Degree Requirements

Research

Candidates must conduct research under the general direction of a supervisor and supervisory committee and then write up and defend a thesis describing the work.

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 PHYS 6001 3.0: MSc Research Evaluation.

Courses

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.

Physics Stream

Courses must include one half-course chosen from among PHYS 5000 3.0: Quantum Mechanics I; and PHYS 5020 3.0: Electromagnetism. Another 3-course credit must be selected from the Graduate Program in Physics and Astronomy. The remaining 3-course credits may be selected from the Graduate Program in Physics and Astronomy or another science-related graduate program.

Astronomy and Astrophysics Stream

Courses must include PHYS 5090 3.0: Stars and Nebulae or its equivalent and one course is chosen from among PHYS 5000 3.0 Quantum Mechanics I; PHYS 5020 3.0: Electromagnetism; PHYS 5030 3.0: Statistical Mechanics; PHYS 5120 3.0: Gas and Fluid Dynamics; PHYS 5230 3.0 General Relativity. In addition, students must select an additional 3.0 credits in graduate courses; any candidate who lacks background in observational and/or theoretical methods of astronomy should consider taking PHYS 5390 3.0: Astronomical Techniques.

MSc Thesis and Oral Examination

The research and thesis should demonstrate the candidate’s 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.

Composition of Examining Committee

A thesis examining committee shall consist of at least three voting members, including the Chair, as follows:

• Two graduate faculty members were chosen from the program and/or supervisory committee, at least one of whom must be from the supervisory committee.
• One graduate faculty member is at arm’s length from the thesis, and normally from outside the program.

The Chair of the examining committee shall be chosen from among the voting members. Members of the student’s thesis supervisory committee may be members of the examining committee, but the principal supervisor may not serve as the Chair of the examining committee.

Oral Exam Timeline

• Three months before the oral exam — Submit the thesis proposal to the graduate office.
• Six weeks before the oral exam — submit the thesis to the Supervisory Committee, allowing two weeks for the Committee to read the thesis.
• Four weeks before the oral exam — receive the corrected thesis from the Supervisory Committee, allowing one week for corrections.
• Three weeks before the oral exam — complete the required oral examination forms (available from the Program office) for submission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
• Three weeks before the oral exam — distribute hard copies of the corrected thesis to the Examining Committee.
• Oral exam.
• One week after the oral exam — required corrections to the thesis should be completed, especially if there is a time constraint, e.g., registration for another term, impending departure from the country, etc.