Program
Applied Microbiology at the University of Saskatchewan offers graduate programs that explore the role of microorganisms in agriculture, biotechnology, environmental science, and food safety. Students learn how microbes can be used in practical applications such as pest control, bio-refineries, and pharmaceutical development.
Why choose USask for Applied Microbiology?
- Study in Saskatchewan, a primary producer of agricultural commodities in Canada and a key contributor to the natural and applied sciences and biotechnology.
- Small class sizes that foster personalized learning and strong connections with faculty.
- Gain hands-on experience in high-caliber laboratories and facilities that support real-world training.
Quick facts
-
Expected Length Thesis-based Project-based M.Agr. 1 year M.Sc. 2 years Ph.D. 4 years - Degree requirements
- Class delivery in-person
- Supervisor approval recommended before applying
- Deadlines and admission details below
Groundbreakers in advancing agriculture through microbial science
Explore how microbes can solve global challenges from enhancing food safety and developing sustainable bioproducts to advancing biotechnology, pest control, and pharmaceuticals. Transform microbial science into practical solutions that benefit agriculture, health, and industry.
Master of Agriculture
The Master’s in Agriculture program provides advanced theoretical knowledge and hands-on training focused on understanding how to use various bioresources to produce healthy foods or consumer-acceptable bioproducts to support our health, the environment and a sustainable bioeconomy.
Master of Agriculture degree requirment includes 24 credit units (CU) of coursework (equivalent to 8 classes) along with a 6-CU research project carried, typically carried out over the spring/summer after the academic terms. This project includes writing up the results in the form of a final project along with a defense.
Spring/summer registration during program
The Master’s in Agriculture program at the University of Saskatchewan schedules the research project requirement in the academic break that typically spans spring and summer terms (May through August). During this period, students work closely with their faculty mentors on research projects to fulfil their study.
Applied Microbiology Master's and Ph.D. research areas
The Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences at USask provides the agri-food and bioresources industries with highly trained graduates and innovative research solutions for exploiting existing and emerging opportunities for the agriculture sector. USask's interdisciplinary teaching approach provides Canadian and International students with the advanced knowledge and understanding of agricultural outputs and by- and co-products (proteins, carbohydrates/fibre and lipids), processing, genetic engineering and microbial biotechnology that can be then tailored to the areas of food science and technology, biomaterials, biotechnology bio-energy and nutrigenomics.
Faculty expertise in the Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences includes, but are not limited to:
- Value-added crop utilization
- Lipid quality, utilization and biotechnology
- Food microbiology and microbial pathogens
- Microbial detection and machine learning
- Quality assurance and HACCP
- Food nanotechnology
- Food enzymology
- 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
- Microbiological and bacteriophage ecology
Research supervisors
Before applying, we recommend contacting a potential supervisor whose research areas align with your interests. Share your academic background and research goals. If they are accepting students, they will instruct you to begin 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 microbiology and molecular microbiology, Food safety, Microbial ecology, Fermentation | |
| Foodomics (proteomics & metabolomics), Effect of processing on food macro- and micro-nutrients, Food authenticity, food contamination |
Tuition and funding
Funding
The Master’s in Agriculture program does not offer funding, and students are not eligible for academic awards. Applicants should be prepared to fund their studies independently.
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 and fees
Course-based certificate, master's and postgraduate diploma programs
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 undergraduate international tuition.
| Canadian students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per 3 credit unit graduate class | ||
| Cost per graduate credit unit | ||
| Maintenance of Status course |
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 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $578.45 CAD | $804.73 CAD | $36.75 CAD | $36.75 CAD |
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 |
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 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $578.45 CAD | $804.73 CAD | $36.75 CAD | $36.75 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.
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 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $578.45 CAD | $804.73 CAD | $36.75 CAD | $36.75 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 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (e.g. 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.
- 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 and deadlines
Deadlines and important dates
International applicants should complete their applications and receive acceptance at least three months before the term starts to allow time for visa processing.
| Program | Start term | Application deadline |
| M.Agr. | September | Feburary 1 Documents due: Feburary 1 |
| January | June 1 Documents due: June 1 |
|
| M.Sc. | September January May |
No deadline * |
| Ph.D. | September January May |
No deadline * |
*There is no set deadline for applying to the M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs are accepted year-round, with terms beginning in September, January, and May.
Submit an online application
International Students - Review federal international study permit policies before you apply. We do not anticipate that the implementation of the PAL process will limit graduate enrollment at USask.
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 application fee: $125 for domestic students and $145 for international students. 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.
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.
- Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
For students who are required to provide proof of English proficiency:
- Completing a relevant test with the appropriate score is required 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.
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
Shahrima Tahsin
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