# Physics and Astronomy
**Source**: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/discover-opportunities/explore-programs/physics-and-astronomy-phd
**Parent**: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/discover-opportunities/explore-programs/anthropology-ma-thesis
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Thesis-based program
[Start your application](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/how-apply)
## Program overview
Doctoral students in Physics and Astronomy have the opportunity to make original and significant contributions to science within a department recognized globally for leading research. The PhD program appeals to students planning a career in academia, government labs, leadership roles, and industry. The programs connects students with state-of-the-art experimental and computational facilities both here and at collaborating institutions, and with world-renowned researchers in one of six focus areas: Astronomy and Astrophysics, Complexity, Environmental and Isotope Physics, Radiation Oncology Physics, Quantum Information and Quantum, Atomic, and Molecular Optics, and Space Physics. These focus areas lie within program specializations that students apply to: Physics, Astrophysics, Space Physics or Radiation Oncology Physics (including Medical Imaging/Medical Physics).
The PhD under Radiation Oncology Physics (ROP) is a Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Program (CAMPEP) accredited program. Students interested in this specialization typically have a MSc from a CAMPEP accredited program or closely related degree to be admitted. The PhD specializing in ROP is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP) and provides didactic background, research experience and clinical training for a career in Radiation Oncology Physics. The majority of our graduates have gone on to residencies in Clinical Radiation Oncology Physics in Canada and beyond.
The department's per capita funding level is the highest within UCalgary's Faculty of Science. Admission is competitive, favouring students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership.
### Completing this program
- **Astronomy & Astrophysics:** Research topics may include radio, optical, infrared and space astronomy, computational astrophysics, star formation, the interstellar medium, and general relativity.
- **Isotope and Environmental Physics:** Research topics may include nuclear decay processes, the effect of human activity on the environment, the development of analytical and instrumental techniques, isotope composition of trace gases and aerosols, source apportionment studies, and isotope fractionation.
- **Radiation Oncology Physics:**Research topics may include intensity modulated and image guided radiation therapy, prostate brachytherapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery.
- **Space Physics:** Research topics may include precipitation mechanisms, remote sensing magnetospheric dynamics, and the solar-terrestrial interaction.
- **Complexity:** Research topics may include complex networks, self-organized criticality, statistical and computational physics, and non-linear dynamics.
- **Quantum Information and Quantum, Atomic, and Molecular Optics:** Research topics may include the study of information, communication and computation using devices that are governed by quantum principle as well as the interaction between light and matter.
- **Candidacy:** Students will prepare a thesis proposal as well as take an oral exam on background knowledge of the research topic and the student's proposal.
- **Thesis:** Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
### Specializations
- Astrophysics
- Medical Physics
- Physics
- Radiation Oncology Physics
- Space Physics
- Computational Neuroscience (interdisciplinary)
- Medical Imaging (interdisciplinary)
### Outcomes
Researcher, technician, radiation oncology, medical or clinical physicist, professor, instructor, data science/mining, communications, journalism, entrepreneur, environmental, financial, strategic management and/or IT consultant, quantitative analyst, risk assessment, insurance, bioinformatics.
**A PhD in physics and astronomy is usually considered a final degree; in some cases, students may pursue postdoctoral work.**
### Thesis-based program
Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.
### Courses
Two courses minimum
[Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/programs/PHASPHD)
### Classroom delivery
### Time commitment
Four years full-time; six years maximum
### Supervisor
A supervisor is required, but is not required prior to the start of the program
### Fees and funding
See the Graduate Calendar for information on [fees and fee regulations,](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/uofcregs/tuitionandfeesoverview/grad) and for information on [awards and financial assistance](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/uofcregs/studfinsupport/awardsgrad).
## Virtual Tour
Explore the University of Calgary (UCalgary) from anywhere. Experience all that UCalgary has to offer for your graduate student journey without physically being on campus. Discover the buildings, student services and available programs all from your preferred device.
[Take the FGS Virtual Tour](https://virtualtour.grad.ucalgary.ca/ucalgary/home/campuses/?utm_source=Explore+Programs+Pages&utm_medium=Web&utm_campaign=Circuit+Tour)
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## Supervisors
Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.\
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. [Contact the program](mailto:sci.grad@ucalgary.ca) for more information.
---
1. [Paul Barclay](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/paul-barclay)
Seeking Students
Nanophotonics, quantum optics, nanoscience, nano-optomechanics
2. [Shabir Barzanjeh](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/shabir-barzanjeh)
Seeking Students
Quantum Communication and Quantum Interface (optomechanics, electromechanics, circuitQED), Quantum Sensing and Imaging
3. [Christopher Cully](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/christopher-cully)
Accepting Inquiries
Space Physics, Space-based, balloon-based and ground-based instrumentation, Van Allen Radiation Belts, Wave-particle interactions, Ion outflow, Kinetic plasma theory, Spacecraft-plasma interactions
4. [Jörn Davidsen](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/jorn-davidsen)
Seeking Students
Complexity Science, Spreading & triggering processes, Fluid-induced seismicity, Computational neuroscience & the critical brain, Rock fracture & frictional sliding, Statistical seismology, Network neuroscience, Synchronization & chimera states, Sociophysics, Climate dynamics & climate networks
5. [Megan Engel](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/megan-engel)
Accepting Inquiries
Computational Biophysics, Molecular Simulation, Machine Learning, DNA/RNA nanotechnology, Nonequilibrium Physics, Molecular Machines
6. [David Knudsen](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/david-knudsen)
Unavailable
Space Plasma Physics
7. [Denis Leahy](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/denis-leahy)
Accepting Inquiries
High Energy Astrophysics
8. [Nasser Moazzen-Ahmadi](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/nasser-moazzen-ahmadi)
Accepting Inquiries
Molecular Physics, Chemical Physics
9. [Daniel Oblak](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/daniel-oblak)
Accepting Inquiries
Quantum Information
10. [Rene Plume](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/rene-plume)
Accepting Inquiries
Astronomy
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## Admission Requirements
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#### GPA
A minimum of 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.
#### Minimum education
An MSc degree (or equivalent) in physics, engineering physics, astronomy/astrophysics or a related scientific field.
#### Work samples
None
#### Documents
None
#### Reference letters
Two
#### Test scores
All foreign applicants must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Physics subject score
---
#### **English language proficiency (ELP)**
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in different ways. For accepted criteria, please refer to the “Faculty of Science English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements” page in the [**Academic Calendar.**](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/programs/PHASPHD)
*\*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.*
#### Deadlines
**For admission on September 1:**
Canadians and permanent residents: Jan. 15 application deadline
International students: Jan. 15 application deadline
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about
[international requirements](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/international-students)
## Are you ready to apply?
[Application process](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/how-apply)
## Learn more about this program
### Department of Physics and Astronomy
Science B 605\
834 Campus Place NW\
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4\
403. 220.3618
[Contact the Graduate Program Administrator](mailto:sci.grad@ucalgary.ca)
[Visit the departmental website](https://science.ucalgary.ca/physics-astronomy)
### Faculty of Science
Biological Sciences, Room 540\
2500 University Drive NW\
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4\
403.220.8600
[Visit the Faculty of Science website](https://science.ucalgary.ca/)
Learn more about UCalgary by taking a
[virtual tour](https://virtualtour.grad.ucalgary.ca/)
## Related programs
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## Curious about the University of Calgary?
Located in the nation's most enterprising city, we are a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude.
[Learn More about student life at UCalgary](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/student-life)