The study path towards an astronomy career typically begins with an undergraduate degree in Physics. Further specialization in astronomy and astrophysics later takes place at the graduate level. Note already that teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels at Université de Montréal usually is in French.

Undergraduate Courses

The undergraduate (B.Sc.) physics program offers four courses in astronomy:

• PHY 2701 – Astronomie & astrophysique [Astronomy & Astrophysics]
• PHY 3070 – Relativité 2 [General relativity]
• PHY 3700 – Atmosphère et environnement stellaires [Stellar atmospheres and environments]
• PHY 3710 – Structure et évolution stellaires [Stellar structure and evolution]

For more information on the content of and prerequisites for these courses, click on their respective link or see:
http://en.phys.umontreal.ca/programs/undergraduate-programs/

Master’s and Doctorate Programs

To be accepted in the graduate programs, a student must hold an undergraduate (B.Sc.) degree in Physics (or equivalent), with a grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.3). Students meeting this criterion must also find a research supervisors amongst faculty who are part of the astronomy & astrophysics group.

The Master’s program requires a minimum of 9 credits of course work, including at least 6 at the graduate level. The remaining credits are attributed to the research project and written thesis.

The aim of the doctoral (Ph.D.) program is to train the student at a level such that he/she becomes able to independently carry out state-of-the-art research in his/her area of specialization. The student learns to master a new study topic, absorb and remain current on the associated technical literature, and define and develop research questions. A student completing a PhD should then be able to join a research team, and also function autonomously and bring to fruition his/her own research projects.

The doctoral programs requires a minimum of 9 credits of graduate course work, with 81 credits granted to research and writing of the doctoral thesis. All doctoral candidates must have a working knowledge of English. Non-native-French speakers can write their thesis in English. It is also possible to structure the thesis as a collection of research papers.

Graduate Courses

A description of all graduate courses offered in the physics department can be found at:
http://en.phys.umontreal.ca/programs/graduate-programs/

The twelve courses specific to astronomy and astrophysics are listed below. The «Selected topics » course is offered more irregularly, and is sometimes substituted for one of the regular courses.

• PHY 6669 – Cosmologie moderne [Modern cosmology]
• PHY 6710 – Naines brunes et exoplanètes [Brown dwarfs and exoplanets]
• PHY 6745 – Matière interstellaire et formation stellaire [Interstellar matter and stellar formation]
• PHY 6746 – Vents stellaires et milieu circumstellaire [Stellar winds and circumstellar medium]
• PHY 6756 – Fluides astrophysiques [Astrophysical fluids]
• PHY 6761 – Astérosismologie stellaire [Asteroseismology]
• PHY 6771 – Atmosphères stellaires [Stellar atmospheres]
• PHY 6780 – Instruments de l’astronomie [Astronomical instrumentation]
• PHY 6781 – Traitement des données astronomiques [Astronomical data analysis]
• PHY 6792 – Astrophysique des galaxies [Astrophysics of galaxies]
• PHY 6793 – Astrophysique des hautes énergies [High-energy astrophysics]
• PHY 6795 – Chapitres choisis en astronomie-astrophysique [Selected topics in astronomy & astrophysics]

Financial support

Prospective students contemplating graduate studies must, in their final undergraduate year, apply for graduate fellowships offered at the provincial level by FRQNT (http://www.frqnt.gouv.qc.ca/en/bourses-et-subventions) or federal level by NSERC (http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/index_eng.asp). It is also possible to secure a graduate fellowship from one of the research teams within the astronomy group. For more details regarding the rules and conditions associated with these various forms of financial support, please consult the departmental policy document at the following link: http://en.phys.umontreal.ca/student-resources/financial-support/funding-policy/; and the various grants available at this link: http://en.phys.umontreal.ca/student-resources/financial-support/ .