A.S. degree launched in 2012, 70 students have graduated from the program. Over the past decade, the program has grown to 109 current students, 52 of which are currently in their first year – the largest-ever number of first-year students in the program’s history. Each student is part of a dedicated cohort of high-achieving students whose intellectual curiosity is fueled by the sciences and the arts equally, where they engage with their peers through the program’s core courses and work alongside passionate B.A.S. faculty members.

“The 10th anniversary of our program provides a moment to reflect on how we have grown since we launched, and to celebrate the successes of our students and graduates,” said Dr. Jessica Marion Barr, B.A.S. program coordinator. “Our faculty and students understand the value of thinking critically, approaching problems creatively, and communicating effectively as we navigate the overlapping social and scientific complexities of today’s world.”

Trent continues to adapt the offering of this growing program to deliver experiences that bolster student success throughout their university career and beyond. B.A.S. is also one of 23 programs at Trent that offer a paid co-op stream, through which students can gain valuable connections and graduate with 12 months of hands-on job experience in as little as four years.

In 2021, a new Bachelor of Arts & Science (B.A.S.) / Medical Sciences dual degree program was launched in collaboration between Trent University and Swansea University in the UK. This new dual degree program offers students the opportunity to complete two degrees in four years, preparing for careers as medical professionals while gaining international experience.

Registration Now Open

The David Ellis “Ask Me Anything” Lecture will take place on Wednesday, November 16 in Stohn Hall in the Trent Student Centre at 1:00 p.m., and attendees are asked to register in advance through Eventbrite.