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2024-2025 Academic Calendar | York University Faculty of Graduate Studies

Physics & Astronomy

Posted on 17 August 2022

All Programs

LocationEmail AddressProgram Website
Room 128, Petrie Science and Engineering Buildingphas@yorku.cayorku.ca/gradstudies/physics-astronomy/

In the Department of Physics & Astronomy, research is conducted in the general areas of astronomy and astrophysics, atomic, molecular and optical physics; biological physics; chemical and condensed matter physics; earth, atmosphere, space science and engineering; and high energy and particle physics. This research forms a major part of the Graduate Program in Physics & Astronomy, which is structured to permit students to select either a specialized research-oriented activity within the areas of Physics and Astronomy listed above, or to choose a more interdisciplinary program in collaboration with industry or the interdisciplinary centres at York University in fields such as atmospheric chemistry, mass spectrometry and vision research. The Graduate Program in Physics & Astronomy is located in the Petrie Science & Engineering Building. Major specialized research equipment, computing facilities and comprehensive technical support services are located in the building. The science library and further computing facilities are located in an adjacent building.

Application Procedure

Applications are accepted at any time but first consideration is made for files completed by the deadlines published online at
futurestudents.yorku.ca/graduate/programs/physics-and-astronomy; applications are available online. Prospective students may also request a hard copy application form from: Graduate Program Director of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada, yorku.ca/gradstudies/physics-astronomy/, gradphas@yorku.ca.

Completed application forms, letters of recommendation from referees, and up-to-date transcripts are reviewed by the Graduate Program in Physics & Astronomy and admissions are made to the program on a competitive basis.

Admission Requirements

MSc

PhD

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics or an honours degree in physics or astronomy, or an equivalent degree, from a recognized university with at least B+ standing, may be admitted as candidates for the MSc degree.

Qualifying Year

Graduates in pure or applied science without the appropriate background in honours level physics and with at least B+ standing from a recognized university may register as a Special Student at the undergraduate level during a makeup year to raise their level to the minimum admission level required of candidates for the MSc degree.
Note: Successful completion of studies as a Special Student at the undergraduate level does not guarantee admission to the graduate
program.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics or an honours BSc degree in physics or astronomy, or an equivalent degree, from a recognized university with at least B+ standing may be considered for admission to a program leading to the PhD degree.
However, such graduates must first register as candidates for the MSc degree and are required, before entering the doctoral program, to demonstrate capability in several core areas of the Graduate Program in Physics & Astronomy. These areas depend on the research area of the student. If their progress is satisfactory, they may be transferred after one year into the PhD program and advance in status to candidates (PhD I) for the PhD degree on the recommendation of their supervisory committee and the Graduate Program Director.

Graduates with a Master’s degree in physics, astronomy or engineering physics from a recognized university may be admitted as candidates (PhD I) for the PhD degree.

Degree Requirements

MSc

PhD

MSc

Candidates for the MSc degree by thesis in either the Physics or Astronomy and Astrophysics Stream must fulfil the following requirements:

Courses

a) All entering students plan a research program with their supervisor at the start of their degree studies. Progress in research is monitored by the supervisory committee through meetings with the student and by a progress report consisting of a written paper and an oral presentation each year. In the event of failure to achieve satisfactory progress the student will normally be required to withdraw from the program. Satisfactory progress in research results in credit for Physics & Astronomy 6001 3.0: MSc Research Evaluation.

b) In addition to the Research Evaluation, candidates must successfully complete a minimum of 9 course credits, or equivalent. Courses must be selected in consultation with the candidate’s supervisor.

Courses must include:

Physics Stream
One half-course (3 course credits) chosen from:
Physics & Astronomy 5000 3.0: Quantum Mechanics I, and,
Physics & Astronomy 5020 3.0: Electromagnetism.

To complete course requirements, candidates must select an additional 3 course credits from the Graduate Program in Physics &
Astronomy. The remaining 3 course credits may be selected from the Graduate Programs in Physics & Astronomy or other science-related graduate programs. At least 6 course credits must be from courses not integrated with an undergraduate course.

Astronomy and Astrophysics Stream
Physics & Astronomy 5090 3.0: Stars and Nebulae or its equivalent and one half-course chosen from among:
Physics & Astronomy 5000 3.0: Quantum Mechanics; Physics & Astronomy 5020 3.0: Electromagnetism; Physics & Astronomy
5030 3.0: Statistical Mechanics; Physics & Astronomy 5120 3.0: Gas and Fluid Dynamics; and, Physics & Astronomy 5230 3.0: General Relativity.

To complete course requirements, candidates must select an additional 3 course credits from the Graduate Programs in Physics & Astronomy or other science-related graduate programs. However, any candidate who lacks background in observational and/or
theoretical methods of astronomy should consider taking Physics & Astronomy 5390 3.0: Astronomical Techniques.

Thesis and Oral Examination

Candidates must conduct research under the general direction of a supervisor and supervisory committee and describe it in an appropriate thesis. The research and thesis should demonstrate the candidate’s research ability in the area of investigation, and should normally be of such a standard as to warrant publication in the scientific literature. After the formal submission of the thesis, an oral examination, centred on the thesis research, is held. Prior to the oral examination each candidate delivers a formal public lecture describing his/her research work.

Candidates for the MSc degree by project in either the Physics or Astronomy and Astrophysics Stream must fulfill the following requirements:

Courses

a) All entering students plan a research program with their supervisor at the start of their degree studies. Progress in research is monitored by the supervisory committee through meetings with the student and by a progress report consisting of a written paper and an oral presentation each year. In the event of failure to achieve satisfactory progress the student will normally be required to withdraw from the program. Satisfactory progress in research results in credit for Physics & Astronomy 6001 3.0: MSc Research Evaluation.

b) In addition to the Research Evaluation, candidates must successfully complete 15 course credits. Courses must be selected in consultation with the candidate’s supervisor.

Courses must include:

Physics Stream
Physics & Astronomy 5000 3.0: Quantum Mechanics I and Physics & Astronomy 5020 3.0: Electromagnetism.

To complete the remaining course requirements, candidates must select at least 3 course credits from the Graduate Program in Physics & Astronomy, and another 6 course credits may be selected from the Graduate Program in Physics & Astronomy or other science-related graduate programs. At least 7.5 course credits must be from courses not integrated with an undergraduate course.

Astronomy and Astrophysics Stream
Physics & Astronomy 5090 3.0: Stars and Nebulae or its equivalent and one half-course chosen from among:
Physics & Astronomy 5000 3.0: Quantum Mechanics; Physics & Astronomy 5020 3.0: Electromagnetism; Physics & Astronomy 5030 3.0: Statistical Mechanics; Physics & Astronomy 5120 3.0: Gas and Fluid Dynamics; and, Physics & Astronomy 5230 3.0: General Relativity.

To complete the remaining course requirements, candidates must select at least 3 course credits from the Graduate Program in Physics & Astronomy, and another 6 course credits may be selected from the Graduate Program in Physics & Astronomy or other science-related graduate programs. Any candidate who lacks background in observational and/or theoretical methods of astronomy should consider taking Physics & Astronomy 5390 3.0 Astronomical Techniques. At least 7.5 course credits must be from courses not integrated with an undergraduate course.

Research Project

Candidates must conduct research under the general direction of a supervisor and supervisory committee and describe it in a written report. The research and report should demonstrate the candidate’s research ability in the area of investigation.

Candidates must successfully complete 24 course credits, including a minimum of 9 course credits per academic year. The progress of each coursework MSc student will be reviewed annually by the Executive Committee of the graduate program. In the event of failure to achieve satisfactory progress, the student will lose full-time status in the program.

Courses must include:

Physics & Astronomy 5000 3.0: Quantum Mechanics I and
Physics & Astronomy 5020 3.0: Electromagnetism.

To complete course requirements, candidates must select half of the remaining course credits from the Graduate Program in Physics & Astronomy, and the remaining course credits may be selected from the Graduate Programs in Physics & Astronomy or other science-related graduate programs. At least 9 course credits must be from courses not integrated with an undergraduate course.

The MSc program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Entry is fall, winter or summer term.

The expected degree completion time for full-time master’s students is 6 terms. For those students who complete degree requirements earlier than 3 terms, they must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of 3 terms of full-time study. All requirements for a master’s degree must be fulfilled within 6 terms for a full-time master’s student or 12 terms for a part-time master’s student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.

PhD

Candidates for the PhD degree in either the Physics or Astronomy and Astrophysics Stream must fulfil the following requirements:

a) All entering students plan a research program with their supervisor at the start of their degree studies. Progress in research is monitored by the supervisory committee through meetings with the student and by a progress report consisting of a written paper and an oral presentation each year. In the event of failure to achieve satisfactory progress the student will normally be required to withdraw from the program. Satisfactory progress in research results in credit for Physics & Astronomy 7001 3.0: PhD Research Evaluation.

b) In addition to the Research Evaluation, candidates must successfully complete a minimum of 3 credits, for a total of 18 credits beyond the BSc. Additional credits may be required, at the discretion of the Graduate Program Director or the supervisory committee. Courses must be selected in consultation with the student’s supervisor and based upon the area of research specialization.

Candidates must take the following courses if they have not already done so:

Physics Stream
Physics & Astronomy 5000 3.0: Quantum Mechanics I, and,
Physics & Astronomy 5020 3.0: Electromagnetism.

Astronomy and Astrophysics Stream
Physics & Astronomy 5090 3.0: Stars and Nebulae or its equivalent; and one course chosen from among:
Physics & Astronomy 5000 3.0: Quantum Mechanics; Physics & Astronomy 5020 3.0: Electromagnetism; Physics & Astronomy 5030 3.0: Statistical Mechanics; Physics & Astronomy 5120 3.0: Gas and Fluid Dynamics; and, Physics & Astronomy 5230 3.0: General Relativity.

Any candidate who lacks background in observational and/or theoretical methods of astronomy should consider taking Physics & Astronomy 5390 3.0: Astronomical Techniques.

To complete the 18-credit post-BSc course requirement, candidates must select half of the remaining credits from the Graduate Program in Physics & Astronomy. Remaining credits may be selected from the Graduate Program in Physics & Astronomy or other science-related graduate programs. At least 12 of the 18 credits must be from courses not integrated with an undergraduate course.

Candidates must successfully complete a significant piece of research, under the general direction of a supervisor and a supervisory committee, and describe it in an appropriate dissertation. The research must be of such a standard that it would be acceptable for publication in the scientific literature. After the formal submission of the dissertation, an oral examination, centred on the dissertation-research is held. Prior to the oral examination each candidate delivers a formal public lecture on his/her research work.

The PhD program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Entry is fall, winter or summer term.

The expected degree completion time for a full-time Doctor of Philosophy student is 12 terms. Doctor of Philosophy students must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of six terms of full-time registration. All requirements for a doctoral degree must be fulfilled within 18 terms (6 years) of registration as a full-time or part-time doctoral student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.