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:
- Biotechnology (approved November, 1998);
- Northern Ecosystems Toxicology (approved December, 1999);
- Biomolecular Structure Research and Teaching (approved December, 1999) and
- Indigenous Peoples and Justice Initiative (approved January, 2001).
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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 & 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.
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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 resulted in the creation of a new interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program in toxicology offered through the College of Arts & Science leading to a B.Sc. Four-year or Honours degree.
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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.
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Indigenous Peoples and Justice Program (IPJP)
The IPJP is the fourth priority area approved by the University Council as part of the Priority Determination process to develop both interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Sociology, Law and Political Studies, with a specialization in Indigenous peoples and justice. Capstone courses in Indigenous Knowledge (IK) lead students to explore Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing in the realms of justice, law and social order. These IK courses provide students opportunities to combine discipline-specific training on issues and subject matters relevant to Aboriginal communities. The University Council expressed a strong commitment for consultation with Aboriginal communities to ensure that instructional programs and research activities of IPJP are consistent with the needs and aspirations of those communities.
Under this fourth priority area, the College of Arts & Science has a B.A. Four-year and Honours program in Sociology with a focus on Indigenous Peoples and Justice. The objective is to allow students to focus on a range of issues including but not limited to governance, research in Aboriginal communities, health care and programming, institutionalized racism, gender discrimination, education, as well as criminal justice.
A B.A. Four-year and Honours is also offered in Political Studies: Aboriginal Public Administration Program. The program is designed to help students understand the unique governance, administrative, management and policy issues in Aboriginal communities, and the impact of the operation of current public institutions and processes on Aboriginal people. It is also designed to help them understand the dynamic interactions of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal governments and communities.
The College of Arts & Science and College of Law has also introduced a second degree program: LL.B. and B.A. Four-year or Honours in Sociology with a focus on Indigenous Peoples and Justice. To complete the program, students are allowed to credit 18 credit units in law courses toward the electives requirements in the B.A. Four-year program to complete both degrees in less time than if they were taken separately. To complete the Second Degree program in Indigenous Peoples and Justice, law graduates will follow the Sociology program requirements for Indigenous Peoples and Justice.
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