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Location: Science B, Room 605
Program number: 403.220.3617
Fax: 403.289.3331
Email address: gradinfo@phas.ucalgary.ca
Web page URL:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Master of Science (MSc), course-based and thesis-based

The PhD and MSc degree may be completed on a full-time or a part-time basis.

Specializations:

• Astrophysics
• Medical Physics
• Physics
• Radiation Oncology Physics*
• Space Physics
• Medical Imaging* (see Interdisciplinary Specializations for further information)

*Radiation Oncology Physics and Medical Imaging are not offered to the course-based MSc degree.

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies and Faculty of Science requirements, the Department requires:

a) A ÁůľĹÉ«ĚĂ Honours background in Physics, Engineering Physics, Astronomy/Astrophysics, or equivalent.

b) For some applicants, a satisfactory score on the Advanced Physics Graduate Record Examination.

c) All applicants for whom English is not their first language must also submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 86 on the Internet-based exam. For the IELTS examination (academic version), the minimum acceptable score is 6.5. This requirement can also be met by completing Tier III of the with a minimum grade of "B" on Academic Writing & Grammar III, "C" on Reading Comprehension & Proficiency III, and "C" on Listening Comprehension & Oral Fluency III.

d) Two reference letters.

Master of Science

Applicants to the Master of Science program whose background does not include the equivalent of an undergraduate honours degree in the proposed area of study may require additional make-up courses. Such applicants should consult with the department regarding their admission status.

Application deadlines are available on the Future Students website.

Master of Science (course-based):

Master of Science (thesis-based):

Doctor of Philosophy:

The applicant must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. See Advanced Credit.

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies and Faculty of Science requirements, the Department requires:

That all students register in the Graduate Seminar, Physics 691, during Fall and Winter Terms of the first two years in program.

Master of Science (thesis-based)

a) For students specializing in Astrophysics, Physics, or Space Physics, 12 units, including at least two of Physics 609, 611, 613, and one of Physics 615 or 617, plus two elective courses at the 500 or 600 level, as approved by the Graduate Chair.

b) For students specializing in Medical Physics, 15 units, including Medical Physics 623, 625, at least two of Physics 609, 611, 613, and one of Physics 615 or 617, plus one elective courses at the 500 or 600 level, as approved by the Graduate Chair.

c) For students specializing in Radiation Oncology Physics, 24 units, including Medical Physics 623, 625, 633, 637, 638, 639, two of Physics 609, 611, 613, and one of Physics 615 or 617, and Medical Physics 632.

Master of Science (course-based)

This program may be taken part-time or full-time.

a) That the student choose one of the three broad areas of specialization: astrophysics, physics, or space physics. Medical physics and Radiation Oncology Physics are not available as a course-based degree.

b) Thirty units are required. In addition to Physics 603, 605, 609, 611, 613, and one of Physics 615 or 617, 12 units will be within the area of specialization:

Astrophysics – Astrophysics 699 plus 9 units labelled ASPH (two of these may be at the 500 level). Physics 629 and Space Physics 679 may be taken instead of Astrophysics courses.

Physics – Physics 699 plus 6 units labelled ASPH, PHYS, or SPPH (these may be at the 500 level) plus 3 units labelled PHYS, at the 600 level or above.

Space Physics – Space Physics 699 plus 9 units labelled SPPH, at the 600 level or above. Physics 509 may replace a SPPH course.

d) A comprehensive examination with a written and oral component.

Doctor of Philosophy

a) A minimum of 6 units at the 600 level or higher for students who hold a master's degree.

b) A minimum of 18 units at the 600 level or higher for those entering the doctoral program without a master's degree.

c) For students specializing in Radiation Oncology Physics who do not hold an accredited MSc degree in Radiation Oncology Physics, Medical Physics 623, 625, 632, 633, 637, 638, 639, and two courses from Physics 609, 611, 613, and Physics 615 or 617.

Graduation requires successful completion of all required courses with a minimum grade of "B".

Credit for a maximum of 6 units may be given for courses taken at the 500 level.

Expected completion time is two years for full-time students in a thesis master’s program, three years in a course-based program, and four years in a doctoral program.

Maximum completion time is four years for a thesis master’s program, and six years for a course-based master’s or a doctoral program.

Newly admitted students will normally be supervised by the Graduate Director or an interim supervisor in their field of interest during the first 8 months in program. During this time students will normally complete all of the course work and have an opportunity to become acquainted with the research of potential supervisors within the department. Students are responsible for securing a permanent supervisor from among the researchers in the department within the first four months in program.

The MSc program has a supervisory committee requirement which follows the same requirements and rules as the PhD.

Master of Science (course-based)

Two weeks before the comprehensive oral examination, students must write a three-hour, closed-book comprehensive examination, prepared by the Departmental Graduate Affairs Committee in collaboration with the supervisor.

Master of Science (thesis-based)

Thesis Examination

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations for Thesis Examinations, the Department requires:

Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s draft thesis document before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee
The Internal Examiner may be internal to the home program.

The thesis examination is open.

Doctor of Philosophy

Candidacy

Doctoral students must complete a written thesis proposal and an oral Field of Study examination. For complete details of the candidacy requirements, see .

Thesis Examination

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations for Thesis Examinations, the Department requires:

Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s draft thesis document before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee
The Internal Examiner may be internal to the home program.

The thesis examination is open.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, please see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.

Students applying for scholarships must submit their applications to the Department by January 15.