What Does a Physics Degree Actually Mean?

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1 DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY Brandon University Faculty of Science Department of Physics & Astronomy Phone (204) Fax (204) This document is meant as a planning guide only. Students are advised to consult with the Chair of the Department if they have specific questions about the program. Physics is the study of the fundamental laws of nature that govern the structure and behavior of matter and energy from submicroscopic fundamental particles to giant elliptical galaxies. It also provides the foundation on which rests much of the technological innovation in the modern world; for example, computers, microwave ovens, GPS systems, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and digital cameras, all of which were all developed by physicists. Physics today is a fundamental science that is combined with other important disciplines. For example, Medical Physics uses physical processes in the design of new treatments and instruments for medicine; Biophysics uses computer simulations of pharmaceuticals and cell membranes to study drug interaction on a cellular level; Astrophysics uses astronomical methods to detect and study the physics of planets around distant stars; and Geophysics uses precision sensing (e.g. electromechanical, gravitometric, etc) to discover and map new mineral and petroleum resources under the Earth s surface. Today s physicists are at the forefront of technology; designing and building quantum computers, developing precise calibration of GPS systems, and searching for new fundamental particles. They tackle bigpicture questions in theory as well as applications that affect our daily lives and shape the human condition. Physics is a basic science grounded in the scientific method with applications that permeate all other sciences, engineering and technology. Physics graduates develop skills that enable them to work on a wide variety of pure and/or applied physical problems. Outcomes of a Degree in Physics from Brandon University BU is not a college, but a university. As such our philosophy in the Department of Physics & Astronomy is that we are not training students for a job, but rather for a life of learning, intellectual challenge and contribution to society. Specifically our Department s mission is to prepare our majors for the rigors of research and technological development in physics, and to enable them to succeed in their choice of career in science and technology. Specifically, the two pillars that we help students to build a foundation upon are 1) problem-solving, and 2) mastery of relating and applying mathematics to real world situations. The first important ability that a BU physics graduate perfects is their keen problem-solving skills. This is the reason that graduates with a physics degree are sought in nearly all areas of business and industry. A physics student is trained in a systematic (scientific) approach to solving complex problems in R&D, finance, logistics, and marketing. They also develop the imagination to create alternative ways of solving new and existing problems. For example, new graduates with physics degrees are in demand (and are particularly well paid) as modelers in the financial sector, where they create new mathematical models to describe and forecast the rise and fall of the markets and probabilities of specific events. Physics graduates also naturally excel in the field of Accounting where keeping track of quantities (numbers) among large, complex model budget sheets is required. Many physics graduates who have a strong interest in business and finance now work in market analysis and forecasting on Wall Street, as chartered professional accountants or as financial planners. The second key characteristic of a BU physics graduate is their ability to translate the physical world into the universal language of science --- mathematics. This gives them the ability to manipulate and exploit a physical process in a controlled way to create a new device or a product, a new experiment or measurement, and even a new question or idea. Physics graduates everywhere are sought 1

2 for their ability to relate mathematical expressions to real world phenomena, which is the first and most fundamental step in any company s research and development programs, or engineering activities. At BU our physics graduates are pre-accepted into one of the top five engineering schools in North America (the School of Engineering at the University of Minnesota) where they can complete a 2-year after-degree program in one of 12 Engineering branches, becoming doubly-prepared for a competitive career in, and a potent contribution to, today s arena of science and technology. Problem-solving and mathematical modeling skills of Physics graduates are also exemplified by Geophysicists, who explore for new mineral and petroleum deposits by designing new ever-more accurate sensing instruments and processing and interpreting the complex data that come from them. Finally, it is well-documented that students with a 3 or 4-year Physics degree have the highest success rate of any Major in the sciences for entry into Medical School. Without exception, every BU student graduating with a 4-year major in Physics who has applied to Medical School in the last 10 years has been accepted. Careers Some examples of careers that holders of a physics degree can naturally move into are: Medical Physicist, Engineer in any engineering sub-specialty (including Electrical, Computer, Aerospace, Biomedical, Chemical, Geological and Mechanical engineers), Geophysicist, Financial Modeler, Chartered Professional Accountant, Particle Physicist, Science journalist, Astrophysicist, Science Teacher, Software Developer, and Meteorologist. The 3-year Physics degree program will specifically prepare students for entry into a variety of second degree options including Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine. Salaries The chart at left shows typical starting salary ranges offered by campus recruiters for a Bachelor s degree with various majors. The chart is compiled by the American Institute of Physics from 2009 salary data taken from the NACE (National Association of College and Employers). Typical salaries are in the middle of each range; i.e., between the 25th and 75th percentiles. It is readily apparent that Physics Majors command higher starting salaries than majors in most other fields in science. Some BU graduates in Physics: Where are they now? Chris Bidinosti is an Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Winnipeg. Chris Pugh (Valedictorian 2010; Canada Graduate Scholarship winner) is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Waterloo, working on the design and building of one of the world s first quantum computers. Tim Friesen is currently a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Calgary, and was part of the international Physics team that made world headlines in 2010 by showing that particles of anti-matter could be trapped and confined (e.g., see ). Brendan Cooper is now a M.Sc. graduate student at the University of Calgary, and credited with pioneering data processing techniques that led to the discovery of seven new supernova remnants in the Milky Way Galaxy. Mike Noel is a Medical Physicist with Cancer Care Manitoba. Evan Citulsky is the first BU Physics major to be accepted into the University of Minnesota s Aerospace Engineering program, after completing his 3-year degree at BU and transferring to Minnesota under our new agreement. Detailed Program Descriptions The following charts show a possible sequence of courses which will achieve each of the degrees within the appropriate time interval. The Department of Physics & Astronomy encourages every student considering a degree in Physics to consult with a member of the Department. 2

