What is Engineering Physics?
The study of Engineering Physics emphasizes the application of basic scientific principles to the design of equipment, which includes electronic and electro-mechanical systems, for use in measurements, communications, and data acquisition. The program is recommended for students interested in newly developing areas of physics, high technology, instrumentation and communications. Our program is fully accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board so graduates will be eligible to be certified as a professional engineer. Graduates are also qualified for entry into graduate schools in Physics or other disciplines.
What do Engineering Physicists do?
Engineering physicists find employment in a huge variety of areas. Engineering Physics students develop a thorough understanding of fundamentals of physics and the application of this knowledge to practical problems. This background prepares them for careers in engineering, applied science or applied physics with positions in industry, national research laboratories, universities or even as scientific entrepreneurs.
Canadian Light Source – Condensed Matter Physics
How do I become an Engineering Physicist, and how long does it take?
The Engineering Physics program is a four-year program in the College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. Some people may spread this over a longer time period. Some students choose to take an internship position between their third and fourth years. This paid work experience can add a year to the program. Another popular option is to take a double degree in Engineering Physics and Computer Science, which would take five years at the U of S. If you wish to become registered as a Professional Engineer, you will require four years of work experience as an engineer-in-training.
SuperDARN Radar – Atmospheric Physics
Where do I get more information?
Our department contact information is listed over leaf. Write, fax, or e-mail us at any time. Ask your teacher to arrange for someone to come and talk at your school (a current student, graduate or faculty member) or arrange for a tour of the department. Visit our web site at http://physics.usask.ca.
Odin Satellite – Space and Atmospheric Physics
About the Program
First year is a common year for all engineers. The classes are mainly basic sciences and mathematics with some introduction to “What is Engineering”. At the start of second year you have to choose a branch of engineering. In Engineering Physics the emphasis in the second and third year is on the fundamentals of physics, mathematics and computer science you need to be an Engineering Physicist. Most classes have a significant laboratory component to give the student practical experience. In fourth year especially you learn about applying these fundamentals to the design of instrumentation and control systems. This is culminated by an extensive year-long “Capstone Design Project”. There is also the opportunity in fourth year to take some engineering or science electives to extend your knowledge in a direction of your own choosing.
In a 1999 survey of Engineering Physics programs in North America, the University of Saskatchewan program was ranked third out of the eight Engineering Physics programs at Canadian Universities, and ranked in the top 25 Engineering Physics Programs in all of North America.
About the Faculty
Members of the Department of Physics and Engineering Physics teach the majority of the courses in the Engineering Physics program, the remainder being taught by instructors in other College of Engineering departments and the departments of Mathematics and Statistics and Computer Science. Of the 19 Faculty in the Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, 7 are Professional Engineers.
“Blowfish” Neutron Detector – Subatomic Physics
Research in the Department of Physics and Engineering Physics
Faculty in our department are involved in research in many areas of physics. Research groups within the department are: The Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies (ISAS) which conducts research in a wide variety of areas including, aeronomy, space weather and plasmas, atmospheric chemistry (ozone), and planetary astronomy, using radio and optical observing instruments that are borne on satellites or are ground based. The Plasma physics group studies plasma based materials science and fusion research. There are condensed matter physicists and materials scientists who will use the Canadian Light Source (CLS) and other instruments such as a scanning tunnelling microscope. The Subatomic Physics Institute (SPIN) has members who are experimentalists and theorists studying the atomic nucleus, subatomic particles and fundamental quantum mechanics. There are also theorists in the fields of condensed matter physics and cosmology.
This vibrant research benefits undergraduate students as professors bring the excitement of their front line research into the classroom. Many undergraduate projects are associated with one of the research groups. There are also summer student opportunities in the research groups.
Aurora – Atmospheric Physics
STOR-M Tokamak – Plasma Physics
About the Students
There are usually about 20 – 25 students in each year of the Engineering Physics Program at any time. Such relatively small classes allow a close contact with instructors and laboratory personnel. The Department of Physics and Engineering Physics has a lively Physics Students’ Society that organizes social events and academic activities such as participation in the Canadian Association of Physicists Undergraduate Physics Conference. The department also employs upper year students as markers and laboratory demonstrators during term.
Instrumentation Laboratory
About the Graduates and Jobs
We have found that the special mix of fundamental science and practical skills that Engineering Physics graduates learn make them very employable. Graduates have found jobs in research, technology development, optics and software sectors of industry. Many of our graduates have obtained employment with universities, government laboratories and companies such as Nortel, JDS Uniphase, Corning, SED Systems, MDRobotics, Cameco, Kipp-Zonen and other local and international high technology companies. Graduates are well equipped to pursue post-graduate studies in any area of Physics or Engineering Physics should they so desire.
For More Information
Write: Angelika Ortlepp P.Eng., Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, University of Saskatchewan, 116 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2
Phone: (306) 966 6393
Fax: (306) 966 6400
E-mail:
Web Site: http://physics.usask.ca