Department of Physics & Atmospheric Science

Faculty of Science

Graduate Program: Degrees and Requirements

Research degrees in Physics and Medical Physics

We offer thesis-based MSc and PhD degrees in two programs, Physics and Medical Physics, plus a Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics for PhD holders. In an MSc or PhD, research is at the centre: you carry out an original research project with your supervisor, take a small number of courses to support it, and finish by writing and defending a thesis. We don't offer course-based degrees.

The programs are flexible: in both, you can move from the MSc to the PhD after your first year. In Physics, you can also enter the PhD directly from a bachelor's degree, and take courses in other departments. Funding normally covers two years for an MSc and four years for a PhD (see Funding).

This page summarizes what each degree involves. The is the official statement of the requirements.

What every student does

  • Perform research: original research with your supervisor, year-round, from the start of your program.
  • Interact with your supervisory committee: your supervisor and two other faculty members, who are there to help your research progress.
  • Take courses: a small number, mostly in your first year.
  • Take part in seminars: give talks in your program's seminar course, a supportive setting to practise presenting, and attend the Department's colloquia (talks by visiting researchers) and the seminar series in your research area.
  • Write a thesis: report your research and defend it in an oral examination to complete your degree.

You'll work on campus with your research group and take your courses in person.

Physics

Research in the Physics program spans four areas: Atmospheric Science, Astrophysics, Biophysics and Condensed Matter and Materials Physics.

MSc in Physics

  • Length: typically two years.
  • Courses: four graduate courses (12 credit hours), chosen with your supervisor to support your research. They can include graduate courses from other departments.
  • Seminars: the MSc seminar course, over your first two years.
  • Thesis: you write an MSc thesis reporting original research and defend it in a public oral examination.
  • Moving to the PhD: you can transfer to the PhD at the end of your first year, with your supervisor's support.

PhD in Physics

  • Length: typically four years after an MSc, or five if you enter directly from a bachelor's degree.
  • Courses: three graduate courses (9 credit hours) if you have an MSc. If you enter the PhD directly from a bachelor's degree, seven courses (21 credit hours).
  • Seminars: the PhD seminar course, over your first three years.
  • Preliminary/comprehensive exam: within 18 months of starting, you write a research proposal (about 20 pages), present it, and answer your committee's questions. The exam checks your background and that your planned research is suitable for a PhD.
  • Thesis: you write a PhD thesis reporting original research and defend it before an examination committee that includes an external examiner from another university.

Courses

Physics students choose their courses with their supervisor. These graduate courses are offered every year:

Fall

Winter

Other courses are offered every few years, and each year we offer "Topics in Physics" courses (PHYC 660X) on subjects that change with student interest and faculty availability. Many students also take graduate courses in other departments, such as Chemistry, Oceanography, Mathematics and Statistics, and Computer Science.

Medical Physics

Our Medical Physics MSc, PhD and Graduate Diploma are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP), the credential needed for admission to medical physics residency training. See Medical Physics for more about the program.

The core curriculum

MSc and PhD students complete the Medical Physics core curriculum in their first year: eight courses and the Medical Physics seminar course (25 credit hours), set to meet CAMPEP's standards.

Fall

Winter

Both terms:

MSc in Medical Physics

  • Length: two years.
  • Courses: the core curriculum, in your first year. Your second year is full-time thesis research.
  • Thesis: you write an MSc thesis reporting original research and defend it in a public oral examination.
  • Moving to the PhD: you can transfer to the PhD at the end of your first year, with your supervisor's support.

PhD in Medical Physics

  • Length: typically four years after a master's degree.
  • Courses: the core curriculum, in your first year. Your committee may ask for additional courses.
  • Preliminary/comprehensive exam: within 24 months of starting (18 months if you've already completed CAMPEP-accredited coursework): a research proposal, presentation and questions, as in Physics.
  • Thesis: you write a PhD thesis reporting original research and defend it before an examination committee that includes an external examiner from another university.

Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics

  • For: holders of a PhD in physics who want to qualify for medical physics residency training.
  • Length: one year.
  • Courses: the core curriculum.

Next steps

Current students: the Graduate Program Handbook, with the full requirements and forms, is on our (Dal sign-in required).