University of Windsor
Department of Physics
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Why Study Physics?

Physics is the foundation of modern
science. It encompasses the study of the
universe from the largest galaxies to the
structure of matter: the atom, the nucleus,
and quarks.

Its concepts, from relativity to quantum
mechanics, challenge the imagination.
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Why Study Physics?

At University, every science program
(chemistry, biology, biochemistry, etc.) and
engineering makes you take physics!

Experience has shown you will have a
much better experience in first year
University physics if you’ve have Grade 12
physics.
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
People Who Study Physics…

Have a passion for understanding how things
work

Enjoy scientific experiments, mathematics, and
computation

Excel at solving complex problems, which allows
them to seek employment in a surprisingly wide
range of academic, government, and industrial
settings, well beyond the traditional boundaries
of physics
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Physics: A study of how things work.
A physicist
studies the forces of nature,
their effects on matter, and
learns to control them
in order to make useful things.
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Physics: Enables Future Technology
Things that used to be future technologies
Lasers
Radioactivity & Radiation
Transistors
Medical Imaging
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Physics: Enables Future Technology
Things that will be future technologies
Advanced Energy Sources
Cloaking Devices / Teleportation
Medical Tricorders /
Nanomedicine
Quantum Computers
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Medical Physics: Enabling Future Medicine
Positron Emission Tomography
Proton Therapy
Advanced
Imaging
MRI
Functional MRI
CT Scanning
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
That all sounds really interesting!
How do I get started?
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Entrance Requirements
ENG4U, MHF4U, and SPH4U are required.
MCV4U is strongly recommended.
SCH4U is recommended.
Min entering average – 75%
Secondary average: 70% average of all
attempted science and math courses
Mean entering average - 89%
Strong peer group
Supportive, close-knit classmates
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
nuclear/sub-atomic
physics
thermodynamics
statistical mechanics
university degrees
(book study)
astronomy /
astrophysics
mechanics
quantum
mechanics
materials
science
electricity &
magnetism
very
similar to
G12
curriculum
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
experimental physics!
university degrees
(research)
computational physics!
theoretical physics!
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Careers
A 2004 “snapshot” of job titles of people with physics
degrees
 Test Pilot, U.S.
Navy
Current Employment
Levels
 Radiation Oncologist
B.Sc. >97%  Financial Analyst
CFO, Denny's, Inc.
Grad degrees>99%
 Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology
 Staff Engineer
Pay Scales  Nuclear Engineer
 Health Physicist
 Accounts
Underwriter
In a study done
by the US
Case Manager,
Department ofLabor,
the job New
of Jersey Department of
Environmental
‘Physicist’ ranked
the 15th Protection and Energy
 Civil Engineer
highest paying job
the US,Licensing
Future Potential
ViceinPresident,
with the average
salaryofbeing
 Director
Research
In a 2012 survey of jobs for the next
Director of R&D
over $83,750 US/year
century, the
U.S. Bureau of Labor
 Assistant Professor of Orthopedic
Surgery
 U.S. Sales Manager Statistics ranked "physicist" as the
http://www.physicstoday.org/jobs
 Electronics Engineer 17th best-paying job of the 21st
www.cap.ca/careers
Century.
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Our Alumni
Scientist, Proto
Manufacturing
MSc/PhD in UToronto,
Western, UBC, Queens,
UCalgary, Waterloo,
UMichigan, UWindsor,
McGill, Wayne State
Ontario Power
Generation
Analyst, Nuclear
Safety Solutions
UBS Bank,
London, UK
Technical Writer,
Korea
NASA
Jet Propulsion Labs
Optical Engineer,
Fraunhofer, USA
Patent lawyer,
Toronto
Medical Physicist,
Windsor Regional
Cancer Centre
High School
Teacher, Windsor
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Physics: Gateway to multiple careers
B.Sc. (Honours) in Physics
Graduate school
(Physics, Chemistry, Engineering,
Medical Physics, Business)
Industry / Government /
Health care
Higher
Education
Teacher’s
College
(1 year)
Professional School
(Medicine, Dentistry, Law)
High-school
teaching
Professions
Starting salaries comparable to that of engineers / accountants!
> 97% employment rate (100% for UWindsor Physics graduates)
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Physics: Gateway to Professional
Schools?!
(medical school, law school, etc.)
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Ontario Medical School Application Statistics
20
6000
18
5500
17
16
5000
15
14
4500
13
12
4000
11
10
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
Year
2010
2012
3500
2014
# of Applicants
Percentage of Students Accepted
to Ontario Med Schools
19
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Summary

Physics is a fundamental science that leads
to future technologies.

