General Information
The Health Sciences Graduate Program is a unique research-based program within the College of Medicine open to all departments. The areas of study encompassed by the program are extensive including, but not limited to, clinical sciences, physical therapy, and social accountability. The flexible nature of a research-based program allows students to develop a more profound respect for all aspects of the research process, and refine their professional skills for future applications.
The Health Sciences Graduate Program administration is based within the College of Medicine’s Office of the Vice Dean Research (OVDR).
As per all graduate programs within the University of Saskatchewan, the Health Sciences Graduate Program adheres to the policies and procedures presented by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS). Policies and procedures specific to the Health Sciences Graduate program, outlined in the manual below, exist in addition to those enforced by CGPS.
Prospective Students
All information for students interested in the Health Sciences Graduate Program can be found on the admission website for the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Program Details
Program Objectives
Upon completion of the Health Sciences Graduate Program, it is anticipated that both M.Sc. and Ph.D. graduates will have acquired an extensive amount of knowledge, confidence, and understanding in his/her area of research. The Health Sciences Graduate Program aims to foster a student’s curiosity and desire to learn while developing critical research skills relative to their field. A graduate student in the current research climate should expect an increasing focus on interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts, both of which are important criteria required to work across disciplines in the Health Research field. At the M.Sc. Level, a student must be able to demonstrate the ability for independent thought, advanced study and research. At the Ph.D. level, a student must exhibit these desirable qualities as well as demonstrate, upon graduation, that they are capable of sustaining a research program.
Program Overview
Health Sciences Master’s students will complete a minimum of 9 credit units, and Doctoral students will complete a minimum of 3 credit units. Students who begin in the M.Sc. program and transfer to the Ph.D. program will be required to complete a minimum of 3 additional credit units are they successfully pass their qualifying examination (totaling a minimum of 12 credit units). Additional coursework beyond the minimum credit unit requirements is at the discretion of the student’s Research Advisory Committee (RAC).
Furthermore, students are expected to complete a number of “non-credit” requirements for their program. These non-credit requirements include, but are not limited to: HSC 990, GPS 960, GPS 961 and/or GPS 962. See below for more detailed course information.
- Students must maintain continuous registration in the HSC 994.0 course.
- GPS 960.0
- GPS 961.0 if research involves human subjects
- GPS 962.0 if research involves animal subjects
- HSC 990.0 seminar
- a minimum of 9 credit units, chosen at the discretion of the student’s Research Advisory Committee
- M.Sc. thesis defense
Recommended M.Sc. Program Outline
The Health Sciences Graduate Program recommends that M.Sc. students complete their program within two years. The maximum program duration, as set by the CGPS, for a Master’s student is four years.
| Year One | HSC 994, HSC 990, GPS 960, GPS 961/962 (if required), 9 additional graduate level credit units |
| Year Two | HSC 994, HSC 990, any outstanding credit units, research and writing |
| Year Three (as required) |
HSC 994, HSC 990, research and writing |
| Year Four (as required) |
HSC 994, HSC 990, research and writing |
| Year Five (as required) |
HSC 994, HSC 990, research and writing |
- Students must maintain continuous registration in the HSC 996.0 course.
- GPS 960.0
- GPS 961.0 if research involves human subjects
- GPS 962.0 if research involves animal subjects
- HSC 990.0 seminar
- a minimum of 3 credit units, chosen at the discretion of the student’s Research Advisory Committee
- Comprehensive Examination
- P.hD. thesis defense
Recommended Ph.D. Program Outline
The Health Sciences Graduate Program recommends that Ph.D. students complete their program within four years. The maximum program duration, as set by the CGPS, for a Doctoral student is six years.
| Year One | HSC 996, HSC 990, GPS 960, GPS 961/962 (if required), 3 additional graduate level credit units |
| Year Two | HSC 996, HSC 990, comprehensive examination, and research |
| Year Three | HSC 996, HSC 990, research and writing |
| Year Four | HSC 996, HSC 990, research and writing |
| Year Five (as required) |
HSC 996, HSC 990, research and writing |
| Year Six (as required) |
HSC 996, HSC 990, research and writing |
Transfer from a Master’s program to a Ph.D. program shall take place after the end of the first year and no later than the end of the second year in the program. Recommendation for the transfer must be initiated through a formal meeting of the student's Research Advisory Committee, which shall forward its recommendation to the Health Sciences Graduate Coordinator.
The following conditions must be met:
- The student shows great promise both in terms of academic accomplishments and in potential for research.
- The student has completed at least 9 credit units at the 800-level, and has achieved a minimum average of 80% and no grade below 70%.
- There is evidence of good writing and oral communication ability.
- There is evidence the student has requisite research skills and knowledge to be able to successfully complete a Ph.D. dissertation.
- The student has successfully completed the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination prior to being recommended for transfer. This examination for the purposes of transfer can only be taken once. A student failing the Qualifying Examination or any part thereof cannot be recommended for transfer.
