Physics

Program Overview

The Department of Physics offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The department carries out research in experimental and theoretical physics in the following fields: atmospheric physics, geophysics, quantum optics, condensed matter physics, subatomic physics and astrophysics, and biophysics. The department has close ties with the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA). This association enables students to work and consult with leading theorists who are appointed to, or who are visiting, CITA.

Students are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. The department provides financial support for one year of the MSc and four years of the PhD program (five years for direct-entry PhD).

Quick Facts

Domestic International
Application payment deadline MSc, PhD:

1-Dec-2019

 MSc, PhD:

1-Dec-2019

Supporting documents deadline MSc, PhD:

1-Dec-2019

 MSc, PhD:

1-Dec-2019

Minimum admission average MSc:

mid-B final-year average

PhD:

B+

 MSc:

mid-B final-year average

PhD:

B+

Direct entry option from bachelor's to PhD? :

Yes

 :

Yes

Is a supervisor identified before or after admission? MSc, PhD:

After

 MSc, PhD:

After

If a supervisor is identified after admission (as per question above), is admission conditional upon securing a supervisor? MSc:

No

PhD:

Yes for 4 year PhD

No for direct-entry PhD

 MSc:

No

PhD:

Yes for 4 year PhD

No for direct-entry PhD

Is a supervisor assigned by the graduate unit or secured by the applicant? MSc, PhD:

Applicant

 MSc, PhD:

Applicant

Program length (full-time only) MSc:

3 sessions

PhD:

4 years

5 years for direct-entry

 MSc:

3 sessions

PhD:

4 years

5 years for direct-entry

Master of Science

Program Description

The MSc program is directed primarily to qualified students seeking a career in scientific research, with an emphasis on doctoral-stream studies. The MSc can be taken both with or without a thesis, the latter being the norm.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Physics' additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree with a final-year average equivalent to at least a University of Toronto mid-B.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

  • Students normally complete program requirements in one of three ways:

    • ​​​Option 1: Coursework plus MSc Research Report:

      • graduate lecture courses (3.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]);

      • a Research Report, which consists of a 6000-series research course appropriate to the field of physics (1.0 FCE) and PHY 3400Y (1.0 FCE).

    • Option 2: Coursework plus MSc Research Project:

      • graduate lecture courses (2.0 FCEs);

      • a 6000-series research course appropriate to the field of physics (1.0 FCE);

      • a Research Project, which consists of a 7000-series seminar course appropriate to the field of physics (1.0 FCE) and PHY 3400Y (1.0 FCE).

    • Option 3: Coursework plus MSc Research Thesis:

      • graduate lecture courses (2.0 FCEs);

      • thesis;

      • selection of the program is made by the student and faculty advisor in consultation with the Associate Chair.

  • MSc students are expected to attend the weekly general colloquium conducted by the department.

  • The residence requirement is one year, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time



Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The Department of Physics offers excellent quality and breadth of research fields. Its internationally leading research teams, in both theory and experiment, operate across a broad spectrum of topics as well as collaborative specializations in interdisciplinary subjects. Graduates work in government, industry, and education around the world.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master’s degree; 2) direct entry after completing a bachelor’s degree.

 

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Physics' additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate University of Toronto master's degree with an average of at least B+ or demonstrated comparable research competence.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

  • The core of the PhD program is an original investigation, the results of which are embodied in a thesis. Lecture courses constitute a subsidiary but important part of the program. Consult the department for details.

  • Complete 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs): graduate lecture courses and a thesis. Course credit will normally be given towards the PhD for all graduate lecture courses taken during a master's program in this department. Students who have completed an appropriate MSc elsewhere and are entering the PhD program will generally be given a course credit of up to 2.0 FCEs in graduate lecture courses towards their PhD course requirement.

  • Complete a qualifying oral examination. Students must complete the qualifying examination within eight months. Students who fail at the first attempt have the opportunity to take the examination again within a time period specified by the examination committee.

  • Students are expected to attend the weekly general colloquium conducted by the department.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

 

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Physics' additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Outstanding applicants may be considered directly from undergraduate programs. Normally, these applicants will have an undergraduate average of A or higher.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

  • The core of the PhD program is an original investigation, the results of which are embodied in a thesis. Lecture courses constitute a subsidiary but important part of the program. Consult the department for details.

  • Complete 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs): graduate lecture courses and a thesis.

  • Students must complete a qualifying oral examination within 20 months. Students who fail at the first attempt have the opportunity to take the examination again within a time period specified by the examination committee.

  • Students are expected to attend the weekly general colloquium conducted by the department.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years



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