Physics [Graduate]

General Information

Programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy are open to suitable graduates in physics, engineering physics, geophysics, or equivalent programs. The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences in conjunction with the Department of Physics also offers a one-year Master of Science (MSc) degree in Integrated Petroleum Geosciences (refer to The Degrees of MSc in Integrated Petroleum Geosciences (Earth and Atmospheric Sciences) [Graduate] )

The Department’s focus areas of research, each of which includes experimental, observational, computational and theoretical components, are the following:

1. Astrophysical Sciences: astronomy, cosmology, general relativity and black hole physics, computational plasma physics, fusion, laboratory plasmas, magnetic confinement, auroral, magnetospheric and space physics, radiation belt physics.
2. Condensed Matter Physics and Material Science: biophysics, dynamic processes at surfaces, electron and scanning probe microscopy, high Tc superconductivity, magnetism, nanoscale physics, phase transitions in porous media, ultrafast laser spectroscopy, ultrafast microscopy.
3. Particle Physics: high energy particle physics, particle astrophysics, nuclear astrophysics, string theory and supersymmetry, precision tests of the standard model. (Experimental work is conducted at CERN, Fermilab, Sandia, TRIUMF.)
4. Geophysics: fluids in porous media, geodynamics, magneto-telluric methods, paleomagnetism, rock magnetism, rock physics, seismology.

Individual programs will be arranged in consultation with the Associate Chair of the Department of Physics and members of the Department. Information, including more detailed program requirements, may be obtained by contacting the Associate Chair of the Department of Physics.

Entrance Requirements

The Department’s admission requirements are an undergraduate degree in physics, engineering physics, geophysics or an equivalent program, normally with an average of 3.2 in the last two years of undergraduate work (or graduate work) at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. Where applicable (refer to English Language Requirement ), candidates must pass the TOEFL test with a score of at least 550 (paper-based) or 88 (Internet-based, with a minimum of 20 on each subtest).

Financial Assistance

A number of graduate assistantships are available. Applicants are automatically considered for this assistance when they are accepted into the graduate program.

Graduate Program Requirements

• The Degree of MSc
   
• The Degree of PhD
   

Graduate Courses

Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings , under the following subject headings:

Geophysics (GEOPH)
Physics (PHYS)