Physics and Astronomy, M.Sc.
Physics and Astronomy
Head: Dr. Robert Stamps
Grad Chair: Dr. Gerald Gwinner
Campus Address/General Office: 301 Allen Building
Telephone: 204-474-9817
Fax: 204-474-7622
Email Address: info@physics.umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/science/physics-and-astronomy
Academic Staff: Please refer to the Physics and Astronomy website for Faculty information.
Physics and Astronomy Program Information
The department offers opportunities for graduate study in several experimental and theoretical fields of contemporary interest, leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
Admission Information
Admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies
Application and Admission Procedures are found in the Academic Guide.
Admission requirements for Master’s students are found in the Master’s Degrees General Regulations section of the Guide.
Physics and Astronomy M.Sc. Admission Requirements
To enter the Master’s program directly, a student must have an Honours B.Sc. degree in Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics and Physics, or Engineering Physics from the University of Manitoba or the equivalent. Students without the degree entrance requirements will have their undergraduate program evaluated and may be required to complete a pre-Master’s program of selected University of Manitoba undergraduate courses.
Application Information
Students should complete and submit their online application with supporting documentation by the date indicated on the Physics and Astronomy M.Sc. program of study page.
Degree Requirements
A Master’s degree in physics normally consists of both coursework and a thesis. For students in the Comprehensive Medical Physics M.Sc. program, the course load is increased and the thesis requirement is replaced by research project.
The Master’s program with thesis consists of two or three courses from the 7000 series offered by the department or from another department offering courses suitable for the candidate’s program. In special cases, courses may be drawn from the 4000 series as listed. The program of study extends through a minimum period of twelve months. Frequently two summers of research work plus one winter of research and coursework are required to complete the program. In addition to coursework, these students must submit a thesis and defend it orally.
The Comprehensive M.Sc. program in medical physics is a two-year (18-month, course work, 6-month research project) program which requires 36 credits. A clinical research project in an approved laboratory and the submission of a research report is also required. On completion of the coursework and research project, the student will be required to pass a comprehensive oral examination.
Expected Time to Graduate: 2 years
Progression Charts
Thesis Program
| Year 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| GRAD 7300 | Research Integrity Tutorial | 0 |
| GRAD 7500 | Academic Integrity Tutorial | 0 |
| Courses at the 7000 level | 6 | |
| Courses at the 3000 level or above 1 | 6 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| GRAD 7000 | Master's Thesis | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
| 1 | All undergraduate courses chosen from outside the department must be relevant to the thesis work. |
Comprehensive Program in Medical Physics
| Year 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| GRAD 7300 | Research Integrity Tutorial | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| Term 1 | ||
| PHYS 7390 | Radiation Protection | 3 |
| PHYS 7360 | Medical Radiation Physics | 3 |
| GRAD 7500 | Academic Integrity Tutorial | 0 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| PHYS 7370 | Radiation Therapy Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 7470 | Methods in Medical and Health Physics 2 - (Radiotherapy and Radiation Biology) 1 | 3 |
| Foundation of Physiology 2 | ||
| Functional Human Anatomy 2 | ||
| Hours | 6 | |
| Years 1-2 | ||
| Select up to 12 credit hours of additional elective courses 3 | 6 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| PHYS 7380 | Radiation Biology | 3 |
| PHYS 7400 | Linear Systems for Imaging | 3 |
| PHYS 7422 | Physics of X-ray Imaging | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| PHYS 7410 | Diagnostic Methods | 3 |
| PHYS 7430 | Physics of Nuclear Medicine | 3 |
| PHYS 7460 | Methods in Medical and Health Physics 1 - (Medical Imaging and Radiation Protection) 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 7700 | Research Project in Medical Health Physics | 0 |
| GRAD 7010 | Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
| GRAD 7000 | Master's Thesis | 0 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
| 1 | Research-based M.Sc. or Ph.D. Students should NOT take PHYS 7460 and PHYS 7470. |
| 2 | Students who have not taken Anatomy or Physiology at an undergraduate level (BIOL 1410, BIOL 1012 or BIOL 2410 or equivalent) are required to take ANAT 7014 Functional Human Anatomy (2) and/or BME 7012 Foundation of Physiology (2) in addition to the courses listed above. |
| 3 | Up to 12 credit hours of additional electives may be taken to achieve a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework and to meet program needs. At least 6 credit hours must be courses at the 7000 level, while 6 credit hours may be 4000 or higher level courses. Approved 4000 level courses include PHYS 4386, PHYS 4250, PHYS 4516, PHYS 4646. |
Registration Information
Students should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate Studies ‘GRAD’ courses applicable to their program. If you have questions about which GRAD course(s) to register in, please consult your home department/unit.
All students must consult with their advisor prior to registration.
Regulations
Students must meet the requirements as outlined in both Supplementary Regulation and BFAR documents as approved by Senate.
Supplementary Regulations
Individual units may require specific requirements above and beyond those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and students should consult unit supplementary regulations for these specific regulations.
Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR)
Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR) represent the core academic requirements a graduate student must acquire in order to gain, and demonstrate acquisition of, essential knowledge and skills.
All students must successfully complete:
- GRAD 7300 prior to applying to any ethics boards which are appropriate to the student’s research or within the student’s first year, whichever comes first; and
- GRAD 7500 within the first term of registration;
unless these courses have been completed previously, as per Mandatory Academic Integrity Course and Mandatory Research Integrity Online Course.
Students must also meet additional BFAR requirements that may be specified for their program.
General Regulations
All students must:
- maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+,
- meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum course requirements, and
- meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum time requirements (in terms of time in program and lapse or expiration of credit of courses).
Courses
Astronomy
Topics include static solutions of Einstein's equations, gravitational waves, static models for stars *(white dwarfs, neutron stars), dynamic models for stars (Birkhoff theorem, black holes), and cosmology (Robertson-Walker metric, Friedmann equations). Further topics discussed in the course are cosmic inflation, dark matter and energy, as well as large-scale structure of the universe. Students may not hold credit for both ASTR 4020 and ASTR 7020.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7010.
Mutually Exclusive: ASTR 4020, PHYS 4020
This course provides an introduction to the growing field of high-energy radiation processes and astrophysical sources. Processes include Bremsstrahlung, inverse Compton scattering, pion decay, and particle acceleration. Sources include compact objects, supernovae and their remnants, gamma-ray bursts, clusters of galaxies. Students may not hold credit for both ASTR 4100 and ASTR 7100.
Mutually Exclusive: ASTR 4100
This course provides an introduction to observational radio astronomy and processes in radio astrophysics. Topics include radiative transfer; blackbody radiation; radio telescopes, receivers, and interferometers; thermal (e.g., HII regions) and non-thermal (e.g., radio galaxies) continuum sources; pulsars and spectral-line sources. Students may not hold credit for both ASTR 4200 and ASTR 7200.
Mutually Exclusive: ASTR 4200
This course develops a theoretical understanding of the interstellar magnetic fields for a diverse range of astrophysical objects, processes, and phenomena. Furthermore, the theoretical aspects of magnetohydrodynamics, and foundations for the physics of cosmic ray diffusion and acceleration, are also discussed. Students may not hold credit for both ASTR 4400 and ASTR 7400.
Mutually Exclusive: ASTR 4400
Physics
Topics include Newtonian gravity, the theory of special relativity, relativistic hydrodynamics, relativistic electrodynamics, curved space-time, tensor calculus, and Einstein's equations. This course is taught together with PHYS 4010. Students may not hold credit for both PHYS 4010 and PHYS 4020.
Equiv To: PHYS 4010, PHYS 4020
Selected topics in advanced physics may be offered from time to time by the faculty or visiting lecturers. Credit for this course will be determined by the head of the department of Physics.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Two lectures per week for one term. The course covers the techniques and applications of mass spectroscopy. Special emphasis is given to the general principles of ion optics for use in the design of modern instruments.
The relevant physics of the production and interaction of radiation beams used in both diagnostic and therapeutic medicine will be covered. Such beams included X- and g-rays, particle beams, visible and I.R. radiation, microwaves, and ultrasound.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 4560 or consent of instructor.
The calculations and measurements necessary to determine the radiation dose distribution in patients receiving radiotherapy will be presented. Newer treatment modalities, e.g., pion therapy and hyperthermia will be discussed.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: PHYS 4510, PHYS 4560, or consent of instructor.
The interaction of ionizing and non-ionizing radiations with living systems. The relevance to Radiotherapy. Nuclear medicine and diagnostic radiology.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1020 or consent of instructor.
Ionizing radiation including X-ray, g-ray, neutrons, alpha-, beta-, and heavy ion-particle sources, bioeffects, and protection principles are covered. Non-ionizing radiation, including laser light, radio- frequency waves, ultraviolet and infrared light, and ultrasound, sources, bioeffects, and exposure protection guidelines are studied.
Fundamental principles of image formation, analysis of the characteristics of medical images, parametric description of image quality; application to transmission radiography.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
This course is an intensive introduction to the fundamentals of medical imaging using magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound. Included is an in-depth look at the physics and mathematics of image formation. Note this course is challenging with a great deal of mathematical content.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: PHYS 7400/4400 or consent of instructor.
X-ray imaging is the oldest form of medical imaging, yet continues to undergo dramatic technological development and innovation. This course will cover topics related to clinical and diagnostic x-ray imaging, including: x-ray production; x-ray detection; special radiographic systems; mammography; fluroscopy; digital imaging; computed tomography and theoretical and practical aspects of image reconstruction and image quality.
Nuclear medicine covers a range of topics from radionuclide based imaging methods to treatments through administration of radioisotopes. Knowledge of nuclear structure, radioactive decay and the interaction of radiation with matter are essential to understanding the application of radiotracer methods to medicine and the function of highly sophisticated nuclear medicine imaging equipment. This course will cover topics related to clinical and diagnostic nuclear medicine including: radioactive decay; interaction of radiation with matter; radionuclide and radiotracer production counting statistics; radiation detection systems; nuclear medicine imaging systems; emission computed tomography; image reconstruction and evaluation and radiation dosimetry.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7400/4400 or consent of instructor.