- Students must maintain continuous registration in the HSC 994.0 course until the transfer is successful and complete, after which they will register in the HSC 996.0 course.
- GPS 960.0
- GPS 961.0 if research involves human subjects
- GPS 962.0 if research involves animal subjects
- HSC 990.0 seminar
- a minimum of 12 credit units, chosen at the discretion of the student’s Research Advisory Committee
- Qualifying Examination
- Comprehensive Examination
- P.hD. thesis defense
Recommended M.Sc. to Ph.D. Program Outline
The Health Sciences Graduate Program recommends that Ph.D. students complete their program within five years. The maximum program duration, as set by the CGPS, for a transfer student is six years.
| Year One | HSC 994, HSC 990, GPS 960, GPS 961/962 (if required), 9 additional graduate level credit units |
| Year Two | HSC 994, HSC 990, qualifying examination |
| Year Three | HSC 996, HSC 990, 3 additional credit units, research and writing, once coursework is complete the comprehensive examination should be held |
| Year Four | HSC 996, HSC 990, research and writing |
|
Year Five |
HSC 996, HSC 990, research and writing |
| Year Six (as required) |
HSC 996, HSC 990, research and writing |
Mental Health Stream
Stream Description
Psychiatric disorders affect every community worldwide. Access to mental health and addiction services and expanding access to community-based mental health services is one of the priorities of federal and provincial governments in Canada. Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals work together to deliver care that is evidence-informed and responsive to the unique needs of each patient. Advancement in education and research is vital to the success of contemporary health care and necessary for the ongoing development of psychiatry. The stream is a suite of courses (PSIA 870.6 and PSIA 875.3) within the Health Sciences Program developed by the Department of Psychiatry to create knowledge and optimize development of scholarly skills in psychiatry to tackle multiple aspects of clinical research in mental health. The courses offered under Mental Health Stream are unique and attractive for students and medical residents from the Prairie Provinces and across Canada, offering high caliber training in clinical research targeting mental health.
Students interested in pursuing the Mental Health Stream should express their interest at the time of their registration in the Health Sciences Graduate Program if possible. Their intended supervisor should also confirm with Health Sciences Grad Studies ovdr.grad@usask.ca
PSIA 870.6 course will run every year in November for 6 weeks (Module 1) followed by 12 weeks January-to March (Module 2). Interested students should contact Health Sciences Grad Studies ovdr.grad@usask.ca to express their interest by no later than August 1st of the same year. Participation in this course is limited to 2 spots every year, so early registrants will be given priority. See below for more information regarding PSIA 870.6.
Potential Supervisors
- Dr. Lloyd Balbuena
- Dr. Evyn Peters
- Dr. Camelia Adams
- Dr. AG Ahmed
- Dr. Mansfield Mela
- Dr. Lilian Thorpe
- Dr. Holly Graham
- Dr. Nathan Kolla
- Dr. Ana Mendes Silva
Courses (offered by the Department of Psychiatry)
| Course Name | Instructor | Brief Description | Term |
| PSIA 870.6: Mental Health Foundations | Dr. Camelia Adams and Dr. Evyn Peters |
The Mental Health Foundations course provides a comprehensive theoretical knowledge in the classification, etiology, epidemiology, phenomenology, diagnostic criteria and treatment principles for common mental disorders. It also provides a unique learning opportunity for self-reflection on the implications of stigma and the impact of mental illness at individual, family and societal levels. |
Fall & Winter/Spring Terms
|
| PSIA 875.3: Selected Topics in Contemporary Psychiatry | Dr. Camelia Adams and Dr. Evyn Peters |
The purpose of this course is to enhance theoretical knowledge of various psychiatric disorders through the comprehensive review of published research on complex aspects of the selected topic. |
Winter/Spring Terms
|
| PSIA 851.3: Introductory Neuroscience | Dr. Darrell Mousseau | The topics covered are meant to provide an introduction to neuroscience and range from the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neural function to aspects of behaviour, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. Given its broad nature, this course is also suitable for students who wish to learn something about neuroscience without majoring in the topic. | Fall Term |
| HSC 898.3: Measurement and Inference with Latent Variables | Dr. Lloyd Balbuena |
This course is an introduction to the measurement of internal states such as beliefs, attitudes, ideas, and emotions which is based on rating scales or self-reported tests. |
Spring Term |
| PSIA 898.3: Special Topics | TBD |
TBD |
TBD |
| PSIA 899.3: Special Topics | TBD |
TBD |
TBD |
| PSIA 990: Seminar | N/A | N/A | Fall & Winter Terms |
| PSIA 994: MSc Research | N/A | N/A | Fall, Winter & Spring/Summer Terms |
| PSIA 996: PhD Research | N/A | N/A | Fall, Winter & Spring/Summer Terms |
Information
Contact
Health Sciences Graduate Program
Health Science Building
107 Wiggins Road
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5