Physics
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
Quick Facts
Connect with us
Physics Meet Your Faculty
Why Study Physics at the University of Regina?
The U of R’s physics programs have a strong core-based curriculum. This includes courses such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and solid state physics.
You will benefit from small class sizes, mentorship from professors, and exposure to their research.
We offer summer research opportunities to interested undergraduate students, funded out of our research grants.
The U of R is a full member of TRIUMF, a subatomic physics laboratory in Vancouver, and has a close relationship with the Jefferson Laboratory in Newport News, Virginia, USA.
Research
The primary physics research area at the U of R is subatomic physics.
Research areas in applied physics include nuclear and CT imaging of plants and soil cores and the study of dinosaur fossils. One of our professors conducts research and modelling in astronomy.
Our cutting-edge research is done in collaboration with colleagues around the world. Our researchers perform nuclear and particle physics experiments at specialized laboratories in Canada and abroad, and bring data back to Regina for in-depth computer analysis. These activities provide our researchers and students the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, interact with international collaborators, and develop a broad range of expertise in their chosen field.
Co-op education program
Co-op work terms provide you with career-related work experience, job search skills, and a higher chance of obtaining full-time employment upon graduation. Work term placements for physics students are primarily in the technology sector. Placements can be in-province or out-of-province. Past employers have included cancer clinics, technology companies, universities and national labs.
Facilities
Our facilities include advanced detector development labs, equipped with a wide-range of traditional and modern instrumentation that includes:
- Nuclear Imaging Lab
- T2K Lab
- Hall-C Detector Lab
- GlueX Detector Development Lab
- Radioactive Beams Detector Lab
Professors and their students also develop detectors that are then shipped to national facilities (TRIUMF, Saskatchewan Centre for Cyclotron Technologies) and international facilities (Jefferson Lab, T2K Japan and others) where they are installed and operate as part of large collaborative research projects funded by national governments from many countries. Students train on the use of the instrumentation and contribute to the development of the detectors. In the past, they have gone to those labs to participate in installing the equipment or to contribute directly to detector efforts at the facilities.
Physics Student Society
The Physics Student Society encourages students to pursue their education in nuclear physics, and provide them with experience in nuclear technology, project management, and science policy.
Students develop subatomic physics instrumentation (muon detection systems) and participate in outreach visits to schools in Regina and rural areas. Through presentations and demonstrations, student club members show youth that everyone can work equally in physics.
Students in the Physics Student Society learn project and budget management, group and task organization, technical skills in microprocessors and associated electronics, and science policy.
Expert professors and instructors
Physics faculty members are active scholars whose research occupies a significant portion of their academic work. By engaging in research, they remain at the forefront of knowledge, passing that knowledge on to their students.
Learn from expert faculty members whose research interests include:
- Observational astronomy, planetary science and dynamical modelling of exoplanets
- Nuclear structure and astrophysics of rare isotopes and neutrinoless double beta decay
- Quantum physics and relativity, effective field theories
- Development of imaging modalities for plants and disease diagnosis and treatment
- Experimental studies of Hadron structure with electron and photon beams
- Neutrino physics and dark matter
- Nuclear imaging of plants
Our research programs are well funded through federal, provincial and international awards.
Accreditation
We encourage our graduates to consider applying for Professional Physicist Certification from the Canadian Association of Physicists.
The best part about taking undergraduate studies in physics at the U of R was the amount of work and research experience I was able to obtain. I was given the opportunity to do research at the university for the summers after my second, third, and final year, gaining valuable knowledge in experimental techniques, computer programming, and different areas of research. I also gained work experience through the co-op program, which provided me with an opportunity to see into the field of Medical Physics, and I gained teaching experience in my final year as a lab instructor for a first-year course. Every single student I spoke to in physics obtained work experience during their undergrad studies, either through summer research, teaching labs, or marking assignments. I’m very thankful for all of the experiences I gained that helped me choose an area of research that I am extremely excited to pursue!
I think the most noteworthy aspect of the physics program at the University of Regina is the level of camaraderie within the student community. The small classes produce a relaxed, comfortable lecture atmosphere, and the student-professor relationships thrive as a result. It is evident that the professors care personally about your success as a student and as a future scientist; on top of high-quality lectures, they do a wonderful job of promoting research opportunities and are more than willing to write reference letters and give advice. I'm leaving the University of Regina feeling exceptionally well prepared to continue my education. The department provided me with a fantastic education, lifelong friends, and an early exposure to the cutting edge of research. Thanks guys!
Physics Frequently Asked Questions
The honours program has higher academic requirements. To graduate with a Bachelor of Science Honours degree, you must have an overall average of at least 70 per cent, and an average of least 75 per cent in physics courses and other required science courses.
If you are interested in the honours program, you must get permission from the physics department.
Applied physics deals with practical physics, meaning the study of things for practical application. Applied physics is a segment of physics that is intended for a particular technological or practical use. Applied physics is also related to engineering.
You can transfer from another U of R program, or from other college and university programs, as long as you meet the admission requirements for the Faculty of Science.
Yes! We offer the following scholarships to undergraduate physics students:
- Science 10th Anniversary Entrance Scholarship
- Faculty of Science Indigenous Scholar Award
- Huber Undergraduate Physics Scholarship
- Dr. Neil Knecht Scholarship in Physics
- June and Jack Krogan Women in Science Scholarship
- SED Systems - A Division of Calian Ltd. Scholarship
- Dean of Science Scholarly Achievement Award
- Petar C. Hein Memorial Scholarship in Physics
Use our online Student Awards Management System (SAMS) to find other awards and scholarships for which you may be eligible.
Physics Programs Concepts and Goals
U of R physics majors have gone on to work in positions including research scientist, software developer, radiation safety officer, health physicist, teacher, and more.
Study
Your studies will include:
- The properties and behaviour of matter and energy
- The origin, evolution and structure of the universe, and the fundamental laws of nature
- Mechanics, waves and optics, electricity and magnetism, and heat and thermodynamics
- Health physics
- Atomic and nuclear physics
- Quantum mechanics and relativity (e.g., gravitation, black holes and cosmology)
- Solid state physics
You will also learn research methods and data analysis using specialized electronic and computer equipment.
Get experience
Co-op work terms provide you with practical, hands-on learning experience in your field and help you develop professional competency skills. You can also get experience through summer research opportunities.
Get jobs
Because of their unique skill set, physics majors are hired in a wide variety of areas. They are trained problem solvers with a broad perspective, and they can make connections between different fields and see solutions where others cannot.
What Can You Do With a Physics degree?
Upon successfully completing your bachelor’s program in physics, you will be ready for the next step of your career. Some of our students continue their education with graduate studies.
To explore minors that may be available in this program area, please visit the Academic Calendar or meet with your faculty advisor in the Academic Advising Office after you are admitted.
The jobs physics graduates go on to include:
- Astronomer
- Astrophysicist
- Geophysicist
- Health Physicist
- Industrial Physicist
- Medical Physicist
- Physicist
- X-Ray Crystallographer
Related Programs
