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Physics seeks to describe the physical world over spatial dimensions, from subatomic physics, to the nature of the universe as a whole. Physics plays a central role in most technological developments in the modern world, as well as in the theoretical foundation for many areas of science.

Where to go from here?
A degree in physics from Mount Allison University can lead to careers in:

  • Research in physics, medical physics, or various interdisciplinary areas such as materials science, nanotechnology, geophysics, space science, biophysics, astrophysics, atmospheric science, and environmental science;
  • Professional programs in such areas as medicine, dentistry, law (especially patent and environmental), and teaching;
  • Technical positions in industry;
  • Technical writing, scientific management, science outreach.

Our Programs
An honours Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in physics or mathematics and physics is offered by the department as is a BSc with a major in physics. A minor in physics or applied physics is also available to students completing a BSc or a BA. Introductory physics is a closely integrated combination of minilectures, lab work, and group collaborative learning experiences. The experiential lab has state-of-the-art computer interfaced experiments and multimedia support. Upper-level courses include courses in astrophysics, mechanics, electronics, and medical physics.

Faculty Research
Research plays an important role in the life of the Department and is currently supported by Science and Engineering Research Canada (NSERC), Atlantic Innovation Fund, the Canada Research Chair program, Canada Foundation for Innovation, the New Brunswick Innovation Fund as well as a number of other programs. Faculty research interests include theoretical particle physics of quarks, study of strong, weak and electromagnetic forces and relationships with particle physics, computational physics, experimental subatomic physics using scattering techniques, development of nuclear physics detector systems, observational solar system astronomy, meteoroid ablation in the atmosphere, x-ray scattering to study the properties of materials, measurement of lead in the human body using x-ray fluorescence, medical physics, and physics education.

Facilities
The Physics Department is housed in the recently renovated Sir James Dunn Science Building with modern facilities for both teaching and research. The building features an integrated laboratory-classroom for experiential learning, an optics lab and darkroom, a digital videography facility, and astronomy, astrophysics, thermodynamic and fluids, and electronics and signal processing labs.

Undergraduate Research
Students have the opportunity to play meaningful roles in all components of research. All honours students complete a thesis, usually working on research over a summer. Non-honours students may be selected for a research-based special topics course. Students work in the various research labs in the department during the summer, and occasionally on a part-time basis during the academic year. Financial support for these positions comes from Mount Allison and NSERC summer research student awards, and from faculty research grants.

Some recent projects include using Mathematica software for high-energy physics calculations; the study of environmental and occupational hazards from heavy metals in the human body; an observational search for meteoroids that are remnants from other planetary systems; the use of x-ray scattering to study the structure of industrially important materials; and execution and analysis of scattering experiments, in collaboration with the Mainz Microtron in Germany — a major international facility for accelerating particles in physics.

Department Website

Academic Calendar: Physics