The study of physics allows us to understand how the universe works—from the fundamental forces of nature to their effects on matter and the environment around us.
This knowledge enables the development of future technologies and provides a deeper insight into nature. The reasoning, mathematical, experimental and computer skills acquired while earning a physics degree empower our graduates to pursue careers far outside the traditional boundaries of physics—or even science—including medicine, dentistry, business and law. Typically, physics students enjoy scientific experiments, computation and mathematics, as well as solving complex problems and developing new, innovative ideas.
All physics streams are flexible enough to cover the requirements for admission into professional schools in Canada and the United States.
Program Description
Our Honours Physics program is designed to prepare you for leadership positions in both academic and industrial research and to meet the competitive employment needs of the Canadian high-technology industry. We offer small class sizes and award-winning faculty. Honours Physics may be taken with or without a thesis option, and a co-op option is also available.
You will participate in a wide array of fundamental physics courses, many with hands-on laboratory components, as well as classes covering advanced mathematics, chemistry, and computer programming. Choosing options carefully allows for such minors as Computer Science, Mathematics or Business. We also offer multidisciplinary Honours BSc degrees in Chemistry and Physics and combined double majors such as Physics and Computer Science or Physics and Mathematics.
Experiential Learning
Our undergraduates gain valuable research/work experience by getting involved in Physics research as early as their first year. Students have experiential learning opportunities through co-op placements in Windsor and across Canada and US, the university’s Outstanding Scholars program, thesis courses for credit, summer placements and volunteer activities.
Our students work with experts in such diverse fields as: acoustic microscopy and materials characterization; nanoscale electronics; quantum control and quantum computing; atomic, molecular and optical physics; theoretical condensed matter physics; astroparticle physics; biophysics and medical physics, including magnetic resonance imaging; and attosecond and ultrafast laser physics.
Student Support
Our close-knit, collegial student body organizes and leads our Physics Club, where students get together to promote interest in physics, help each other through their studies and socialize outside of the classroom setting. Our Science Resource Centre provides free tutoring for first-year courses.
Career Paths
Recent graduates have entered such diverse careers such nuclear safety analyst, optical engineer, technical editor, quantitative finance analyst, high school teacher, medical physicist, actuary and research scientist, both in Canada and abroad.
Graduates have gone immediately to positions at the Large Hadron Collider (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
Other careers include:
- Industrial and academic R&D
- Government and clinical laboratories
- Graduate studies (MSc or PhD) in physics/astronomy
- Professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and medical physics
- Computer programming/software development
- Financial services
- Entrepreneur, business
- Education (with additional studies)
- Law (with additional studies)
Admission Requirements
All physics programs have a mean admission average of 89% and a minimum admission average of 75% + 70% second science/math. ENG4U, MHF4U and SPH4U are required. MCV4U is strongly recommended and SCH4U is recommended.
