PhD in Physics & Astronomy

Program Requirements

Graduates with an bachelor's degree in engineering or an honours BSc degree in physics, astronomy, may be considered for admission to a program leading to the Ph.D. degree. However, such graduates must first register as candidates for the MSc degree and are required, before completing the doctoral program, to demonstrate capability in several core areas of the Physics & Astronomy Graduate Program. These areas depend on the research area of the student. If their progress is satisfactory, they may be transferred after one year into the PhD program and advance in status to candidate (PhD I) on the recommendation of their research supervisor and the Program Director.

Graduates with a master's degree in physics, astronomy, or engineering physics from a recognized university may be admitted directly as candidates (PhD I) into a program leading to the PhD degree.

Oral Exam Information

 Composition of Examining Committee

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

• The Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies or her/his representative, who will be at arm’s length from the supervision of the dissertation, and who will serve as Chair of the examining committee;
• One external examiner, from outside York University, at arm’s length from the dissertation, recommended by the program director;
• One graduate faculty member at arm’s length from the dissertation, and normally from outside the program, recommended by the program director;
• Two graduate faculty members from the supervisory committee, or one member from the supervisory committee and one graduate faculty member from the program.

Oral Exam Timeline

• Seven weeks before oral - submit dissertation to Supervisory Committee allowing two weeks for Committee to read dissertation.
• Five weeks before oral - receive corrected dissertation 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 four weeks before oral.
• Four weeks before oral - distribute hard copies of corrected dissertation 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.