Accelerated MSc and MASc
Masters of Science (MSc)
The Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy offers a combined program of a BScH/MSc (Physics). This program offers an opportunity for students in the 4th year of their Honours program (Physics) to take up to 2 courses in Physics at the graduate level which would then allow these students to enter the graduate program with advanced standing. Research begun in the 4th year thesis project could be carried forward as a foundation for the graduate thesis, which would create an opportunity for exceptional students to complete the graduate degree within 4 terms.
Admission to the combined program is a two-step process:
Step 1:
Students with a minimum A- (A minus) average will have the option to apply for admission to the combined program (permission to take graduate level courses) in the winter term of the 3rd year, in parallel with the process for admittance to the Honours year and the thesis research project (PHYS 590). All applications will then be reviewed by the undergraduate chair. If accepted into the combined program, in Year 4 of the BSc (Honours) program students will be permitted to take up to two 3.0 graduate level courses for a total of 3 or 6 credits towards the 12 credits required for the MSc degree.
It is the student’s responsibility to gain admission to these graduate courses following acceptance into the program. These courses will be counted as electives or science options (or as core courses) towards completion of the degree requirements in the BSc(Hons) program. Only 1 of these courses may be a combined undergraduate/graduate (400/800) level course. The second (and all subsequent) graduate courses must be graduate only (800 and/or 900 level).
Step 2:
For admission to the MSc program in Physics with advanced standing, students will be expected to complete the standard SGS application process, have an overall B+ or higher in the previous 2 years of their undergraduate program, and have demonstrated significant research productivity in the 4th year thesis project. In order for the student to be granted advanced standing in the M.Sc. degree program, they must have received a final grade of at least B- (B minus) in the graduate course(s) taken during the 4th year and meet all other requirements for admission to the MSc program in Physics.
Applications: Students should submit their application to the Graduate Assistant and at that time should provide a copy of their transcript, a CV (resume), and the names of their potential Project Supervisors.
For more information, please visit the School of Graduate Studies.
FAQ for Physics & Astronomy students
Masters of Applied Science (MASc)
The Accelerated Master's Degree program allows strong students in the Engineering Physics programs to begin work towards a Master's degree while completing their undergraduate degree. By working on a research project that will become their master's thesis during the summers after third and fourth years, the students can graduate with a full thesis-based master's degree in 12-16 months after finishing their Bachelor's degree. This saves approximately a year of time compared to students enrolled in the standard master's program. Students also get to work on larger research projects, which would not normally be offered to undergraduate students.
• Engineering Physics students apply for Accelerated Master's Degree in Applied Science (MASc) during winter term of 3rd year.
• Students must have first class grades (GPA of 3.7 or higher) and complete an application form.
• Students accepted to the program will complete their BSc degree after 4 years (with the rest of their class cohort) and complete MASc degree 12-16 months later.
• Students are paid during the summers after 3rd and 4th years.
• Students take ENPH 456 (summer after 3rd year) and ENPH457 F/W to replace ENPH 455 and two 4th year electives, and take two Graduate level courses during 4th year (that then transfer for credit to the MASc degree program). ENPH456 and ENPH457 are a research project with significant engineering design, supervised by one (or more) faculty members and graded by a committee of professional engineers.
• After 4th year (and graduation with a BSc degree in Engineering Physics), students immediately begin a graduate research project (during the summer), take the remaining two Graduate-level courses (F/W after 4th year), and complete and defend a thesis during the following summer. It is most likely that the research project will be a continuation/expansion of the 456/457 undergraduate research thesis.
FAQ for Engineering Physics students
Finances
Accelerated MSc and MASc students receive generous research stipends during the summer months after their third and fourth years. For details, please contact your Undergraduate Chair.