Faculty Affiliation

Arts and Science

Degree Programs

Physics

MSc

• Dual Degree Programs:
  • Master of Science in Physics (University of Toronto) / Master in Physics (Sapienza Università di Roma) / Master in Physics (Université Paris-Saclay);
  • Master of Science in Physics (University of Toronto) / Master in Physics (Sapienza Università di Roma) / Master in Physics (Universidade do Porto)

PhD

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:

• Biomedical Engineering
  • Physics, MSc, PhD
• Environmental Studies
  • Physics, MSc, PhD

Overview

The Department of Physics carries out research in experimental and theoretical physics in the following fields: atomic and molecular physics; biological physics; earth, atmospheric, and planetary physics; quantum optics and quantum information; quantum condensed matter physics; and subatomic physics and astrophysics. The department is involved in many collaborative efforts and has close ties to institutes worldwide.

Contact and Address

Web: www.physics.utoronto.ca
Email: grad@physics.utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-2945
Fax: (416) 978-1547

Department of Physics
University of Toronto
Room 315, McLennan Physical Labs
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A7
Canada

Master of Science

Admissions to Option 3: Coursework plus MSc Research Thesis have been administratively suspended. See amendment made on September 25, 2023.

Program Description

The MSc program is directed primarily to qualified students seeking a career in scientific research, with an emphasis on doctoral-stream studies. The MSc can be taken both with or without a thesis, the latter being the norm.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Physics' additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate bachelor's degree with a final-year average equivalent to at least a University of Toronto mid-B.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

• Students normally complete the program requirements in one of three ways:

  • Option 1: Coursework plus MSc Research Report:

    • graduate lecture courses (3.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]);

    • a Research Report, which consists of a 6000-series research course appropriate to the field of physics (1.0 FCE) and PHY3400Y (1.0 FCE).

  • Option 2: Coursework plus MSc Research Project:

    • graduate lecture courses (2.0 FCEs);

    • a 6000-series research course appropriate to the field of physics (1.0 FCE);

    • a Research Project, which consists of a 7000-series seminar course appropriate to the field of physics (1.0 FCE) and PHY3400Y (1.0 FCE).

  • Option 3: Coursework plus MSc Research Thesis:

    • graduate lecture courses (2.0 FCEs);

    • thesis;

    • selection of the program is made by the student and faculty advisor in consultation with the Associate Chair.

• MSc students are expected to attend the weekly general colloquium conducted by the department.

• The residence requirement is one year, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Dual Degree Program: Master of Science in Physics (University of Toronto) / Master in Physics (Sapienza Università di Roma) / Master in Physics (Université Paris-Saclay)

Program Description

The University of Toronto MSc in Physics participates in the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) program of the QUAntum Research Master Education Network (QUARMEN). This dual degree program provides a pathway for students to complete degrees at the Université Paris-Saclay (France) and Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" (Italy). At the University of Toronto, students complete the Master of Science (MSc) in Physics’ Option 2: Coursework plus MSc Research Project. Students are not eligible to take the other options.

In the Fall session of Year 1, students register in the Laurea Magistrale in Fisica at Sapienza Università di Roma. In the Winter and Summer sessions of Year 1, students register in the Master de physique at Université Paris-Saclay. In Year 2, students attend all three sessions (Fall, Winter, Summer) at the University of Toronto and complete Option 2 of the MSc in Physics.

Upon successful completion of the degree program, students who participate in EMJM and attend the University of Toronto as part of their participation in QUARMEN will receive three parchments, including the MSc in Physics degree from the University of Toronto.

Contact

Master of Science in Physics Program
Department of Physics, University of Toronto
Email: grad@physics.utoronto.ca

Master of Physics (Le Master de physique) Program
Université Paris-Saclay
Email: master.quarmen@universite-paris-saclay.fr

Application Process

• Applicants must apply through the QUARMEN admissions website. Applicants are then jointly selected and admitted by a Selection Board composed of at least one appointed faculty member from each partner institution.

