Doctor of Philosophy in Public Heath
The Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health (PhD) is the first Public Health PhD program offered in the Province of Saskatchewan. Through this degree, students will experience learning and research opportunities relevant to current public health topics at the local, provincial, national, and international levels.
Before You Apply
Find a potential research supervisor from the list of primary, joint, associate and adjunct faculty of the School of Public Health. Read about the work each supervisor is currently doing and, if you think you'd like to work with them, contact them and describe your research interests and past academic experience. If they are accepting students, they will instruct you to begin a formal application.Students in this program will be trained in accordance with the public health competencies outlined by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and will apply these competencies during research on current public health topics, providing new insight into, and possibly creating real-world solutions relevant to, these topics. Students graduating from this program will have skill sets that can be readily applied to a variety of public health areas and will have the capacity to be future leaders in Public Health.
The specific objectives of the program are to:
- Attain knowledge to formulate expertise in a specific public health area;
- Develop advanced research skills that are needed to address emerging topics in the public health area of expertise;
- Collaborate across health science disciplines to integrate diverse perspectives in research and practice;
- Learn about, and implement, ethical practices in public health research; and
- Foster respect, empathy, and inclusion for improved health outcomes for individuals, in community, and in health systems.
- Master’s degree, or its equivalent from a recognized university in a relevant academic discipline.
- A cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the coursework required in their master’s program.
- Proof of English proficiency may be required for applicants to graduate programs. Proof of English proficiency may be demonstrated through:
- A minimum of three consecutive years of full-time study or completion of a graduate degree at a recognized post-secondary institution, where the exclusive language of instruction and examination of the program and/or institution is English; or
- Provision of evidence of English language proficiency, using one of the approved tests listed in the English Language Proficiency Policy.
- A letter of support from the applicant’s proposed doctoral supervisor.
- A statement/letter of intent: a two-to-three-page document stating research and academic interests, along with related experience.
end of the first year and no later than end of the second year of the Master’s program. To be eligible for
transfer, students must:
- have completed at least 9 credit units of coursework at the 800-level (at USask, or equivalent from a recognized university) and must have achieved a minimum average 80% (USask grade system equivalent), with no grade below 70%.
- have demonstrated substantial promise as measured by academic accomplishments, the acquisition of discipline-specific knowledge, and the potential for research, as assessed by the advisory commitee.
- Provide evidence of research achievement (e.g., evidence of significant contribution to a peer-reviewed publication or adjudicated research report).
- Provide a statement/letter of intent: This is a two-to-three-page document stating research and academic interests, along with rationale for transfer to Ph.D. level of study.
- Have a letter of support from the applicant’s proposed doctoral supervisor.
With the recommendation of the Ph.D. in Public Health Advisory Committee, Ph.D. admission is available
to students who show outstanding promise and potential for academic research. To apply for direct entry applicants must have:
- An honours degree or equivalent, from a recognized university in a relevant academic discipline.
- A cumulative weighted average of at least 80% in the last two years of undergraduate study (i.e.
60 credit units of course work). - Proof of English proficiency may be required for applicants to graduate programs. Proof of
English proficiency may be demonstrated through:- A minimum of three consecutive years of full-time study or completion of a graduate
degree at a recognized post-secondary institution, where the exclusive language of
instruction and examination of the program and/or institution is English; or - Provision of evidence of English language proficiency, using one of the approved tests
listed in the English Language Proficiency Policy.
- A minimum of three consecutive years of full-time study or completion of a graduate
- Student must have demonstrated substantial promise as measured by academic
accomplishments, the acquisition of discipline-specific knowledge, and the potenial for
research, as assessed by the advisory commitee. - Provide evidence of research achievement (e.g., evidence of significant contribution to a peerreviewed publication or adjudicated research report)
- Provide a statement/letter of intent: This is a two-to-three-page document stating research and
academic interests, along with rationale for transfer to Ph.D. level of study. - A letter of support from the applicant’s proposed doctoral supervisor.
- GPS 960.0 Introduction to Ethics and Integrity
- GPS 961.0 Ethics and Integrity in Human Research, if research involves human subjects
- GPS 962.0 Ethics and Integrity in Animal Research, if research involves animal subjects
- A minimum of 12 credit units of courses, including:
- PUBH 804.3 Foundations of Public Health*
- 3 credit units in an advanced research methods course approved by the student’s advisory committee
- 6 credit units of elective courses approved by the student's advisory committee
- PUBH 990.0 Public Health Seminar
- PUBH 996.0 Research - Dissertation
• Students must maintain continuous registration in the 996 course - Doctoral candidacy assessment
- Dissertation defence
*If PUBH 804.3 Foundations of Public Health has previously been completed, the student’s advisory committee will approve a substitute course.
