Program
There are no application deadlines for this program. Students are accepted for the beginning of each Academic Term.
| Program | Expected Length | Project and/or thesis | Course based |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Sc. | 2 years | ||
| Ph.D. | 4 years |
The Department of Veterinary Microbiology has students with diverse interests in infectious disease and their research questions address this area at levels ranging from the molecular to the population. We are united by our desire to explore microorganisms and their relationships with us and other animals.
Research supervisors
You must contact one of the Veterinary Microbiology faculty members with your curriculum vitae or resume and they must agree to supervise and financially support you throughout your program. Otherwise, we will not be able to consider your application. To that end, we recommend that you contact the faculty that are doing research in an area that interests you before beginning a formal application.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Virology | |
| Mycobacterial virulence factors, TB host-pathogen interactions and aerobiology, Anti-TB vaccines and therapies, Animal models of TB | |
| Virology, virus-cell interactions, and molecular virology | |
| Virology | |
| Immunology, Vaccinology | |
| Development of animal models and vaccines for emerging viruses, Structure-based coronavirus vaccine design | |
| Immunology | |
| Diagnostic microbiology | |
| Microbial ecology | |
| Parasitology | |
| Bacterial pathogens in animals, food and water safety, virulence mechanisms of pathogenic bacteria and host-pathogen interactions | |
| Viral Pathogenesis; Vaccine Development; Vaccine Delivery by Nanotechnology | |
| Mycoplasma diseases in cattle and bison, Mycoplasma bovis experimental challenge models, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia Novel vaccine development | |
| Food and animal parasitology, molecular diagnosis and epidemiology | |
| Bacteriology | |
| Microbe-host interactions: molecules in symbiosis and pathogenesis, Plasmid-encoded biosynthetic gene clusters, bacterially produced small molecules | |
| Molecular virology, Viral pathogenesis, Virus-host interactions, Vaccinology, Mucosal immunization, Viral vectors, Dendritic cell vaccines | |
| Host-parasite interactions, ecology and evolution of infectious diseases, multiple-strain pathogens and the ecology of mixed infections, Lymne disease | |
| Mucosal immunology, neonatal vaccinology, swine immunology, and elucidating mechanism of adjuvant signalling | |
| Molecular biology, pathogenesis and vaccine development of influenza virus |
Tuition and funding
Funding
The University of Saskatchewan faculty supervisor must have funding for the student’s proposed project. Either the student or the USask faculty supervisor must have additional funding for the student’s stipend.
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 |
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 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)
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, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
Application process
Find a supervisor
You must contact one of the Veterinary Microbiology faculty members with your curriculum vitae or resume and they must agree to supervise and financially support you throughout your program. Otherwise, we will not be able to consider your application. To that end, using the faculty 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, email them and describe your research interests and past academic experience. Interested faculty will return the email if there are any openings for new students.
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 one-page statement/letter of intent which outlines why you are interested in Veterinary Microbiology as a field of study, and where you hope to focus your research if chosen for our program.
Contact
Department of Veterinary Microbiology
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
52 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4
Graduate Chair
Dr. Emily Jenkins
Email: emily.jenkins@usask.ca
Graduate Programs Co-ordinator
Linda Nemeth
Email: linda.nemeth@usask.ca
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements