Science is for everyone!
Sometimes the world sucks, but we can try to make our part of the world a bit better. I want my research group to be a safe and nurturing space for all students, including 2SLGBTQI+ and neurodiverent people.
What to expect
Please note that I am unable to respond to every graduate student applicant. I'm sorry for this, but my email inbox is overwealming and I need to set some boundaries.
I prioritize applicants who address the following points when they contact me.
- If your undergraduate degree is from an instituion where the primary language of instruction is English, you're set. If not, please provide scores from English language proficiency exams that meet USask's requirements. See https://grad.usask.ca/admissions/admission-requirements.php#Englishlanguageproficiencyrequirements
- Have an undergraduate degree in chemistry, physics or a closely related program, and seek admission to a chemistry or physics graduate degree. Please see the USask admission requirements here: https://grad.usask.ca/admissions/admission-requirements.php
- Outline and provide specific examples of their background and experience with the areas identified below.
Email to stephen.urquhart@usask.ca Please use a subject line that will catch my attention.
English Proficiency
Proficiency in the English language is essential for success as a graduate student.
Applicants must meet the proficiency standards established by the University of Saskatchewan College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Research. See https://grad.usask.ca/admissions/admission-requirements.php#Englishlanguageproficiencyrequirements If the primary language of your undergraduate degree instruction was English, you should be OK.
Academic Background
I supervise graduate students in chemistry and physics graduate programs, for M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees.
To be successful in a graduate degree programs, applicants should have an undergraduate degree in the same discipline, e.g. an honours chemistry B.Sc. for a graduate degree in Chemistry. I make exceptions in exceptional circumstances.
Skills that I look for
I prioritize applicants who have background and experience in the following areas:
- Spectroscopy and quantum mechanics. Successful students approach spectroscopy from the perspective of fundamental processes and instrumentation, rather than as a ‘black box’ technique.
- Experience with instrumentation, instrumental analysis, data analysis and computer programming
- Theoretical chemistry / physics and computational methods.
- Research experience. This can be an undergraduate course project, summer research work, or a graduate degree. A key characteristic of a research project is ‘addressing a question where the answer does not exist in a textbook or the literature’.
Please feel free to bring up experiences from outside the classroom! Writing your own computer code to run a 3D printer, fixing an old appliance or rebuilding a motorcycle engine provide skills and experience that help in the research laboratory.
I seek graduate students who show initiative and who are curious!
That's neat, but it's not really what I'm looking for!
Check out my FABULOUS colleagues!
Physics and Engineering Physics