Queen's 2015 Nobel Prize in PhysicsMasters of Applied Science (MASc)
The Accelerated Master's Degree program allows strong students in the Engineering Physics programs to begin work towards a Master's degree while completing their undergraduate degree. By working on a research project that will become their master's thesis during the summers after third and fourth years, the students can graduate with a full thesis-based master's degree in 12-16 months after finishing their Bachelor's degree. This saves approximately a year of time compared to students enrolled in the standard master's program. Students also get to work on larger research projects, which would not normally be offered to undergraduate students.
- Engineering Physics students apply for Accelerated Master's Degree in Applied Science (MASc) during fall term of 3rd year.
- Students must have first class grades (GPA of 3.7 or higher) and complete an application form.
- Students accepted to the program will complete their BASc degree after 4 years (with the rest of their class cohort) and complete MASc degree 12-16 months later.
- Students are paid during the summer after 3rd and 4th years. Students are eligible for NSERC summer USRA funding and are encouraged to apply.
- Students take ENPH 555 to replace ENPH 455 and two Graduate level courses during 4th year that can be used to satisfy the requirements for both BASc and MASc programs. ENPH 555 is a research project with significant engineering design, supervised by one (or more) faculty members and graded by a committee with at least one PEng (Professional Engineer) member.
- After 4th year (and graduation with a BASc degree in Engineering Physics), students immediately begin a graduate research project (during the summer), take the remaining two Graduate-level courses (F/W after 4th year), and complete and defend a thesis during the following summer. It is most likely that the research project will be a continuation/expansion of the ENPH 555 undergraduate research thesis.
Timeline for Engineering Physics Students
Year 1 (third year post-secondary)
- October: Co-ordinator requests available projects from department researchers.
- November: Announcements to current 3rd year Engineering Physics students about available projects.
- November/December: Supervisors interview students and make provisional offers of acceptance.
- Early January: Undergraduate Engineering Physics Chair and Graduate Chair review projects, student resumes and transcripts, and make formal offers for acceptance to Accelerated MASc program.
- May-August: Students work full time in supervisor's labs on a research project that can be preparatory work for the MASc project. Students apply to the department, with approval from the School of Graduate Studies, for permission to take graduate courses as "Special Student".
- September 1st: Students submit report of summer research, including literature review and proposed MASc Research Project. Students enrol in ENPH 555 which replaces ENPH 455 for their BASc program requirements.
Year 2 (fourth year post-secondary)
- September-December: Students take EngPhys 4th year courses, excluding ENPH 455, and adding two graduate-level courses (over fall and winter terms). Students register in the two graduate-level courses at no extra cost.
- October: Students are encouraged to apply for graduate scholarships (NSERC, OGS, others)
- December: Exam period for fall term courses and ENPH 555 mid-year evaluation.
- January-February: Students apply for the MASc program in the department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy
- January-April: Students take 4th year courses, excluding ENPH 455, adding two graduate-level courses (over fall and winter terms), and continuing working on ENPH 555 thesis project.
- March: Students write and submit ENPH 555 Thesis report, and give Poster presentations in a distinct session co-organized with ENPH 455 Posters.
- April: Students complete BASc courses and join the degree list for Spring (May) convocation with their BASc cohort. The two graduate courses can be applied to satisfy BASc degree requirement.
Year 3 (fifth year post-secondary)
- May-December: Students begin graduate studies full-time, working on thesis research, and taking remaining two graduate-level courses. Students request transfer of the two graduate courses taken in previous Fall/Winter for MASc credit.
- January-August: Students complete graduate research, write and defend thesis, and graduate with MASc degree at Fall (November) convocation. Alternately, students can apply to transfer to a PhD program without a full thesis, the same as Masters students.
FAQ for Engineering Physics Students
Yes.
No effect - students in the Accelerated MASc program are eligible for USRA funding.
Either the student or supervisor can choose not to pursue the accelerated MASc degree after the first summer. The student would then revert to the normal ENPH program, take 455 and the two tech electives, and graduate as normal. If the student has already taken ENPH 555 and the graduate course, he or she can still finish the BASc requirements and are not forced to complete the MASc degree. The two graduate courses can be used to satisfy BASc requirements and may be transferred to another school, if that school allows it.
Yes, just like any 'regular' MASc student, by applying during the fifth year of studies. Students can continue on to a PhD program if they have a first-class average, the supervisor supports the transfer, and they successfully pass a promotion mini-defense.
Finances
Accelerated MASc students receive generous research stipends during the summer months after their third and fourth years. For details, please contact your Undergraduate Chair.
Gerry Angelatos is the first Engineering Physics student to complete the Accelerated Master's Degree
As a third year student, I was first introduced to modern and active fields of physics, and the fact that I enjoyed and was much more stimulated by these courses made me begin to wonder if research was for me. The accelerated master's program at Queen's was an excellent opportunity for me to experience what research actually entails, and learn a massive amount of physics and research skills, without committing to a 5 year PhD program or even a standard 2 year Master's degree...
Gerry Angelatos