Program

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

ProgramExpected LengthProject and/or thesisCourse based
P.G.D.1 year
M.Eng.2 years
M.Sc.2 years
Ph.D.4 years

The department offers Master of Science (M.Sc.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degree programs, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma (P.G.D.) program. In the M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs, graduate students complete course work and a project, while P.G.D. students complete course work only. All graduate programs are conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Graduate student enrollment is approximately 80 students, and about half of our students are enrolled in the Ph.D. program.

Faculty members pursue research in six broad areas of mechanical engineering:

  • Advanced engineering design and manufacturing
  • Applied mechanics and machine design
  • Bioengineering
  • Control systems, robotics and fluid power
  • Fluid dynamics, thermal sciences and energy
  • Materials science and metallurgy

Research programs range from fundamental investigations intended to advance theoretical understanding to practical studies intended to solve current industrial and environmental problems. A significant number of research projects involve industrial partners who provide funding, expertise, and access to special research facilities.

The department is home to Canada Research Chairs in Nanoengineering Coating Technologies and Energy and Advanced Materials. The department has well equipped laboratories, which include facilities that are among the very best of their kind in Canada. Research is also conducted on campus at a number of other facilities, including the Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre and the Canadian Light Source, Canada's national synchrotron research facility.

Research supervisors

This program requires you to have a supervisor. Gaining entrance into this program is a competitive process and we recommend that you reach out to potential supervisors directly.

Name Research areas
Donald BergstromFluid dynamics; thermal sciences; energy
James BuggParticle Image Velocimetry; Experimental Fluid Dynamics; Bubble Dynamics; Taylor Bubbles
Daniel ChenTissue Engineering, Scaffold Bio-fabrication, Mechatronics, Nano-Positioning
Duncan CreeSustainable Materials; Advanced Engineering Materials; Polymers; Composites Processing; Natural Fibres; Bio-Resins; Mechanical Properties, Testing and Microstructural Characterization
Trever CroweLivestock transport; Animal welfare; Livestock production
Allan DolovichSolid mechanics; Nonlinear stress analysis; Experimental methods
Reza FotouhiRobotics (Dynamics and Control); Structural Dynamics and Vibrations; Computational Mechanics (Finite Element and Optimization); Biomechanics
Huiqing GuoHVAC; Air quality control; Environment control for agricultural buildings; Air emission and dispersion monitoring and modelling
James JohnstonBiomechanics; Medical Imaging; Computational Mechanics (Finite Element and Modelling)
Emily McWalterBiomechanics, quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, cartilage, meniscus, soft tissue testing, osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal injury
Scott NobleSpectroscopy; Hyperspectral Imaging; Machine Vision; Process Monitoring; Pneumatic Conveying; Agricultural Machinery
Akindele OdeshiPhysical metallurgy; Microstructure Design; Engineered Materials; Composite Materials; High Strain-Rate Testing and Evaluation; Failure and Fracture
Ikechukwuka OguochaCharacterization of Decomposition Reactions in Metallic Alloys and Metal Matrix Composites; Interface Phenomena in Metal Matrix Composites; Wear of Engineering Materials
Carey SimonsonMoisture transfer in buildings; Air-to-air energy recovery; Heat and mass transfer in porous media; Frosting and fouling of heat exchangers
David SumnerBluff-body aerodynamics; Experimental fluid mechanics; Fluid-structure interactions
Jerzy SzpunarAdvanced nuclear materials and accident tolerant nuclear fuel ATF); Generation and storage of hydrogen; Pipeline steels for oil and gas transport; Corrosion protection; Coatings zinc and polymer based; Advanced thermal barrier coatings; Failure of metals in environment of service; Ab-initio/MD simulation and prediction of structure and properties of metals and ceramic compounds; Synchrotron techniques in electronic structure analysis
David TorviNumerical and experimental heat transfer; Fire science; Heat transfer in human skin; Protective clothing; Textile Sciences
Travis WiensFluid Power (Hydraulics); Acoustic Sensing; Dynamic Modelling; Mining; Mechatronics
Fangxiang WuBionetwork analysis, Network control theory and its applications, Drug target identification, Biomedical signal and image processing and analysis
Qiaoqin YangNanostructured thin films/coatings; Friction wear and corrosion; Tools and biomedical implants; Plasma and ion beam deposition and etching
Wen ZhangMechanical Design, Manufacturing, Dynamic System and Control, MEMS, Informatics, Robotics

