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Current Graduate Students
Program Timeline and Additional Resources
MSc Program Timeline
Year 1: Term 1
Year 1: Term 2
- Confirm second supervisory committee member
- Develop a research plan for supervisory committee review
Year 1: Term 3
Year 2: Term 1
- Continue with research plan.
- Meet with supervisory committee if any significant
changes to the plan are required.
Year 2: Term 2
- Submit research summary and thesis outline for supervisory committee approval.
Year 2: Term 3
- Submit complete thesis draft to supervisor for approval to defend.
- Defend thesis.
PhD Program Timeline
Year 1: Term 1
- Identify potential research projects
- Begin developing requisite expertise in one's
research area - Confirm senior supervisor
Year 1: Term 2
- Develop a three-semester research plan for supervisory committee review
- Confirm supervisory committee members
Year 1: Term 3
- Present PhD plan, including research and any remaining course requirements, for supervisory committee approval.
- Begin executing research plan.
Associated Tasks
Schedule an Annual Progress Review with your Supervisory Committee
Clilck the link above for detailed instructions for completing your Annual Progress Review
Year 2: Term 1
- Continue with research plan.
- Meet with supervisory committee if any significant
changes to the plan are required.
Year 2: Term 2
- Continue with research plan
- Document progress for supervisory committee review
- Develop research plan for the next three semesters
Year 2: Term 3
Present PhD plan, including research and any remaining course requirements, for supervisory committee approval.
Associated Tasks
Schedule an Annual Progress Review with your Supervisory Committee
Clilck the link above for detailed instructions for completing your Annual Progress Review
Year 3 and Subsequent Years
Complete follow the Year 2 process through completion of your PhD program.
In the first month of your final term, please visit the SFU Physics Thesis and Defence Page for detailed procedures and resources for preparing for your thesis defence.
Forms and Resources by Category
Annual Progress Review
Course Planners
Supervisory Committee Forms
MSc to PhD Transfer
Additional Resources
Confirmation of Enrollment/Degree Requirements Letters
To access copies of these letters, please see the Dean of Graduate Studies Forms Website.
Immigration Canada Letters/Verfication of Employment Letters
Visa Support Letters
The Office of Graduate Studies will supply you with an official admission offer that contains study permit information that should be sufficient for your first Canadian visa application. However, while you are studying at SFU, you may need to apply for visa renewal, travel visas to other countries, or evidence of your funding to support a family member's visa application. In these cases the Department of Physics can provide you with a letter outlining your student status, the dates of your program, and the details of your funding offer.
Departmental Visa Support Letter
To request a Visa Support Letter from the department, please email the Physics graduate program assistant the following information:
- The name and address of the agency to whom the letter will be addressed.
- The anticipated completion date of your degree program. If this differs from the date we have on file, we will require an email from your senior supervisor updating the anticipated completion date.
- Indicate whether you require the letter in a sealed and stamped envelope, or if you will be uploading the letter online.
- Indicate the date you require the letter. Please allow one week if possible.
SFU Snap - Emergency Updates & SFU App Suite
SFU Snap is a comprehensive, official SFU app that brings together a variety of SFU information and resources, including Canvas information, transit schedules, dining and parking options, and more. We recommend installing this app on your mobile device and signing in, as it is also the means by which the university will send out push notifications in the case of emergencies on campus. For more information, see the SFU Snap page.