Program
| Program | Expected Length | Project and/or thesis | Course based |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Sc. | 2 years | ||
| Ph.D. | 4 years |
The Department of Plant Sciences presents a truly unique experience to students by offering research-based M.Sc.and Ph.D. programs in agronomy, crop science, horticultural science, plant ecology or rangeland studies in one department. We are the only plant sciences department in Canada capable of offering such a well-rounded experience in plant studies.
The Department of Plant Sciences is housed in the state-of-the-art Agriculture Building. Located within the building are 180 research laboratories and a 30,000 sq.ft. controlled environment facility. The 25,000 sq.ft. greenhouses are located within walking distance of the building. The land base dedicated to plant research totals 1,979 ha. The newly opened Grains Innovation Quality Lab intensifies research on value added quality traits.
The Crop Development Centre is a "centre for excellence" for crop breeding, and is fully integrated into the Plant Sciences Department. Since its inception in 1971, the Centre's programs have developed over 350 crop varieties.
In addition to master’s and doctoral degrees, we offer a dual degree program at the Ph.D. level in collaboration with the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences (Japan). After fulfillment of all of the requirements of this program, with one thesis and two co-supervisors (one from each institution), and a joint committee, Ph.D. degrees in the field of plant science are awarded from each university. Students are based approximately half of the time at each institution. For more information visit the United Gradute School of Agricultural Science's website.
Research supervisors
Prior to proceeding with a formal application, potential students should informally contact by email potential supervisors from within their area of research interest to determine availability of positions and interest. Include a scanned copy of post-graduate transcripts, evidence of proficiency in English, and a brief description of the area of research intent.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Grassland and forest ecology, seed and seedbed ecology, oilsands reclamation | |
| Fungal disease resistance in lentils, strobilurin fungicides, stemphylium blight | |
| Barley and Oat Breeding | |
| Plant-soil interactions, grassland and forest ecology, invasive species management | |
| Pulse crop genomics and dry bean breeding | |
| Breeding and Genetics of Forage Crop Plants for the adaption to the Prairie region of western Canada | |
| Breeding fruit crops and adapting them for northern conditions and mechanical harvesting | |
| Cropping systems research, crop rotations, agronomy, crop physiology, sustainable agriculture, interdisciplinary studies | |
| Crop growth and yield response to environmental factors. Yield formation processes in field crops | |
| Biogeochemistry and nutrient dynamics | |
| Genetics and breeding of bread wheat for the short-season areas of Western Canada. Evaluation of alternative wheats and annual canarygrass | |
| Plant mineral nutrition, Ion transport, Tolerance and adaptation to soil-based abiotic stresses, Root architecture, Root microbiome | |
| Stripe rust of wheat, leaf spot diseases of wheat, barley and oat, fusarium wilt of flax | |
| Mechanisms structuring plant community diversity and composition, plant-soil interactions, plant competition, methods analyzing ecological data | |
| Genetics, breeding, production and management of durum and high yielding wheat | |
| Entomology, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Vector Biology, Pest Control, Insect Ecology | |
| Apomixis, plant reproduction, evolutionary genomics | |
| Field crop agronomy, weed ecology | |
| Plant abiotic stress physiology, eco-physiology, interactions of plants with the environment | |
| Breeding, genetics and management of chickpea | |
| Breeding and genetics of pulse crops | |
| Efficacy of herbicides, weed control, integrated weed management, biological and ecological constraints on weed population and community dynamics |
Tuition and funding
Funding
The Department of Plant Sciences administers a number of scholarships. These are offered annually on the basis of a competition open to students registered in a M.Sc. or Ph.D. program in the department who have obtained an average of at least 80% and successfully completed a minimum of one year in program.
The majority of incoming students will be offered funding through a research stipend from their supervisor's research funds. This stipend is intended to allow the student to pursue full-time graduate studies. However, this stipend does not constitute a tuition waiver. Funding is provided for a period of two years for a M.Sc. program, and three years for a Ph.D. program.
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
All students are responsible for paying all tuition costs and student fees to the University. However, the supervisor will provide their International students with an International Student Tuition Differential (ISTD) to compensate for the annual ISTD expense.
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 |
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 minimum overall TOEFL score of 86 is required with a minimum score of 20 in each area, or a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each area
- 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. A minimum overall TOEFL score of 86 is required with a minimum score of 20 in each area, or a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each area
- 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)
Application process
Find a supervisor
Prior to proceeding with a formal application, potential students should informally contact by email potential supervisors from within their area of research interest to determine availability of positions and interest. Include a scanned copy of post-graduate transcripts, evidence of proficiency in English, and a brief description of the area of research intent. If they are accepting students, they will instruct you to begin a formal application.
Potential students must identify a supervisor willing to provide a confirmed commitment that a research project and funding are in place before an application can be processed.
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
In addition to the above official documents, please upload the following documents:
- A curriculum vitae or resume
- A statement/letter of intent
Contact
Department of Plant Sciences
51 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8
Graduate Chair
Tom Warkentin
Email: tom.warkentin@usask.ca
Graduate Programs Administrator
Email: plsc.gradprogram@usask.ca
- Department of Plant Sciences
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements