Program Overview

---

Program Overview

The University of Saskatchewan offers a graduate program in Toxicology, leading to a Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. The program is coordinated and led by the Toxicology Centre, with substantial participation from members of the University's Toxicology Group.

Program Details

• Expected Length:
  • M.Sc.: 2 years
  • Ph.D.: 4 years
• Project and/or Thesis:
  • M.Sc.: Project and/or thesis
  • Ph.D.: Project and/or thesis
• Course-Based:
  • M.Sc.: Course-based
  • Ph.D.: Course-based

Research Supervisors

The following faculty members are available to serve as supervisors for prospective students:

• Jane Alcorn: Pharmacokinetics, Drug Metabolism, Drug Discovery, Natural Products, Ontogeny of Systemic Clearance, Drug and Nutrient Transporters
• Lalita Bharadwaj: Engaged Scholarship, Indigenous Communities, Water and Health, Health Risk Assessment, Management, Communication, Arts-based Knowledge Mobilization
• Markus Brinkmann: Ecotoxicology; Exposure and risk assessment modelling; Effects of contaminants in aquatic organisms
• Graham George: Disease; health; mercury; metals; spectroscopy; toxicology
• Markus Hecker: Biological effects of environmental stressors; Environmental risk assessment; Aquatic ecology/fish biology; Development of bioanalytical techniques
• Natacha Hogan: Molecular & cellular mechanisms underlying pathological & toxicological effects of contaminant exposure, changes in endocrine & immune function
• David Janz: Interactions between physiological control and environmental alteration of developmental and reproductive processes in vertebrates
• Tim Jardine: River deltas as complex social-ecological systems; Freshwater food webs; Contaminant biomagnification; Stable isotope analysis in ecology
• Paul Jones: Analytical and environmental chemistry; Aquatic and wildlife toxicology; Ecological risk assessment; Human impacts on northern ecosystems
• Ed Krol: Xenobiotic metabolism of naturally occurring phenols; reactive intermediates; radiochemistry; biological chemistry probe design
• Karsten Liber: Mining impacts; Metal bioavailability and toxicity in aquatic ecosystems; Sediment contamination; Water quality assessment; Pesticide ecotoxicology
• Christy Morrissey: Agriculture; birds; ecology; ecophysiology; ecotoxicology; environment; environmental pollution; industrial pollutants; insects and insectivores; migration; pesticides; river; water; wetlands
• Som Niyogi: Animal Physiology; Environmental Toxicology; Impacts of Industrial Metal Pollution; Metal Bioavailabilty and Toxicity; Neurobehaviour; Physiology of Metal Uptake and Homeostasis
• Ingrid Pickering: X-ray absorption spectroscopy; X-ray fluorescence imaging; arsenic; environment; health; mercury; metals; selenium; stroke; synchrotron
• Steven Siciliano: Soil ecotoxicology, investigation of trace contaminant effects in northern terrestrial ecosystems using molecular tools
• Baljit Singh: Biology of pulmonary intravascular macrophages; Environmental pulmonary toxicology; Cell and molecular biology of lung inflammation focusing on mechanisms of neutrophil and monocyte migration into inflamed lungs
• Katherine Stewart: Herbicide persistence and toxicity in northern soils and vegetation; Soil amendment technology and practices for remediation and restoration
• Lynn Weber: Tobacco smoke and air pollution effects on cardiovascular disease; pathophysiological mechanisms, animal models, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• Wei Xiao: Mechanisms of action of genotoxic chemicals and cellular responses to DNA damage
• Gordon Zello: Protein and amino acid metabolism in humans and animals investigated using stable isotope methodology; effects of drugs on protein metabolism

Tuition and Funding

Funding

All graduate students are guaranteed funding if accepted into the program. Minimum stipends are $19,200 for master's students and $22,200 for doctoral students.

Tuition

Thesis or Project-Based Master's Program

• 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)

Doctoral Program

• 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

• 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 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

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 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

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.

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.

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.

Transcripts

• Preliminary Statement of Marks: Upload unofficial PDF copies of your academic transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended
• Official Copies: Official copies of your transcripts will be required only for applicants offered admission

Proof of English Language Proficiency (if required)

• 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

Additional Documents

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