Physics and Astronomy, Ph.D

Admission

Applicants will be considered for admission to the Ph.D. program if they have completed a M.Sc. degree in Physics and/or Astronomy (or in a related area) with a B+ average, or are admitted through the M.Sc. transfer option described above.

Course Requirements

The minimum course requirement for the Ph.D. is one full graduate course at the 700-level beyond the M.Sc., for a minimum total of 3 full graduate courses in the combined M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees. The Department expects that most candidates will be required by their supervisory committee to complete more than the minimum number of courses. Two of the four following half courses must be completed in either the M.Sc. or Ph.D.:

• PHYSICS 729 / Condensed Matter Physics I
• PHYSICS 730 / Condensed Matter Physics II
• PHYSICS 739 / Advanced Quantum Mechanics I
• PHYSICS 740 / Advanced Quantum Mechanics II
• PHYSICS 746 / Advanced Classical Electrodynamics
• PHYSICS 750 / Advanced Statistical Mechanics I
• PHYSICS 755 / Soft Condensed Matter Physics
• PHYSICS 761 / Introductory Astrophysics I & PHYSICS 762 / Introductory Astrophysics II  

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  Students who completed their M.Sc. at another institution (not McMaster) should contact the Associate Chair to ensure record of completion of these courses is included in their student record.

Additional Requirements

All candidates are required to pass an oral Comprehensive Exam and defend a thesis embodying original research. In addition, all graduate students must attend Department colloquia and are expected to attend and participate in seminars relevant to their field of research.

Interdisciplinary Fields and Programs