Bachelor of Science, Major Physics and Astronomy

Physics is the science which explores and identifies basic principles governing the structure and behaviour of matter, the generation and transfer of energy, and the interaction of matter and energy. Knowledge of physics is essential in other natural sciences, such as chemistry and geology, and to professions such as engineering, medicine, and dentistry. 
Medical physics is the application of physics to medicine. It generally concerns physics as applied to medical imaging and radiotherapy, although a medical physicist may work in many environments.

What is unique about this program at the U of M?

The Physics and Astronomy Department, which celebrated its centenary in 2004, is a medium-sized research intensive department. Graduates from its various programs currently hold prestigious positions in institutions in North America and Europe. The expertise of its 22 full-time faculty members is recognized by the role they play in numerous committees of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) and the granting arm of NATO, and those of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP), the International Astronomical Society, and the Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA). At present they attract in excess of $2.5 million in annual funding from a variety of sources including NSERC, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), both the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Canadian Space Agency among others. These funds help underwrite the support offered to graduate students in numerous areas, both experimental and theoretical, ranging from studies in the subatomic and atomic regimes, through large biological molecules to macroscopic, highly correlated systems, mathematical physics and medical physics.
The department of Physics and Astronomy offers its undergraduate students the opportunity of having summer research positions starting in the second year so that students can participate in summer research projects under the supervision of professors. This is a unique opportunity for students to have early exposure to a research experience.