UofC

Location: Science B, Room 605
Program number: 403.220.3617
Fax: 403.289.3331
Email address: gradinfo@phas.ucalgary.ca
Web page URL: phas.ucalgary.ca

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Master of Science (MSc), course-based and thesis-based

The PhD and MSc degree may be completed on a full-time or a part-time basis.

Specializations:

• Astrophysics
• Medical Physics
• Physics
• Radiation Oncology Physics*
• Space Physics
• Medical Imaging* (see Interdisciplinary Specializations for further information)

*Radiation Oncology Physics and Medical Imaging are not offered to the course-based MSc degree.

Diplomas and Certificates:

• Postdoctoral Diploma in Radiation Oncology Physics
• Postdoctoral Certificate in Radiation Oncology Physics

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies and Faculty of Science requirements, the Department requires:

a) A University of Calgary Honours background in Physics, Engineering Physics, Astronomy/Astrophysics, or equivalent.

b) For some applicants, a satisfactory score on the Advanced Physics Graduate Record Examination.

c) All applicants for whom English is not their first language must also submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 560 on the paper-based exam, or 86 on the Internet-based exam. For the IELTS examination (academic version), the minimum acceptable score is 6.5. This requirement can also be met by completing Tier III of the International Foundations Program with a minimum grade of "B" on Academic Writing & Grammar III, "C" on Reading Comprehension & Proficiency III, and "C" on Listening Comprehension & Oral Fluency III.

d) Two reference letters.

Master of Science

Applicants to the Master of Science program, whose background does not include the equivalent of an undergraduate honours degree in the proposed area of study, may require additional make-up courses. Such applicants should consult with the department regarding their admission status.

Postdoctoral Diploma in Radiation Oncology Physics

For the Postdoctoral Diploma program, applicants must possess a PhD from a CAMPEP accredited graduate program or equivalent and an appointment as an Associate Medical Physicist by the Alberta Health Services.

Postdoctoral Certificate in Radiation Oncology Physics

In addition to Faculty requirements, the Department requires a PhD in Physics, Medical Physics, Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering. Applicants with PhDs in sciences other than those listed above may consult with the department regarding possible admission. A minimum GPA of 3.50 over an applicant's last 60 units (10 full-course equivalents) of course work is required before an applicant may be considered for admission; however, exceptional students with extenuating circumstances may be considered.

Application deadlines are available on the Future Students website.

Master of Science (course-based): http://www.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/explore-programs/physics-astronomy-master-science-course-based

Master of Science (thesis-based): http://www.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/explore-programs/physics-astronomy-master-science-thesis-based

Doctor of Philosophy: http://www.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/explore-programs/physics-astronomy-doctor-philosophy-thesis-based

The applicant must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. Credit will not be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to bring the grade point average to a required level for admission.

Postdoctoral Certificate in Radiation Oncology Physics: Credit for a maximum of 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) may be given for a course taken as part of previous graduate and/or undergraduate (minimum 600-level courses) degree. Coursework content will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This course must be deemed equivalent to those offered by the program and have been taken within the past 5 years. Oral examination may be required.

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies and Faculty of Science requirements, the Department requires:

That all students, with the exception of registrants in the Postdoctoral Diploma program, in Radiation Oncology Physics and the Postdoctoral Certificate in Radiation Oncology Physics, register in the Graduate Seminar, Physics 691, during Fall and Winter Terms of the first two years in program.

Master of Science (thesis-based)

a) For students specializing in Astrophysics, Physics, or Space Physics, 12 units (2.0 full-course equivalents), including at least two of Physics 609, 611, 613, and one of Physics 615 or 617, plus two elective courses at the 500 or 600 level, as approved by the Graduate Chair.

b) For students specializing in Medical Physics, 15 units (2.5 full-course equivalents), including Medical Physics 623, 625, at least two of Physics 609, 611, 613, and one of Physics 615 or 617, plus one elective courses at the 500 or 600 level, as approved by the Graduate Chair.

c) For students specializing in Radiation Oncology Physics, 24 units (4.0 full-course equivalents), including Medical Physics 623, 625, 633, 637, 638, 639, two of Physics 609, 611, 613, and one of Physics 615 or 617, and 1.5 units (0.25 full-course equivalent), Medical Physics 632.

Master of Science (course-based)

This program may be taken part-time or full-time.

a) That the student choose one of the three broad areas of specialization: astrophysics, physics, or space physics. Medical physics and Radiation Oncology Physics are not available as a course-based degree.

b) Thirty units (5.0 full-course equivalents) are required. In addition to Physics 603, 605, 609, 611, 613, and one of Physics 615 or 617, twelve units (2.0 full-course equivalents) will be within the area of specialization:

Astrophysics – Astrophysics 699 plus 9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents) labelled ASPH (two of these may be at the 500 level). Physics 629 and Space Physics 679 may be taken instead of Astrophysics courses.

Physics – Physics 699 plus 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) labelled ASPH, PHYS, or SPPH (these may be at the 500 level) plus 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) labelled PHYS, at the 600 level or above.

