Program
Applications are currently being accepted for the upcoming Spring (May) term. The deadline for international students to apply by is November 30th. The deadline for domestic students is January 31st. All applications must be submitted prior to the deadline and be marked "Complete" to be considered. All Incomplete applications will be declined. Your application will be marked as 'Complete' once all required supplemental items, excluding English Test Results, and all 3 letters of recommendation are received. Outcomes will be communicated to applicants approximately two months after the deadline.
| Program | Expected Length | Project and/or thesis | Course based |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Eng. | 2 years | ||
| M.Sc. | 2 years | ||
| Ph.D. | 3 years |
Graduate students conduct research under the supervision of a faculty member in one of four research areas. Our research programs and laboratories are supported by four technologists, and also by staff from the Engineering Computer Centre. The department is connected to other divisions across campus, including Engineering Physics and Biomedical Engineering. It is composed of 19 faculty and six technical and administrative support staff.
All of our programs require you to have a supervisor. Gaining entrance into these programs is a competitive process, and we strongly recommend that you apply only when you have received interest from potential supervisor(s) to consider your application for admission under their supervision.
Our major research areas:
- Communications
- Digital systems
- Electronic materials
- Power systems
Dual degree option
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan has partnered with the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology – Roorkee, to offer a Dual PhD Program in Electrical Engineering. This innovative program leverages the strengths of both institutions by offering PhD students an opportunity to acquire two PhD’s simultaneously.
A dual PhD program is a partnership between two institutions that allows students to complete a portion of their program at each institution. Students enrolled in dual degree programs are co-supervised by faculty members from each institution, and therefore develop a diversified skill set and enhanced academic/research network. Upon fulfilling the program requirements of both institutions, the student will receive a PhD from each institution.
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.
Three faculty members in this complement hold chair positions: Safa Kasap (Centennial Enhancement Chair in Photonics), Brian Berscheid (Barbhold Chair in Information Technology), and Xiaodong Liang (Canada Research Chair in Technology Solutions for Energy Secuirty in Remote, Northern, and Indigenous Communities).
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| MEMS/NEMS; x-ray lithography; LIGA; process technology; high aspect ratio; polymer patterning; materials; RF MEMS; biomedical devices; micro/nano fluidics | |
| Machine learning; Biomedical engineering; Signal processing; Medical imaging; Information Security & Biometrics; Wireless Communications | |
| Radiation effects in microelectronics; Radiation tolerant digital and analog circuits and systems; Fault tolerant neural networks; Silicon reliability; Biomedical sensors | |
| Power systems; transmission; generation; economic operation; deregulation; market clearing price; transmission loss | |
| Microseismic Fault Location; Communications Systems; Digital Signal Processing; M-tutor | |
| Wide Area Power Systems Monitoring; Power Systems Protection and Control; Power Systems Stability in Smart Grid Systems. | |
| Electronic Materials; Electronic Noise; X-ray Sensors | |
| Reliability modeling; power system reliability; power system planning; renewable energy; wind energy; photovoltaics; energy storage; operating risk; energy demand management; energy efficiency | |
| Photoconductors and X-ray Detectors; Electrical and optical properties of materials; Physics of Materials; Optoelectronic glasses; Excess noise in electronic devices | |
| Microwave circuits; wireless devices; RF-MEMs; antennas; thick layer microfabrication; deep X-ray lithography; high-aspect-ratio structures | |
| Deep learning processor architecture and its application; Efficient hardware implementation of compute-intensive applications; Biomedical engineering | |
| Power systems dynamics; Renewable energy integration; Synchrophasor technology and smart grids; Power electronic devices in power systems; Protection of power systems and components; Power systems in oil field facilities; Electric machines | |
| Application of optimization techniques in signal processing and communications; Design of spectral-efficient and energy-efficient communication systems; Waveform design for next-generation communication systems; Internet of things (IoT); Application of artificial intelligence in signal processing and communications | |
| Digital signal processing; statistical signal processing; control systems; multi-rate signal processing; adaptive systems; OFDM communications; system identification; detection and estimation; image processing; convex optimization | |
| Communication over fibre/cable networks; QAM modulation/demodulation; timing recovery; carrier recovery; time distance of arrival estimation; signal source localization | |
| Interconnection techniques and analysis for system-on-chip, Low-power multiprocessor design architecture, Multiple-valued logic synthesis & analysis | |
| Health informatics, wireless capsule endoscopy, wearable health monitoring, smart-health, smart-city; Internet of things (IoT): design, development and deployment; IoT-drone generic infrastructure, security and cyber-physical systems; Image reconstruction in medical imaging (CT, MRI, etc.); Sensors and systems, wireless sensor network, body area network; Digital system design (FPGA, ASIC, embedded systems) |
Tuition and funding
Funding
In their applications, students should identify their financial status and state if attendance is contingent on receiving financial aid. The department employs about 20 graduate students as marking assistants and a limited number of scholarships, research fellowships and teaching assistantships are available. There is a keen competition for this financial support. Applications for departmental scholarships, research fellowships and teaching assistantships may only be submitted after a student has been admitted.
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 (MSc)
- $18,000-$22,000/year (PhD)
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
Master’s students in a thesis or project-based program pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program.
Master’s project-based (M.Eng.) program
| Program | Canadian students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Engineering per term |
Master’s thesis program
Graduate students in a thesis 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 (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 (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.
- Master's degree, or equivalent, from a recognized university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
- a cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of full-time study (e.g. 60 credit units)
- 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.
Before you apply
Please visit our department's website to familiarize yourself with the program details.
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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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
Contact
Department of Electrical Engineering
Room 2B60 Engineering Building
57 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9
Graduate Chair
Rama Gokaraju
Email: engr.ECEgradchair@usask.ca
Graduate Administrator
Graduate Commons
Email: engrgrad.inquiries@usask.ca
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential advisors first before contacting a graduate chair or administrator.