Program

Applications are accepted for this program year-round.

ProgramExpected LengthProject and/or thesisCourse based
M.Sc.2 years
Ph.D.4 years

This research-based program allows you to pursue a degree in one of the following fields of geological sciences:

  • Geochemistry
  • Geophysics
  • Paleontology, paleobiology and paleobotany
  • Mineralogy, petrology and ore geology
  • Structural geology and tectonics
  • Sedimentology and stratigraphy

While studying in the Department of Geological Sciences, you will have access to world class facilities to support your research including:

  • Saskatchewan Isotope Laboratory
  • Electron Microprobe Laboratory
  • X-ray Diffraction Laboratory
  • Aqueous and Environmental Geochemistry Laboratories
  • Electronic Paramagnetic Resonance Laboratory
  • Hydrothermal Mineralogy and Geochemistry Laboratory
  • Global Geochronology and Lithostratigraphy Database
  • Advanced computing facilities

You will also have access to other world class facilities housed at the University of Saskatchewan including:

  • Canadian Light Source – Canada’s only synchrotron
  • Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre
  • Advanced (electron) microscopy facilities

Research supervisors

You will need to contact the faculty that are doing research in an area that interests you before beginning a formal application. You cannot be admitted to this program without a faculty supervisor in place.

Name Research areas
Kevin AnsdellIsotope geology; Mineral deposits; Precambrian Geology; Trans-Hudson Orogen; base metals; lithogeochemistry; petrology; precious metals; rare earth elements; uranium
Luis BuatoisEdiacaran; Ichnology; Neogene; Paleobiology; Sedimentology; paleontology; stratigraphy
Samuel ButlerApplied Geophysics; Compaction; Geophysics; Mantle; Numerical modelling; Porous; Tektite
Bruce EglingtonSouthern Africa; exploratory data analysis; geochemical; geotectonic; hydrochemistry; isotope
Graham GeorgeDisease; health; mercury; metals; spectroscopy; toxicology
Chris HolmdenCycle; earth; evolution; geochemistry; isotope; isotope geochemistry; paeloenvironments; paleontology; sedimentology
James LeeDiffusion; geochronology; igneous petrology; metamorphic petrology; tectonics; thermochronology
Matt LindsayEnvironmental geochemistry; environmental mineralogy; groundwater; metal(loid)s; minerals; mining; tailings
Gabriela ManganoFossils; ichnology; paleobiology; paleontology; sedimentology; stratigraphy
Gabriela ManganoIchnology of ancient tidal flats, Ichnology of Lower Paleozoic ecosystems, Continental Ichnofacies, Paleobiology and autoecology of trace fossils
Igor MorozovAnelasticity; Imaging; Mantle; Q; Seismology
Yuanming PanGeochemistry; mineral deposits; mineral spectroscopy; minerals; minerology; petrology
Camille PartinCanadian Shield; geochemistry; geochronology; geology; minerals; precambrian; sedimentary basins
Bill PattersonBird; climate change; climatology; isotope geochemistry; paleobotany; paleontology; sedimentology; stratigraphy
Ingrid PickeringX-ray absorption spectroscopy; X-ray fluorescence imaging; arsenic; environment; health; mercury; metals; selenium; stroke; synchrotron
Brian PrattEarthquakes; fossils; paleontology; sedimentology; stratigraphy
Colin SproatOrdovican; Silurian; brachiopods; evolution; paleobiogeography; paleoecology; paleontology
Tianqi XieHigh pressure mineral physics; Impact cratering event; Evolution of planetary surfaces; Rocky planets in Solar System

Tuition and funding

Funding

All successful applicants for graduate studies in the department are considered for support or scholarship on the basis of merit. No separate application is required. Under normal circumstances, we will only accept students in this program if their supervisor can provide funding for them.

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, 2023 $1,644.00 CAD $3,699.00 CAD
January 1 - April 30, 2024 $1,644.00 CAD $3,699.00 CAD
May 1 - August 31, 2024 $1,644.00 CAD $3,699.00 CAD
Total per academic year $4,932.00 CAD $11,097.00 CAD

Doctoral program

Doctoral students pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program. Both international and domestic PhD students pay the same rate.

Term
January 1 - April 30, 2024 $1,644.00 CAD
May 1 - August 31, 2024 $1,644.00 CAD
September 1 - December 31, 2023 $1,644.00 CAD
Total per academic year $4,932.00 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 2023 Winter 2024 Spring 2024 Summer 2024
Student fees $497.88 CAD $659.51 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
  • 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

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 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

Application process

Note that it may take up to three months to process an international application.

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.

When contacting faculty, please supply a copy of your transcripts and a concise statement of your research interests.

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

Contact

Department of Geological Sciences
114 Science Place
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2

Graduate Chair
Dr. Bruce Eglington
Email: bruce.eglington@usask.ca

Graduate Administrator
Chantal Strachan-Crossman
Email: chantal.strachancrossman@usask.ca