Academic Priority Areas for the University of Saskatchewan
University Council has established a priority determination process for identifying areas of academic priority at the University of Saskatchewan; four priority areas have been identified: (1) Biotechnology (approved November, 1998); (2) Northern Ecosystems Toxicology (approved December, 1999), (3) Biomolecular Structure Research and Teaching (approved December, 1999) and (4) Indigenous Peoples and Justice Initiative (approved January, 2001).
|
Biotechnology
The identification of Biotechnology as a priority area has led to the establishment of a Virtual College of Biotechnology, and to the development of a number of degree program options for students interested in the study of the application of technology to living things, and of the commercial, ethical and social implications of the biotechnology industry. The role and mandate of the Virtual College of Biotechnology are described in the Virtual, Federated and Affiliated Colleges section of this Calendar. Individual academic program options are more fully described in each College section, as follows:
- College of Agriculture: Minor in Biotechnology
- College of Arts and Science: Interdisciplinary Honours and Four-Year Major programs in Biology and Biotechnology; Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology; and Microbiology and Biotechnology; Four-Year Major program in Sociology of Biotechnology
- College of Commerce: Major in Biotechnology Management
- College of Engineering: Biochemistry and Biotechnology options in Chemical Engineering
- College of Graduate Studies and Research: There is a wide choice of biotechnology courses in many different disciplines at the graduate level, and a high degree of graduate student activity in both the Master's and the doctoral levels, in all fields related to biotechnology research.
|
|
Northern Ecosystems Toxicology Initiative (NETI)
The impact of escalating industrial and municipal developments on northern ecosystems and people has become an important scientific, political, and socio-economic issue in both Saskatchewan and the rest of Canada. At present, the need for well-trained Canadian (eco)toxicologists exceeds the supply and, with increased development of Canada's North, the need for graduates with appropriate training to address the unique concerns linked to northern development and broader pollution issues will increase. The current U of S Toxicology Graduate Program is already one of the two best programs, if not the best, in the country. To maintain excellence in this program, it is imperative that efforts are made to expand into emerging areas of concern. The U of S was the first Canadian university to have a graduate program in toxicology and, with NETI, will become the first in North America to offer both undergraduate and graduate programs in toxicology with a focus on northern people and ecosystems. The initiative has resu lted in the creation of a new interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program in toxicology offered through the College of Arts and Science leading to a B.Sc. Four-year or Honours degree.
|
Biomolecular Structure Teaching and Research Program
The University of Saskatchewan has been awarded three major infrastructure grants: the Canadian Light Source (CLS), the Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre (SSSC), and the Saskatchewan Centre for Biomolecular Research, all of which provide access to sophisticated biophysical and chemical equipment that is essential for experimental work in advanced Biomolecular Structure research. An investment is being made in a group of faculty, primarily in the departments of Biochemistry and Chemistry, whose research will use these facilities and whose academic activities will lead to an enriched program in biomolecular characterization at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. These faculty will provide essential collaborative resources for many life scientists; protein structure determination is a strong link between the Biotechnology initiative and the CLS. Undergraduate and graduate courses are currently under development.
|
Indigenous Peoples and Justice Initiative
The Indigenous Peoples and Justice Initiative will provide for the development of new undergraduate and graduate programs in Sociology, Political Studies, and Law. The undergraduate programs will make Saskatchewan a national leader in Indigenous education. The initiative contemplates the development of a research focus which fosters inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary research activity in the area of Indigenous peoples and justice. The initiative will be built on current strengths, including the resources of the Native Law Centre and will involve the College of Law and several departments in the College of Arts and Science.
|
|
 |
