Program overview
A PhD in Physics gives you expertise in the applied concepts of the discipline and allows you to contribute to our faculty’s research specializations. The laws of physics are applied in advancements in many areas including modern medical and space-related technologies, climate research and energy generation and storage. Our faculty members are experts in fields as varied 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 underway at the Centre for NanoScience Research examine the optical properties of nanomaterials and the structure-function relationships in photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes. Other topics currently being studied by our PhD students include the quantum behaviour of electrons in graphene transistors and a look at possible candidates for dark matter.
Program Details
Admission requirements
- MSc degree in Physics with high standing from a recognized university.
- 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 Graduate Admission page for further information on the Language Proficiency requirements and exemptions.
Degree requirements
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 90 credits.
9 credits – Elective Courses
PHYS 601 – Advanced Quantum Mechanics I (3 credits)
PHYS 602 – Advanced Quantum Mechanics II (3 credits)
PHYS 603 – High Energy Physics (3 credits)
PHYS 609 – Selected Topics in Quantum or High Energy Physics (3 credits)
PHYS 636 – Condensed Matter Physics I (3 credits)
PHYS 637 – Condensed Matter Physics II (3 credits)
PHYS 639 – Selected Topics in Condensed Matter Physics (3 credits)
PHYS 642 – Statistical Physics (3 credits)
PHYS 644 – Advanced Classical Mechanics and Relativity (3 credits)
PHYS 646 – Electrodynamics (3 credits)
PHYS 648 – Non Linear Waves (3 credits)
PHYS 649 – Selected Topics in Theoretical Physics (3 credits)
PHYS 660 – Chemical Aspects of Biophysics (3 credits)
PHYS 663 – Quantitative Human Systems Physiology (3 credits)
PHYS 665 – Principles of Medical Imaging (3 credits)
PHYS 679 – Selected Topics in Applied Physics (3 credits)
Students may, with permission of their supervisor, substitute up to two courses from the following list:
CHEM 620 – Selected Topics in Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
CHEM 630 – Selected Topics in Physical Chemistry (3 credits)
CHEM 677 – Enzyme Kinetics and Mechanism (3 credits)
CHEM 678 – Protein Engineering and Design (3 credits)
CHEM 690 – Selected Topics in Instrumentation (3 credits)
CHEM 692 – Experimental Protein Chemistry (3 credits)
MAST 689 – Variational Methods (3 credits)
MAST 694 – Group Theory (3 credits)
MAST 840 – Lie Groups (3 credits)
MAST 841 – Partial Differential Equations (P.D.E.’s) (3 credits)
MAST 851 – Differential Geometric Methods in Physics (3 credits)
MAST 854 – Quantization Methods (3 credits)
MAST 855 – Spectral Geometry (3 credits)
MAST 856 – Selected Topics in Mathematical Physics (3 credits)
MAST 857 – Selected Topics in Differential Geometry (3 credits)
6 credits – Doctoral Seminars
PHYS 861 – Doctoral Seminar on Selected Topics I (3 credits)
PHYS 862 – Doctoral Seminar on Selected Topics II (3 credits)
6 credits – Comprehensive Examination and Research Proposal
PHYS 870 – Comprehensive Examination and Research Proposal (6 credits)
69 credits – Thesis
PHYS 890 – Doctoral Research and Thesis (69 credits)
Application process
1. Ensure that your completed application includes:
- Application form and Fee
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form
- Statement of purpose
- Copy of Master’s thesis
- Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
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.
Application deadlines
| DEGREE | FALL (September) | WINTER (January) | SUMMER (May/June) |
Physics scholarships in Canada
- PhD Student, School of Public HealthUniversity of Saskatchewan | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Canada | 28 days agoPurpose: The PhD candidate will partake in and provide research for a study entitled Listening and learning: applying a community based participatory approach to design a physical literacy model for
- President’s Academic Excellence Initiative PhD AwardUniversity of British Columbia | Canada | about 6 hours agoDoctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) Development, validation and application of advanced MRI techniques to measure white matter microstructure Kaili Vesik Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics (PhD
- Graduate Student, Molecular Genetics (MSc or PhD)University of Saskatchewan | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Canada | about 23 hours agogiven priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please
- Doctoral Recruitment FellowshipUniversity of British Columbia | Canada | about 6 hours agothe evaluation process of this program (survey) Student recipients must: Be starting a UBC-V doctoral program within five years of the faculty recipient’s appointment start date as a tenure-track Assistant
- International Doctoral FellowshipUniversity of British Columbia | Canada | about 6 hours agoof Philosophy in Physics (PhD) Connections between quantum gravity and information Jungsoo Park Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) Microbial interactions with photosynthetic hosts Philipp Kreyenmeier Doctor
- Affiliated Fellowships Doctoral ProgramUniversity of British Columbia | Canada | about 7 hours agoreview process, after which they recommend only their highest ranked candidates to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. University-Wide Ranking The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
- Department AwardsUniversity of British Columbia | Canada | about 6 hours agoSherry Kiafar Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) Physical Aging in Thermoset Composites Robyn McClure Those who know the most and care the least: How empathy and social power predict
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