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Physics (MSc)

Master of Science (MSc)

Offered by:
Department of Physics, Faculty of Arts & Science

Program overview

The MSc in Physics examines the fundamental and applied concepts of the discipline. The basic laws of physics are applied in advancements in modern medical and space-related technologies, climate research and energy generation and storage, to name just a few. Our faculty members are experts in fields such as bioengineering and chemistry and cultivate strong student-supervisor relationships. Our cutting-edge research centres promote interdisciplinary collaborations in nano-, molecular and life sciences. Projects currently under way at the Centre for NanoScience Research examine the optical properties of nanomaterials, the link between light-induced electron transfer and accompanying protonational reactions, and structure-function relationships in photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes. Other topics currently being studied include the optical properties of photonic crystal ring resonators and the physics of manganese as a secondary electron donor in native bacterial reaction centres.

Program details

Admission Requirements

  • Honours degree, or its equivalent in Physics or a related field.
  • Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.

Degree Requirements

Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.

Please see the Physics Courses page for course descriptions.

Physics MSc (45 credits)

9credits chosen from Physics MSc courses
3

credits:

  PHYS 760 MSc Seminar on Selected Topics (3.00)

33

credits:

  PHYS 790 Master’s Research and Thesis (33.00)

Physics MSc Courses

  PHYS 601 Advanced Quantum Mechanics I (3.00)
  PHYS 602 Advanced Quantum Mechanics II (3.00)
  PHYS 603 High Energy Physics (3.00)
  PHYS 608 Selected Topics in High Energy Physics (3.00)
  PHYS 609 Selected Topics in Quantum Physics (3.00)
  PHYS 636 Condensed Matter Physics I (3.00)
  PHYS 637 Condensed Matter Physics II (3.00)
  PHYS 638 Additional Module in Condensed Matter Physics (1.00)
  PHYS 639 Selected Topics in Condensed Matter Physics (3.00)
  PHYS 642 Statistical Physics (3.00)
  PHYS 644 Advanced Classical Mechanics and Relativity (3.00)
  PHYS 646 Electrodynamics (3.00)
  PHYS 648 Non Linear Waves (3.00)
  PHYS 649 Selected Topics in Theoretical Physics (3.00)
  PHYS 660 Chemical Aspects of Biophysics (3.00)
  PHYS 663 Quantitative Human Systems Physiology (3.00)
  PHYS 665 Principles of Medical Imaging (3.00)
  PHYS 666 Additional Module in Biophysics (1.00)
  PHYS 667 Selected Topics in Biophysics (3.00)
  PHYS 668 Additional Module in Biomedical Physics (1.00)
  PHYS 669 Selected Topics in Biomedical Physics (3.00)
  PHYS 678 Additional Module in Applied Physics (1.00)
  PHYS 679 Selected Topics in Applied Physics (3.00)
  PHYS 688 Additional Module in Computational Physics (1.00)
  PHYS 689 Selected Topics in Computational Physics (3.00)

Students may, with permission of their supervisor, take courses from the following list:

  CHEM 620 Selected Topics in Organic Chemistry (3.00)
  CHEM 630 Selected Topics in Physical Chemistry (3.00)
  CHEM 651 Nanochemistry (3.00)
  CHEM 690 Selected Topics in Instrumentation (3.00)
  CHME 6071 Materials Science and Engineering (4.00)
  CHME 6121 Nanomaterials Science and Engineering (4.00)
  COEN 6211 Biological Computing and Synthetic Biology (4.00)
  ELEC 6271 Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: Opto-Electronic Devices (4.00)
  ELEC 6281 Principles of Solid State Nanodevices (4.00)
  ELEC 6661 Medical Image Processing (4.00)
  ELEC 6671 Biological Signal Processing (4.00)
  MAST 694 Group Theory (3.00)

1. Ensure that your completed application includes:

2. An admission offer will not be issued until a supervisor match has been made. Students are encouraged to review the list of faculty members' field of interests and directly contact those with whom you would like to work. 

Please apply online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures. 

  DEGREE
 
FALL
(September)
WINTER
(January)
SUMMER
(May/June)
Physics MSc March 1 Aug. 1 n/a

Consult the Graduate Calendar for a complete list of courses

Each student on average receives $22,000 in annual support. Additional merit-based awards are available in limited numbers.

Support will be provided to most admitted international students to maintain tuition expenses at the level of Quebec residents.

Please also consult Concordia's School of Graduate Studies funding page, Financial Aid and Awards and the Physics's Department funding page.

The departments of Biology, Chemistry and Physics in the Faculty of Arts and Science are seeking graduate students for specific research areas. Please visit this page for new opportunities regularly.

Department research activities are collaborative. Graduate students benefit from a robust cadre of faculty research expertise. Areas of department researcher specialization include:

  • theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics
  • theoretical particle physics
  • laser optics and photonics
  • molecular modeling/computational physics
  • physics in education
  • experimental nano-scale and mesoscopic physics
  • molecular biophysics with special interest in solar energy conversion.

Prospective graduate students must be selected by one or two (in case of joint supervision) faculty member(s) as a condition for final admission. Upon admission the research supervisor(s) and the department accept the responsibility for ensuring and arranging the financial support for the student for at least two years contingent upon satisfactory performance.

A Supervisory Committee is appointed for each student. This committee consists of two faculty members in the department and the research supervisor(s). The committee is responsible for monitoring the student’s academic progress and reports to the Graduate Program Committee.

See what our students are working on. Review an inspiring list of thesis topics.

An MSc in Physics prepares you for careers in various industries, including photonics, opto-electronics, semiconductors, biomedical and biophysics, advanced materials, nanotechnology, energy production, flight simulation, aeronautics, space science, and engineering. You’ll also be qualified for certain governmental and teaching positions. Physics graduates are also sought by employers for non-technical positions such as those in law, administration, business, journalism, financial analysis and publishing.

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