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Department of Geography & Planning

Website

University Catalogue

CONTACT

Graduate Chair: Xulin Guo

Graduate Secretary: Phyllis Baynes

Phone: (306) 966-5654

Department of Geography & Planning
University of Saskatchewan
Kirk Hall, 117 Science Place
Saskatoon SK CAN S7N 5C8

Dr. Guo was trained at Kansas Applied Remote Sensing Program (KARS), one of a few research centers established by NASA in 1972, where she gained solid theoretical and practical background in both remote sensing and ecology. Since then, Dr. Guo has gradually established recognition internationally in her research field, grassland remote sensing. Her research focus has been on biophysical characterization, mapping species at risk habitats, photosynthesis estimation, grassland quality evaluation and modeling, grazing effects on grasslands, and vegetation response to climate change. In addition, Dr. Guo was also involved in the grizzly bear habitat mapping project, northern parks annual monitoring program.

Geography

The department supports graduate studies in both human and physical geography. Graduate training and research in the department has usually focused on the areas of regional development and environmental studies with thesis topics formulated within a northern Canada or Prairie setting. However, a wide range of problems have been examined in graduate theses over the years. The most important factor in developing a thesis research topic is the availability of faculty qualified to supervise the work. Potential students are encouraged to contact faculty who appear to have research interests similar to their own.

The graduate program offered by the department has three areas of specialization: physical, human, technical and planning. Each of these areas is subdivided into major and minor fields. Normally, both Ph.D. and Master's degrees are awarded in the major fields while only a Master's degree is awarded in the minor fields.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The Department of Geography and Planning's admission requirements can be found here.

Also, please see the College of Graduate Studies and Research admission requirements.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

The application deadline for September admission is February 15th each year, but it is a good idea to apply as early as possible, to ensure that your letters of recommendation and official transcripts arrive on time. Many prospective students contact a potential supervisor in advance who can help them through the application process.

FUNDING AND SCHOLARSHIPS

All successful applicants for graduate studies in the Department are considered for support or scholarship on the basis of merit. Several types of financial support are available through the Department of Geography and Planning and the University of Saskatchewan. Eligible students may also hold other scholarships and awards such as those provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). University of Saskatchewan Graduate Scholarships, Department of Geography and Planning scholarships with Service, or Graduate Teaching Fellowships are granted annually to candidates across all departments who have a strong academic record. The present value of these awards is approximately $15,500 per year for Master's students and $18,000 for Ph.D. students. In 2005 the Dean’s Scholarship was introduced; valued at $18,000 per year for Master’s students and $20,000 for Ph.D. students.

 

For admission and degree requirements, please see  the University Catalogue.

M.A. +

The M.A. program involves both coursework and the preparation of a thesis. The courses are intended to provide the student with a general background in the research methods of geography, and to develop an area of specialization. The thesis presents an opportunity for the student to undertake independent research. All graduate students should consider carefully the area of research they would like to pursue and the research supervisor under whose guidance they would like to work. In many cases, a department will have made contact with a student and the student will already have determined the area of research he or she wishes to pursue before formal application is made.

A fully-qualified Master’s student is required to take a minimum of 12 credit units of graduate coursework (each graduate course is typically 3 credit units). This must include GEOG 803.3 - Research Methods in Geography. It is expected that a Master’s student will normally complete these requirements in the first year of study. Graduate students are also required to take a short online course relating to the University of Saskatchewan’s guidelines and policies on ethics and integrity. The course is GSR 960 entitled “Introduction to Ethics and Integrity” and if the student is doing research involving working with people they are also required to take GSR 961 “Ethics and Integrity in Human Research”. Both courses have no credit unit value but are a requirement of their graduate course work. The student is also required to register in GEOG 990 - Departmental Seminar (Colloquium), GEOG 994. The requirements for Geography 990 are met by attending departmental colloquia and presenting the results of the thesis research.

At the Master’s level, to retain standing, students must achieve a grade of at least 60% in all courses required for the degree and maintain an overall weighted average of at least 70% in those courses. Students with scholarships must maintain a 75% average to retain funding.

M.Sc. +

The M.Sc. program involves both coursework and the preparation of a thesis. The courses are intended to provide the student with a general background in the research methods of geography, and to develop an area of specialization. The thesis presents an opportunity for the student to undertake independent research. All graduate students should consider carefully the area of research they would like to pursue and the research supervisor under whose guidance they would like to work. In many cases, a department will have made contact with a student and the student will already have determined the area of research he or she wishes to pursue before formal application is made.

A fully-qualified Master’s student is required to take a minimum of 12 credit units of graduate coursework (each graduate course is typically 3 credit units). This must include GEOG 803.3 - Research Methods in Geography. It is expected that a Master’s student will normally complete these requirements in the first year of study. Graduate students are also required to take a short online course relating to the University of Saskatchewan’s guidelines and policies on ethics and integrity. The course is GSR 960 entitled “Introduction to Ethics and Integrity” and if the student is doing research involving working with people they are also required to take GSR 961 “Ethics and Integrity in Human Research”. Both courses have no credit unit value but are a requirement of their graduate course work. The student is also required to register in GEOG 990 - Departmental Seminar (Colloquium), GEOG 994. The requirements for Geography 990 are met by attending departmental colloquia and presenting the results of the thesis research.

At the Master’s level, to retain standing, students must achieve a grade of at least 60% in all courses required for the degree and maintain an overall weighted average of at least 70% in those courses. Students with scholarships must maintain a 75% average to retain funding.

Ph.D. +

The Ph.D. program involves course work, qualifying and comprehensive exams, and the preparation of a dissertation. The purpose of the courses is to complete the student's general training in geography and to develop an area of specialization sufficient to permit the student to undertake research that will make a contribution to the discipline.

A fully qualified Ph.D. student is required to take a minimum of 6 credit units of graduate course work. This must include GEOG 803.3 Research Methods in Geography. If a student has completed GEOG 803.3 or an equivalent course then another course must be substituted. Additional courses may be required if the advisory committee feels that the student's background is deficient in some area.

Graduate students are also required to take a short online course relating to the University of Saskatchewan’s guidelines and policies on ethics and integrity. The course is GSR 960 entitled “Introduction to Ethics and Integrity” and if the student is doing research involving working with people they are also required to take GSR 961 “Ethics and Integrity in Human Research”. Both courses have no credit unit value but are a requirement of their graduate course work. Students must also register in GEOG 990 - Departmental Seminar, GEOG 996. Geography 990 (Departmental Seminar) is a required class for all Master’s and Ph.D. students.

At the Doctoral level, students must achieve a grade of at least 70% in all courses required for the degree. Students with scholarship must maintain a 75% average to retain funding.

There are two written examinations within one comprehensive exam. One written examination will assess the student’s knowledge of the major area of specialization and its place within the discipline of geography. The other written examination will focus on topics cognate to the student’s area of thesis research as outlined in the student’s thesis proposal. An oral examination will cover not only topics in the major area of specialization and the thesis research area, but may also address broader issues in the discipline of geography as a whole.

Finally, the student’s dissertation must be based on original research and demonstrate judgment and scholarship on the part of the candidate. It must represent a worthwhile contribution to geography that would warrant publication, in whole or in part, in a recognized scholarly form. The quality of the dissertation is evaluated by an examining committee, consisting of the advisory committee and an external examiner from another university who is knowledgeable in the dissertation topic.