Choosing an Undergraduate Program

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 Calendar

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.

Student Advising

For those of you who always wanted to understand how the universe works on the smallest or largest scales, or who would like to understand the science behind the most advanced current and future technologies, the Department of Physics and Engineering Physics at the University of Saskatchewan offers several degree programs.

Bachelor of Science Programs

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.

  • B.Sc. in Physics (Three-Year, Four-Year and Honours)
  • B.Sc. in Mathematical Physics (Honours only. This program is offered as an interdisciplinary program together with the Department of Mathematics & Statistics.)
  • Minor in Astronomy: Students with an interest in Astronomy may take courses leading to a Minor in Astronomy in conjunction with a Bachelors degree. Students are required to complete 18 credit units of Astronomy, including ASTR 101.6.

Bachelor of Engineering Programs

In the Engineering Physics program, students would register in the College of Engineering and share a common first year with other engineering students. Physics and physics experimentation are emphasized more than in the other Engineering specialties. The curriculum includes mechanics, electrodynamics, modern physics, statistical physics, and optics, along with the engineering requirements. A student would spend on average four to five years completing this degree with the possibility of 8-16 month industrial internship at the end of the third year. Further information on the B.E. program can be found in the University of Saskatchewan Calendar's pages on Engineering Physics.

  • B.Sc. in Engineering Physics

Scholarships and Awards:

Our Department annually awards prestigious named awards, bursaries and scholarships (in alphabetical order):

  • Balfour Currie Memorial Scholarship
  • C.W. Lake Book Prize in Astronomy
  • Dennis Skopik Scholarship in Physics
  • Dr. Raymon Montalbetti Bursary
  • E.L. Harrington Prize
  • Gerry 'Git' Rempel Memorial Scholarship in Physics
  • James F. Mathison Memorial Scholarship
  • Jennette Gertrude Traynor Awards
  • Philip William Graham Scholarship
  • Roger Phillips Scholarship in Physics
  • Ruth and Eber Pollard Scholarship in Physics (the Ruth and Eber Pollard Scholarship in Engineering Physics is awarded by the College of Engineering)
  • Sylvia Fedoruk Scholarship
  • William R. Ducie Scholarships
We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of the donors who made these awards possible. Some of these awards require applications to our departmental office by October 31.
Please note that there are also other scholarships, which are directly awarded by your College or the University. Please consult the Awards Guide of the Registrar's Office for details. Besides Physics & Engineering Physics you should also check your College (Arts & Science or Engineering, respectively).
If you want to become a Physics teacher, also check out the College of Education for Scholarships and Awards.

Students who completed at least one year in our programs: Depending on the agreement of a supervisor in the department, you can apply for an NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Award to collaborate in a research project during the summer.