3 3-year B.Sc.: Program Outcomes: Students graduating with a 3-Year B.Sc. in Physics from Brandon University will possess a solid background in theory with the ability to relate mathematical statements to fundamental physical principles in mechanics. A 3-year Major will also gain a deep understanding of everyday physical principles, which is necessary to excel at public communication and outreach in the physical sciences; e.g., as a teacher, a planetarium director, a Public Education coordinator at a major Science centre, or as a Science journalist for media such as television (e.g. the Discovery Channel) and news magazines. Career/Graduate School Opportunities: Entry into second degree options include: Dentistry, Education, Engineering, and Medicine. Program Schedule (3-Year B.Sc. in Physics) First year 74:161 Foundations of Physics I (slot 3) 3 74:162 Foundations of Physics II (slot 3) 3 62:181 Calculus I (slot 2) :191 Calculus II (slot 2) :160 Computer Science I (rec.) (slot 5) 3 62:182 Linear Algebra I (rec.) (slot 4) :171 Intro. Statistics (rec.) (slot 4 or 11) 1 3 Humanities/Social Science elective 3 18:160 General Chemistry I (rec.) (slot 1 or 11) 3 18:170 General Chemistry II (rec.) (slot 11) 3 Second year 74:275 Modern Physics (slot 5) 3 74:272 Electricity and Magnetism (slot 1) 3 74:276 Math Physics I (slot 4) 3 74:281 Computational Physics (slot 4) 3 62:290 Calculus III (rec.) (slot 1) :291 Calculus IV (rec.) (slot 5) :290 Inter Physics Lab (slot 13 )(both terms) 3 Humanities/Social Science elective 3 Humanities/Social Science elective 3 62:252 Applied Linear Algebra (rec.) (slot 2) 1 3 Third year 74:382 Intermediate Mechanics (slot 2) 3 Open elective 3 74:388 Quantum Mechanics I (rec.) (slot 1) :385 Differential Equations (rec.) 3 Humanities/Social Science elective 3 74:387 Statistical Thermal (rec.) (slot 2) 2 3 Open elective 3 74:383 Fields and Waves (rec.) (slot 11) :390 Adv Physics Lab (rec.) (both terms) 2 3 Open elective 3 Footnote: 1 A minor in Mathematics is normally associated with a major in Physics; its requirements are met above. 2 In preparation for continuing to a Four-Year Degree, a number of these courses could be taken in third year. The three-year degree requirement of 30 credit hours in Physics specifies only that 74:382 and two other 200/300/400 courses be taken. 3

4 4-year B.Sc. Program Outcomes: Students graduating with a 4-Year B.Sc. in Physics from Brandon University will possess the same aptitude in mathematically describing basic physical principles with Newtonian mechanics that the 3-year Major would, but gains an enhanced ability to relate more complex and subtle physical principles to non-standard mathematics found in Einstein s Special/General relativity and in Quantum Mechanics. Virtually all fields at the forefront of scientific research and technological development today require fluency in Relativity and Quantum mechanics; for example, GPS systems rely on relativistic physics corrections, and digital imaging arrays in cameras and NMR/MRI medical imagers were developed from the principles of Quantum Mechanics. A 4-year degree recipient is thus prepared for work in the most competitive and cutting-edge fields of science and technology. They are also prepared for research at the graduate level, and for the advanced courses in Physics that are taken as a graduate student in M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs offered at larger universities with graduate degree programs. Career/Graduate School Opportunities: Entry into second degree options include: Law, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine. Entry into Graduate School in Physics, Astronomy, and other related disciplines requires a 4-Year Degree. Program Schedule (4-Year B.Sc. in Physics) First year 74:161 Foundations of Physics I (slot 3) 3 74:162 Foundations of Physics II (slot 3) 3 62:181 Calculus I (slot 2) :191 Calculus II (slot 2) :160 Computer Science I (rec.) (slot 5) 3 62:182 Linear Algebra I (rec.) (slot 4) :171 Intro. Statistics (rec.) (slot 4 or 11) 1 3 Humanities/Social Science elective 3 18:160 General Chemistry I (rec.) (slot 1 or 11) 3 18:170 General Chemistry II (rec.) (slot 11) 3 Second year 74:275 Modern Physics (slot 5) 3 74:272 Electricity and Magnetism (slot 1) 3 74:276 Math Physics I (slot 4) 3 74:281 Computational Physics (slot 4) 3 62:290 Calculus III (slot 1) :291 Calculus IV (slot 5) :290 Inter Physics Lab (slot 13 )(both terms) 3 Humanities/Social Science elective 3 Humanities/Social Science elective 3 62:252 Applied Linear Algebra (rec.) (slot 2) 1 3 Third year 74:382 Intermediate Mechanics (slot 2) 3 74:383 Fields and Waves (rec.) (slot 11) 3 74:388 Quantum Mechanics I (slot 1) 3 62:385 Differential Equations (rec.) 3 Humanities/Social Science elective 3 74:387 Statistical Thermal (slot 2) 3 74:390 Adv Physics Lab (rec.) (both terms) 3 Open elective 2 3 Open elective 2 3 Open elective 2 3 4

