Program

Applications for the MES and PhD programs are open all year.
Applicants must secure a SENS faculty supervisor before applying.
Applications received after 15 December may not be considered for a scholarship.

Note: Any application documents that are intended to be personal statements (e.g., Statement of Intent, Statement of Research, etc.) must be written by the applicant. Any such documents that appear to be produced by generative artificial intelligence (e.g., ChatGPT) may be rejected.

Program Expected Length Project and/or thesis Course based
M.E.S. 2-3 years Thesis
Ph.D. 4 years Thesis

Students are challenged to think outside the boundaries of traditional disciplinary programs to address environmental and sustainability challenges with regional, national, and international significance. These programs expose graduate students to a variety of unique environmental learning and research experiences, and help nurture students to become critical thinkers capable of addressing pressing challenges associated with environmental change and sustainability.

Master of Environment and Sustainability (M.E.S.)

The MES is a thesis-based program that provides students with the opportunities and skills to advance their understanding of sustainability challenges in today's world. Education in complex problem-solving and the foundations of sustainability prepares students to play a significant role in knowledge generation, translation and decision-making. Students can explore the meaning of interdisciplinary research by considering a wide range of scientific, technical, political, social, economic and institutional factors that shape environmental and sustainability problems, their management and their potential solutions. For more information about the MES requirements, please visit the Program Catalogue.

Ph.D. in Environment and Sustainability

This dissertation-based degree is for students who want an advanced education in researching 21st century sustainability challenges. Our PhD students attain a deep understanding of sustainability concepts while designing and implementing their own original research. These interdisciplinary scholars demonstrate excellence in their fields of study and are ready to become leaders in academia, industry, non-profit organizations and the public sector. For more information about the PhD requirements, please visit the Program Catalogue.

Research supervisors

Applications for the MES/PhD Programs will not be considered without the written support of a faculty supervisor.

The applicant is responsible for contacting SENS faculty and securing a supervisor prior to submitting an application. Before you begin a formal application, we recommend that you contact the faculty who are conducting research in an area that interests you.

Name Research areas
Water quality, Eutrophication and algal blooms, Winter limnology, Aquatic ecology, Biogeochemical cycling, Greenhouse gas emissions and climate change
Ecotoxicology; Exposure and risk assessment modelling; Effects of contaminants in aquatic organisms
Indigenous co-management of resources and ecosystems; Polar bear-human conflicts; Wildlife and protected area management; Environmental governance
Engineering geology; Geothermal energy; Groundwater modeling; Heat transport in porous media; Hydrogeochemistry; Hydrogeology
Biological effects of environmental stressors; Environmental risk assessment; Aquatic ecology/fish biology; Development of bioanalytical techniques
Groundwater modelling; Groundwater resource management; Groundwater quality; Hydrological change in northern latitudes; Integrated hydrological-epidemiological research; Integrated hydrological data improvements; Modelling flow and transport in the hydrological cycle; Sustainable development of natural resources; Water resource engineering
River deltas as complex social-ecological systems; Freshwater food webs; Contaminant biomagnification; Stable isotope analysis in ecology
Analytical and environmental chemistry; Aquatic and wildlife toxicology; Ecological risk assessment; Human impacts on northern ecosystems
Conservation biology; Plant population ecology; Vegetation science; Education for sustainable development
Mining impacts; Metal bioavailability and toxicity in aquatic ecosystems; Sediment contamination; Water quality assessment; Pesticide ecotoxicology
Surface water quality modelling; River ice processes; Climate change and river morphology; Flood and flood risk management
Hillslope hydrology; Runoff processes and modelling; Isotope hydrology; Hydrological theory
Comparative politics and policy around Indigenous relations; Energy and resource development; Renewable energy in northern and Indigenous communities
Hydrologic models; Environmental and water resources systems planning and management; Surrogate modeling; Artificial intelligence; Machine learning
Social dimensions of environment and sustainability; Gender, diversity and inclusion in environmental sectors; Forestry and Biosphere Reserves
Environmental governance through collective action; Commons regimes; Migration-environment-development nexus; Local approaches to conservation
Human dimensions of water security
Catchment hydrochemistry; Ecosystem biogeochemical modelling; Wetlands; Biogenic greenhouse gas emissions; Climate change; Agricultural reservoirs
Socioeconomic impacts of energy development; Relationships among individual behavior and economic and social outcomes in the context of climate change

Tuition and funding

Funding

To be considered for potential scholarship funding, students must have obtained at least 80% in the last two years of undergraduate or graduate study.

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

Tuition

Program Canadian students International students
Ph.D. - Environment and Sustainability  per term $1,929.00 CAD $1,929.00 CAD
Master of Environment and Sustainability  per term $1,929.00 CAD $4,340.25 CAD

There are three terms per academic year: September to December, January to April, and May to August. Tuition is assessed each term for as long as the student is enrolled in their program.

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
  • Demonstrated ability for independent thought, advanced study, and research
  • Written support of a faculty supervisor

  • 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
  • Written support of a faculty supervisor

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 and are interested in working with you, they will submit a written confirmation directly to the SENS admissions office and 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.

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 curriculum vitae or resume
  • A research statement (one to two pages in length) that includes:
    • Specific areas of interest that could lead to a thesis or project topic.
    • A description of why the applicant wants to pursue research in the interdisciplinary context of the School of Environment and Sustainability.
    • A description of any employment or study experiences that relate to the research interests described.

Contact

School of Environment and Sustainability
Room 326 Kirk Hall
117 Science Place
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8

Graduate Chair
Dr. James Robson
Email: sens.info@usask.ca

Graduate Administrator
Email: sens.admissions@usask.ca