Undergraduate Programs

A degree in Physics prepares students for studies in areas including atmospheric science, condensed matter physics, geophysics, medical physics, nuclear physics, particle physics, planetary astronomy, plasma physics, space physics, subatomic physics and theoretical physics. Many graduates go on to the M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs at the USask and other top universities around the world, making important scientific and technological contributions.

Graduates of Physics and Engineering Physics take up jobs in a wide range of areas. They work in electronics industries, in hospitals, in research laboratories and in schools and universities. They can be experimental or theoretical physicists specializing in medical physics, biophysics, subatomic physics, material physics, geophysics, astronomy, and cosmology to name just a few. Graduates often find jobs in other areas where training in Physics or Engineering Physics is an asset. 

There are two streams of students in the department: those seeking the Bachelor of Science Degree (B.Sc.) in the College of Arts and Science and those seeking the Bachelor of Engineering degree (B.E.) in the College of Engineering. Both programs apply experimental methods and theoretical analysis, through the use of mathematics and computers, to the solution of problems in the physical world. Good standing in Physics 30, Algebra 30, and Geo-Trig 30 are prerequisite. It is to the advantage of the student to have taken Calculus 30 at the high school level. Detailed information on admission requirements and program descriptions can be found in the University of Saskatchewan admissions site. 

The three and four year majors programs may be of interest to prospective science teachers as well as to students with other science majors who wish to strengthen their physics background. Both the B.Sc. and the B.E. programs balance the theoretical and practical aspects of physics. The B.Sc. programs develop stronger theoretical skills in contrast to applied skills developed in the B.E. program. Qualified students from each of these streams can pursue graduate studies.

• How to Apply
• Requirements

Programs in Physics offer several areas of study with an emphasis on applying experimental methods and theoretical analysis, with the aid of computers and mathematics, to the solution of problems in the physical world. All programs involve courses and laboratory work in electrodynamics, mathematical and experimental methods in physics, mechanics, optics, statistical physics, thermodynamics and quantum theory. You will also have the opportunity to take courses in astronomy and astrophysics.

Students majoring in Physics can choose from one of the following degrees:

• B.Sc. Three-year
• B.Sc. Four-year
• B.Sc. Honours (specializations available in astronomy; atmospheric, space and plasma sciences; materials science; nuclear science; and theoretical physics)

The department also offers a 15-credit Certificate in Astronomy that can be completed alongside or separately from a degree.

The B.Sc. curricula deals with mechanics, electrodynamics, optics, quantum theories, mathematics, and experimental methods. The three and four year majors programs provide a basic core curriculum, with less emphasis on the advanced classes than in the Honours programs. A student would decide, in consultation with the department, between the Honours and Majors programs at the end of the second year. Further information on the B.Sc. programs can be found in the University of Saskatchewan Calendar's pages on Physics and Engineering Physics. 

Besides careers in their traditional domains of teaching, researching, and applying the fundamental laws of nature in science and technology, Physicists can be found in all kinds of professions where their experimental, analytic and computational skills are useful.

Here are a few popular job sites for Physicists which are maintained by learned societies (and therefore focus on the more traditional domains of physics careers):

• Postings on the website of the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP).
• Postings on the website of the American Institute of Physics (AIP) magazine Physics Today.
• A useful Physics job site from the British Institute of Physics (IOP).
• A Physics job site from The Internet Pilot To Physics.