Physics is the basis of all other sciences and involves the study of space, time and energy. There is scarcely an area of modern life that is not affected by physics.
Physicists are highly trained scientists, with knowledge of mathematics, computer programming, the design of complex instruments, and the analysis and interpretation of complex sets of data. They are also versatile scientists, able to cross boundaries into other subjects like chemistry, biology, medicine, and earth and planetary sciences. Advances in physics often enable advances in new technologies. There is significant demand for physicists in Canadian industry.
At the U of R, you can take one of three bachelor’s degree programs in physics:
Bachelor of Science in Physics
This program is intended for those who want to study physics as part of a general education or to combine physics with other disciplines to pursue a career in areas such as science journalism, technology, and medicine. A bachelor’s degree in physics is useful for professional programs such as medicine, law, or business administration. The large number of electives in this program allows you to obtain a significant background in another scientific subject, such as mathematics, chemistry, computer science, geology, or physical geography.
Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics
The innovative program in Applied Physics combines the best of modern physics instruction with practical knowledge in related fields. This program is a co-operative effort between the U of R and participating industry employers.
Bachelor of Science Honours in Physics
The Honours program is more specialized, and provides solid preparation for those intending to study physics at the graduate level. This program includes an Honours research project during the last year of study.
What is Physics?
Physics is the study of matter, as well as its motion through space and time, and how it reacts with heat, light, electricity, and sound. Physics is the most basic and fundamental of all the sciences, and one of the oldest academic subjects.
Physicists seek to understand how things work. This includes everything from elementary particles, to nuclei, atoms, molecules, macromolecules, living cells, solids, liquids, gases, plasmas, living organisms, the human brain, complex systems, supercomputers, the atmosphere, planets, stars, galaxies, and the universe.
Some of the main fields of physics include:
- acoustics, astrophysics, atmospheric and space physics, atomic and molecular physics
- biophysics, condensed matter physics, cryogenics, electrodynamics
- fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, general relativity and other gravity theory
- geophysics, medical physics, nuclear physics, optics and quantum optics, particle physics
- plasma physics, quantum field theory, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics