Queen's 2015 Nobel Prize in PhysicsThe research programs of all faculty members are listed on their individual web pages (see links to these on the Research Groups page). It is strongly recommended to contact individual professors if you want more information about the research projects they offer.
Yes, however, openings in many research groups fill up quickly and students applying after January 7th may not receive their first choice of research topic. The January 7th deadline will guarantee that your application is given full consideration.
Occasionally, in special circumstances. However, this can make coursework and TA assignments more difficult both for the student and the department.
It is strongly recommended that graduate students have a background in physics due to the difficulty of required graduate courses. If you are unsure whether your courseload is acceptable for admission into graduate studies, please reach out to physgrad@queensu.ca.
The application fee falls under the purview of the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (SGSPA). Unfortunately, SGSPA does not offer fee waivers. We strongly recommend reaching out to potential supervisor(s) with a CV and/or transcript before officially submitting an application—this will ensure that your application is seen, and you will know whether there are openings in their research group(s).
Any applicant whose first language is not English, but who, within the 12-month period prior to the month of application, has studied for at least one complete year at a post-secondary institution where English is the official language of instruction, may submit with their application an request to be exempted from the English Language Proficiency requirement.
Although the department requires a "second-class standing," exceptions can be made if the prospective supervisor is willing to support the student and make an offer.
Students below the typical admission threshold for GPA will usually be accepted as a student with "Provisional Status," meaning they must maintain a B or higher in at least 2 graduate-level courses in the first year of study and show acceptable progress in research.
We do not require you to take the GREs.
Yes. Provided you maintain an 80% or above in your graduate courses and have the support of your supervisor, you can be considered for promotion directly to a PhD. Typically this is done after one year of the Master's. You will be required to prepare a research proposal outline the work to date as well as your research plan for the PhD.
If you are accepted into graduate studies in our department then we guarantee at least the minimum stipends found on the Funding sections under the Master's, and PhD degree overview pages. Master’s students will receive this stipend for a period of two years from their initial registration date; PhD students for a period of four years from this initial date.
Yes. Teaching is considered an enriching part of the graduate student experience. A typical Teaching Assistant (TA) requirement is 120 hours per term in both Fall and Winter, and this payment contributes to your stipend. A TA role generally consists of face-to-face teaching and preparation/marking time. Scholarship holders (e.g., NSERC, OGS, OGSST) may TA for less hours than typically expected.