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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.