5 Fourth year 74:472 Math Physics II or 74:450 Elem Particles 3 74:473 Atomic Nuclear or 74:488 Quantum 3 (rec.)(slot 4) (cycled odd/even years) Mechanics II (rec.) (cycled odd/even years) Humanities/Social Science elective 3 62:385 Differential Equations (rec.) 1 3 Open elective :161 Computer Science II (rec.) (slot 5) 3 Open elective :383 Fields and Waves (rec.) (slot 11) 3 Open elective :363 Electronics (rec.) (slot 3) 3 Footnote: 1 A minor in Mathematics is normally associated with a major in Physics; its requirements are met above. 2 Open elective selections could be used to create a second minor after Mathematics. The simplest choice would be in Computer Science or Chemistry. 4-year B.Sc.(Honours) Program Outcomes: Students graduating with a 4-Year Honours B.Sc. in Physics from Brandon University will possess all the specialized skills and technical ability developed by a 4-year Major, with an emphasis on preparation for independent and original research in Physics and Astronomy. As well, the Honours degree prepares students for the rigors of a full load of graduate-level courses in Physics. Thus, the Honours program is the preferred 4-year Bachelors degree for entry into Graduate School. Career/Graduate School Opportunities: Entry into second degree options include: Law, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine. Entry into Graduate School in Physics, Astronomy, and other related disciplines requires a 4-Year Degree. Program Schedule (4-Year Honours B.Sc. in Physics) First year 74:161 Foundations of Physics I (slot 3) 3 74:162 Foundations of Physics II (slot 3) 3 62:181 Calculus I (slot 2) :191 Calculus II (slot 2) :160 Computer Science I (slot 5) 3 62:182 Linear Algebra I (rec.) (slot 4) :171 Intro. Statistics (rec.) (slot 4 or 11) 1 3 Humanities/Social Science elective 3 18:160 General Chemistry I (slot 1 or 11) 3 18:170 General Chemistry II (slot 11) 3 Second year 74:275 Modern Physics (slot 5) 3 74:272 Electricity and Magnetism (slot 1) 3 74:276 Math Physics I (slot 4) 3 74:281 Computational Physics (slot 4) 3 62:290 Calculus III (slot 1) :291 Calculus IV (slot 5) :290 Inter Physics Lab (slot 13 )(both terms) 3 Humanities/Social Science elective 3 Humanities/Social Science elective 3 62:252 Applied Linear Algebra (rec.) (slot 2) 1 3 5

6 Third year 74:382 Intermediate Mechanics (slot 2) 3 62:161 Computer Science I (slot 5) 3 74:388 Quantum Mechanics I (slot 1) :385 Differential Equations (rec.) 3 Humanities/Social Science elective 3 74:387 Statistical Thermal (slot 2) 3 Open elective 3 74:383 Fields and Waves (rec.) (slot 11) 3 74:390 Adv Physics Lab (both terms) 3 Open elective 3 Fourth year 74:472 Math Physics II or 74:450 Elem Particles 3 74:473 Atomic Nuclear or 74:488 Quantum 3 (rec.)(slot 4) (cycled odd/even years) Mechanics II (cycled odd/even years) Humanities/Social Science elective 3 62:385 Differential Equations (rec.) 1 3 Senior Honours Thesis 74: :161 Computer Science II (rec.) (slot 5) 3 Open elective :383 Fields and Waves (rec.) (slot 11) 3 Open elective :363 Electronics (slot 3) 3 Footnote: 1 A minor in Mathematics or Computer Science is required with an Honours degree. The requirements for a minor in Mathematics are shown above. 2 Open elective selections could be used to create a second minor after Mathematics. The simplest choice would be in Computer Science or Chemistry. 6