Space Physics – Space Physics 699 plus 9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents) labelled SPPH, at the 600 level or above. Physics 509 may replace a SPPH course.

d) A comprehensive examination with a written and oral component.

Doctor of Philosophy

a) A minimum of 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) at the 600 level or higher for students who hold a master's degree.

b) A minimum of 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents) at the 600 level or higher for those entering the doctoral program without a master's degree.

c) For students specializing in Radiation Oncology Physics who do not hold an accredited MSc degree in Radiation Oncology Physics, Medical Physics 623, 625, 632, 633, 637, 638, 639, and two courses from Physics 609, 611, 613, and Physics 615 or 617.

Postdoctoral Diploma in Radiation Oncology Physics

Twenty-four units (4.0 full-course equivalents) including Medical Physics 711, 712, 721, 722, 731, 741 and two of Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources 793, 741 or Strategy and Global Management 797.01.

Postdoctoral Certificate in Radiation Oncology Physics

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a postdoctoral certificate in Radiation Oncology Physics. This certificate program is a two-term program for students with PhDs in Physics wishing to transition to a career in clinical radiation oncology physics. Students will acquire a broad background in medical physics including radiation physics, radiobiology, radiation safety, medical imaging and the modern practice of radiation oncology, through intensive coursework and hands-on experience. The program is designed to meet all the recommendations in Report 197S of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. At the completion of this program students will be well-prepared to begin a residency in medical physics. Potential candidates for this program must hold a PhD in Physics or a related discipline.

The program requirements consists of six courses (Medical Physics 623, 625, 633, 637, 638, 639) and one quarter-course equivalent (Medical Physics 632). The semester schedule below is for full-time students:

Fall
Medical Physics 623 Radiological Physics and Radiation Dosimetry
Medical Physics 638 Imaging for Radiation Oncology Physics
Medical Physics 639 Radiobiology and Radiation Safety for Medical Physicists

Winter
Medical Physics 625 Radiation Oncology Physics
Medical Physics 632 Clinical Rotation in Radiation Oncology Physics
Medical Physics 633 Radiation Oncology Physics Laboratory
Medical Physics 637 Anatomy and Statistics for Medical Physicists
Ethics and Errors – offered not for credit

No substitutions accepted.

Graduation requires successful completion of all required courses with a minimum grade of "B".

Postdoctoral Certificate in Radiation Oncology Physics: Regular attendance at Radiation Oncology Rounds, Grand Rounds and non-credit training sessions such as the Ethics and Errors course (winter term) – offered not for credit.

Credit for a maximum of 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) may be given for courses taken at the 500 level.

Postdoctoral Certificate in Radiation Oncology Physics: No credit will be given for undergraduate-level courses.

Expected completion time is two years for full-time students in a thesis master’s program, three years in a course-based program, four years in a doctoral program, and two years in the Postdoctoral Diploma program. Maximum completion time is four years for a thesis master’s program, and six years for a course-based master’s or a doctoral program. Expected completion time is 8 months (two terms) for a student in the Postdoctoral Certificate in Radiation Oncology Physics program.

Newly admitted students will normally be supervised by the Graduate Director or an interim supervisor in their field of interest during the first 8 months in program. During this time students will normally complete all of the course work and have an opportunity to become acquainted with the research of potential supervisors within the department. Students are responsible for securing a permanent supervisor from among the researchers in the department within the first four months in program. Registrants in the Postdoctoral Diploma program are supervised by the Director of Medical Physics or designate, Tom Baker Cancer Centre.

The MSc program has a supervisory committee requirement which follows the same requirements and rules as the PhD.

Postdoctoral Certificate in Radiation Oncology Physics: All students will be supervised by the Postdoctoral certificate co-ordinator or delegate co-ordinator for the duration of their program.

Master of Science (course-based)

Two weeks before the comprehensive oral examination, students must write a three-hour, closed-book comprehensive examination, prepared by the Departmental Graduate Affairs Committee in collaboration with the supervisor.

Master of Science (thesis-based)

Thesis Examination

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations for Thesis Examinations, the Department requires:

Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s draft thesis document before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee
The Internal Examiner may be internal to the home program.

The thesis examination is open.

Doctor of Philosophy

Candidacy

Doctoral students must complete a written thesis proposal and an oral Field of Study examination. For complete details of the candidacy requirements, see phas.ucalgary.ca/graduate/programs/doctoral_phd_thesis_based/candidacy_exam.

Thesis Examination

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations for Thesis Examinations, the Department requires:

Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s draft thesis document before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee
The Internal Examiner may be internal to the home program.

The thesis examination is open.

Postdoctoral Certificate in Radiation Oncology Physics

Students are evaluated through assignments and course-based examinations.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, please see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.

Students applying for scholarships must submit their applications to the Department by January 15.

Registrants in the Postdoctoral Diploma program must hold an Associate Medical Physicist position, which is a paid appointment.