Program
| Program | Expected Length | Project and/or thesis | Course based |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Sc. | 2 years | ||
| Ph.D. | 4 years |
We have both applied and basic research programs for a wide range of topics in animal science and related fields, including the following specializations:
- Sustainable management systems
- Genetics
- Nutrition and metabolism
- Functional foods
- Feed ingredient development
- Grazing and forage systems
- Feed processing
- Digestive, growth, and lactation physiology
- Gastrointestinal microbiology
- Pre and probiotics
- Animal health
- Aboriginal wildlife, land, and resource management
- Human-conflict
- Animal behaviour and welfare
- Aquatic toxicology in northern ecosystems
Our university has excellent animal and feed research facilities including the Rayner Dairy Teaching and Research Facility and the Canadian Feed Research Centre, as well as dairy, beef, poultry, sheep, fish, and animal metabolism units.
Research supervisors
We recommend that you contact the faculty that are doing research in an area that interests you before beginning a formal application.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Nonruminant Nutrition - Strategies to improve gastrointestinal health and alleviate physiological stress, Evaluation of novel feed ingredients | |
| Molecular genetics | |
| Aboriginal wildlife, land and resource management, youth education, climate change, ecosystem monitoring | |
| Pig behaviour and welfare; Farm animal welfare; Applied ethology; Interdisciplinary research in farm animal studies | |
| Swine nutrition, physiology, and metabolism, nutrition and health, early-life nutrition, nutrient utilization | |
| Livestock transport; Animal welfare; Livestock production | |
| Sustainable beef cattle production and nutrition, ruminal fermentation, enteric methane emissions, nutritional strategies to improve health | |
| Molecular & cellular mechanisms underlying pathological & toxicological effects of contaminant exposure, changes in endocrine & immune function | |
| Beef cattle nutrition, forage and pasture management, management of alternative calving systems, nutrient management in summer and winter grazing | |
| Genomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiome | |
| Ruminant nutrition and metabolism, strategies for mitigation of fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 by cattle, cereal grains in beef cattle diets | |
| Ruminant nutrition and metabolism, dairy cattle nutrition, improving the efficiency of nitrogen utilization through nitrogen recycling | |
| Grain sorting; ingredient processing, by-product utilization | |
| Ruminant nutritional physiology, cattle nutrition to enhance health and productivity , gut function | |
| Management and nutrition impact on welfare and productivity of commercial poultry species | |
| Nutritional physiology and intestinal microbial ecology, functional foods and feeds, molecular microbial ecology, gnotobiology | |
| Ruminant nutrition (dairy and beef), synchrotron applications, feed chemistry, feed processing and treatment, nutrient modeling |
Tuition and funding
Funding
Research supervisors are responsible for assisting students with obtaining funding during their program. This may come from scholarships or teaching assistantships, or may come from the supervisors own research grants. When you speak with potential supervisors about the research you would like to do, ask about funding opportunities.
All students registered in thesis-based graduate programs within departments in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources receive a minimum level of funding at the beginning of their programs. Students are also eligible to receive other funding (e.g. scholarships and employment) in addition to these levels.
The minimum funding levels are as follows:
* This is a college-level minimum duration and annual funding level. The department-specific minimum levels may be greater than these. Consult the department websites available here.
Any questions about the minimum levels of funding and durations can be directed to danielle.baron@usask.ca.
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.
| Program | Canadian students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science per term |
Doctoral program
Doctoral students pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program. Both international and domestic Ph.D. students pay the same rate.
| Program | Canadian students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Philosophy per term |
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 2024 | Winter 2025 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $504.45 CAD | $666.08 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 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
- 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, or equivalent, 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
Application process
Find a supervisor
Using the list above, find a potential supervisor, read about the work they are currently doing and their past publications. If you think you'd like to work with them, contact them and describe your research interests and past academic experience. If they are accepting students, they will instruct you to begin a formal 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.
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.
For students who are required to provide proof of English proficiency:
- It is your responsibility to have completed a relevant 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.
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
- A statement/letter of intent outlining your research interests
- A curriculum vitae or resume
Contact
Department of Animal & Poultry Science
51 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8
Graduate Chair
Dr. Ryan Brook
Email: ryan.brook@usask.ca
Assistant Graduate Chair
Greg Penner
Email: greg.penner@usask.ca
Graduate Administrator
Melissa Zink
Email: animal.science@usask.ca
- Department of Animal & Poultry Science
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements