Program
The deadline to submit an email of intent is December 23 to begin studies in September of the following year.
| Program | Expected Length | Project and/or thesis | Course based |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Sc. | 2 years |
The Master of Science in Field Epidemiology will prepare veterinary graduates for careers responding to animal health disease outbreaks. This project-based program will focus on applied epidemiological skills such as:
- Outbreak investigation
- Evaluation of surveillance programs
- Risk assessment
- Statistical analysis
- Risk communication
- Diagnostic test use/evaluation
Students will be assigned a supervisor and will complete competency based projects that are specific to the above epidemiological skills. Students will have an opportunity to respond to take lead roles in such investigations and work with research centres, industry groups, and the public.
This degree is unique in North America among field epidemiology programs as it focuses on animal health diseases and is intended for those with a veterinary background. The Western College of Veterinary Medicine houses both a Disease Investigation Unit and a Centre for Applied Epidemiology. Both research groups, as well as the other Health Science colleges at the University of Saskatchewan provide a rich opportunity for interdisciplinary research and practical applications of academic scholarship to improve both human and animal health.
Research supervisors
It is not necessary to find a potential supervisor or contact faculty before you have applied to this program. A supervisor will be assigned to you after admission.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Epidemiology of bovine trichomoniasis, vitamin E and selenium status of cow-calf herds, factors affecting culling of breeding bulls | |
| Zoonotic diseases, public health, epidemiology | |
| Beef cattle production health | |
| Mycoplasma bovis, Toe Tip Necrosis Syndrome, feedlot lameness, demographics of the veterinary profession | |
| Epidemiology, food animal medicine, zoonotic protozoa, livestock management | |
| Infectious disease and environmental epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance, statistical and simulation modelling, Bayesian and spatial analysis |
Tuition and funding
Funding
There is a possibility of a graduate stipend for admitted students.
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 |
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
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), or equivalent, from a recognized college or university (https://www.aavmc.org/aavmc-members/full-member-listing or https://www.avma.org/education/ecfvg/directory-avma-listed-veterinary-colleges-world), contingent on acceptance by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
- A cumulative weighted average of 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of full-time study (e.g. 60 credit units)
- Proof of English proficiency for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
Application process
Submit an email of intent
Emails of intent will ONLY be accepted between December 1st and 23rd of the year prior to when you wish to start (e.g. intent letters submitted in December 2021 will have a start date of September 2022). Any email received outside of this timeline will be deleted. The letter should include how you meet the eligibility/admissions requirements and your reasons for wanting to take the program (e.g. if you do not have a D.V.M. you are not eligible to apply).
Only those students who pass through the email of intent phase will be given permission to submit an application online.
If you have questions, please email the program coordinator (tasha.epp@usask.ca).
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.
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 Large Animal Clinical Sciences
52 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4
Program Coordinator
Dr. Tasha Epp
Email: tasha.epp@usask.ca
Graduate Administrator
Jackie Gabriel
Email: jackie.gabriel@usask.ca
- Large Animal Clinical Sciences
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements