DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL, GEOLOGICAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN

HANDBOOK FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

Part 2
2021-2022
Welcome to the Department of Civil, Geological, and Environmental Engineering.
Here is a checklist of tasks that all students will need to complete once they have
arrived on campus. These tasks are very important, as they will allow students to
register for courses, access the university computer network and receive stipends
and/or scholarships. Additional information is provided to cover frequently asked
questions, such as process for voluntary withdrawal from the graduate program
and leave requests.

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 Table of Contents

1. International Student Administrative Requirements

2. Domestic & International Student Administrative Requirements
3. Graduate Course Requirements
4. Health, wellbeing and personal safety
5. Required Health and Safety Training
6. Employment
7. Graduate Desk, Laboratory Space, Lockers and Building Keys
8. Voluntary Withdrawal from the Graduate Program
9. Leave of Absence
10. Miscellaneous Information & Forms

Appendix A – Graduate Studies Class Permission

Appendix B – Emergency Contact
Appendix C – Academic Honesty
Appendix D – Steps to Applying for Leave of Absence

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 1. International Student Administrative Requirements
Study Permits

A copy the student’s Study Permit and Passport must be entered into their official student file. Electric
copies are preferred and can be emailed to engrgrad.support@usask.ca and will be added to the
student’s existing file.

Account Holds

An Account Hold occurs if a student received a Conditional Acceptance to the University of

Saskatchewan. A hold will result in a student being unable to register for courses at the University of
Saskatchewan. The nature of the hold(s) will be described in the student’s official acceptance letter. To
have any/all holds removed the student must, make sure all the conditions on the letter of offer have
been met. IF you have any questions on your hold, you can email engrgrad.support@usask.ca . Once all
conditions are met, the holds will be removed, and the student will be free to enroll in classes.

Social Insurance Number

If a student is receiving any form of financial support, he/she will be required to have a Social Insurance
Number (SIN). If a student is required to obtain a SIN, a letter of Confirmation of Enrollment can be
obtained through their PAWS channel and taken to the Saskatoon Service Canada Office located inside
of Market Mall, 2325 Preston Avenue.

International Student & Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC)

If an International Student requires assistance regarding visa applications, funding, work permits, or
other inquiries associated with international studies, the student may visit the International Student and
Study Abroad Centre located in Room 80 of Lower Place Riel.

2. Domestic & International Student Administrative Requirements

Tuition

Students must make arrangements to pay tuition. Tuition will appear on a student’s account after they
have registered for their CE 990 classes. If a student has any questions about tuition and payments,
he/she can contact the Student Finance and Awards in the Administration Building.

Student Finance and Awards, SESD

E40-105 Administration Place
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon SK S7N 5A2
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
Tel: 306-966-4595
Email: student_accounts@usask.ca
Students can also pay tuition with on-line banking, PAWS and through the mail. More information can
be found https://students.usask.ca/money/tuition-fees/pay.php#Howtopay

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 University of Saskatchewan Computer Network Access

Ensure you have created a password for your Network Service ID (NSID) (this is the code you were given
when you were admitted (e.g.abd123)). You will need your NSID and password to access the U of S
computer system and to register. If you have problems with your NSID you can contact the IT Service
Desk in the following ways:

TELEPHONE SUPPORT: 306-966-2222 or 1-800-966-4817 Toll Free in Canada

EMAIL SUPPORT: servicedesk@usask.ca

Student ID & Library Card

Students require a Student ID card, which will allow them to have access to University Facilities and to
be able to apply for a U-Pass. Students can only receive a card once they have registered for courses.
Student ID can generally be procured from the Student Bookstore located in Marquis Hall. During the
first portion of the Fall term this location is subject to change because of the higher influx of students
entering the University.

U-Pass

The U-Pass offers students huge savings for transportation on Saskatoon Transit and is mandatory for
most students. U-Pass stickers can be picked up or reactivated at the Information Centre in Upper
Place Riel. Students must reactivate their U-Pass stickers each term.

3. Graduate Course Requirements

Graduate Research Classes CE 992, CE994 and CE 996

M.Eng. Students CE 992

In addition to 24 academic credit courses, approved by the supervisor, M.Eng. students are required to
be enrolled in CE 992 in Term 1, 2, and 3 for each Academic year for the duration of their time in program.
Course permission is not necessary for students to register in this course. Student may register on their
own without approval. Failure to do so will result in the need to submit a late enrollment form. Contact
your Graduate Assistant for details on how to submit a late registration at engrgrad.support@usask.ca .

