Program information
MSc and PhD program requirements
The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers programs of study and research leading to the degrees of Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Students arriving with a BSc degree usually enter the MSc program, which combines a set of graduate courses with an original research project leading to a thesis. The MSc is normally completed within 24 months.
The PhD program has a research focus and a completed MSc (or equivalent) is the normal pre-requisite for entry. However, with approval, students in the Masters program may request to transfer to the PhD program prior to completion of the MSc degree via an MSc-to-PhD transfer exam.
Students in both the MSc and PhD programs are assigned a (provisional) supervisor from the time they enter the program, and in addition their progress is monitored and guided by a supervisory committee (described in more detail below) comprising several faculty members.
For descriptions of courses referred to below, please consult our Course Offerings. Note: in what follows, a one term graduate course has a weight of 1.5 course units; a 2 term graduate course has a weight of 3.0 course units.
General Considerations
Assumption
Assumption
Both the MSc and PhD degrees in Physics and Astronomy require a basic knowledge of Physics, in addition to a depth of knowledge in the field of specialization.
Standards
Standards
Graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 5.00 (B), with no individual grade below B-, for all required course work. Grades of C+ or lower are considered as a failure for required courses. Such grades shall be reviewed by the student's supervisory committee, and a recommendation made to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
(Note: Required courses are those specified by the supervisory committee for the student's program. The student may elect to take additional courses, and these will be identified on the student's transcript as electives.)
Supervisory Relationship Policy
Supervisory Relationship Policy
The Department of Physics and Astronomy policy on the expectations and responsibilities of supervisors, committee members and graduate students is consistent with the Faculty of Graduate StudiesResponsibilities in the Supervisory Relationship Policy
Composition of a Supervisory Committee
Composition of a Supervisory Committee
- MSc. : A minimum of two members: An academic supervisor from the home academic unit plus at least one member from within the home academic unit. The final oral examining committee must include at least one person from outside the home academic unit.
- PhD : A minimum of three members: The academic supervisor from the home academic unit plus at least one other member from within the home academic unit plus at least one member from outside the home academic unit. Additional members may be added with approval of the Dean
You can also find more information from the Academic Calendar.
Supervisory Committee Meetings
Supervisory Committee Meetings
The graduate supervisory committee is to meet at least once every eight months for an MSc program and at least once a year for a Ph.D. program to monitor the student progress and to provide guidance towards a timely completion of the student's program. A brief report signed by the supervisor and the student is to be handed in to the Graduate Secretary within two weeks of each meeting. Since these meetings are in the student's interests, ensuring that they occur at the required intervals is the equal responsibility of the supervisor and the student. Additional meetings of the committee may be called by the supervisor, the student, or any committee member who sees a need. The graduate student may and is expected to seek out their supervisor, and other committee members, on an individual basis to ask for advice on any aspect of their thesis research progress. As well, they are expected to keep all their committee members appraised of progress and important developments.
A good practice is for the student to prepare a one or two page bulleted summary on one piece of paper with information such as:
• student name and date of meeting
• date of entry in program and date of last supervisory committee meeting
• summary of courses and units taken, including grades
• summary of sources of funding (awards, TA, RA, etc.)
• attendance at conferences, summer schools, presentations, talks or posters
• attendance at research meetings of importance
• brief summary of research activities, goals and plans
For MSc supervisory committee meetings:
The first meeting should:
• review course grades
• plan the next 8 months of research
The second meeting should:
• review the timeline and aim at a defense before 24 months
• agree on milestones towards completion
For PhD supervisory committee meetings:
• each meeting should review the timeline for completion
• the candidacy exam should take place in the first 18 months (no later than 24)
Master's Programs
MSc (Physics)
MSc (Physics)
Normal Prerequisites
UVic Honours degree in Physics, or equivalent. Students admitted to the Masters program, but with backgrounds judged to be less than that of a UVic Honours degree (e.g., a Major degree), are normally required to take additional undergraduate courses in Physics and Mathematics to satisfy the stated prerequisite.
