Materials Physics, International Student Program (MSc)

Master of Science in Materials Physics (ISP)

Program Website: Master of Science in Materials Physics

Field(s) of Specialization

• Experimental Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science
• Theoretical Physics
• Biophysics

Faculty and Administration

For a listing of program faculty and administrative contacts, please visit the program directory.

Program Description

The department offers a Master of Science in Materials Physics (MSMP) International Student Program (ISP) that provides intensive, hands-on graduate training in advanced experimental, theoretical, and computational techniques of modern materials science. The program aims to prepare highly knowledgeable and skilled graduates, who will be trained as materials physicists who can work independently or in collaboration with others to fill jobs in industry, government agencies, research institutes and universities worldwide. The program offers two options: a 16-month (four term) course-based option and a 2-year (six term) course plus major research project (MRP) option. Both options require completion of the non-credit Graduate Science Preparation seminar course (PHYS 5N02 ).

The MSMP program focuses on skills to identify important and critical problems and to use appropriate methods and techniques to address them. Students will also learn how to communicate their results to a scientific audience as well as to non-technical management staff, and to evaluate the business and societal impact of their work without prejudice. These goals will be achieved through graduate seminar presentations and through the production of detailed technical laboratory and term project reports conforming to the rigorous standards of scientific and technical publications in the fields of materials science and technology.

Admission Requirements

Successful completion of a four-year Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, from an accredited University, in Physics or a closely related discipline, with a minimum B average over the last two years of full-time undergraduate study. Proof of English language proficiency will be required from all applicants. The minimum required score for entry is 80 on the TOEFL iBT (no section under 19), 6.5 on the IELTS (no section under 5.5). For a full listing of accepted tests, see the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs English Language Proficiency webpage.

The Program Committee will review all applications and recommend admission for a limited number of candidates. Applicants holding a degree without sufficient background in Physics may be required to complete additional qualifying undergraduate courses prior to an admission decision.

All students in the program will be initially admitted to the course-based option. Admission to the Major Research Project (MRP) option is on a competitive basis. Students may be admitted to the MRP option following completion of the first three terms of the MSMP (ISP) course-based option. MRP students are required to maintain a minimum 75% overall average. Admission to the MRP option is on the basis of grades, and supervisor availability. An interview may be required. MRP students will complete all of the requirements for the MSMP course-based program prior to starting the MRP. MRP students will normally complete the requirements of the MRP option over the two terms following completion of the MSMP course-based program requirements.

Program Notes

1. Students will normally complete the program requirements over four terms of study (normally Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer, Fall).
2. All students are also expected to attend Departmental seminars.
3. All candidates must conduct, submit, and present a Research Project which demonstrates proficiency in applying concepts in Materials Physics and is typically completed in the final two terms of study of the course based option as course requirements of PHYS 5P81  and PHYS 5P82 .

For full-time students in the Major Research Project (MRP) option, the Materials Physics MSc is normally a six term or 24 month program.

• Every Materials Physics MSc MRP candidate must complete the course requirements of the course-based program, and a full-credit Research Project (PHYS 5P96  + PHYS 5P97 ).
  • In the penultimate term of the MRP option, students complete PHYS 5P96 .
  • In the final term of the MRP option, students complete PHYS 5P97 .