M.Sc. Students CE 994

In addition to 15 academic credit courses, approved by the supervisor and the Advisory Committee,
M.Sc. students are required to be enrolled in CE 994 in Term 1, 2, and 3 each Academic year for the
duration of their time in program. Course permission is not necessary for students to register in this
course. Students may register on their own without approval. Failure to do so will result in the need to
submit a late enrollment form. Contact your Graduate Assistant for details on how to submit a late
registration at engrgrad.support@usask.ca .

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 Ph.D. Students CE 996

In addition to 6 academic credit courses, approved by the supervisor and the Advisory Committee, Ph.D.
students are required to be enrolled in CE 996 in Term 1, 2, and 3 each Academic year for the duration
of their time in program. Course permission is not necessary for students to register in this course.
Students may register on their own without approval. Failure to do so will result in the need to submit a
late enrollment form. Contact your Graduate Assistant for details on how to submit a late registration at
engrgrad.support@usask.ca .

CE 990 Seminar

Faculty Seminars

CE 990 includes a series of seminars held during Terms 1 and 2 each Academic year. Students must attend
each seminar topic once to be eligible for graduation. It is recommended that students attend the
seminars during their first year of studies. Failure to attend all seminars during the duration of the
student’s time in program will result in a delay during the student’s graduation process.

Student Seminars

CE 990 also includes a Graduate Student Seminar, which is typically hosted in January, sometimes
February, of every year. M.Sc. students are required to give a research presentation at this seminar, at
least once during their time in program. Ph.D. students are required to present twice during their time in
program.

Graduate Classes

All students must meet with their supervisor(s) to determine which classes, the student will take. The
student will be required to take a Course Registration Form (Appendix A) with them to the meeting with
their supervisor. This form must be filled in and signed by the supervisor and the appropriate course
instructors. Once this form is completed it may be returned to the Graduate Assistant (GA) by email to
engrgrad.support@usask.ca . If this form is not submitted to the GA, then the classes will not be added
to the Student Program of Studies, and they will be unable to register in the course(s) they are required
to take. For M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, the Program of Studies must be approved by the advisory
committee at the first available opportunity (e.g., the initial advisory committee meeting).

Undergraduate Classes

The number of undergraduate courses that can be taken for credit towards the student’s degree can be
found in the Academic portion of the Graduate Student Handbook. To take an undergraduate course,
the student must receive permission from their supervisor(s). Once permission has been obtained, the
student may register for the course, but must make sure they notify the Graduate Assistant to have the
course added to their Program of Study and have the undergraduate class tuition waived. Please email
engrgrad.support@usask.ca once you have registered in the undergrad class so the Graduate Assistant
can have the tuition for the class adjusted for you.

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 GPS 960 – Introduction to Ethics and Integrity

GPS 960 is an online ethics course offered by CGPS. This course MUST be taken during the student’s first
term at the University of Saskatchewan. Failure to do so will result in a hold on the student’s account,
which will prevent the student from registering in any further courses/academic terms. Students are
required to complete this course to be eligible to graduate,

Note

Additional GPS courses may be required depending on the nature of the student’s research. A decision
regarding the student’s enrollment in these additional courses will be made by the student’s supervisor
1. GPS 961 – Research involving humans
2. GPS 962 – Research involving animals

Add/Drop Deadlines

A list of Add/Drop deadlines for each academic term can be found at the link below:

https://students.usask.ca/academics/classes.php

These dates pertain to the final dates that a student can register for a course before they need to submit
a late enrollment form (see link under late enrollment below), and the last day(s) they are able to
withdraw from a course. If a student withdraws from a course after the first set of Add/Drop dates, the
student will receive a ‘W’ on their academic transcript. This indicates a student withdrew from the
course. Please note that there will be no refund of tuition, as graduate students pay flat a Graduate level
tuition, which is not based on the number of courses they are enrolled in.

Late Enrollment

In the event a student does not register for a course before the first Add/Drop Deadline, a late
enrollment form must be completed and submitted. An administrative fee of $35.00/class must be
paid for each late enrollment submitted. Please contact your Graduate Administrator for instructions
at engrgrad.support@usask.ca.

Auditing a Course

Students may audit a course with permission from their supervisor. Permission must also be obtained
from the course instructor. Once permission has been given, the student will need to register and
notify the Graduate Assistant for instructions at engrgrad.support@usask.ca.

4. Health, wellbeing, and personal safety

Graduate studies can be a stressful time for students. Intense course work, late-night studying, the
stress of research and anticipation of results, and the lonely hours of preparing and defending your thesis
are part of graduate studies. These factors can have a personal toll on students’ physical and mental
health. The University of Saskatchewan has a comprehensive plan for students’ health and wellbeing.

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The following provides information regarding the student health plan, health services available on
campus, and an overview of recreational programs.

Medical Health

Two parts of medical health at the University of Saskatchewan are to be considered: primary provincial
health care and University Student Health Plan.

Provincial Health Coverage

All residents of Saskatchewan are covered by Provincial Health Care coverage. Details on coverage and
enrollment can be found at the following webpage: https://students.usask.ca/health/health-
plans.php#AccessingHealthCare . Permanent residents of Saskatchewan are enrolled and are required
to apply for a health care card if they do not currently have one. Canadian residents who are new to
Saskatchewan are to apply within 90 days of moving to the province. International students (and their
family members) are eligible for enrollment provided the following conditions are met:
Eligibility requirements for the enrolled student:

• have a valid study permit

• provide proof of a registered, full-time status at the University of Saskatchewan
• have a Saskatchewan residence address
• Eligibility requirements for students’ spouse and children:
• be living with you at a Saskatchewan residence
• have immigration documents allowing them to stay longer than six months (visitor record)
• proof of living at a Saskatchewan residence

STUDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE EXISTING SASKATCHEWAN PROVINCIAL HEALTH COVERAGE ARE TO
APPLY FOR HEALTH CARE CARD AT THE FOLLOWING WEB PAGE:

https://www.ehealthsask.ca/residents/health-cards/Pages/Apply-for-a-Health-Card.aspx

University of Saskatchewan Student Health and Dental Plan

As part of admission, graduate students are enrolled in the University’s extended health and dental,
vision and travel coverage plan. Information regarding the Graduate health plan is found at the
following web page:

http://www.studentcare.ca/View.aspx?locale=en&uid=UniversityofSaskatchewangraduatestudentsGS
A_Home&

In addition, the following web page provides a summary of the coverage provided by the extended
health plan:
http://www.continuumplan.com/covered.php

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 Personal Wellbeing

Graduate studies is an individual pursuit that can involve extended periods of solo-work that will
challenge the limits of your knowledge. This pursuit can cause uncertainty in yourself, feelings of
isolation, increase of workload and can have a detrimental impact on your personal life. In addition,
international students face additional challenges in dealing with new climates, new city, new cultures
and separation between their family and support network. For any student, resources are available
and accessible at The University of Saskatchewan to guide you through graduate studies. The
following provides an overview of services available at the University:
https://students.usask.ca/health/centres/counselling-services.php#Servicesforstudents
International students who are wanting to connect to other students and services are encouraged to
visit the International Students and Study Abroad Center. Details of the center and resources available
are found at the following web page:
https://students.usask.ca/international/issac.php#Programs
Students are encouraged to discuss their personal wellbeing and any outside issues that are affecting
their studies with their supervisor.

Physical Activity and Recreation

It is not uncommon to spend a full day at the computer screen during graduate studies and repeat the
process the next day! Students are encouraged to balance their studies with pursuits outside of
academia. The University of Saskatchewan offer numerous facilities, programs, and services to assist
in physical activity and recreation. Details are provided at the following web pages:
Physical Activity:
https://students.usask.ca/health/athletics.php
Clubs and Student Groups:
https://fms.ussu.ca/fmi/webd?homeurl=https://fms.ussu.ca/index.html#RatifiedCampusGroups

5. Required Health and Safety Training

Graduate students in the Department are required by U of S and College of Engineering policy to take
requisite occupational health and safety training provided through U of S Safety Resources. As well, all
graduate students must participate in local worksite specific orientation training provided by the faculty
and/or staff responsible for the laboratories and facilities to be used during their program of studies.

Regardless of the expected length of service or employment arrangements, all graduate students are
expected to self-register and attend all requisite Safety Services courses as soon as the courses are
available, and it is reasonably possible to attend; typically, within the first two months of service. There is
no cost for this training, and time spent at the courses is considered time “at work” towards your program
requirements.

The College of Engineering’s Researcher, Graduate Student and Worker Orientation Checklist link is
provided in your PAWS Channel under My College. Further to laboratory-specific safety training, the
Orientation Checklist identifies the following notable requirements:

• Laboratory Safety Course (online course; required for all graduate students)

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 • Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) (online course; required for all
graduate students)
• Safety Orientation for Employees (online course, required for all graduate students)
• Safety Orientation for Supervisors (online course, required for graduate students who will serve as
laboratory teaching assistants, or in other situations where they are responsible for supervising
others)
• COVID 19 Training (online course, required by all graduate students)

The Laboratory Safety Course and the WHMIS course are valid for three years. As such, students taking
longer than three years to complete their programs will have to re-take these courses shortly before they
expire.

Course descriptions and registration can be found in your PAWS Channel.

Students must submit certificates demonstrating successful completion of each course to their supervisor,
the Graduate Assistant at engrgrad.support@usask.ca , and (if requested) to laboratory technical staff.

Students may not access U of S laboratories, nor may they serve as laboratory teaching assistants, until
they have completed the required safety training. All key request forms must have a copy of the completed
and fully authorized orientation checklist attached if laboratory space access is being requested.

6. Employment

If a student is a M.Sc. or Ph.D. student, and receiving funding, then they must fill in the appropriate
income tax forms – TD1 and TD1SK. Theses tax forms can be found at the links below:
• https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-
publications/forms.html
Once the forms have been completed the student must send them to the Department of Civil,
Geological, and Environmental Engineering’s Graduate Assistant at engrgrad.support@usask.ca .
Further employment documents, such as direct deposit forms, can also be collected from the
Administrative Assistant. If a student does not yet have a bank account, they should open one as soon
as possible.

7. Graduate Desk, Laboratory Space, Lockers and Building Keys

Graduate Desk Space

M.Sc. and Ph.D. students are entitled to have a workspace. A student should first consult with their
supervisor to determine if their supervisor has any available space for them in in either a room or lab
controlled by their supervisor. If a supervisor does not have space, the student may submit a request for
space to the Graduate Assistant by emailing engrgrad.support@usask.ca and be placed on the wait list
for a graduate desk.

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 Lockers

For any students looking to for Lockers, you can email egcc.finance@usask.ca and request one. They are
in limited supply.

Building Keys

To obtain building keys a student must complete a key request form – located at this link:
https://paws5.usask.ca/#engineeringresources . Once completed, the student can return the form to
the Graduate Commons via email to, engrgrad.support@usask.ca . Keys generally take 2 to 3 business
days to be delivered. Once the keys are ready to be collected the student will receive an email to notify
them that the keys may be picked up from Room 1B97.3 in the Engineering Building. Students should
first meet with their supervisor to determine what building, room, and laboratory keys the student may
require. Students cannot obtain keys without first having completed the required safety training.

8. Voluntary Withdrawal from the Graduate Program

Students who wish to withdraw from their graduate program must submit a JIRA ticket via the link
below.

https://students.usask.ca/graduate/appeals-leaves-extensions.php#Withdrawal

Please make sure the Graduate Assistant and the Graduate Chair have been added to this request.
Additionally, students must withdraw from any courses they are currently registered for through PAWS
immediately. Failure to do so can result in a faculty action of Required to Discontinue (RTD) that will
remain on your official academic record. No further written communication from College of
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will follow. Please check PAWS (http://paws.usask.ca) to confirm
your status.

9. Leave of Absence
Leaves of absence are available to students for compassionate, medical, parenting, educational, and
‘Co-op Program’/Industry reasons. Leaves of absence are normally granted in four-month blocks to
coincide with the registration terms (Sept 1 to Dec 31; Jan. 1 to Apr 30; May 1 to Aug 31). Maternity,
adoption, and parenting leave may be granted for eight- or twelve-month blocks.
The Head of the academic unit or Graduate Chair has the authority to approve a first-time leave
request of up to 4 months for compassionate or medical reasons. For maternity, parental or adoption
reasons, the leave may be approved for up to 12 months immediately following a birth or adoption.
Short-term leaves of less than one month should also be managed within the home academic unit.
Extensions to the initial leave period must be approved by CGPS.

Requests for leaves should be discussed as early as possible with supervisors so that appropriate
accommodations can be made prior to the beginning of the leave. Requests should be made in writing

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by the student for a minimum leave of four months to a maximum leave of twelve months by following
the steps in Appendix D.

10.Miscellaneous Information & Forms

Academic Honesty

Carefully read the document in Appendix C and be sure to visit all the links included in the document.
Once done, please sign and return to the Grad Commons Office via email to engrgrad.support@usask.ca,
so that a copy of the document may be put in your academic file.

Emergency Contact

This form is entirely optional for a student to fill in. The information will ONLY be used in the event a
student becomes ill, must be hospitalized, or has gone missing. If a student wishes for emergency contact
information to be placed in his/her file, then they may fill in the form and submit it to the Graduate
Assistant via email at engrgrad.support@usask.ca. Please see Appendix B for the form.

Map of the University

https://www.usask.ca/maps/

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 Appendix A – Graduate Studies Class Permission
ENGINEERING GRADUATE STUDENT CLASS PERMISSION FORM

DEPARTMENT:

NAME:

STUDENT
NUMBER:

NSID:

DEGREE:

PLEASE NOTE: GPS 960.0 - Introduction to Ethics and Integrity

This is a program requirement for All Graduate Students! It is an on-line course & you MUST REGISTER AND
COMPLETE this in the firstterm of your program

SUBJECT NUMBER CRN TERM INSTUCTO

R INITIALS

STUDENT SIGNATURE:

SUPERVISOR SIGNATURE:

DATE SIGNED:

Remember: You must maintain registration in your home department’s 990 (Fall,
Winter)as well as your corresponding research course for your ENTIRE
PROGRAM.
M.Eng. - 992 (Spring/Summer, Fall, Winter)
M.Sc. - 994 (Spring/Summer, Fall, Winter)Ph.D. - 996 (Spring/Summer, Fall, Winter)

Please email the completed and signed form to engrgrad.support@usask.ca Print

Reset
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Submit Via Email
 Appendix B – Emergency Contact

****CONFIDENTIAL EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION****

Voluntarily Submitted by Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students
College of Engineering
General Information

Name:

Address:

Home Telephone #:
Contact Information

Contact Person: (#1) (#3)

Relationship:
Telephone #:
Telephone #:

Contact Person: (#2) (#4)

Relationship:
Telephone #:
Telephone #:
Medical Information

Doctor's Name:

Telephone #:

Address:
Sask. Health #:

Allergies:

Other Pertinent Info:

Signature: Date:

Please fill in all or partial information and return to your Graduate Assistant at
engrgrad.support@usask.ca.

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 Appendix C – Academic Honesty

Declaration of Academic Honesty

Graduate Program
College of Engineering
University of Saskatchewan

I,_______________________________________ acknowledge that (Print Name)

• I have read and understood Principle 1: Learning and Growth on the University of
Saskatchewan’s website https://secretariat.usask.ca/governance/guidelines-for-academic-
conduct.php

• I have read and understood Principle 2: Honesty and Integrity on the University of
Saskatchewan’s website https://secretariat.usask.ca/governance/guidelines-for-academic-
conduct.php

• I have read and understood Principle 3: Respect and Dignity of Others on the University of
Saskatchewan website: https://secretariat.usask.ca/governance/guidelines-for-academic-
conduct.php

• I have read and understood the Academic Misconduct information found on the University of
Saskatchewan’s website https://secretariat.usask.ca/student-conduct-appeals/index.php

• I am aware of the university’s policies and procedures for cases of academic dishonesty and
the penalties that could be imposed; an overview of this information as well as the complete
Student Academic Misconduct Regulations can be found on the University of Saskatchewan’s
website https://secretariat.usask.ca/student-conduct-appeals/academic-misconduct.php

I, _____________________________________ agree to abide by these policies. (Print Name)

Signed, __________________________________________
(Signature)

Student Number: ________________________________

Date: ____________________________________

Please submit the completed and signed form to the Graduate Assistant at engrgrad.support@usask.ca .

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 Appendix D – Steps to Applying for Leave of Absence

When requesting a leave of absence, please follow the steps below:

1) Submit your request to your supervisor/committee in writing. Included in this request

must be the following:
• A clear indication of what type of leave is being requested
• The start and end dates of the leave being requested
• An explanation of the circumstances necessitating the leave
• Documentation from a practitioner, where applicable
• Please note that specific diagnoses, details of conditions, details regarding
medication, treatment, etc. are NOT required.
• Notes from the practitioners must state how long the Practitioner has been
treating the student and specific dates/duration of time away being
recommended. We also ask that the functional limitations of the student be
described to ensure appropriate accommodation

2) Once a leave has been approved by your supervisor/committee, it can be given to the
Graduate Assistant via email at engrgrad.support@usask.ca . The Graduate Chair for the
department then must approve the request. The request should not be submitted
directly from the student to CGPS – it must be submitted by the academic unit to the
CGPS Advisor assigned to that unit. All the information and documentation outlined in
Step 1 must be included in the request forwarded to CGPS.

3) Once a leave has been approved by CGPS, the assigned CGPS Advisor will send an e-mail
notifying the student and their academic unit. While you are on leave, you are not
assessed tuition. Additionally, leaves of absence do not count toward your time in
program. Some fees may still be charged.

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