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Current Graduate Students

Program Timeline and Additional Resources

MSc Program Timeline

Year 1: Term 1

  1. Initiate Research
  2. Confirm Senior Supervisor (before beginning of 2nd term)

Assocated Tasks

Submit the Approval of Supervisory Commitee Form to the Graduate Program Assistant

  • The form should have your Senior Supervisor's information, and be signed by you and your Senior Supervisor
  • Check the box that states "Senior Supervisor only appointed at this time. Other committee members appointed later"

Relevant Links

Year 1: Term 2

  1. Confirm second supervisory committee member
  2. Develop a research plan for supervisory committee review

Assocated Tasks

Submit the Approval of Supervisory Commitee Form to the Graduate Program Assistant to add additional member.

Only use Change of Supervisory Committee Form if you are changing your committee members.

  • The form should have your Senior Supervisor's information, and be signed by you and your Senior Supervisor
  • The form should also have the information for at least one additional Supervisor to complete your Supervisory Committee
  • Check the appropriate box that states "No change to Senior Supervisor"

Relevant Links

Year 1: Term 3

  1. Present MSc plan, including research and any remaining course requirements, for supervisory committee approval.
  2. Students may initiate a PhD transfer request within the first six semesters at SFU, and to do so must have completed a minimum of 75% (12 units) of their MSc coursework.

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

  1. Continue with research plan.
  2. Meet with supervisory committee if any significant
    changes to the plan are required.

Year 2: Term 2

  1. Submit research summary and thesis outline for supervisory committee approval.

Year 2: Term 3

  1. Submit complete thesis draft to supervisor for approval to defend.
  2. Defend thesis.

Associated Tasks

Visit the SFU Physics Thesis and Defence Page for detailed procedures and resources for preparing for your thesis defence.

PhD Program Timeline

Year 1: Term 1

  1. Identify potential research projects
  2. Begin developing requisite expertise in one's
    research area
  3. Confirm senior supervisor

Assocated Tasks

Submit the Approval of Supervisory Commitee Form to the Graduate Program Assistant

  • The form should have your Senior Supervisor's information, and be signed by you and your Senior Supervisor
  • Check the box that states "Senior Supervisor only appointed at this time. Other committee members appointed later"

Relevant Links

Year 1: Term 2

  1. Develop a three-semester research plan for supervisory committee review
  2. Confirm supervisory committee members

Assocated Tasks

Submit the Approval of Supervisory Commitee Form to the Graduate Program Assistant to add additional members.

Only use Change of Supervisory Commitee Form if you are changing your committee members. 

  • The form should have your Senior Supervisor's information, and be signed by you and your Senior Supervisor
  • The form should also have the information for at least two additional Supervisors to complete your Supervisory Committee
  • Check the appropriate box that states "No change to Senior Supervisor"

Relevant Links

Year 1: Term 3

  1. Present PhD plan, including research and any remaining course requirements, for supervisory committee approval.
  2. 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

  1. Continue with research plan.
  2. Meet with supervisory committee if any significant
    changes to the plan are required.

Year 2: Term 2

  1. Continue with research plan
  2. Document progress for supervisory committee review
  3. 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.

Associated Tasks

Schedule an Annual Progress Review with your Supervisory Committee

  • Clilck the link above for detailed instructions for completing your Annual Progress Review

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

Complete a Request for Information form for the following:

  • Employment Verification Letter (Mortgage/Credit Verification)
  • Immigration Canada Letter (Verification of Employment)

Submit the completed form to SFU payroll for processing: payroll@sfu.ca

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:

  1. The name and address of the agency to whom the letter will be addressed.
  2. 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.
  3. Indicate whether you require the letter in a sealed and stamped envelope, or if you will be uploading the letter online.
  4. 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.

Graduate Student Business Cards

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