Program Overview

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Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology

The Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Saskatchewan offers research-focused Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs. These programs provide students with advanced training and mentorship from experts in various areas, including:

• Cellular and molecular biology of eukaryotes
• Microbial genetics and physiology
• Virology
• Immunology
• Vaccinology
• Enzymes
• Metabolic pathways
• The synthesis, structure, and function of proteins and nucleic acids

Quick Facts

• Expected Length:
  • M.Sc.: 2 years
  • Ph.D.: 4 years
• Degree Requirements:
  • Thesis-based
• Class Delivery: In-person
• Supervisor Approval: Recommended before applying
• Deadlines and Admission: Details below

Access to Research Facilities

Graduate students in the Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology program have access to cutting-edge research facilities, including:

• Western College of Veterinary Medicine
• The Canadian Light Source
• The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization and International Vaccine Centre

Research Areas

Key research areas in the Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs include:

• Analytical biochemistry
• Cell biochemistry
• Cell biology and cancer
• Enzymes and metabolism
• Host-pathogen interactions
• Immunology
• Molecular genetics/Microbial physiology
• Molecular virology
• Nucleic acids and gene expression
• Plant biochemistry
• Protein structure and molecular mechanism
• Tumor Biology/Immunology

Students also have access to state-of-the-art facilities and research centers, including:

• Canadian Light Source, Canada's only synchrotron
• Saskatchewan Centre for Cyclotron Sciences (SCCS)
• Saskatchewan Cancer agency
• Core Mass Spectrometry Facility
• Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre
• National Research Council Plant Biotechnology Institute
• Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization – International Vaccine Centre (VIDO)
• Western College of Veterinary Medicine

Faculty and Research Supervisors

Before applying, students are recommended to contact a potential supervisor whose research areas align with their interests. The faculty members and their areas of specialization include:

• Harold Bull: Trypanosome Major Surface Proteases, DNA damage dependent stress responses in E. coli
• Debby Burshtyn: Natural killer cells, immunoglobulin-like receptors, immunogenetics, cytomegalovirus immune evasion
• Dean Chamberlain: Cancer, Tumor microenvironment, 3D tumor models, Drug Resistance
• Linda Chelico: HIV restriction factors, DNA deaminases, mutagenesis, enzyme mechanisms
• Jeffrey Chen: Mycobacterial virulence factors, TB host-pathogen interactions and aerobiology, Anti-TB vaccines and therapies, Animal models of TB
• Neeraj Dhar: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, infection biology, antibiotics, persistence, 3D microtissue models, single-cell imaging
• Jo-Anne Dillon: Antimicrobial resistance, cell division, sexually transmitted infections, international health, molecular technologies for microbial diagnostics
• Oleg Dmitriev: Interactions between proteins and small molecules, mapping contacts of drugs and their protein targets, regulating enzymes for therapeutic use
• Christopher Eskiw: Nutrigenomics, Molecular Geontology, Genome Organization
• Darryl Falzarano: Development of animal models and vaccines for emerging viruses; Structure-based coronavirus vaccine design
• Andrew Freywald: Molecular mechanisms that determine cancer invasiveness and metastasis
• Clarence Geyer: Cancer-associated proteins, antibody production, synthetic antibodies
• Kerri Kobryn: Biochemistry and Molecular Biological studies of the Lyme Disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi
• Kerry Lavender: Viral Immunology, HIV-1, Humanized mice, Interferon-alpha
• Scot Leary: Molecular genetic regulation of cellular copper homeostasis
• Erique Lukong: Breast tumor kinase (BRK) and two other BRK family members, FRK and SRMS
• Yu Luo: Structure, function and inhibitory studies on key proteins involved in DNA repair and in D-alanylation of teichoic acids in Gram-positive bacteria
• Stanley Moore: Flagellum secretion system in Helicobacter pylori, and chromatin modifying systems in higher eukaryotes
• Scott Napper: Vaccine Development, Prion Diseases, Kinome Analysis, Infectious Disease
• Pete Pioli: Antibody-Secreting Cells (aka plasma cells), Hematopoiesis, Autoimmunity, Inflammation Aging, Gene Expression
• Tony Ruzzini: Microbe-host interactions: molecules in symbiosis and pathogenesis, Plasmid-encoded biosynthetic gene clusters, bacterially produced small molecules
• Jess Sheldon: Host-pathogen interactions, nutritional immunity, molecular genetics, bacteriology, transitional metal homeostasis
• Scot Stone: Acyltransferase, triglyceride, lipid droplet, obesity, diabetes
• Aneesh Thakur: Pulmonary immunity by vaccination, vaccine formulation, mucosal immunology, mRNA vaccines, subunit vaccines, adjuvants, animal models, particle engineering, molecular imaging, thermostable vaccines
• Jenny-Lee Thomassin: Molecular microbiology, molecular genetics, and bacteriology
• Anil Kumar: Molecular virology, virus-host interactions, innate immune response
• Jenny Wachter: Molecular genetics, pathogenic microbiology, tick-pathogen transmission, animal models, Lyme disease, vaccine development
• Hong Wang: Plant cell cycle regulation
• Aaron White: Salmonella transmission and virulence, gene expression associated with Salmonella biofilm information, Salmonella vaccine development
• Joyce Wilson: HCV interaction with the host miRNA machinery
• Yuliang Wu: Cancer, genome stability, DNA repair, helicase
• Wei Xiao: Mechanisms of action of genotoxic chemicals and cellular responses to DNA damage

Tuition and Funding

Funding

Admission is restricted to students for whom there is available funding. Funding is generally through scholarships, grant funds, and departmental teaching assistantships.

Tuition and Fees

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

• Term:
  • September 1 - December 31: $1,812.00 CAD (Canadian students), $4,077.00 CAD (International students)
  • January 1 - April 30: $1,812.00 CAD (Canadian students), $4,077.00 CAD (International students)
  • May 1 - August 31: $1,812.00 CAD (Canadian students), $4,077.00 CAD (International students)
• Total per academic year: $5,436.00 CAD (Canadian students), $12,231.00 CAD (International students)
• Student fees (on-campus, full-time):
  • Fall: $578.45 CAD
  • Winter: $804.73 CAD
  • Spring: $36.75 CAD
  • Summer: $36.75 CAD

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

• Term:
  • September 1 - December 31: $1,812.00 CAD
  • January 1 - April 30: $1,812.00 CAD
  • May 1 - August 31: $1,812.00 CAD
• Total per academic year: $5,436.00 CAD
• Student fees (on-campus, full-time):
  • Fall: $578.45 CAD
  • Winter: $804.73 CAD
  • Spring: $36.75 CAD
  • Summer: $36.75 CAD

Admission Requirements

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

• 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 90 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, or another approved test.
• A cumulative weighted average of at least a 75% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e., 60 credit units). Students with a lower average may be accepted under exceptional circumstances.
• A four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

• 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 90 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, or another approved test.
• A master's degree, or equivalent, from a recognized university in a relevant academic discipline.
• A cumulative weighted average of at least an 80% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e., coursework required in master's program).

Application Process and Deadlines

There is no set deadline for applying to this program. Applications are accepted continuously, with intakes available for the September, January, and May terms.

Submitting an Application

• Personal information such as name, address, etc.
• Contact information of three referees (two academic contacts and one academic or professional contact)
• Complete academic history from all previous post-secondary institutions

Required Documents

• Transcripts: Unofficial PDF copies of academic transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended.
• Proof of English language proficiency (if required): A PDF copy of any required language test score.

Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee is required: $125 for domestic students and $145 for international students. The application will not be processed until payment is received.