Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Physics (OUX) (Optional Co-op)

Studying physics gives insight into the fundamental laws of nature. The rigorous training University of Ottawa’s students receive in analyzing and understanding complex problems is valuable in many future careers. While many of the graduates have established careers in universities and in the high tech sector as research and development scientists, others have used their physics degrees as a springboard to careers in finance, administration, medicine, management or education. The range of career opportunities is perhaps wider than for any other students with a science education. 

Physicists have revolutionized the way of living, with groundbreaking discoveries and new technologies, transferable to other fields such as biology or finance. Professors and graduates are an important part of this chain. Many of University of Ottawa’s professors have also been recognized for their teaching and are seen as world-class researchers in their fields of expertise.  

The research conducted by the professors in the Department of Physics is concentrated in several sub-specialties, including the physics of biological and complex systems, condensed matter physics, photonics and the physics of geomaterials. Depending upon students’ choice of program, they have the opportunity to take courses and participate in research projects in these specialized areas. 

In addition to the Honours BSc in Physics, University of Ottawa offer three other Honours BSc programs. The first is in physics-mathematics, which provides enriched mathematics training within a physics program. The second is the option in photonics, which gives students a solid training in physics and a more applied and industry-related training in photonics. The third is the option in biological physics, which teaches students to apply a rigorous education in physics to various areas of life sciences. University of Ottawa also offer a Major in Physics that can form the core of an Honours BSc when combined with a major or a minor in another discipline in the Faculty of Science, or in another faculty. 

The Department of Physics also has strong graduate programs, leading to an MSc or PhD. They give students the opportunity to work on cutting edge science in a research group led by one or more department professors.