Bridging pure and applied science
Engineering physics is a bridge between pure and applied science, utilizing fundamental concepts in today’s rapidly changing and highly technical engineering environment. An engineering physicist is motivated by the application of science for advancing technology and sustainability.
This program enriches a student with analytical skills of mathematics and scientific reasoning; technical skills of design, construction and operation of systems including nanotechnology, space instrumentation, particle accelerators and more; leadership skills as engineering physicists are called to manage projects involving electrical, mechanical or chemical components and tasks. They tend to be versatile and adaptable to the projects as they evolve.
- The Department of Physics and Engineering Physics is fully accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board.
- Our outstanding faculty members work hard to give you the best education possible in engineering physics.
- Your training in engineering physics will give you a special blend of thorough and practical skills that will make you employable in a wide range of careers.
- You will study principles and design of electronics, energy, optics and lasers, radiation and materials. You’ll be exposed to the modern physics of relativity and quantum mechanics.
- The U of S is home to the Canadian Light Source synchrotron, Canada’s biggest scientific research project in more than 30 years. The synchrotron is the only facility in Canada using synchrotron light for research and is the fourth most powerful synchrotron in the world.
- Our revised program has specilizations in areas such as a) Atmospheric and Space Science, b) Material science and Engineering, c) Nuclear Energy and d) Plasma Science, d) Other specializations which students can work on with approval from the department.
- PHYS 252: Foundations of Modern Physics
Introduces Special Relativity and the foundations of Quantum Mechanics. Topics in relativity include Lorentz transformations, time dilation, length contraction, space-time diagrams, relativistic addition of velocities, and the relativistic definitions of energy and momentum. Topics in Quantum Mechanics include quantization of energy levels, wave-particle duality, and the tunnel effect.
- EP 325: Optical Systems Design
This class provides the foundation of geometrical optics for the understanding of complex optics in optical instruments. Topics include image formation, curved optical surfaces, thin and thick lenses, cardinal points and Gaussian optics, apertures, paraxial ray tracing, matrix methods, Fermat's principle and third-order aberrations. Classical instrumentation design is studied including Newtonian and Cassegrain telescopes, astronomical cameras and compound systems. The class concludes with an introduction to ray tracing methods with software packages and techniques for design with realistic computationally difficulty problems.
- EP 417: Advanced Materials Science with Applications
This course provides studentss with a fundamental understanding of physical properties of solid state materials and their device applications. Topics include semiconductors, quantum effects in transistors, magnetic materials and their applications, surface kinetics, thin flims and interfaces, and thin flim fabrications.
With a degree in engineering physics, you will be highly employable. Your choices will include some of the following:
- developing modern sensors for satellites that measure the earth and the atmosphere
- designing and testing advanced medical imaging and radiation detection equipment
- working on the next generation of communications by designing wireless devices and fibre optics
- doing research as a graduate student in cutting edge areas of physics, like spintronics and plasmonics
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