For further information on the The Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health (PhD) program, please contact:
thesis.admissions@usask.ca
PhD Program in Collaborative Biostatistics
This program is offered in collaboration with the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, College of Medicine; the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Arts and Science; and the School of Public Health. Biostatistics is the study of statistical techniques applied to medical, biological and agricultural data. Applications arise in areas such as public health, clinical medicine, veterinary medicine, health services, and occupational/environmental health.Before You Apply
Find a potential research supervisor from the list on the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies program page. Read about the work each supervisor is currently doing and, if you think you'd like to work with them, contact them and describe your research interests and past academic experience. If they are accepting students, they will instruct you to begin a formal application.In addition to the information on this page, please review the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Biostatistics Program page before you apply to the program.
The program prepares PhD graduates to assume faculty or other research-oriented positions in academic institutions or to take leadership positions in organizations that conduct health-related research.
After completing the program, graduates will be able to:
- Develop new statistical methods using existing theory or apply existing statistical methods to address problems in the medical, biological and agricultural sciences.
- Collaborate on research teams.
- Take a leadership role in study design, data management, statistical analysis, and interpretation of study results.
- Be proficient in both the oral and written presentation of research results.
PhD students enrolled in the collaborative Biostatistics Program must complete a minimum of 15 credit units of coursework (12 required credit units and 3 elective credit units); participate in a non-credit research ethics course and a non-credit seminar course; and complete a thesis.
Required Courses
(Choose 4 from the following list)
- CHEP 806.3 Applied Statistical Methods for Follow Up Data
- CHEP 810.3 Advanced Topics in Clinical Trials or STAT 834.3 Advanced Experimental Design
- PUBH 811.3 Biostatistics for Public Health II
- PUBH 843.3 Advanced Topics in Analytical Epidemiology Level III
- PUBH 846.3 Analytic Methods in Epidemiological Research Level II
- STAT 812.3 Computational Statistics
- STAT 841.3 Probability Theory
- STAT 848.3 Multivariate Data Analysis
- STAT 850.3 Mathematical Statistics and Inference
- STAT 851.3 Linear Models
Elective Courses
PhD students are required to complete a minimum of three credit units of elective courses. These courses will be determined in discussion with your supervisor and/or advisory committee.
Admission requirements
- A thesis-based M.Sc. in a relevant program – mathematics, statistics, applied statistics, biostatistics, quantitative psychology, or another discipline with a strong background in mathematics or statistics.
- A cumulative weighted average of at least 75% (U of S grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (e.g. 60 credit units)
- Proof of English language proficiency (link here) may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
- Applicants must have taken the following courses (or equivalent) during the Master’s program.
- CHEP 800 – Epidemiology I
- STAT 850 – Mathematical Statistics and Inference
- PUBH 842 – Topics in Biostatistics and Statistical Applications
(Applicants without these courses may be admitted as probationary students and will be required to complete these courses with a minimum 80% grade point average before being considered fully qualified for the program)
Graduate students in a thesis program pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program.
Contact us
For further information on the Biostatistics program, please contact:
thesis.admissions@usask.ca
Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology Program
Epidemiology is the quantitative study of the distribution and determinants of disease and injuries in human and animal populations.
Before You Apply
Find a potential research supervisor from the list on the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies program page. Read about the work each supervisor is currently doing and, if you think you'd like to work with them, contact them and describe your research interests and past academic experience. If they are accepting students, they will instruct you to begin a formal application.In addition to the information on this page, please review the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Epidemiology Program page before you apply to the program.
The PhD program in Epidemiology is designed to produce highly qualified epidemiologists capable of investigating complex population and public health issues, and independently designing and conducting quantitative research to address the biological and environmental determinants of health. Through classroom instruction, hands-on experience in the research programs of faculty of the School of Public Health, and their own dissertation research, students will develop expertise in one or more of the following areas of specialization:
- Chronic disease epidemiology
- Clinical epidemiology
- Environmental epidemiology
- Epidemiology of zoonotic diseases
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Nutritional epidemiology
- Occupational epidemiology
PhD students enrolled in the Epidemiology Program must complete a minimum of 15 credit units of coursework (six required credit units and nine elective credit units); participate in a non-credit research ethics course and a non-credit seminar course; and complete a thesis.
Required Courses
- PUBH 842 – Current Biostatistical Methods and Computer Applications
- PUBH 846 – Analytic Methods in Epidemiological Research Level II
- GSR 961 – Ethics and Integrity in Human Research
- GSR 960 – Introduction to Ethics and Integrity
- PUBH 990 – Public Health Seminar
- PUBH 996 – PhD Research
- Two year residency in which the qualifying and comprehensive exams are completed.
Elective Courses
PhD students are required to complete a minimum of nine credit units of elective courses. Six credit units of electives must be from the list below. The other three credit units of electives can be decided in consultation with your supervisor/advisory committee.
