Materials Science (PhD)

The typical entry requirement for the PhD in Materials Science is a M.Sc. or M.A.Sc. in a materials science-related discipline from a recognized university with a minimum grade of B+ (75%). The M.Sc. discipline may include, but is not limited to, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Earth Sciences/Geology and Mathematics. All applications will be evaluated by the Program’s Admissions Committee, which will determine the suitability of the prospective applicant’s academic background for entry into the Program (in light of the courses taken, research experience, etc.). Admission to the program also requires approval of the Office of Graduate Studies, as well as the assignment of a research supervisor.

Alternately, particularly strong applicants registered in a pertinent M.Sc. program may be permitted to transfer into the PhD program, provided they have completed at least 9 credits of M.Sc. course work. Such transfers will normally be done after one year of being registered into the M.Sc. program, with the approval of the Program’s Admissions Committee, the Office of Graduate Studies, and the research supervisor

On admission, each student will be assigned a supervisory committee composed of the student’s supervisor, plus two additional core faculty of the Program chosen by the Program Coordinator in consultation with the supervisor. The students will then meet with their supervisory committee and the Coordinator of the Program in Materials Science to discuss the proposed thesis research topic and the academic plan for the student.

Application Process

Step 1. Contact the Graduate Coordinator and/or individual faculty member about the possibility of becoming a student.  Students are encouraged to consult the faculty list on the Faculty Members tab in order to identify a potential supervisor (i.e. a faculty member they would like to work with).  

Step 2. Click here to submit the online application. Once students have applied, they will receive instructions (typically within 48 hours) from the Office of Admissions leading them to the MyLaurentian portal. Students can access the portal at my.laurentian.ca; sign in credentials will be provided in the correspondence received from the Office of Admissions upon successful completion of an application. The following documents will be required in order to complete an application.

Documents:

• Three Reference Forms (to begin the process at my.laurentian.ca click on "Reference Submission" on the left-hand navigation menu)
• Statement of Interest (to be uploaded via MyLaurentian)
• Curriculum Vitae/Resume (to be uploaded via MyLaurentian)
• Official Academic Transcript(s) from all post secondary studies* (Please note that current or prior Laurentian University students do not need to request transcripts)  

*Please note that official transcripts or WES course-by-course (for institutions attended outside of North America) must come directly to the Office of Admissions from the previous post secondary institution by requesting at the time of your application or by contacting the institution's Registrar's Office.

Step 3. Once the Admissions Office receives all information and the application is deemed complete, the application will be forwarded to the department.  An Admissions Committee meets to review the applications.

Step 4. The Admissions Committee will review all applications on file and make a decision regarding the suitability of each applicant.  The Admissions Committee will then make a recommendation to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies at Laurentian University. The Graduate Studies office will verify the dossier and if satisfactory, the Dean of Graduate Studies will forward the recommendation to the Office of Admissions at Laurentian University for admission. 

Step 5: If approved for admission, the Office of Admissions will send the student an Offer of Admission via MyLaurentian.  Applicants wishing to accept the offer of admission must indicate their response on MyLaurentian within 3 weeks of receiving the offer. Once the student has accepted the offer, a transition to the registration process occurs.

1. Check your program requirements

You can find your program requirements on this page, under admission requirements. For some Graduate programs you will need to secure a supervisor as part of your application process. You can find if you need to contact a supervisor on the how to apply to graduate programs page.

2. Complete your Application

Once you have reviewed your program requirements you can apply through the graduate application portal. This will take you to an external site, hosted by OUAC. Within 48 business hours of submitting your application you will receive an email with further instructions.

3. Setup your myLaurentian account and upload your documentation

Once your application has been received by Laurentian University, you will receive an email that contains information on accessing your myLaurentian Portal where you will continue the application process. To activate your account, visit the myLaurentian Portal and click the yellow bar "New to Laurentian".

Please note that the submission of items on the “My Checklist” is solely the obligation of the applicant. Please review this list carefully in order to complete your application.

Learn more on our how to apply to graduate programs page.

The degree options listed below are for the upcoming academic year, not the current academic year. If you are a current student looking for which courses to take in order to complete your degree options from a previous academic year's curriculum, please consult with an academic advisor.

Students must follow these regulations while in the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Approved Fields of Study:

• Structure and Properties
• Emerging Materials and Methods
• Interfaces and Coatings

PhD in Materials Science

MTRS 6000 – Thesis (6 Cr)
MTRS 6005 – Advanced Materials Science (3 Cr)
MTRS 6056 – Seminar in Materials Science (3 Cr)
Comprehensive Exam
At least one additional elective graduate course (3 Cr) from the list below:
   CHMI 5196 Topics in Analytical Chemistry
   CHMI 5316 Nanostructured Materials
   CHMI 5516 Topics in Advanced Thermodynamics
   CHMI 5517 Surface Chemistry of Biomaterials
   ENGR 5187 Solid Waste Processing and Recycling in the Minerals Industry
   ENGR 5196 Mineral Processing Technology
   ENGR 5206 Pyrometallurgical Process Engineering
   ENGR 5207 Advanced Mineral Processing
   ENGR 5216 Advanced Hydrometallurgy
   ENGR 5236 Special Topics in Extractive Metallurgy
   ENGR 5247  Polymer Reaction Engineering  
   MTRS 6065  Interactions of Ionizing Radiation with Matter:  Applications in Particle Astrophysics  
   PHYS 5406  Quantum Mechanics
   PHYS 5426  Quantum Statistical Physics
   PHYS 5437  Advanced Solid-State Physics
   PHYS 5456  Surface Physics