Astrophysics and Astronomy

"As a student at one of Canada's leading research universities, I get to meet a great number of speakers and collaborators as well as travel the globe to broaden my research horizons, all of which helps establish a supportive and scientifically fertile environment. Our professors are internationally renowned in their respective fields, and their broad range of interests assures that there is something here for everyone and that we all get to benefit from a multitude of different perspectives. The astronomy and astroparticle research groups are steeped in scientific history and it is a privilege to learn from and work with innovators of a field that I truly care for and feel passionate about."

Degrees Offered / Length of Program

For a select group of students (2-5 per year), we allow accelerated entry to the Ph.D. program after one year in the Master’s program.

Method of Completion

• M.Sc.: Course work, research project, thesis & defence
  
• Ph.D.: Course work, research project, thesis & defence, seminar series

Supervisors and Fields of Study

We encourage you to identify an area of research interest and contact a potential supervisor before applying.

Astrophysics & Astronomy

• Stephane Courteau: Formation, structure and evolution of galaxies
• Martin Duncan: Formation and evolution of planetary systems
• David Hanes: Globular star clusters, observational cosmology
• Judith Irwin: Interstellar medium in galaxies, disk-halo connection, galaxy outflows
• Kayll Lake: General relativity, computer algebra
• Larry Widrow: Dark matter, galaxy models, extragalactic magnetic fields

Experimental Particle Astrophysics

• Mark Boulay: low-energy neutrinos, neutrinoless double-decay and the search for dark matter
• Mark Chen: neutrino physics, geoneutrinos, dark matter and cosmic rays
• Philippe Di Stefano: cryogenic detectors for dark matter and other applications
• Art McDonald: neutrino physics, solar neutrinos
• Tony Noble: SNOLAB Institute Director, Search for direct evidence of dark matter, Neutrino properties via solar and neutrinoless double beta decay experiments.
• Wolfgang Rau: direct search for dark matter using cryogenic detectors
• Alex Wright: Low energy solar neutrinos, neutrinoless double beta decay, geoneutrinos, and reactor antineutrinos

Travel Opportunities

Students in the Astrophysics and Astronomy program have the opportunity to carry out observations at astronomical facilities in Chile, Hawaii, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Australia. Students in the experimental particle astrophysics group carry out research at SNOLAB, the underground science laboratory near Sudbury, Ontario.

Funding Information

Basic Funding Package (teaching assistantship, internal fellowships, bursaries and supervisor support):

• Master’s: minimum $24,250 per year
• Ph.D.: minimum $25,450 per year

We encourage you to apply for additional funding through external scholarships (NSERC, OGS, etc.). Entering graduate students who win federal government tri-council awards are automatically provided a $5,000 top-up award by Queen’s.

Academic Prerequisites

• M.Sc.: an honours bachelor degree in Science, Engineering or Applied Science.
• Ph.D.: Master's degree in Science or Applied Science. Students registered in our Master's program who show exceptional promise and have a first-class standing may be admitted to the doctoral program without completing the requirements for the Master's degree.

Test Requirements

For international students, if required, a TOEFL total score of at least 580 (paper-based) or TOEFL iBT minimum scores of: writing (24/30); speaking (22/30); reading (22/30); listening (20/30), for a total of 88/120. Applicants must have the minimum score in each test as well as the minimum overall score.

Program Profiles

• Melanie Hall - jokes that if you don't want to talk to someone on the plane next to you, say your're an astrophysicist...
• Wolfgang Rau (faculty) - in the search for dark matter...

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