Normal Requirements
- PHYS 500 and 502A plus an additional 1.5 units chosen from the PHYS graduate course list - 6.0 units
- Additional courses as required - 3.0 units (equivalent of 2 one-term courses)
- Colloquium PHYS 560 - 0.0 units
- Thesis - 6.0 units
- Final oral examination
Total (minimum) 15.0 units
MSc (Astronomy)
MSc (Astronomy)
Normal Prerequisites
UVic Honours degree in Physics or Astronomy, or equivalent. Students admitted to the Masters program, but with backgrounds judged to be less than that of a UVic Honours degree (e.g., a Major degree), are normally required to take additional undergraduate courses in Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics to satisfy the stated prerequisite. Astronomy Program Details
Normal Requirements- A minimum of 4.5 units chosen from Physics and/or Astronomy graduate courses - 4.5 units
- A minimum of 3.0 additional units, as required - 3.0 units
- Colloquium ASTR 560 - 0.0 units
- Student Seminar ASTR 561 - 1.5 units
- Thesis - 6.0 units
- Final oral examination
Total (minimum) 15.0 units
MSc (Medical Physics)
MSc (Medical Physics)
Normal Prerequisites
UVic Honours degree in Physics, or equivalent. Students admitted to the Masters program, but with backgrounds judged to be less than that of a UVic Honours degree (e.g., a Major degree), are normally required to take additional undergraduate courses in Physics and Mathematics to satisfy the stated prerequisite.
Normal Requirements
- PHYS 534, 539, 540, 544, 545, 546 - 7.0 units
- Additional courses as required, normally at the graduate level - 3.0 units
- Colloquium PHYS 560 - 0.0 units
- Thesis - 6.0 units
- Final oral examination
Total (minimum) 16.0 units
MSc (Ocean Physics)
MSc (Ocean Physics)
Normal Prerequisites
UVic Honours degree in Physics, or equivalent. Students admitted to the Masters program, but with backgrounds judged to be less than that of a UVic Honours degree (e.g., a Major degree), are normally required to take additional undergraduate courses in Physics and Mathematics to satisfy the stated prerequisite.
Normal Requirements
- Normally a minimum of 6.0 graduate course units (at least 3.0 units chosen from PHYS 500, 502A, 502B, 505, 510) - 6.0 units
- Additional undergraduate or graduate courses as required (minimum) - 3.0 units
- (A student who has not previously taken PHYS 426 or its equivalent would normally take it as part of this requirement, and those not having at least one 1.5 unit senior undergraduate course in each of Electromagnetic Theory and Modern Physics are normally required to complete these courses in addition to the above requirement.)
- Thesis - 6.0 units
- Colloquium PHYS 560 - 0.0 units
- Final oral examination
Total (minimum) 15.0 units
Doctoral Programs (all subjects)
Normal Prerequisites
- The equivalent of an Honours Physics or Astronomy degree
- The Physics or Astronomy MSc course requirements, or equivalent
Normal Requirements
- Physics: Such other courses as required by the supervisory committee, with the total number of course units beyond the BSc level being normally at least 12.0 (of which at least 9.0 must be graduate) and including at least 4.5 units of the core courses PHYS 500, 502A, or their equivalent
Medical Physics: Such other courses as required by the supervisory committee with the total number of course units beyond the BSc level being normally at least 13.0 and including at least 3.0 units of PHYS 500, 502A, 502B
Ocean Physics : Such other courses as required by the supervisory committee to bring the total of graduate course units beyond the BSc level to at least 12.0, of which at least 9.0 units must be graduate
Astronomy: Completion of the Student Seminar ASTR 661 (1.5 units), and such other courses as required by the supervisory committee, with the total number of course units beyond the BSc level being normally at least 10.5 (of which at least 7.5 must be graduate) - Colloquium PHYS 560 (or ASTR 560) - 0.0 units
- Satisfactory completion of a candidacy examination PHYS 693 - 3.0 units
- Dissertation PHYS 699 (normally 30 units)
- Final oral examination