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

a)Ìýa ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ Honours background in Physics, Engineering Physics, Astronomy/Astrophysics, or equivalent;
b)Ìýfor some applicants, a satisfactory score on the Advanced Physics Graduate Record Examination;
c)Ìýtwo 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.

Doctor of Philosophy
For the Post-PhD Diploma program, applicants must possess a PhD from a CAMPEP accredited graduate program or equivalent and an appointment as an Associate Medical Physicist by the Alberta Cancer Board.

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

That all students, with the exception of registrants in the Post-PhD Diploma program, 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, four half-course equivalents, including at least two of Physics 609, 611, 613, and 615, plus two elective courses at the 500 or 600 level, as approved by the Graduate Chair
b) For students specializing in Medical Physics, five half-course equivalents, including Medical Physics 623, 625, at least two of Physics 609, 611, 613, and 615, plus one elective courses at the 500 or 600 level, as approved by the Graduate Chair
c) For students specializing in Radiation Oncology Physics, eight half-course equivalents, including Medical Physics 623, 625, 633, 637, 639, 689.01, and two of Physics 609, 611, 613, and 615.

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) Ten half-course equivalents, including Physics 603, 605, 609, 611, 613, 615
c) Four half-course equivalents, depending upon the area of specialization:

Astrophysics – Astrophysics 699 plus three half-course equivalents 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 two half-course equivalents labelled ASPH, PHYS, or SPPH (these may be at the 500 level) plus one half-course equivalent labelled PHYS, at the 600 level or above

Space Physics – Space Physics 699 plus three half-course equivalents 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 two half-course equivalents at the 600 level or higher for students who hold a Master's degree
b) A minimum of six half-course equivalents 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 M.Sc. degree in Radiation Oncology Physics, Medical Physics 623, 625, 633, 637, 639, and 689.01, and two courses from Physics 609, 611, 613, or 615

Post PhD Diploma
Eight half-course equivalents including Medical Physics 711, 712, 721, 722, 731, 741 and two of Human Resources and Organizational Dynamics 793, 741 or Strategy and Global Management 797.01.

Newly admitted students will normally be supervised by the Graduate Director or an interim supervisor in their field of interest during the first year 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. Registrants in the Post-PhD Diploma program are supervised by the Director of Medical Physics or designate, Tom Baker Cancer Centre.

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.

Doctor of Philosophy
Students are required to write a qualifying examination within their first year in program. This uniform examination, taken by all students, examines the student’s background in undergraduate physics at the honours level. The examination will normally be conducted during May or June, and again in December. Students who fail the examination the first time will retake it during the next sitting of the examination. A second failure will result in the withdrawal of the student from the doctoral program.

Students are required to complete the oral candidacy exam. This exam may include questions on the written examination, general research knowledge and thesis proposal.

Final thesis defence is required. The oral thesis defence is open.

The active research interests of the staff can be found at

Astronomy and Astrophysics:

Environmental Physics:

Complexity Science:

General Relativity:

Isotope Science:

Medical Physics:

Quantum Optics:
; and

Space and Plasma Physics: