Physics: Physics MSc

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