- MSc candidate in Astrophysics, University of Tokyo
- PhD candidate in Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology
- Associate attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
- Software engineer, Google
Get a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time UBC international student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all eligibility criteria.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Science website to learn more about Physics.
View full program detailsProgram information
Physicists study the material world and the energy that drives it, from the smallest particles like neutrinos and Higgs bosons, to the very largest structures in the universe, and ultimately the universe itself.
Program overview
- Campus
- Vancouver
- Program length
- 4 years
- Honours This option has additional requirements compared to those required in a Major specialization. Students must maintain high academic standing and may have to write a graduating thesis.
- Yes
- Co-op Co-op is an optional program where students alternate between academic terms and paid work terms. It’s an opportunity to gain relevant job experience while completing your degree.
- Yes
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- Degree
- Bachelor of Science
What you'll learn
Physics, which deals with matter and energy and the interactions between the two, allows us to understand phenomena that take place around us and in the universe. Physical laws help us perceive our world. Some physicists use these principles in theoretical areas, such as the nature of time and the origin of the universe. Others apply their physics knowledge to the development of advanced materials, electronic and optical devices, and medical equipment.
Physics is available as a major or honours degree, with options for a combined honours in Physics and Astronomy, which is suggested if you wish to enter a career in research. Combined honours in Chemical Physics and Physics and Mathematics are also options. When combined with proper electives, the Physics specialization is suitable as pre-training for a professional degree in architecture, commerce, education, law, or medicine. The large number of electives will enable you to obtain significant background in another field, such as computer science, applied mathematics, physical geography, oceanography, geophysics, or geology. You may wish to select a double major, which can be obtained by satisfying the degree requirements in two subjects.
Experiential learning and research
First-year Physics classes are taught using the flipped-classroom model to ensure that you receive individualized help, even in large, lower-level lectures. The Department of Physics and Astronomy has a strong outreach program that helps run events such as the UBC Physics Olympics, the Michael Smith Challenge, and the Canadian Physics Olympiad.
Program advantages
Study at one of the top physics departments in Canada with an outstanding international reputation. Canada’s National Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Physics, TRIUMF, is located at UBC and is a world-renowned accelerator for the study of sub-atomic science. Electives offer training for entrance into medicine, law, education, business, or architecture.
Courses
There are hundreds of courses you can take within Physics. Here are a few you might like.
Kinematics including curvilinear motion. Forces and Newton’s laws of motion. Work-energy theorem, conservation of energy. Conservation of momentum, collisions. Torque, rotational dynamics, angular momentum. Oscillations and waves.
Review of kinematics, Newton’s laws, angular momentum and fixed axis rotation. Rigid body motion, central forces, non-inertial frames of reference. Introduction to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics
Selected experiments in electromagnetism and electronics; computer data acquisition; advanced data analysis and simulation
Animal systems viewed from a physicist’s perspective. Topics include sensory systems, energy budgets, locomotion, internal flows, physical advantages of grouping
Outcomes
A degree in Physics can lead to a career in medical physics, education, high technology, business, science journalism, or many other fields. The specialization will help you cultivate your ability to think logically, while also emphasizing research and communication skills. A high level of numeracy and strong computational skills are also vital to the successful completion of a BSc in Physics.
More than one third of UBC BSc Physics graduates further their studies in MSc/PhD programs or medical, law, education, or journalism school.
Program graduates
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“After graduating from UBC, Euweng found a way to pursue his love of music and physics at the same time by going on to study acoustics at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University.”
Euweng C., Physics
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Program requirements
Choose application type:
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, and
- Grade 11 or equivalent Physics (may be waived with grades of 5 in IB Chemistry and in your IB Mathematics course)
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
Want to get a feel for campus?
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Related programs
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Science website to learn more about Physics.
View full program detailsGet a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time UBC international student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all eligibility criteria.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Science website to learn more about Physics.
View full program details