Student Information

Welcome to the Department of Physics and Astronomy! We hope you find your time here insightful and inspiring.

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) and the Faculty of Science each have a guide for all new graduate students.
This page is meant to supplement the information on those pages.


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Get to know the Academic Calendar

The Graduate Academic Calendar is the main contractual document between the student and the University. It is important that new students familiarize themselves with the content of the academic calendar as the requirements to complete your degree are listed there.


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Stay in the Loop

The Physics Graduate LEARNing Community puts all of the important dates, policies, procedures, forms, and program administration information in one central location. Use this community to submit forms, find answers, and chat with your peers.


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Know your Program Milestones

Visit our Program Milestones page for supplemental information about the steps you will need to follow along your path to your degree.


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Apply for Awards and scholarships 

An important part of every graduate student’s life is applying for funding. To get started, visit our funding and tuition page for more information on guaranteed funding, available scholarships and awards, and tuition fee schedules.


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Health and Safety 

Health and Safety training is mandatory for all MSc and PhD students. Log on to the UW Health and Safety website and complete the following online courses: 

  • Employee Safety Orientation (SO1001)
  • WHMIS (SO2017)
  • Workplace Violence Awareness (S01081)
  • Laboratory Safety (SO1010) [only required for students working in labs]

All courses must be completed prior to any lab, key, or TA assignments. It is necessary you review the Health and Safety package provided to you upon your arrival. 


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Teaching Assistantships

Teaching assistantships (TAs) are an important and integral part of teaching and learning inour community. Tasks range from holding tutorials, to supervising undergraduate labs, to marking assignments. Multiple opportunities for TAs are offered each year.
Visit our teaching assistantship information page to learn more about this part of our program.


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Office Space and keys

In order to be assigned office space, please contact the Department Support Specialist in the Physics Main Office. The Health and Safety modules mentioned above must be complete before keys will be given out.