Selected topics in advanced physics. This course may be offered from time to time by the faculty or visiting lecturers.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: consent of instructor.
This practical course is designed to give students hands-on experience with equipment, clinical techniques and methods of analysis in medical imaging and health physics. Topics such as: dosimetry of unsealed sources, radiation shielding design and surveys, meter calibration, decontamination and plume dispersal, CT, Ultrasound, X-ray and Nuclear Medicine imaging techniques, mammography and quality assurance in medical and health physics will be covered. Students are required to take both PHYS 7460 and PHYS 7470 which will be offered in consecutive years. Note: only students accepted to the Medical Physics Program will be allowed to register for this course
This practical course is designed to give students hands-on experience with equipment, clinical techniques and methods of analysis in radiotherapy and radiation biology. Topics such as: error analysis and data reduction, dosimetry of ionizing radiation, radiotherapy treatment planning, calibration, HDR brachytherapy, micro-dosimetry and quality assurance in medical physics, will be covered. Students are required to take both PHYS 7460 and PHYS 7470 which will be offered in consecutive years. Note: only students accepted to the Medical Physics Program will be allowed to register for this course.
The principles of electrical and vibrational properties of primarily crystalline structures. Topics include free electron theory, electron-electron interactions, screening, phonons, electron-phonon coupling and transport properties.
A comprehensive survey of advanced topics in condensed matter physics. The topics may change from year to year but include collective excitations, defects, localized states, superconductivity, Josephson effect, superfluids, quantum Hall effect.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7500 or consent of instructor.
A comprehensive survey of magnetism and magnetic materials. Topics include the origins of magnetic interactions, types of magnetic order, domain structures, magnetization processes, dynamics, thin films, applications.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7500 or consent of instructor.
The principles of statistical mechanics. Topics include statistical ensembles, entropy, Fermi gas, Bose-Einstein condensation, superfluidity, phase transitions and equilibria, fluctuations, Fluctuation-Dissipation and Wiener-Khintchin theorems, liquids and dense gases.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 4390 or consent of instructor.
An advanced treatment of phase transitions and critical phenomena in a variety of systems. Topics include solvable models, mean field theory, Landau theory, scaling laws, series methods, renormalization group methods, linear response theory, generalized rigidity.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7540 or consent of instructor.
Relativistic single particle equations for bosons and fermions, quantization of fields, interacting fields, elementary quantum electrodynamics, covariant perturbation theory and Feyman diagrams.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7420 or consent of instructor.
Hadron and lepton scattering, the nucleon-nucleon interaction, nuclear structure, nuclear shell model, nuclear excitations and decay, hadronic interactions and decays, the quark model.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 4510 or consent of instructor.
A selection of advanced topics in nuclear and intermediate energy physics.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7570 or consent of instructor.
Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic potentials, gauge conditions, conservation laws, Green function methods, diffraction theory, simple radiating systems, Lagrangian derivation of Maxwell's equations and the covariant structure of electromagnetism.
Wave guides and resonant cavities, charged particles collision theory, Bremsstrahlung, radiation of moving charged particles, multipole radiation.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7590 or consent of instructor.
Basic particles and interactions, symmetries and conservation laws, the quark model, deep inelastic scattering, electroweak theory, introduction to QCD.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7420 or consent of instructor.
Describes astronomical standards such as intensity magnitudes, colour and metalicity; the properties of stars and the interstellar medium; galactic structure, kinematics, and the evolution of galactic components.
A continuation of PHYS 7660, this course provides mathematical descriptions of potential theory, disk dynamics and spiral structure, collisions between galaxies, and dark matter. Additional topics are galaxy evolution, large-scale structure of the universe and cosmology.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7660.
Covers the basic physical concepts required to extract qualitative estimates of astrophysical parameters, describes several aspects of observational astronomy, and it emphasizes in a more mathematical way the astrophysics of stellar structure and evolution.
Emphasizes the physics of interstellar matter and dust grains, gaseous nebulae, basic hydrodynamics, shock waves, and supernova remnants.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7680.
Students undertake a relevant research project in an approved laboratory. At least six months of full-time research is expected. The research project report shall be submitted in a style and length as specified by the department. A comprehensive oral examination will follow the submission of the project report.
Matter-radiation interaction, spectral line broadening, quantization of the radiation field, degree of coherence of light; number, coherent, chaotic and squeezed states of light, quantum theory of detection, laser theory, resonance fluorescence, light scattering, non-linear quantum optics.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Topics include the concepts and foundations of quantum mechanics, continuous and discrete symmetries, time dependent perturbation theory including interaction with electromagnetic fields and scattering theory. Not to be held with the former PHYS 7420.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PHYS 4380 (C+).