Department of Soil Science
CONTACT
Graduate Chair: Dr. Steve Siciliano
Graduate Secretary: soilsc.gradstudies@usask.ca
Phone: (306) 966-6823
Department of Soil Science
51 Campus DriveSaskatoon SK CAN S7N 5A8
Soil Science
The Department of Soil Science, established in 1919, is a major centre of superior teaching and research both within Canada and internationally. The department places a strong emphasis on teaching, research, extension and service programs that address soil science and environmental issues at the provincial, national and international levels. The faculty, which includes adjunct professors from other departments, schools, and institutes on campus; government institutions (e.g., Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada) has particular strengths in applied pedology, agronomy & agroforestry, environmental soil chemistry & ecotoxicology, soil reclamation & remediation, and climate change adaptation & mitigation.
The department provides core expertise in soil and environmental sciences and offers programs leading to both M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees. Joint graduate research programs can be arranged with other colleges within the university, with other Canadian universities, and with government agencies (both in Saskatchewan and across the country).
The Department of Soil Science offers thesis-based programs that can be completed in two to three years for a M.Sc. and three to five years for a Ph.D., based on full-time study.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Explore the research expertise within the Department of Soil Science and contact faculty members to inquire about their willingness to act a potential supervisor. Acceptance into the program is dependent upon a supervisor being available and your application will not be processed until someone has agreed to supervise your program.
Complete the online application and send the following documents to the Graduate Secretary in the Soil Science Department:
- A letter outlining your research interests and explaining why you wish to join this Department
- Copies of your academic transcript(s) and three letters of recommendation
- A curriculum vitae or resume
- Students, who are not native English speakers, must demonstrate English language proficiency
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
FUNDING AND SCHOLARSHIPS
All students accepted into the graduate program receive financial support from their supervisor’s research funds and/or scholarships. To be eligible for scholarship funding, students must have obtained at least 80% in the last two years of study. Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis and are not guaranteed.
Students cannot undertake graduate work without financial support; thus, the supervisor must write a letter stating that he/she will provide the financial support and other resources necessary for you to complete your program. This letter is required before a recommendation can be made by the Department to the CGSR for student acceptance.
A M.Sc. Entrance Scholarship is available in the Department of Soil Science. Preference is given to applicants from a North American university and the award is based on the applicant’s grades for his/her last 60 credit units of study. The application deadline for this scholarship is March 1st.
Students entering the Ph.D. program with an average grade ≥80.0% will receive a $5,000 ‘top-up’ scholarship. The scholarship is renewable for a maximum of two years (total of three years).
CAREER PATH
The Department of Soil Science prepares graduate students for exciting research or land management careers in government, industry and non-governmental organizations and with consulting firms and academic institutions. Jobs in this sector range from helping to protect ecosystems from industrial damage to enhancing the sustainability of our food production. Students completing a Ph.D. may also choose an academic career path.
For admission and degree requirements, please see the University Catalogue.
M.Agr. +
M.Agr. students take 30 credit units of courses and a 6 credit project in the course of one year.
The objective of the M.Agr. is similar to the PGD, that is, to provide graduate training mainly as formal course work, with no thesis component. A research project is a required component.
This degree is intended for students who wish to obtain advanced knowledge in Soil Science but do not require advanced research training.
M.Sc. +
M.Sc. students take a minimum of 15 credit units and apend a majority of their efforts on reserarch that will be compiled into a thesis. M.Sc. students complete a research thesis under the direction of an advisor in the department of soil science. This program takes approximately 2 years to complete.
The primary objective of the M.Sc. program is to provide students with advanced training in Soil Science, utilizing a combination of in-depth courses and supervised research. A secondary objective is to develop communication skills (oral and written) particularly important to those anticipating an academic career.
CAREER PATH
Many students complete the M.Sc. program and move on to careers in agriculture, environmental consulting and related fields, and benefit from the additional training the program provides. For others, the M.Sc. is a transition to a Ph.D. program, which is oriented to less-supervised research.
Ph.D. +
The Ph.D. program prepares students for careers in research and academia. The primary emphasis is on research, but the program also includes training in instructional and communication skills (oral and written) particularly important to those anticipating an academic career. It is our goal for students to become specialists in a certain area of research, but also to be exposed to the broader field of soil science, and be at least familiar with related disciplines.
