Become a versatile scientist who seeks to understand how matter and energy work. You'll learn how to use observation and analysis to discover and explain the physical laws and forces of nature, such as gravity, electromagnetism, and nuclear interactions.
This program is also offered at UBC's Vancouver Campus
Find out moreProgram information
Send details- Campus: Okanagan
- Faculty: Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
- Degree: Bachelor of Science
- Length 4 yrs
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Co-op
Yes
You can combine your studies with full-time, paid work at top local and international organizations.
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Honours
Yes
You can study intense specialization in a single field.
Physics is the study of matter, energy, and the interactions between the two. Using observation and analysis, physicists attempt to discover and explain the physical laws and forces of nature, such as gravity, electromagnetism, and nuclear interactions. Physicists also find ways to apply laws and theories to problems in nuclear energy, electronics, optics, materials, communications, aerospace technology, navigation equipment, and medical instrumentation.
The Physics program provides grounding in both theoretical foundations and laboratory practice, preparing you for a career in high-tech industry, computer software development, secondary education, or post-graduate studies.
Undergraduate research
In your senior-level coursework, you have the option of taking directed studies, where you will undertake a supervised investigation of an assigned topic. You can also take an advanced lab course, where you will complete a major experimental research project that results in a formal report and class presentation of your results. The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science holds an annual undergraduate research conference on UBC’s Okanagan campus to showcase student research projects.
Campus features
UBC’s Okanagan campus is home to a number of world-class research facilities, including the Centre for Optimization, Convex Analysis and Non-Smooth Analysis (COCANA).
The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science holds an annual undergraduate research conference on UBC’s Okanagan campus to showcase student research projects.
You can also connect with peers through the Quantitative Sciences Course Union and the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) mentoring program.
Send details
Life at UBC's Okanagan campus
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the 40 best universities in the world. In the Mathematical Sciences program at UBC’s Okanagan campus, you gain all the benefits of attending a globally respected university while studying in a close-knit learning community.
Find out moreYour future
As a graduate of Physics, you’ll be prepared for further study in the field, or to enter into a career in such areas as aeronautics, defence, aerospace, communication or tech, and science centres/museums.
Program requirements
English-language requirements
English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard.
General admission requirements
IB Diploma Programme
- Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.
IB Certificate Courses
- IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.
- IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the UBC Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.
Degree-specific requirements: Science
- IB Math Analysis and Approaches SL or HL, or IB Math Applications and Interpretations HL (IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, are not acceptable)
- One of IB Biology, IB Chemistry, or IB Physics
- Grade 11 or equivalent Chemistry
- Grade 11 or equivalent Physics is strongly recommended
Note: Grade 11 Chemistry and Physics requirements listed are only relevant to students who are not completing the equivalent IB Diploma Chemistry and/or Physics courses.
For students studying outside of Canada, some examples of courses that may be accepted as Grade 11 equivalents are junior-level courses for American students, and IGCSE and O Level for those following British-patterned curricula.
Related courses
The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.
- Language Arts
- Mathematics and Computation
- Sciences