Graduate Studies, Office of the Dean
York University
230 York Lanes - 4700 Keele Street 1
Toronto, ON, Canada M3J 1P3
Tel: (416) 736-5521
yorku.ca/grads
Change to Program/Graduate Diploma Academic Requirements
Proposal
1. Program/Graduate Diploma: Physics and Astronomy
2. Effective Session of Proposed Change(s): Winter 2016
3. Proposed Change(s) and Rationale
a) A description of the proposed change(s) and rationale, including alignment with academic
plans.
The admission requirements have been modified to require bachelor’s degrees in only physics,
astronomy or engineering physics. Students with other engineering or mathematics degrees would not
normally have sufficient physics background to succeed in our MSc program.
b) An outline of the changes to requirements and the associated learning outcomes, including
how the proposed requirements will support the achievement of program/graduate diploma
learning objectives.
Students must have the specified bachelor’s degree to ensure they have sufficient physics
background to succeed in the PHAS graduate courses
c) An overview of the consultation undertaken with relevant academic units and an assessment of
the impact of the modifications on other programs/graduate diplomas.
These changes do not affect other academic units or programs. They were approved by the
Graduate Program at the December 14, 2015 PHAS department meeting.
d) A summary of any resource implications and how they are being addressed.
There are no resource implications.
e) A summary of how students currently enrolled in the program/graduate diploma will be
accommodated.
These changes only affect incoming students.
4. Calendar Copy
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Graduate Studies, Office of the Dean
York University
Existing Program/Graduate Diploma Information
(change from)
MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Graduates with an honours degree, or equivalent,
in astronomy, physics, pure or applied
mathematics, engineering or engineering physics
from a recognized university with at least B+
standing, may be admitted as candidates for the
MSc degree. Other requirements expected of
students applying for graduate studies at York
University are summarized in the “Faculty
Regulations” section of this Calendar.
230 York Lanes - 4700 Keele Street 2
Toronto, ON, Canada M3J 1P3
Tel: (416) 736-5521
yorku.ca/grads
Proposed Program/Graduate Diploma Information
(change to)
MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in
engineering physics or an honours degree in
physics or astronomy, or equivalent, from a
recognized university with at least B+ standing,
may be admitted as candidates for the MSc
degree.
www.yorku.ca/grads/ | www.facebook.com/YorkUGradStudies
Graduate Studies, Office of the Dean
York University
230 York Lanes - 4700 Keele Street 3
Toronto, ON, Canada M3J 1P3
Tel: (416) 736-5521
yorku.ca/grads
Change to Program/Graduate Diploma Academic Requirements
Proposal
1. Program/Graduate Diploma: Physics and Astronomy
2. Effective Session of Proposed Change(s): Winter 2016
3. Proposed Change(s) and Rationale
a) A description of the proposed change(s) and rationale, including alignment with academic
plans.
The admission requirements have been modified to require bachelor’s degrees in only physics,
astronomy or engineering physics. Students with other engineering or mathematics degrees would not
normally have sufficient physics background to succeed in our graduate program. It is now explicitly
stated that students who do not yet hold a masters degree must have a bachelor’s degree from a
recognized university and the GPA must be at least B+. This aligns the PhD admission requirements with
those of the MSc Program. It is now stated that the supervisory committee must recommend the
promotion to PhD. This is to ensure integrity of the promotion process.
b) An outline of the changes to requirements and the associated learning outcomes, including
how the proposed requirements will support the achievement of program/graduate diploma
learning objectives.
Students must have the specified bachelor’s degree to ensure they have sufficient physics
background to succeed in the PHAS graduate courses. The degree must be from a recognized university
and the GPA must be at least B+ to ensure that the level of education and past performance are sufficient
to ensure success of the student in the Program.
c) An overview of the consultation undertaken with relevant academic units and an assessment of
the impact of the modifications on other programs/graduate diplomas.
These changes do not affect other academic units or programs. They were approved by the
Graduate Program at the December 14, 2015 PHAS department meeting.
d) A summary of any resource implications and how they are being addressed.
There are no resource implications.
e) A summary of how students currently enrolled in the program/graduate diploma will be
accommodated.
These changes only affect incoming students.
4. Calendar Copy
www.yorku.ca/grads/ | www.facebook.com/YorkUGradStudies
Graduate Studies, Office of the Dean
York University
Existing Program/Graduate Diploma Information
(change from)
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in engineering
or with an honours BSc degree in physics,
astronomy, or mathematics may be considered for
admission to a program leading to the PhD 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
Graduate Program in Physics & Astronomy. 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 candidates (PhD I) on the
recommendation of their research supervisor and
the Program Director.
Graduates with a master’s degree in physics,
astronomy, pure or applied mathematics,
engineering, or engineering physics from a
recognized university, may be admitted as
candidates (PhD I) in a program leading to the PhD
degree.
230 York Lanes - 4700 Keele Street 4
Toronto, ON, Canada M3J 1P3
Tel: (416) 736-5521
yorku.ca/grads
Proposed Program/Graduate Diploma Information
(change to)
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in engineering
physics or an honours BSc degree in physics or
astronomy, or equivalent, from a recognized
university with at least B+ standing may be
considered for admission to a program leading to
the PhD degree. However, such graduates must
first register as candidates for the MSc degree and
are required, before entering the doctoral program,
to demonstrate capability in several core areas of
the Graduate Program in Physics & Astronomy.
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 candidates (PhD I) for the
PhD degree on the recommendation of their
supervisory committee and the Program Director.
Graduates with a master’s degree in physics,
astronomy or engineering physics from a
recognized university may be admitted as
candidates (PhD I) for the PhD degree.
‘
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