PSI Bridge Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any fees to apply?
No.
Do I have to pay a fee to attend the online program?
No.
What previous knowledge should students have to participate in the PSI Bridge program?
PSI Bridge students should have spent several years learning undergraduate physics through coursework or self-study. They should also have identified topics in classical mechanics, special relativity, quantum mechanics, statistical physics, and/or mathematics at the advanced undergraduate level that they want to learn with a supportive peer group before starting a graduate program in physics. Priority will be given to students who do not have other opportunities to learn these topics with a peer group.
Will the PSI Bridge program cover graduate-level topics?
No. The PSI Bridge program will cover topics that will be useful to know before starting a graduate program in physics, such as the Perimeter Scholars International (PSI) master’s program
What topics will be covered in the PSI Bridge program?
The precise topics covered will depend on the participants’ interests and instructors’ judgment of which material is most relevant. Possible topics include but are not limited to: aspects of Lagrangian or Hamiltonian dynamics, perturbation theory in quantum mechanics, ensembles in statistical mechanics, topics in complex analysis, and distributions (generalized functions).
In what language is the PSI Bridge program offered?
The study materials, discussions, problem solving sessions, and Q&A sessions are offered in English only. Mentoring is available in English or French.
I am planning to apply for the PSI Start program. Can I also apply for the PSI Bridge program?
PSI Start and PSI Bridge happen in parallel, so it is not possible to attend both at the same time. Students who apply for both can only be selected for one of the programs.
Is there any financial support?
While there are no participation fees for PSI Bridge, Perimeter Institute recognizes that participation in an online program may be a financial burden to some students. Financial support, such as funding for IT equipment, is available to participants based on their needs.
If I’m uncertain whether I’m eligible to apply, what should I do?
Please contact [email protected]
How many referees can I list?
Applications must include at least one referee name and email address, with space available for an optional two referees.
How do my referees submit their reference letters?
We encourage you to contact your referee before listing them on your application. Please let them know that they will receive an automated email from AJO (Perimeter's application tool) with instructions for submitting their reference letters and that letters should address specific questions as outlined in "What to include your reference letter".
NOTE: Referees will NOT be able to access your application or view your private information.
Can anyone in the world apply? Which countries are eligible?
Students around the world who meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply. Students outside of the Eastern Time Zone should expect that the synchronous meeting schedule may not match their usual daily routine of waking and sleeping times.
Synchronous meetings will likely happen close to regular working hours in Waterloo (roughly between 9am and 5pm, with the possibility of extending the time window a bit in either direction) with two separate sessions (morning and afternoon) to accommodate for different time zones. The exact schedule of the meetings is not fully fixed and will be updated if there are changes in availability of students or instructors.
It is highly recommended that prospective applicants consider the time difference between Waterloo and their community before applying.