Physics

Physics: Introduction

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:

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

Physics: Graduate Faculty

Full Members

Abbatt, Jonathan - BSc, PhD
Barzda, Virginijus - BS, DSc
Bond, J. Richard - BSc, MS, PhD, FRS, FRSC
Braverman, Boris - BS, PhD
Curtin, David - BSc, MSc, PhD
de la Barrera, Sergio - BS, MS, PhD
Dhirani, Al-Amin - MSc, PhD
Diamond, Miriam - BSc, MSc, PhD
Essick, Reed - BSc, PhD
Fishbach, Maya - PhD
Goyal, Sidhartha - BTech, MS, PhD
Gradinaru, Claudiu - PhD
Grisouard, Nicolas - BSc, MSc, PhD
Hong, Ziqing - BS, MS, PhD
Ilic, Nikolina - BSc, PhD
James, Daniel - BA, PhD
John, Sajeev - SB, PhD, FRSC
Jones, Dylan - BA, SM, PhD
Julian, Stephen - BSc, MSc, PhD
Kee, Hae-Young - BS, MS, PhD
Kim, Yong Baek - BSc, MSc, PhD, FRSC
Kim, Young-June - BS, PhD (Associate Chair, Graduate Studies)
Krieger, Peter - BSc, MSc, PhD
Kushner, Paul - BSc, MSc, PhD (Chair and Graduate Chair)
Lee, Christopher - BA, MSc, DPhil
Li, Xiang - BS, PhD
Liu, Qinya - BSc, PhD
Lo, Hoi-Kwong - BA, MA, MS, PhD
Lowman, Julian - BSc, MS, DPhil
Luke, Michael - BSc, AM, PhD
Marjoribanks, Robin - BSc, MS, MSc, PhD
McMillen, David - BSc, MS, PhD
Menou, Kristen - BSc, MS, ScD
Miller, R.J. Dwayne - BSc, PhD
Milstein, Josh - BS, PhD
Moore, G.W.K. - BSc, PhD
Murray, Norman - BSc, PhD, CRC
Netterfield, C. Barth - BSc, PhD
O'Neill, Morgan - BS, PhD
Orr, Robert - BSc, PhD, ARCS
Paramekanti, Arun - BTech, PhD
Peet, A.W. - BSc, PhD
Peltier, W. Richard - BSc, MSc, PhD, FRSC
Pen, Ue-Li - BSc, PhD
Poppitz, Erich - MA, MSc, PhD
Pysklywec, Russell - BSc, MSc, PhD
Rein, Hanno - MS, DPhil
Ripperda, Bart - BSE, MSc, PhD
Ryu, William - AB, PhD
Savard, Pierre - BSc, MSc, PhD
Scaffidi, Thomas - BSc, BE, MSc, PhD
Segal, Dvira - BSc, DSc
Sinervo, Pekka - BSc, PhD, FRSC
Sipe, John - BSc, MSc, PhD, FRSC
Steinberg, Aephraim - BS, MA, PhD, FRSC
Strong, Kimberly - BSc, DPhil, FRSC
Su, Zhan - BS, PhD
Swidinsky, Andrei - BSc, MSc, PhD
Teuscher, Richard - BSc, MSc, PhD
Thompson, Christopher - BSc, PhD
Thywissen, Joseph - BS, MA, PhD
Trischuk, William - BSc, PhD
Valencia, Diana - BS, MS, ScD
Vanderlinde, Keith - PhD
von Lilienfeld Toal, Anatole - PhD
Vutha, Amar C. - MSc, PhD
Walker, Kaley - BSc, PhD
Wei, John - BA, MS, PhD
Wells, Mathew - BS, DPhil
Wiebe, Nathan - PhD
Wunch, Debra - BSc, MSc, PhD

Members Emeriti

Bailey, David - BSc, PhD
Holdom, Bob - BSc, MA, PhD
Milkereit, Bernd - DrRerNat
Morris, Stephen - BSc, MSc, PhD
West, Gordon - BASc, MA, PhD

Associate Members

Mariani, Zen - BSc, MSc, PhD
Rayner, Peter - BSc, PhD
Rosenblum, Erica - MSc, PhD

Physics: Physics MSc

The Master of Science (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.

MSc Program (Coursework Plus MSc Research Report)

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.

Completion Requirements

  • Students normally complete the program requirements as follows:

    • 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).

  • 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.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time

 

MSc Program (Coursework Plus MSc Research Project)

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.

Completion Requirements

  • Students normally complete the program requirements as follows:

    • 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).

  • 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.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time

 

Physics: Physics MSc (Dual Degree: MSc / Master in Physics (Sapienza Università di Roma; Université Paris-Saclay))

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

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)

Physics: Physics MSc (Dual Degree: MSc / Master in Physics (Sapienza Università di Roma; Universidade do Porto))

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

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)

Physics: Physics PhD

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.

Completion 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.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time

 

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.

Completion 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.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 

Physics: Physics MSc, PhD Courses

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

Introductory Courses

Course CodeCourse Title
Nonlinear Physics
Relativity Theory I
Relativity Theory II
Laser Physics
Quantum Theory of Solids I
Introduction to High Energy Physics
Current Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics
PHY1493HSeismology
Introduction to Atmospheric Physics

General Courses

Course CodeCourse Title
Statistical Mechanics
Electromagnetism
Quantum Mechanics
Fluid Mechanics
Mathematical Methods in Physics

Professional Development

Course CodeCourse Title
Effective Communication for Physicists
Scientific Computing for Physicists

Specialized Courses

Course CodeCourse Title
PHY2108HSpecial Topics in Physics
Special Topics in Physics
Atomic and Molecular Physics
Quantum Optics I
Quantum Optics II
Special Topics in Quantum Optics
Special Topics in Quantum Optics
Nonlinear Optics
Entanglement Physics
Quantum Theory of Solids II
Special Topics in Condensed Matter Physics
Advanced Statistical Mechanics
Many Body Physics I
Many Body Physics II
Quantum Field Theory I
Quantum Field Theory II
Experimental High Energy Physics
PHY2406HSpecial Topics in Particle Physics
Special Topics in Particle Physics
Phenomenology of the Standard Model
Climate System Dynamics
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
Atmospheric Radiative Transfer and Remote Sounding
Data Assimilation and Retrieval Theory
Special Topics in Atmospheric Physics
Inverse Theory
Planetary Physics
Cellular and Molecular Biophysics I
Cellular and Molecular Biophysics II
Quantitative Biology of Systems, Organisms, and Populations
Computational Methods in Biophysics
Biophysical Techniques
PHY2720HSpecial Topics in Biological Physics
PHY2721HSpecial Topics in Biological Physics
Advanced Seismology

Report Course for MSc Students

Course CodeCourse Title
Selected Topics in Physics

Seminar Courses

Course CodeCourse Title
Atmospheric Physics Seminar
Biophysics Seminar
Condensed Matter Physics Seminar
Geophysics Seminar
Quantum Optics Seminar
Subatomic Physics and Astrophysics Seminar

Research Courses

Course CodeCourse Title
Research in Atmospheric Physics
Research in Biophysics
Research in Condensed Matter Physics
Research in Geophysics
Research in Quantum Optics
Research in Subatomic Physics and Astrophysics