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In a nutshell
- Applications may be made at any time during the academic year. The Department responds to complete applications promptly; notifications being issued at any time during the year.
- Normal requirements: GPA 85%. TOEFL (for non-English speakers) 550 (paper based score), 213 (computer score), 86 (internet-based score: no individual scores below 20), IELTS 6.0/9.0, or Cultureworks level-4 (high-advanced).
- Application fee: CDN$65.
- Feel free to contact a potential supervisor directly to check if he/she accepts new students.
- An online application is available here.
- In addition to our regular grad programs, we offer two special programs:
Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics
Many advances in physics have served to demonstrate how ideas or calculational methods drawn from different subfields of physics can come together and provide fresh impetus. Notable examples are the use of quantum field theory techniques in condensed matter physics, and the role of astrophysical and cosmological information in elementary particle physics.
The UWO Theoretical Physics Program is designed to provide graduate students with a broad background in the various subfields of theoretical physics that are actively pursued at UWO, including astrophysics, atmospheric physics, atomic physics, condensed matter and surface physics, elementary particle physics, mathematical physics, classical and quantum gravity, plasma physics, and statistical physics. The Program actively encourages interaction and interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty and graduate students from all branches of theoretical physics research.
Candidates in the Theoretical Physics Ph.D. Program will be registered in either the Department of Physics and Astronomy or the Department of Applied Mathematics. The Program has distinct academic requirements directed towards the training of theoretical physicists and also fulfills the respective requirements of the department in which the degree candidate is registered.
Physics Department students completing the program will receive a Ph.D. degree in Physics. Applied Mathematics Department students completing the program will receive a Ph.D. degree in Applied Mathematics with the words Theoretical Physics included in parentheses on their diplomas.
- Basu, S. (Director)
- Miransky, V.A. (Associate Director)
For information on undergraduate-level theoretical physics please consult:
Application Procedures
Applications may be received at any time during the academic year.
If your theoretical physics research interests are in:
- biological and materials physics/soft condensed matter physics
- elementary particle physics and field theory
- gravitation, general relativity, and quantum gravity
- radiative thermodynamics, chaos, and diffusion
you should apply through the Applied Math department and can send program inquiries to Chris Essex (essex@uwo.ca), Department of Applied Mathematics, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada.
If your theoretical physics research interests are in
- astronomy and astrophysics
- atmospheric physics
- solid state physics
- nanostructures
please send program inquiries to Shantanu Basu (basu@astro.uwo.ca), Department of Physics, The University of Western Ontario, London Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada.
If you are unsure of which department or area suits your interests best, please feel free to contact the Director of Theoretical Physics by e-mail.