Tuition and funding

M.Sc. and Ph.D. students are eligible for financial support in the form of research assistantships or fellowships, as well as teaching assistantships. The department and university also offer a number of graduate student scholarships. Students do not apply directly for these scholarships, but are nominated by their prospective supervisor. M.Eng. and P.G.D. students are not eligible for financial support.

Most thesis-based graduate students in the College of Engineering receive funding during their studies (e.g., scholarships, stipends, awards, research fellowships and teaching assistantships). Some typical funding levels are:

Stipends and scholarships:

  • $14,000-$18,000/year (M.Sc.)
  • $18,000-$22,000/year (Ph.D.)

Teaching assistantships (employment governed by the PSAC agreement):

  • Average of $2,500/student/year (50% of students receive teaching assistantships)

College of Engineering awards:

  • Average of $3,500/student/year (10% of students receive awards)

Graduate students at USask can receive funding from a variety of sources to support their graduate education.

Tuition

Thesis or project-based master's program

Graduate students in a thesis or project-based program pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program.

Term Canadian students International students
September 1 - December 31, 2023 $1,644.00 CAD $3,699.00 CAD
January 1 - April 30, 2024 $1,644.00 CAD $3,699.00 CAD
May 1 - August 31, 2024 $1,644.00 CAD $3,699.00 CAD
Total per academic year $4,932.00 CAD $11,097.00 CAD

Course-based master's or postgraduate diploma program

Students in course-based programs pay tuition for each class they take. Every class is assigned a number of credit units (usually three) which determines their cost. If a student is not enrolled in any classes for a term, they will need to register in a 'Maintenance of Status' class that is assessed tuition equivalent to 3 credit units to stay in their program.

Graduate students in course-based programs registered in any undergraduate classes will be assessed tuition for these classes at the undergraduate rate. International graduate students in these programs registered in undergraduate courses, whether or not the classes are part of their program of study, will also be assessed the undergraduate international differential rate of 4.2.

Canadian students International students
Cost per graduate credit unit $265.80 CAD $598.05 CAD
Maintenance of Status course $797.40 CAD $1,794.15 CAD
Cost per 3 credit unit graduate class $797.40 CAD $1,794.15 CAD

Doctoral program

Doctoral students pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program. Both international and domestic PhD students pay the same rate.

Term
January 1 - April 30, 2024 $1,644.00 CAD
May 1 - August 31, 2024 $1,644.00 CAD
September 1 - December 31, 2023 $1,644.00 CAD
Total per academic year $4,932.00 CAD

Student fees

In addition to tuition above, students also pay fees for programs like health and dental insurance, a bus pass, and other campus services. The amount you need to pay depends on if you are taking classes full time or part time, and if you are on campus or not. The table below assumes you are on campus full-time.

Fall 2023 Winter 2024 Spring 2024 Summer 2024
Student fees $497.88 CAD $659.51 CAD $35.00 CAD $35.00 CAD

Tuition information is accurate for the current academic year and does not include student fees. For detailed tuition and fees information, visit the official tuition website.

Admission requirements

  • Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English
  • A cumulative weighted average of at least a 65% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. 60 credit units)
  • A four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study

*An applicant cannot be admitted into an Engineering graduate program unless a faculty member agrees to supervise their graduate program.

  • Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
  • A cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. 60 credit units)
  • A four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
  • Demonstrated ability for independent thought, advanced study, and research

*An applicant cannot be admitted into an Engineering graduate program unless a faculty member agrees to supervise their graduate program.

  • Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English
  • A cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. 60 credit units)
  • A four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
  • Demonstrated ability for independent thought, advanced study, and research

*An applicant cannot be admitted into an Engineering graduate program unless a faculty member agrees to supervise their graduate program.

  • Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
  • Master’s degree (thesis-based), from a recognized university in a relevant academic discipline
  • A cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. coursework required in master’s program)
  • Demonstrated ability for independent thought, advanced study, and research

*An applicant cannot be admitted into an Engineering graduate program unless a faculty member agrees to supervise their graduate program.

Application process

Before you apply

Please visit our department's website to familiarize yourself with the program details before submitting a formal online application.

Submit an online application

Before beginning your online application, be sure that you have carefully reviewed all program information and admission requirements on this page.

During the application, you'll be asked for:

  • Personal information such as your name, address, etc.
  • Contact information of your three referees
    • For your letters of recommendation, two of your referees must be academic contacts, and the third may be academic or professional
  • Your complete academic history from all previous post-secondary institutions

The application takes about 30 minutes to complete. You may save your application and return to it later.

At the end of the application, you will need to pay a non-refundable $120 application fee. Your application will not be processed until payment is received.

Submit required documents

Once you've submitted your online application, you will have access to upload your required documents, and provide the contact information for your references. To do this, go to the "Supplemental Items & Documents" tab in your application, and upload the documents outlined below.

Preliminary Statement of Marks

  • Once you have submitted your application for admission and paid the application fee, you will be required to upload unofficial PDF copies of your academic transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended. This requirement will appear as Preliminary Statement of Marks or Additional Prelim. Statement under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.
  • The uploaded transcript can be an unofficial copy of the transcript issued by the university or college, and must include a grading key/legend.
  • All pages of a transcript must be uploaded as a single PDF document.
  • Uploaded transcripts will be considered unofficial or preliminary. Official copies of your transcripts will be required only for applicants offered admission. This requirement will appear as Post-secondary Transcript under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.

Uploading documents

Post-secondary Transcripts

If you receive an offer of admission, you will then be required to have your official post-secondary transcripts sent (by mail in a sealed envelope directly from the institution) to the address below. Please do not send official documents until we request them.

College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Room 116 Thorvaldson Building, 110 Science Place 
Saskatoon, SK CANADA S7N 5C9

  • Transcripts usually indicate the institution’s name, grading scheme (typically on back of transcript), your name, course names, numbers, credits, and the grades you have received. Depending on the country or institution, some features may not be available.
  • Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
  • If you are a current University of Saskatchewan student completing your undergraduate program then a letter of completion of degree requirements will be required from your college.

Proof of English language proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.

For students who are required to provide proof of English proficiency:

  • It is your responsibility to have completed an official and approved test with the appropriate score before the application deadline.
  • Tests are valid for 24 months after the testing date and must be valid at the beginning of the student's first term of registration in the graduate program.
  • Applicants will be required to upload a PDF copy of any required language test score. Uploaded test scores will be considered unofficial or preliminary.

Uploading documents

If you receive an Offer of Admission you may be required to have your official language test scores sent to the address below. Please do not send official documents until we request them.

College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Room 116 Thorvaldson Building - 110 Science Place
Saskatoon, SK CANADA S7N 5C9

In addition to the above official documents, please upload the following documents:

  • A statement/letter of intent outlining your research interests
  • A curriculum vitae or resume

Contact

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the academic unit by email if answers to questions are not found on this or the department's program page.

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Building Room 2B60
57 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9

Graduate Chair
Dr. FangXiang Wu
Email: engr.MEgradchair@usask.ca

Graduate Administrator
Graduate Commons
Email: engrgrad.inquiries@usask.ca