A degree in Physics is a great opportunity
for an outstanding education in a highdemand area.

Physics is so fundamental, all the other
disciplines make you take it.

You should really take Grade 12 physics!
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
A degree in Physics from the University of
Windsor is a great opportunity for an outstanding
education that will lead to successful careers
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Email: physics@uwindsor.ca
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Come Visit With Us at the
UWindsor Fall Open House!
Friday November 7th 2014!
This is your chance to…
1. attend program presentations (Physics tours, presentation, meet
with professors and students)
2. explore the campus including residence and our athletic facilities
3. get all your UWindsor questions answered by the experts (tuition,
registration, scholarships, housing, etc.)
Sign Up Today!
http://www.uwindsor.ca/openhouse/
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Additional Information
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Fall term
62-140 (or 62-139) Differential calculus
64-140 Physics I
59-140 Chemistry I
60-140 Introduction to Algorithms I
option 1
NOTE 2
62-215 Vector Calculus
62-216 Differential Equations
64-220 EM Fields and Photons
64-222 Optics
59-240 Introductory Physical Chemistry I
Winter term
Year 1
62-141 Integral calculus
64-141 Physics II
59-141 Chemistry II
62-120 (or 62-125) Linear algebra
60-141 Introduction to Algorithms II
Year 2
64-151 Introduction to Theoretical Methods
64-250 Mechanics
60-265/88-217 Digital Logic Design I
option 2
NOTE 3
option 3
NOTE 3
62-360 Special Functions
85-234 Electrical and Computing Fundamentals
64-350 Classical Mechanics I
64-320 Electromagnetic Theory
option 4
Year 3
64-310 Quantum Physics and Chemistry
64-323 Electromagnetic Waves
option 5 (recommend 60-340 C++)
option 6
REQUIRED 300/400 PHYSICS OPTION 1
64-311 Atomic and Molecular Spectra
REQUIRED 300/400 PHYSICS OPTION 2
REQUIRED 300/400 PHYSICS OPTION 3
REQUIRED 300/400 PHYSICS OPTION 4
option 7
Year 4
64-450 Quantum Mechanics I
64-431 Introduction to Statistical Mechanics
REQUIRED 300/400 PHYSICS OPTION 5
option 8
option 9
Sum
NOTE 1
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Example: PHT with a Business Minor
Fall term
62-140 (or 62-139) Differential calculus
64-140 Physics I
59-140 Chemistry I
60-140 Introduction to Algorithms I
75-100 Introduction to Business
62-215 Vector Calculus
62-216 Differential Equations
64-220 EM Fields and Photons
64-222 Optics
59-240 Introductory Physical Chemistry I
Winter term
Year 1
62-141 Integral calculus
64-141 Physics II
59-141 Chemistry II
62-120 (or 62-125) Linear algebra
60-141 Introduction to Algorithms II
Year 2
64-151 Introduction to Theoretical Methods
64-250 Mechanics
60-265/88-217 Digital Logic Design I
70-151 Principles of Financial Accounting
74-131 Principles of Marketing
62-360 Special Functions
85-234 Electrical and Computing Fundamentals
64-350 Classical Mechanics I
64-320 Electromagnetic Theory
option 1
NOTE 3
Year 3
64-310 Quantum Physics and Chemistry
64-323 Electromagnetic Waves
70-255 Principles of Managerial Accounting
option 2
REQUIRED 300/400 PHYSICS OPTION 1
64-311 Atomic and Molecular Spectra
REQUIRED 300/400 PHYSICS OPTION 2
REQUIRED 300/400 PHYSICS OPTION 3
REQUIRED 300/400 PHYSICS OPTION 4
72-270 Business Finance I
Year 4
64-450 Quantum Mechanics I
64-431 Introduction to Statistical Mechanics
REQUIRED 300/400 PHYSICS OPTION 5
71-240 Management and Organizational Life
option 3
Sum
NOTE 2
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Fall term
Winter term
62-140 (or 62-139) Differential calculus
64-140 Physics I
59-140 Chemistry I
60-140 Introduction to Algorithms I
55-141 Cell Biology
Year 1
62-141 Integral calculus
64-141 Physics II
59-141 Chemistry II
62-120 (or 62-125) Linear algebra
60-141 Introduction to Algorithms II
62-215 Vector Calculus
62-216 Differential Equations
