MSc in Physics & Astronomy

Program Requirements

Graduates with an honours degree, or equivalent, in astronomy, physics, or engineering physics from a recognized university with at least B+ standing (or at least second class honours from a United Kingdom university), may be admitted as Candidates for the M.Sc. degree. Applicants holding such degrees in which a deficiency is evident in critical areas of background preparation may be required to register in appropriate courses at the senior undergraduate level to raise their qualifications to the minimum admission level. Other requirements expected of students applying for graduate studies at York University are summarized in the "Faculty Regulations" section of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar.

Oral Exam Information

Composition of Examining Committee

A thesis examining committee shall consist of at least three voting members, including the Chair, as follows:

• two graduate faculty members chosen from the program and/or supervisory committee, at least one of whom must be from the supervisory committee;
• one graduate faculty member at arm’s length from the thesis, and normally from outside the program.

The Chair of the examining committee shall be chosen from among the voting members. Members of the student’s thesis supervisory committee may be members of the examining committee, but the principal supervisor may not serve as the Chair of the examining committee.

Oral Exam Timeline

• Six weeks before oral - submit thesis to Supervisory Committee allowing two weeks for Committee to read thesis.
• Four weeks before oral - receive corrected thesis from Supervisory Committee allowing one week for corrections.
• The required oral examination forms (available from the Program Office) need to be completed in time for submission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies three weeks before oral.
• Three weeks before oral - distribute hard copies of corrected thesis to Examining Committee.
• Oral
• Allow at least one week to make corrections after oral if you have a time constraint - eg. registration for another term, leaving the country, etc.