Restricted Elective Options
- AGMD 801 – Introduction to Occupational and Environmental Health
- CHEP 802 – Community and Population Health Research Methods
- CHEP 806 – Applied Statistical Methods for Follow-up Data
- CHEP 810 – Advanced Topics in Clinical Trials
- CMPT 838 – Simulation for Health Policy Modeling
- NURS 892 – Research Methods
- NURS 894 – Systematic Reviews of Healthcare Interventions
- NURS 897 – Nursing Research: Advanced Research Methods in Quantitative Design
- PUBH 809 – Field Epidemiology
- PUBH 832 – Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- PUBH 843 – Advanced Topics in Analytical Epidemiology Level III
- PUBH 844 – Chronic Disease Epidemiology
- PUBH 845 – Clinical Epidemiology
- VLAC 840 – Zoonoses and Food Safety
- VLAC 881 – Clinical Trial Design and Analysis
- Evidence of previous research experience. (Those who have not completed a thesis-based program may be admitted on a probationary basis until they have completed a research work experience under the direction of their supervisor. Research experience must be completed during the first two years of study and would include a minimum of 120 hours applied to a research project not directly related to the dissertation. Applicants undertaking this option will be expected to present their findings at the completion of their project.
- Language Proficiency Requirements: (link to language requirements) Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
- Undergraduate degree in a life, behavioral or social sciences
- MSc in the life, behavioral or social sciences, MN, MVetSc, MBA, or MPH, with a 75% average or greater in their last two years of study (Usask grade system equivalent).
- Applicants are also expected to have completed PUBH 800 (Epidemiology for Public Health) and PUBH 805 (Biostatistics for Public Health) or their equivalents with a minimum average of 75% in each course prior to application to this program. Candidates must also demonstrate previous research experience.
For further information on the Epidemiology program, please contact:
thesis.admissions@usask.ca
Doctor of Philosophy Program in Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics
The vaccinology and immunotherapeutics program provides students with opportunities to study cutting-edge advances in the field vaccinology and infectious diseases.
In addition to the information on this page, please review the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics Program page before you apply to the program.
This multidisciplinary program offers students the following three streams:
- Vaccinology & Immunotherapeutics: Societal Issues. The research in this area will involve the complex social, health care, legal and ethical issues associated with vaccination and other immunotherapeutics. Students in this program will receive a Ph.D.
- Vaccinology & Immunotherapeutics: Design & Production. The research in this area will focus on the design and production of vaccines and other immunotherapeutics. Students in the program will receive an M.Sc. or Ph.D.
- Vaccinology & Immunotherapeutics: Scientific Bases. The major focus of research in this area would be the science that underlies vaccines and other immunotherapeutics. Students in the program will receive an M.Sc. or Ph.D.
Students have access to a diverse group of faculty and world-class research centres. These facilities include the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), the Canadian Light Source (CLS), the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) and the International Vaccine Centre (InterVac). In addition, students can learn from the wealth of industry knowledge available at Innovation Place – one of the most successful university-related research parks in North America.
PhD students enrolled in the Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics program must complete a minimum of 3 credit units of coursework; participate in a non-credit research ethics course and a non-credit seminar course; and complete a thesis.
Required Courses
- GPS 960 - Introduction to Ethics and Integrity
- GPS 961 - Ethics and Integrity in Human Research, if research involves human subjects
- GPS 962 - Ethics and Integrity in Animal Research, if research involves animal subjects
- VACC 801 – A Multidisciplinary Approach to Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics
- VACC 990.0 Seminars in Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics
- VACC 994.0 Research
- comprehensive exam
- thesis defence
Phd students entering directly from a Bachelor’s degree and enrolled in the Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics program must complete a minimum of 12 credit units of coursework; participate in a non-credit research ethics course and a non-credit seminar course; and complete a thesis.
Required Courses
- GPS 960 - Introduction to Ethics and Integrity
- GPS 961 - Ethics and Integrity in Human Research, if research involves human subjects
- GPS 962 - Ethics and Integrity in Animal Research, if research involves animal subjects
- VACC 801 – A Multidisciplinary Approach to Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics
- VACC 990.0 Seminars in Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics
- VACC 994.0 Research
- Ph.D. Qualifying Examination that is at least as rigorous as the defence for a Master’s thesis in the program area.
- comprehensive exam
- thesis defence
Elective Courses
PhD students are required to complete a minimum of nine credit units of elective courses. These courses will be determined in discussion with your supervisor and/or advisory committee.
Admission requirements
Non-direct Entry PhD
- Language Proficiency Requirements: (link to language requirements) Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
- Master’s degree, or equivalent, from a recognized university in a relevant academic discipline
- a cumulative weighted average of at least a 80% (U of S grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. coursework required in Master’s program)
Direct Entry PhD
- A four-year honours 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 70% (U of S grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (e.g. 60 credit units)
- Proof of English language proficiency (link to language requirements)may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English
For further information on the Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics program, please contact:
thesis.admissions@usask.ca