Applications for the M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs are accepted year round.
Program
Terms start in September, May and January. International applications should be completed (and student accepted) at least three months prior to the start of the term to allow time for processing of student visa documents.
| Program | Expected Length | Project and/or thesis | Course based |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Sc. | 2 years | ||
| Ph.D. | 4 years |
Saskatchewan is known as the "bread basket of Canada", referring to its strength as a primary producer of agricultural commodities and its contributions to the natural and applied sciences and biotechnology. The Food and Bioproduct Sciences Department has two main streams of research: food science and applied microbiology. Both of these areas involve the development and application of science and technology in pre- and post-harvest agriculture and in adding value to primary agriculture products. In recent years, interdisciplinary research between the two streams has resulted in improved food safety and security, which have pushed the research frontier beyond traditional food and microbial products. The Food and Bioproduct Sciences Department aims to fully utilize renewable bioresources to produce healthy foods and consumer acceptable bioproducts to support our health, the environment, and a sustainable bioeconomy.
Applied microbiology is the study of the microbial world and the way it interacts with our own. It looks at how we can harness and utilize the powers of the microbes in areas ranging from biotechnology to pest control, to bio-refineries, to pharmaceutical applications. A wide range of microbial bioproducts is possible.
Faculty interests include:
- Value-added crop utilization
- Novel techniques to detect food adulteration and traceability
- Lipid quality, utilization and biotechnology
- Food nanotechnology
- Food enzymology
- Meat quality
- Functional foods, nutraceuticals and nutrigenomics
- Microbial bioproducts and biotechnology
- Fermentation and formulation technologies
- Food and environmental microbiology
- Carbohydrate quality and utilization
- Protein quality and utilization
- Biocontrol of molds and mycotoxins
- Mycology
The Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences is housed in the state-of-the-art College of Agriculture and Bioresources building, a prominent edifice on the beautiful USask campus. This research driven unit focuses on small class size, ready access to and help from faculty supervisors, and hands-on experiential training in numerous high-caliber facilities, including laboratories in: food and bioproduct chemistry and analysis; food microbiology; molecular and environmental microbiology; product development and sensory evaluation; biotechnology; and food and bioproduct processing.
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 |
|---|---|
| Cellulose-based biomaterials, biochemicals and nanocomposites; Thermochemical and biochemical conversion technologies | |
| Carbohydrate quality and utilization, dietary fiber, crop quality and processing. | |
| Nutrigenomics, Molecular Geontology, Genome Organization | |
| Food nanotechnology | |
| Metagenomics and proteomics of biofilm communities in dense clays, microbial stress response and antimicrobial resistance, encapsulated probiotics, | |
| Protein quality and utilization | |
| Molecular biology and biotechnology of nutraceuticals, bioactive lipids and industrial biochemicals. | |
| Biodiesel production from canola oil | |
| Enzyme structure-function relationship studies, Enzyme utilization in food and bioproduct processing | |
| Food -omics (proteomics & metabolomics), Effect of processing on food macro- and micro-nutrients, Food authenticity, food contamination |
Tuition and funding
Funding
Students accepted into the M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs receive financial support from their supervisor’s research funds. Students are also able to apply for academic awards and funds to support the student experience.
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.
| Term | Canadian students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| September 1 - December 31, 2024 | ||
| January 1 - April 30, 2025 | ||
| May 1 - August 31, 2025 | ||
| Total per academic year |
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.
| Term | |
|---|---|
| January 1 - April 30, 2025 | $1,726.00 CAD |
| May 1 - August 31, 2025 | $1,726.00 CAD |
| September 1 - December 31, 2024 | $1,726.00 CAD |
| Total per academic year | $5,178.00 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 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
- Adequate preparation to undertake research work
- 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)
- Adequate preparation to undertake research work
With the recommendation of the unit, direct entry Ph.D. admission is available to exceptionally strong students, who show great promise in terms of academic accomplishments and potential for research.
- 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 80% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of full-time undergraduate study (i.e. 60 credit units of course work)
- a four-year honours, or equivalent, from a recognized university in a relevant academic discipline in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
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
In addition to the above official documents, please upload the following documents:
- A Statement/Letter of Intent
- A curriculum vitae or resume
Contact
Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences
51 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8
Graduate Chair
Supratim Ghosh
Email: supratim.ghosh@usask.ca
Graduate Administrator
Ann Harley
Email: fabs.gradstudies@usask.ca
- Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements