I am a Saskatchewan student

Choosing which university to go to can be extremely confusing. Every institution promises you a world-class education in their shiny prospectus, on top of a campus culture that reflects cosy family-like values. So, how are you supposed to choose which university is right for you?

The College of Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan offers students the complete package for your university experience. Established in 1908, the college is steeped in history, and students become part of a diverse collective that forms 45 percent of the institution’s student body.

This creates a cultural richness to the learning experience at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Arts and Science. Here, students are part of a respected academic community whilst also making the most of one of Canada’s most creative cities.

As a college that combines science and the arts, students benefit from innovative collaborations and broaden their scope of possibilities. This interdisciplinary focus allows students to work alongside leading academics to help them make a real impact in the world.

Colton Vessey, a recent graduate of the university’s Department of Geological Sciences, found that the program matched his aspirations better than he could have imagined.

Originally planning to study Geology at Saskatchewan for a short while before transferring to Marine Biology, the Geology program gave him practical knowledge that he knew would allow him to fulfil his dream of working in sustainable water conservation.

“The content and material taught in that class, I found it really interesting learning the actual processes. I just fell in love with the program after first year. I felt like I could use that knowledge in a really practical way,” he said.

During his degree, Vessey had the opportunity to work alongside his assistant professor to analyse reclaimed wetlands in the oil sands region, trying to better understand the capacity for protective clay layers to mitigate salt breakthrough, and the dire effects this process can have on the surrounding environment.

This approach to learning creates globally competitive graduates who make a splash in their fields in the academic sphere and beyond.

Kim Coates, the famous actor who has appeared in blockbuster films and television shows like Pearl Harbour and Sons of Anarchy, began his acting career at the University of Saskatchewan.

“What the University of Saskatchewan did for me was enter me into a whole new world of opportunity. Tennessee Williams, Shakespeare, I had never done any of that in high school,” said Coates.

“That’s what (former University of Saskatchewan drama professor) Tom Kerr and all of those amazing teachers instilled in me: breath and movement and creating a character and stage and memorization and all these things. I had my mind opened up in university and from there it was all about hard work and following your bliss.”

Without the determination of the academics at the University of Saskatchewan driving him to pursue his passion, Coates would never have become the actor that graces our screens today.

It is this supportive culture that makes the university such an inspiring community to belong to, as you are always challenged to be your best.

This was the case with Biology Master’s student Rachel Parkinson. With the help of her supervisor, Jack Gray, Parkinson developed a virtual reality flight simulator to study how a nicotine-based pesticide called imidacloprid is affecting locusts, even at non-fatal doses.

The simulator immerses locusts in a virtual reality they can ‘move through’ and ‘explore’. The study successfully revealed that locusts who were affected by the pesticide had slower reaction times to oncoming objects compared to healthy locusts. These effects can last up to a day after infection.

Gray noted that Parkinson’s experiment could have far reaching implementations in the field of biology and help solve the honey bee crisis: “We don’t have as much information about bees’ ability to detect and avoid moving objects in motion as we do for locusts. But if we applied our previous research using the same techniques, we could do similar experiments on bees.”

Studying at the University of Saskatchewan College of Arts and Science immerses you into a collaborative circle where you can make a real impact in your subject. With research leaders on-hand to help you on your way and a student body selected for their diverse passions and talents, inspiration and support propels you to the front of the discipline.

The fusing of the arts and sciences under one roof allows students to gain interdisciplinary understanding of the world and break down boundaries of knowledge.

This culture prepares you for life beyond graduation, inspiring you to make an impact in the wider field. The University of Saskatchewan produces students who are confident enough to make bold innovative decisions, allowing you to apply your knowledge in a complex world. To explore further and find out more, click here.

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