PhD in Astronomy in Canada at SMU

Program Overview for PhD in Astronomy in Canada:

The astronomy doctoral program includes eight lecture courses (credits are earned for relevant graduate courses taken), a series of graduate seminars, and research papers. Students can participate in original and important research and become world authorities in any field our faculty represents. Our program offers many opportunities for students to interact with visiting professors and researchers.

The Benefits of Doing a Ph.D. in Astronomy at Saint Mary’s

• Our faculty are associated with state-of-the-art international observatories and space-based telescopes.
• We have the Institute for Computational Astrophysics (ICA) access to the ACEnet high-performance computing facility.
• Our nuclear astrophysics faculty are associated with the TRIUMF particle accelerator.
• You can participate in hosting weekly visiting colloquium speakers.
• You’ll have opportunities to gain experience in astronomy education and public outreach through the campus-based Burke-Gaffney Observatory.
• Enjoy the collegial environment of a medium-sized department.

Saint Mary's University is the leading astronomy and astrophysics research center in Atlantic Canada. It offers degree programs leading to a master's degree. (Astronomy) and Ph.D. (Astronomy). Ph.D. The program is a four-year program that includes thesis research.

The eligibility for PhD in Astronomy in Canada for both domestic and international student is:

Master of Science degree in Astronomy, Physics, or a related field.

Additional documentation required:

1. Supplemental Form 
2. Transcripts: We will accept uploaded unofficial transcripts for evaluation purposes. Applicants must upload a grading scale with their unofficial transcripts. Successful applicants will be required to submit official final transcripts. 
3. Three (3) recommendation forms.
4. A current CV/Resume.

The M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Astronomy programs follow the general admission requirements and procedures of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research as outlined in the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar with the following additional requirements and procedures.

All students entering the Astronomy graduate program require a B.Sc. or equivalent in Astronomy, Mathematics, or Physics. Students with a B.Sc. or equivalent intending to pursue a Ph.D. enter the Astronomy graduate program at the M.Sc. level. Students with an M.Sc. may enter the Astronomy graduate program at the Ph.D. level and may be given course transfer credits for equivalent Saint Mary’s University graduate-level astronomy courses taken elsewhere.

Applications to the Astronomy graduate programs can be made at any time of the year.  The highest priority for fall admission will be given to applications received by February 1^st of the preceding winter. Applications may be obtained at http://www.smu.ca/academics/apply-to-grad-studies.html.  Prospective students who are in doubt about their qualifications should contact the graduate coordinator: astrogc@ap.smu.ca.

Students may apply for full-time or part-time status. Under special circumstances and subject to department approval, new or existing students may enroll in the program part-time. Admission and degree requirements for part-time students are the same as full-time students, but part-time students are not guaranteed full financial support.

In addition, students applying for admission into the astronomy Ph.D. program are normally required to have an M.Sc., or equivalent in Astronomy, Physics, or related field. Students, who do not yet have an M.Sc. degree, are required to enter the astronomy M.Sc. program first and then reapply for admission to the Ph.D. program when they have completed their M.Sc. degree. Optionally, before starting the second year of the M.Sc. degree, a student may apply to enter the Ph.D. in Astronomy Program.

Applications will be subject to approval by the Department and the Dean of the FGSR. If approved, the student does not take the M.Sc. thesis course, and no M.Sc. degree is conferred. At the start of the second year, the student would enter the first year of the Ph.D. program. Applicants to this program, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate their English language proficiency as outlined in Graduate Academic Regulation 1e with the following additional requirement: a TOEFL (iBT) score of at least 100, with no individual band below 20; or an IELTS score of at least 7.0, with no band below 6.5.

These are the test eligibilities for the PhD in Astronomy to qualify.

The scholarships available for the PhD in Astronomy are:

The international student tuition fees and costs for PhD in Astronomy in Canada.

Full-time students admitted to the program may be eligible for funds administered by St. Mary’s University. The plan proposes funding. All selected applicants will automatically be considered for graduate funding. Encourage students to apply for external scholarships.

Program Coordinator

Dr. Luigi Gallo
902-420-5637
Atrium 319C
astrogc@ap.smu.ca

Contact Us

Faculty of Graduate Studies & Research
902-420-5089
fgsr@smu.ca