Program
Drive meaningful change in environmental health and human well-being through the University of Saskatchewan’s Toxicology Graduate Program. This research-intensive MSc and PhD program prepares you to investigate contaminants, assess risk to both ecosystems and human health, and address complex environmental challenges. Students develop the expertise to tackle real-world issues affecting diverse populations and regions, contributing to healthier people, safer environments, and more resilient communities.
Why study Toxicology at USask?
- Build expertise across diverse specializations, from analytical and molecular to wildlife and radiation toxicology.
- Strengthen interdisciplinary research with guidance from faculty and government scientists in the USask Toxicology Group.
- Prepare for careers in government, environmental consulting, industry, public health, or academia.
Quick facts
-
Expected length Thesis-based Course-based M.Sc. 2 years Ph.D. 4 years - Degree requirements
- Class delivery in-person
- Supervisor approval highly recommended before applying
- Deadlines and admission details below
Groundbreakers in advancing toxicology research
Pursue discoveries that protect ecosystems and human well-being.
Toxicology master's and PhD research areas
The Toxicology Graduate Program offers research-based MSc and PhD degrees. The typical duration is two years for the MSc and three to four years for the PhD.
The program has a strong focus on aquatic toxicology and environmental issues affecting diverse regions and populations. Many faculty members conduct research on environmental impacts and actively collaborate with partners and stakeholders to address priority challenges.
We encourage applications from Indigenous students and individuals from under-represented groups. Strengthening diverse perspectives and knowledge systems enhances the relevance and impact of our work in environmental and toxicological research.
Areas of specialization include:
- Analytical toxicology
- Aquatic toxicology
- Ecotoxicology
- Immunotoxicology
- Molecular and biochemical toxicology
- Nutritional toxicology
- Soil toxicology
- Risk assessment
- Veterinary toxicology
- Human toxicology
- Wildlife toxicology
Research supervisors
Before applying, we recommend contacting a potential supervisor whose research areas align with your interests. Share your academic background and research goals. If they are accepting students, they will instruct you to begin a formal application.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Neuroscience, heavy metal neurotoxicity | |
| Ecotoxicology; Exposure and risk assessment modelling; Effects of contaminants in aquatic organisms | |
| Mycotoxin exposure in livestock, epidemiology of common veterinary toxicoses (lead poisoning in cattle, strychnine poisoning in dogs) | |
| Arsenic; mercury; metals; spectroscopy; toxicology | |
| Individual and environmental factors that influence contaminant toxicity in animals; Physiological effects of contaminant exposure in developing fish and amphibians; Development and use of new approach methods (NAMs) in chemical toxicity testing; Toxicological impacts of mycotoxins on animal health and strategies for mitigation | |
| Interactions between physiological control and environmental alteration of developmental and reproductive processes in vertebrates. | |
| 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 | |
| Agriculture; birds; ecology; ecophysiology; ecotoxicology; environment; environmental pollution; industrial pollutants; insects and insectivores; migration; pesticides; river; water; wetlands | |
| Animal Physiology; Environmental Toxicology; Impacts of Industrial Metal Pollution; Metal Bioavailabilty and Toxicity; Neurobehaviour; Physiology of Metal Uptake and Homeostasis | |
| X-ray absorption spectroscopy; X-ray fluorescence imaging; arsenic; environment; health; mercury; metals; selenium; stroke; synchrotron | |
| Assessment of emerging contaminants and complex chemical mixtures, novel analytical methods for chemical exposomes, chemodynamics of contaminants in the environment | |
| Soil ecotoxicology, investigation of trace contaminant effects in northern terrestrial ecosystems using molecular tools | |
| Tobacco smoke and air pollution effects on cardiovascular disease; pathophysiological mechanisms, animal models, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons | |
| Environmental toxicology, molecular genetics, stress biology aging. | |
| Mechanisms of action of genotoxic chemicals and cellular responses to DNA damage. |
Tuition and funding
Funding
All graduate students are guaranteed funding if accepted into the program. Minimum stipends are $23,000 for master's students and $26,000 for doctoral students.
Graduate students at USask can receive funding from a variety of sources to support their graduate education.
Tuition and fees
Thesis or project-based master's program
Students in thesis and project-based master's programs are assessed tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program.
| Term | Canadian students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| September 1 - December 31, 2026 | ||
| January 1 - April 30, 2027 | ||
| May 1 - August 31, 2027 | ||
| 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 2026 | Winter 2027 | Spring 2027 | Summer 2027 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $617.36 CAD | $854.96 CAD | $46.75 CAD | $46.75 CAD |
Tuition is typically billed and due in instalments, four times per year. 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.
Doctoral program
Doctoral students are assessed 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 | |
|---|---|
| September 1 - December 31, 2026 | $1,879.00 CAD |
| January 1 - April 30, 2027 | $1,879.00 CAD |
| May 1 - August 31, 2027 | $1,879.00 CAD |
| Total per academic year | $5,637.00 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 2026 | Winter 2027 | Spring 2027 | Summer 2027 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $617.36 CAD | $854.96 CAD | $46.75 CAD | $46.75 CAD |
Tuition is typically billed and due in instalments, four times per year. 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.
- A master’s degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or 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 study (i.e. coursework required in master’s program)
Application process and deadlines
Deadlines and important dates
Applications are accepted on a year-round, continual basis with no application deadline. Students may begin their program in January, May or September each year.
Submit an online application
International students - Master's and doctoral students applying for a study permit do not need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma students, as well as Visiting Research students studying over six months, still need a PAL. Review federal international study permit policies before you apply.
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 application fee: $125 for domestic students and $145 for international students. 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.
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.
- Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
For students who are required to provide proof of English proficiency:
- Completing a relevant test with the appropriate score is required 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.
You may be required to submit the following documents:
- current curriculum vitae or resume
- statement/letter of intent indicating your experience and/or interest in the field of toxicology.
Contact
Toxicology Centre
44 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3
Graduate Chair
Markus Hecker
Email: markus.hecker@usask.ca
Graduate Co-Chair
Dr. David Janz
Email: david.janz@usask.ca
Graduate Administrator
Katherine Raes
Email: katherine.raes@usask.ca
Telephone: 306-966-2795
- Toxicology Centre
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements