Master of Science (MSc) in Physics - Quantum Information

The program information below was valid for the spring 2023 term (May 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

• Admit term(s) 
  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Spring
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus
• Program type 
  • Collaborative
  • Master's
  • Research
• Registration option(s) 
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
• Study option(s) 
  • Thesis

• Minimum requirements 
  • An Honours Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Science with at least a 75% standing.
• Application materials 
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Physics Subject test scores for all students who have completed their post-secondary education outside of Canada.
  • Supplementary information form
  • Transcript(s)
• References 
  • Number of references:  3
  • Type of references: 

    2 of which are normally from academic sources

• English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Thesis option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must complete the following 4 one-term courses (0.50 unit weight):
  • PHYS 767 Quantum Information Processing (cross-listed with QIC 710)
  • QIC 750 Quantum Information Processing Devices
  • 1 graduate level course
  • 1 graduate level or 400 level undergraduate course. Undergraduate courses must be approved by the student’s supervisor and the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies, Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Associate Dean of Science for Graduate Studies prior to enrolment in the course.
• An average of at least 70% must be obtained in the required courses. A minimum grade of 65% is required for a pass in each course. If a student does not meet these minimum grade requirements, or receives a failing grade in any course, the student may be required to withdraw from the program.

Link(s) to courses

• Physics (PHYS) courses
• Quantum Information (QIC) courses

Master’s Thesis

• Students must complete a thesis based on some original research in quantum information. The subject of research must be approved by the candidate's supervisor.
• A listing of Quantum Information thesis supervisors and their home unit is available on the IQC website.
• Acceptance of the thesis requires the approval by an Examining Committee following an oral defence of the thesis.

Other requirements 

• Advisory Committee meetings: it is required that the student meet formally with their Advisory Committee within the first six months of registration and subsequently at least once per year. If the student receives more than one unsatisfactory evaluation from an Advisory Committee meeting, they may be required to withdraw from the program.
• The MSc Advisory Committee must consist of at least three members, including:
  • The student’s supervisor(s); the primary supervisor acts as the Committee Chair.
  • At least one Committee member that is a regular faculty member of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo. Note: This requirement does not apply for MSc students who are supervised by a Perimeter Institute faculty member with ADDS status.
  • At least two Committee members that are regular, adjunct, or cross-listed faculty members of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo or the Department of Physics at the University of Guelph.
• The MSc Defence Committee must consist of a minimum of three voting faculty members, including:
  • The supervisor(s).
  • Two other faculty members, of which one must be a regular faculty member of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo.