Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physics and Atmospheric Science Dalhousie University

Dalhousie is one of Canada's leading research-intensive universities, with an international reputation and world-class research facilities. Our graduate programs in Physics and Atmospheric Science provide students opportunities for research on campus with professors who are leaders in their particular fields of expertise.

Housed in a historic building located at the main Halifax campus, the Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science features newly renovated research laboratories containing a wide range of highly specialized, state-of-the-art instrumentation.

Our master's students conduct outstanding research in every area of physics, with guidance from faculty members, post-doctoral workers, undergraduate students and technical support staff.

Our faculty members hold an impressive number of prestigious research chairs. As well, the large number of research grants garnered by our faculty reflect the excellence of our department and our graduate studies programs.

You'll find our atmosphere is highly collegial with many collaborations and interactions between research groups. Coming to Dalhousie for Physics and Atmospheric Science ensures you're on the right track to an engaging career.

First year:

• Carry out research
• Take and pass two or three graduate-level courses
• Serve as a teaching assistant (TA) for undergraduate courses
• Meet with a supervisor and supervisory committee before the year’s end

Second year:

• Continue research
• Finish coursework
• Serve as a teaching assistant (TA) for undergraduate courses
• Submit PhD Qualifying Report and pass an oral examination
• Deliver a departmental seminar on a topic unrelated to your research
• Meet with a supervisor and supervisory committee before the year’s end

Third year:

• Continue your research
• Finish course requirements
• Serve as a teaching assistant (TA) for undergraduate courses
• Meet with a supervisor and supervisory committee before the year’s end

Fourth year:

• Continue and complete research
• Deliver a departmental seminar on your research
• Submit a PhD thesis and pass the oral examination.