Welcome to Mathematical Physics!
As a Mathematical Physics student, you're part of a program that bridges the elegance of mathematics with the depth of physics. This program is designed for students who want to understand the universe through both abstract reasoning and physical laws, while exploring questions that range from the smallest particles to the structure of spacetime itself.
Many students choose MathPhys because they want to approach science at its most fundamental level. This program gives you the chance to study the deep theories that describe our world, while also learning how to translate those theories into testable predictions. By combining rigorous mathematics with observational perspectives, you'll gain the critical thinking and problem solving skills to connect abstract models to the real and physical world.
This page is your hub for resources, contacts and guidance as you move through the Mathematical Physics program.
Useful Links
General Advising Questions?
Looking for help with the following? Our full-time academic advisors can help! Please reach out to Heather and Maya on our General Advising page.
- Courses: Offerings, Selection, Enrolment, Overrides
- Academic Progression: Standings, Degree Checks
- Program: Plan Modifications, Work-Study Sequence Changes
- Administration: Important Dates, Administrative Procedures
- University Resource Awareness: Student Success, Counselling Referrals, Finances, etc.
Your Program-Specific Academic Advisor
Your Faculty Advisor can help with program-specific guidance, course and research advice, and academic/career pathways in your journey at UWaterloo.
Contact Dr. Epp if you would like academic support in the following plans:
- Honours Mathematical Physics (BSc)
Dr. Richard Epp
Available for in-person and virtual appointments upon request
Office: PHY 243
Email Dr. Epp at:
rjepp@uwaterloo.ca
Specialized Courses in MathPhys
In addition to core science requirements, our MathPhys program offers specialized courses that deepen your understanding of the theoretical foundations of physics, from quantum mechanics to general relativity.
Career Pathways
Depending on where your interests lie, here are some suggested courses that can help you prepare for different career directions, selected by your program advisor.
Biophysics: Highly recommend taking PHYS 249 and PHYS 267 to build your Python programming skills alongside linear algebra, statistics and data analysis.
Medical Physics: Take PHYS 383 and PHYS 483 for medical physics background as well as PHYS 249 and PHYS 267 to build your Python programming skills. Complete your physics degree and if you are interested in becoming a licensed medical physicist, you will need to complete a CAMPEP accredited graduate program. Talk to your advisor for more information.
Astrophysics: Many students are interested in pursuing astrophysics courses during their BioMedPhys journey. Take enough electives like PHYS 175, PHYS 275, PHYS 375, and PHYS 474 - and it can lead you to an Astrophysics Minor!
Computational Biology: Complement your computational physics courses with electives such as BIOL 266 (Computational Biology), BIOL 365 (Bioinformatics). This could lead to a Bioinformatics Option if planned carefully with CS courses.
Neuroscience: If interested in this topic, courses like BIOL 376 and BIOL 476 are achievable with careful planning of prerequisite courses.
Get Involved: Join the MathPhys Community
Being part of PhysAstro at UWaterloo means more than just coursework. It's also about engaging with peers, researchers and professional networks that will shape your academic journey and career path. Here are some ways to boost your connections:
- Departmental Student Representative: Share your voice and represent your peers in our official student rep role. Open to all years, this role involves surveys, town halls and being an official liaison between students and the department on all matters such as co-op opportunities, courses, and support systems. To learn more, watch for announcements or email phyugrad@uwaterloo.ca.
- Campus Clubs: Although our department is affiliated with FemPhys (promotion of inclusiviety, equity and community in physics), PhysClub (social hub for physics students) and MNS Society (for Materials and Nanosciences students), there are many clubs one can join from WUSA.
- Biophysical Society of Canada (BSC): With free membership for undergraduates, the BSC offers access to trainee resources, job boards and networking opportunities with biophysics researchers across Canada. Students can also join the Trainee Executive for leadership experience.
- Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP): This paid student membership allows you to connect with practicing medical physicists, participate in COMP committees and engage through their Student Council and Annual Scientific Meeting. Students can build their network if interested in going into the medical physics field.