Master of Science with a specialization in Geophysics (Physics)

A supervisory committee of three faculty members is appointed for each graduate student. Within the first year of registration in the program, the committee makes a formal recommendation on the candidate’s potential for graduate work. At this time students may in certain cases be permitted to transfer directly to a PhD program if their progress should warrant such a transfer.

Program Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 12 units in coursework and a thesis.

Coursework:

GEOPH 521
Coursework is to be selected in coordination with the supervisor, supervisory committee, and graduate chair, which may make additional requirements.

Thesis

Registration in 900-level THES. Students must complete a research project, the results of which are to be presented in a thesis and an oral examination.

Seminar Presentation

Starting in the second year, each MSc student in Geophysics is required to present the results of their current research at least once per year at the Geophysics Seminar Series or at the Institute for Geophysical Research conference.

Ethics Requirement

Students must meet the GPS Ethics and Academic Citizenship Requirement through the completion of INT D 710 (for both master’s and doctoral students) by the end of the first term of registration in their degree program.

Residence Requirement

The minimum period of residence for the thesis MSc is two four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.

Length of Program

The time required will vary according to the previous training of the candidate and the nature of the research undertaken; however, an average of two years is normally required to complete the MSc program.

The maximum time to complete the thesis-based MSc program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is four years.

Program extensions may be granted in exceptional circumstances.