Physics
Department of Physics
3302 Herzberg Bldg.
Tel.: 613-520-4320
physics.carleton.ca
- M.Sc. Physics
- Ph.D. Physics
- M.A.Sc. Biomedical Engineering (listed under Biomedical Engineering)
M.Sc. Physics
About the Program
The fields of graduate study in the Department of Physics at Carleton are particle physics and medical physics.
In the particle physics program, specialization can be in theoretical or in experimental particle physics.
In the medical physics program, specialization can be in imaging physics, cancer therapy physics, or medical biophysics. Research supervision can be on campus or be provided at health care institutions and government laboratories in the Ottawa region. The M.Sc. program leads to our CAMPEP-accredited Ph.D. program (campep.org)
The graduate program in physics is a joint program with the University of Ottawa as part of the Ottawa Carleton Institute for Physics (OCIP). The fields of study offered by OCIP at the University of Ottawa are condensed matter physics, biological physics, and photonics.
Detailed information about our research program is available from the departmental website.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Admission Requirements
An Honours B.Sc. in Physics or a closely related field at a standard acceptable to the two universities is normally required for admission to the M.Sc. program.
The admissions committee may require students to take an orientation examination during the first weeks of residence. The results of this examination may indicate the need for a student to register in undergraduate courses to fill gaps in his/her knowledge.
It is strongly recommended that all students have had at least one course in computing.
Candidates admitted to the M.Sc. program with more than the minimum course requirements may be permitted to credit towards the degree a maximum of 1.0 credit at the senior undergraduate level. This maximum does not apply to qualifying-year students.
Program Requirements
M.Sc. with Thesis:
- 2.5 credits of course work
- A thesis (2.5 credits) defended at an oral examination
- Participation in the seminar series of the Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Physics
Students with academic preparation particularly well suited for their chosen field of study may have their course credit requirements reduced to 2.0 credits. In this case, a 3.0-credit thesis will be required.
The minimum number of courses is 1.5 credits. At least 1.0 credit must consist of lecture courses at the graduate level. The courses PHYS 5900 and PHYS 5901 are courses on Selected Topics, normally given as directed studies, and cannot fulfil this lecture course requirement. Most students will be expected to take PHYS 5002, or another equivalent computing physics course. Students in experimental or theoretical particle physics streams will normally include PHYS 5601, PHYS 5602, PHYS 5701 and PHYS 5702 among their courses.
Medical Physics Stream
The three areas of specialization are: imaging, therapy, and biophysics. All students are required to take PHYS 5203 and 0.5 credit appropriate physics course from an area of physics other than medical physics. In addition:
- For imaging, PHYS 5204 is required
- For therapy, PHYS 5206 is required
- For biophysics, 0.5 credit chosen from PHYS 5207, cell biology, physiology or anatomy is required
Students with a medical/health physics background may have the selection of required courses adjusted to reflect their preparation and may receive advanced standing for equivalent courses.
A selection from PHYS 5208, PHYS 5209, or, (with approval) other appropriate courses in physics, engineering, computer science, business or law can be used to complete the program.
In special cases, the requirements may also be met by taking 5.0 credits of course work. 1.0 credit must be the selected topics course PHYS 5900.
Physics in modern technology stream:
- 3.0 credits of course work
- PHYS 5905
- Students will normally include two of PHYS 5002, PHYJ 5003, PHYJ 5004, PHYJ 5005 among their courses.
Students enrolled in the physics in modern technology stream are required to complete a work term rather than a research thesis. Students in this stream who wish to pursue a research degree should consult with the graduate supervisor. Although every effort is made to find a work term position for every student enrolled in the physics in modern technology stream, no guarantee of employment can be made. To minimize the likelihood of a work term position not being found, enrolment will be limited to reflect the availability of work term placements. In the event that a work term placement cannot be found, students may fulfil the M.Sc. requirements with courses only as described above.
Guidelines for Completion of Master's Degree
With the exception of those students in the physics in modern technology stream, full-time master's candidates are expected to complete all requirements in six terms of registered full-time study. Part-time master's candidates are expected to complete their degree requirements within an elapsed period of three to four calendar years after the date of initial registration.
Students in the physics in modern technology stream are normally expected to complete all their requirements in three successive terms of registered full-time study.
Residence Requirement
At least one year of full-time study (or equivalent).
Ph.D. Physics
About the Program
The fields of graduate study in the Department of Physics at Carleton are particle physics and medical physics.
In the particle physics program, specialization can be in theoretical or in experimental particle physics.
In the medical physics program, specialization can be in imaging physics, cancer therapy physics, or medical biophysics. Research supervision can be on campus or be provided at health care institutions and government laboratories in the Ottawa region. The Ph.D. program is accredited by CAMPEP (campep.org).
The graduate program in physics is a joint program with the University of Ottawa as part of the Ottawa Carleton Institute for Physics (OCIP).
The fields of study offered by OCIP at the University of Ottawa are condensed matter physics, biological physics, and photonics.
Detailed information about our research program is available from the departmental website.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Admission Requirements
An M.Sc. in Physics, or a closely related field, is normally required for admission into the Ph.D. program.
Students who have been admitted to the M.Sc. program may be permitted to transfer into the Ph.D. program if they demonstrate academic abilities for advanced research in their field.
In exceptional cases, an outstanding student who has completed the honours B.Sc. will also be considered.
Program Requirements (from M.Sc.)
The normal requirements for the Ph.D. degree (after M.Sc.) are:
- A minimum of 2.0 credits of course work at the graduate level
- A comprehensive examination designed to demonstrate overall ability in physics and in the candidate's research area, normally within the first year of study. This takes the form of a written examination followed, if necessary, by an oral examination.
- Participation in the seminar series of the Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Physics.
- A thesis (8.0 credits) which will be defended at an oral examination. The examining board for all theses will include members of the Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Physics from both Departments of Physics. The external examiner of the thesis will be external to both Departments of Physics.
- Students in experimental or theoretical particle physics who lack any of the relevant courses recommended for the M.Sc. program must complete them (or the equivalents) by the end of their Ph.D. program. In addition they should complete PHYS 6601 and PHYS 6602
- Students in medical physics must have completed, either within this degree (as part of the minimum 2.0 course credits) or in prior graduate studies:
In addition it is also strongly recommended to have completed 0.5 credit in a computational physics course, such as PHYS 5002, within the minimum 2.0 credits of this degree or in prior graduate studies.
Guidelines for Completion of Doctoral Degree
Full-time Ph.D. candidates admitted on the basis of an M.Sc. are expected to complete all requirements within an elapsed period of four to five years after the date of initial registration. Part-time Ph.D. candidates are expected to complete all requirements within an elapsed period of six years after the date of initial registration.
Residence Requirements
For the Ph.D. degree (from B.Sc.): at least three years of full-time study (or equivalent).
For the Ph.D. degree (from M.Sc.): at least two years of full-time study (or equivalent).