• All applicants who are admitted to the dual degree program must then also complete the application on U of T’s School of Graduate Studies online admissions application system.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the regular admission requirements of the MSc in Physics and the overall admission requirements of QUARMEN.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Dual Degree Program: Master of Science in Physics (University of Toronto) / Master in Physics (Sapienza Università di Roma) / Master in Physics (Universidade do Porto)

Program Description

The University of Toronto MSc in Physics participates in the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) program of the QUAntum Research Master Education Network (QUARMEN). This dual degree program provides a pathway for students to complete degrees at Universidade do Porto (Portugal) and Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" (Italy). At the University of Toronto, students complete the Master of Science (MSc) in Physics’ Option 2: Coursework plus MSc Research Project. Students are not eligible to take the other options.

In the Fall session of Year 1, students register in the Laurea Magistrale in Fisica (Master's Degree in Physics) at Sapienza Università di Roma. In the Winter and Summer sessions of Year 1, students register in the Mestrado em Física (Master in Physics) at Universidade do Porto (Portugal). In Year 2, students attend all three sessions (Fall, Winter, Summer) at the University of Toronto and complete Option 2 of the MSc in Physics.

Upon successful completion of the degree program, students who participate in EMJM and attend the University of Toronto as part of their participation in QUARMEN will receive three parchments, including the MSc in Physics degree from the University of Toronto.

Contact

Master of Science in Physics Program
Department of Physics, University of Toronto
Email: grad@physics.utoronto.ca

Master of Physics (Le Master de physique) Program
Université Paris-Saclay
Email: master.quarmen@universite-paris-saclay.fr

Application Process

• Applicants must apply through the QUARMEN admissions website. Applicants are then jointly selected and admitted by a Selection Board composed of at least one appointed faculty member from each partner institution.

• All applicants who are admitted to the dual degree program must then also complete the application on U of T’s School of Graduate Studies online admissions application system.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the regular admission requirements of the MSc in Physics and the overall admission requirements of QUARMEN.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The Department of Physics offers excellent quality and breadth of research fields. Its internationally leading research teams, in both theory and experiment, operate across a broad spectrum of topics as well as collaborative specializations in interdisciplinary subjects. Graduates work in government, industry, and education around the world.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master’s degree; 2) direct entry after completing a bachelor’s degree.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Physics' additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate University of Toronto master's degree with an average of at least B+ or demonstrated comparable research competence.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

• The core of the PhD program is an original investigation, the results of which are embodied in a thesis. Lecture courses constitute a subsidiary but important part of the program. Consult the department for details.

• Complete 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs): graduate lecture courses and a thesis. Course credit will normally be given towards the PhD for all graduate lecture courses taken during a master's program in this department. Students who have completed an appropriate MSc elsewhere and are entering the PhD program will generally be given a course credit of up to 2.0 FCEs in graduate lecture courses towards their PhD course requirement.

• Complete a qualifying oral examination. Students must complete the qualifying examination within eight months. Students who fail at the first attempt have the opportunity to take the examination again within a time period specified by the examination committee.

• Students are expected to attend the weekly general colloquium conducted by the department.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Physics' additional admission requirements stated below.

• Outstanding applicants may be considered directly from undergraduate programs. Normally, these applicants will have an undergraduate average of A or higher.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

• The core of the PhD program is an original investigation, the results of which are embodied in a thesis. Lecture courses constitute a subsidiary but important part of the program. Consult the department for details.

• Complete 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs): graduate lecture courses and a thesis.

• Students must complete a qualifying oral examination within 20 months. Students who fail at the first attempt have the opportunity to take the examination again within a time period specified by the examination committee.

• Students are expected to attend the weekly general colloquium conducted by the department.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

All courses are not given every year. Please check the departmental brochure or website for course availability.

Introductory Courses

General Courses

Professional Development

Specialized Courses

Report Course for MSc Students

⁺ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

Seminar Courses

⁺ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

Research Courses