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Study the most fundamental aspects of nature in one of Canada’s largest and most innovative physics departments.
Physics at Waterloo offers award-winning teaching, 20 months of optional co-op experience, and partnerships with some of the biggest institutes in the world working at the forefront of physics research.
Choose from a broad range of courses in applied physics, astrophysics, biophysics, chemical physics, mathematical physics, and quantum computing. Then supplement your learning with hands-on labs and tutorials.
Over the course of your degree, you’ll develop the strong quantitative and analytic skills that industry is looking for. You’ll graduate well prepared for a career in engineering, biotechnology, medicine, or astronomy — or for graduate studies where you can delve deeper into the world of research.
Join a program that fosters curious minds to question the smallest particles, the largest forces, and everything in between. Where you'll get the support to possibly win a Nobel Prize in Physics (like Waterloo professor Dr. Donna Strickland) or be part of the team to take the first image of a black hole (like professor Avery Broderick).
In your fourth year, you can undertake a cutting-edge research project to explore your interests in physics — perhaps at Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing.
Be sure to take advantage of public lectures at the nearby Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.
As a Physics major, you can choose to specialize in applied physics, astrophysics, biophysics, chemical physics, mathematical physics, or quantum computing.
Waterloo is affiliated with the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
Earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Honours Physics
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
Admission averages: Low 80s
We recommend completing the Admission Information Form once you've applied.
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.
Apply to Physical Sciences and select Physics as your major in first year.
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Most of the classes you’ll take will be Physics courses and some Math courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.
View a list of all the courses required for your Physics major.
PHYS 234 – Quantum Physics 1
PHYS 242 – Electricity and Magnetism 1
PHYS 256 – Geometrical and Physical Optics
PHYS 358 – Thermal Physics
Apply to Physical Sciences, select Physics as your major
Offered by the Faculty of Science
Available as a major and minor
By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.
Within the program, you can focus on applied physics, astrophysics, biophysics, chemical physics, mathematical physics, or quantum computing. You can also add additional areas of interest from other subjects by including one or more of the minors available to all Waterloo students.
Common careers for Physics graduates include biomedical research and design, research and development, nuclear power research and operation, modelling, computer hardware and software development, financial analysis and forecasting, and more.
Learn about the future of careers in science.
Available as a