Aim for a career with astronomical possibilities.
Do you look up at night and dream of distant galaxies? Do you wonder about the origin of the universe? Explore your curiosity with a Physics and Astronomy degree from Waterloo.
Complement your foundational studies in physics and math with courses in astronomy. Interested in research? Waterloo's Centre for Astrophysics hosts aspiring young researchers and students, helping them to unlock the mysteries of the universe.
The program’s strong ties to Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics provide additional opportunities to get involved in research. Meanwhile, if you opt for our co-op program, you’ll gain valuable résumé-building experience during your work terms.
Join a program that fosters curious minds to question the smallest particles, the largest forces, and everything in between. Get the support you need to succeed (and maybe win a Nobel Prize like Waterloo professor Donna Strickland or be part of the team using images of black holes to learn about general relativity, like professor Avery Broderick).
Once you complete your degree, you’ll have what it takes to pursue specialized graduate programs or to launch directly into a career in fields like aerospace, astrophysics, or remote sensing.
What courses will you take in Physics and Astronomy?
First-year courses
In your first year, you'll take a mixture of Physics, Computer Science, and Chemistry courses to give you the foundations for your upper-year classes. After first year, most of your classes will be Physics courses with some Mathematics courses.
September to December
- CHEM120/CHEM 120L – General Chemistry 1/Laboratory or EARTH 121/121L – Introductory Earth Sciences, or 100- or 200-level BIOL with lab (if applicable)
- CS 114 – Principles of Computing for Science
- MATH 127 – Calculus 1 for Sciences
- PHYS 10 – Physics Seminar
- PHYS 121/PHYS 121L – Mechanics/Laboratory
- ENGL 193/COMMST 193 – Communication in the Sciences
January to April
- CHEM 123 – General Chemistry 2 or EARTH 122/122L – Introductory Environmental Sciences , or 100- or 200-level BIOL with lab (if applicable)
- MATH 128 – Calculus 2 for the Sciences
- PHYS 10 – Physics Seminar
- PHYS 122/122L – Waves, Electricity and Magnetism/Laboratory
- PHYS 124 – Modern Physics
- PHYS 175/175L – Introduction to the Universe/Laboratory
This a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.
Note: First-year courses CHEM 120, CHEM 120L, and CHEM 123 may be replaced by first-year Biology or Earth Science courses.
After first-year
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 all the courses required for your degree.
Types of courses you'll take
This is a general guideline. The ratio of courses may change slightly from year to year.
Skills you'll develop with this major
- Applied programming and data analysis
- Image analysis and manipulation
- Building and working with detector technology
- Statistical analysis techniques applicable to a wide range of disciplines
- Telescope operation
- Physical reasoning and model building
This isn't an exhaustive list – rather a glimpse into the skills a Physics and Astronomy major can provide.
Your experience will be unique, and the skills you develop will depend on your goals; which courses you take; and your involvement with any clubs, jobs, or research projects.
Customize your Bachelor of Science degree
You can specialize with a minor in astrophysics or biophysics or choose to add additional areas of interest from across campus by including a minor or option as part of your degree.
Emily, a Physics and Astronomy student, loves the program because it deals with questions that people have been asking since ancient times.
Faculty:
Faculty of Science
Degree:
Bachelor of Science in Physics and Astronomy
Available as a co-op program?
Yes
Available as a regular program?
Yes
Available as a minor?
No
Award-winning teaching. As well as small class sizes, you’ll enjoy great teaching. This is a department that has racked up an impressive eight Distinguished Teaching Awards. Check out some of the research being conducted by professors in this major on our Waterloo Stories website.
Benefit from Canada's top program. Waterloo is ranked #1 in Canada for physics (Academic World Ranking of Universities 2024).
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience — and make money!
Sample co-op job titles
- RADARSAT operations support assistant
- Sun-earth development program assistant
- Science math tutor
- Undergraduate research assistant
- Software development testing coordinator
Co-op work-study sequence
Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Off |
| Second | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Third | Co-op | Co-op | Study |
| Fourth | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fifth | Study | Study | - |
Your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2027).
Admission requirements
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Two of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, or Physics
Admission averages: Low 80s
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements for Physical Sciences (which includes the Physics and Astronomy major).
How to apply
Apply to Physical Sciences and choose Physics and Astronomy as your major.
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Please contact our Faculty of Science recruitment team who can answer any questions you have.