64-220 EM Fields and Photons
64-222 Optics
59-240 Introductory Physical Chemistry I
Year 2
64-151 Introduction to Theoretical Methods
64-250 Mechanics
64-370 Introduction to Medical Physics
59-230 Introductory Organic Chemistry
option 1
NOTE 3
62-360 Special Functions
85-234 Electrical and Computing Fundamentals
64-350 Classical Mechanics I
64-470 Radiological Physics
NOTE 2
option 2
Year 3
64-310 Quantum Physics and Chemistry
64-471 Introduction to Medical Imaging NOTE 2
59-261 Organic Chemistry of Biomolecules
option 3 (recommend 60-340 C++)
option 4
64-311 Atomic and Molecular Spectra
64-320 Electromagnetic Theory
REQUIRED 300/400 PHYSICS OPTION 1
option 5
option 6
Year 4
64-450 Quantum Mechanics I
64-431 Introduction to Statistical Mechanics
64-323 Electromagnetic Waves
REQUIRED 300/400 PHYSICS OPTION 2
option 7
Sum
NOTE 1
What is a Medical
Physicist?
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
The Medical Physicist Bridges
Physics and Medicine
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Medical Physicist
an expert in medical imaging and radiotherapy applied typically
to the treatment of cancer – works in a hospital, cancer clinic, treatment facility
Dosimetry
Nuclear
Medicine
Research into
Calibration of
New Treatments
Machines
Strong Scientific Knowledge
of Physics, Equipment,
Radiation
Procedures, and Effects on
Safety
the Body
Treatment
Planning
Apparatus
Quality
Installation /
Assurance
Maintenance
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
A Physics Degree Designed for Students Interested in
Applying Their Training in Physics to the Medical Needs of
Society or Biomedical Industry
Consider this option if:
 You want to work in the emerging “health sciences” sector
 You want to work for a medical devices company developing instruments
 You want to work in a hospital/clinic as a licensed medical physicist
 You want to go to medical school to be a doctor / dentist / optometrist, etc.
 You want to do research on medical physics or teach at the University
 You want a physics degree, but are interested in biomedical engineering
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
A Teaching / Co-op Experience Designed to Prepare
You for Graduate Work in Medical Physics and/or
Health Physics & High-Technology
Radiation
Oncology
Ultrasound
Positron Emission Tomography
MRI
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
A Teaching / Co-op Experience Designed to Prepare
You for Graduate Work in Medical Physics and/or
Health Physics & High-Technology
Radiology / Imaging
Proton Therapy
Functional MRI
CT Scanning
Computer Modelling
Methods
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Medical Physics
New B.Sc. Program
• The path to a satisfying and high-paying career with
excellent working conditions
• Many job openings in hospitals and medical clinics due
to growth of high-tech methods for diagnosis and
treatment of disease (MRI, CT, ultrasound, radiation …)
• Growing at the rate of 5 – 10% per year
• B.Sc. is followed by M.Sc. in Medical Physics for
professional certification
• Program includes Biology/Biochemistry needed for
medical school
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Career Pathways with a
Medical Physics B.Sc.
Medical Physics B.Sc.
graduate school in
some other discipline
(M.Sc, Ph.D.)
working in the
biotech/biomedical
science and/or
engineering field
professional school
in medicine (doctor,
optometrist, dentist,
pharmacist)
Career as a
licensed medical
physicist (M.Sc.)
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Pathways to Medical Physics Career
American
Association
of Physicists
in Medicine
(AAPM)
Society
See: http://www.aapm.org
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Future Prospects
Demand for Medical Physicists will continue
to rise:
a) Aging population
b) Trend: non-invasive procedures
c) Technological advances
d) Continued world-wide shortage
of trained physicists
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Contact Us!

For Questions on the Medical Physics Profession
 Stephen Brown, Ph.D.
 Senior Staff Scientist, Henry
Ford Hospital, Detroit
 sbrown1@hfhs.org
 http://www.AAPM.org

For Questions on UWindsor Medical Physics
Program
 Professor Steve Rehse, Ph.D.
 rehse@uwindsor.ca
 (519) 253-3000 Ext: 2656
 http://www.uwindsor.ca/physics/
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Spring Open House

Friday, March 9, 2012
 Campus
wide, 10:30-3:00
 Department presentation, 2:00 & 3:00
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Summary

Physics is a fundamental science that leads
to future technologies.

A degree in Medical Physics from the
University of Windsor is a great opportunity
for an outstanding education in a highdemand area.

Opportunities for Successful, Rewarding,
and Distinguished Careers.

Physics empowers you to be at the forefront
of science and technology in Canada.
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
MCAT has:
•
Three sections of standardized multiple
choice questions (total of 219 items)

Biological sciences

Physical sciences

Verbal reasoning
(Each section scored on 1 – 15 scale)
•
Writing sample comprised of two essays
 Scores of 9.5 to 11 in each
section
are
considered
competitive by most medical
schools.
 Top medical schools look for
score 12 and above.
 Medical Physics
provides the edge !!!
http://www.aip.org/statistics/trends/reports/mcat2003.pdf
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Physicists Have Many Interests
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Physicists are Elite
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
preliminary findings,
classes of 2005 & 2006
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Undergraduate Physics Programs
at the University of Windsor
What is Physics and
High Technology?
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
A Teaching / Co-op Experience Designed for Students
Interested in Applying Their Training in Physics to the
High-tech Needs of Society
It combines courses in physics, business,
computer science, engineering, and
mathematics to make graduates
especially attractive to industry
specializing in such areas as electronics,
optics, and computers.
Is designed to prepare
students for leadership
positions in both
industry and
academia.
Graduates can add minors in business or computer science
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
A Teaching / Co-op Experience Designed for Students
Interested in Applying Their Training in Physics to the
High-tech Needs of Society
Undergraduate
Research
The reasoning, mathematical,
experimental and computer skills acquired
with a physics degree empower you to
pursue careers such as
University professor
Research scientist
Software engineer
Financial analyst
Patent lawyer
High-school teacher
Medical Physicist
R&D engineer
Physician / Dentist
Entrepreneur
What is Medical
Physics?
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Medical Physicist
an expert in medical imaging and radiotherapy applied typically
to the treatment of cancer – works in a hospital, cancer clinic, treatment facility
Dosimetry
Nuclear
Medicine
Research into
Calibration of
New Treatments
Machines
Strong Scientific Knowledge
of Physics, Equipment,
Radiation
Procedures, and Effects on
Safety
the Body
Treatment
Planning
Apparatus
Quality
Installation /
Assurance
Maintenance
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Medical Physicist: Areas of Expertise
Radiation
Oncology
Ultrasound
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Medical Physicist: Areas of Expertise
Radiology / Imaging
Computer Modelling
Methods
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Career Pathways with a
Medical Physics B.Sc.
Medical Physics B.Sc.
graduate school in
some other discipline
(M.Sc, Ph.D.)
working in the
biotech/biomedical
science and/or
engineering field
professional school
in medicine (doctor,
optometrist, dentist,
pharmacist)
Career as a
licensed medical
physicist (M.Sc.)
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Other Possible Undergraduate
Physics Programs at the University
of Windsor
1)
Honours Physics
2)
Physics and High Technology stream
3)
Medical Physics stream
•
Chemistry and Physics
•
Custom Double Majors: PHT & Mathematics, PHT &
Computer Science, PHT & Business, PHT & Biology, …
•
Minor in Physics
Teachable subject for concurrent science education
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Which stream/option should I choose?
I want to be an
inventor and
invent new
devices or
theories
I want to get a
Masters or PhD
degree in Physics
and become a
teacher or
professor
I like Physics but I
might want to go to
medical/dental
school
B.Sc. (Honours) in Physics with thesis
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Which stream/option should I choose?
I want to work for
an industry as a
scientist or
analyst or a team
leader
I want to work in
finance as a
quantitative analyst
I want to become a
patent lawyer or
work for the
government
developing science
policy
Physics and High Technology stream with co-op
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Which stream/option should I choose?
I want to work for an
medical devices
company developing
instruments
I want to work in a
hospital as a
licensed medical
physicist or maybe
as a doctor
I want to do
research on
medical physics
and teach at the
University
Medical Physics stream with co-op or thesis
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
TRIUMF National
Nuclear Labs
(Vancouver, BC)
Co-op
Experience
Siemens Automotive
(Tilbury, Ontario)
Windsor Regional
Cancer Center
(Windsor, Ontario)
National Research Council
(Ottawa, Ontario)
Ford Motor Company
Centerline Ltd.
(in conjunction with the
University of Windsor)
(Windsor, Ontario)
(Windsor, Ontario)
(Windsor, Ontario)
NSERC Research
Grants
Daresbury Synchrotron
Radiation Source
(Waterloo, Ontario)
(Warrington, UK)
Physics Department
(Windsor, Ontario)
(Ireland)
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Attractive Scholarships
•
•
•
•
$4000 - $16000 University Entrance Scholarships
$1000 PHT Entrance Scholarships (Renewable)
$4000 - $10,000 Outstanding Scholars awards
$6000 Service Awards in addition to Outstanding
Scholars
• NSERC Summer fellowships
• Copernicus Scholarship
• Other University of Windsor Scholarships available
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Research Experience
Atom Traps
Quantum
Optics and
Computing
Student publications
 Competitive career
advantage
 Physics network

Relativistic Physics
Nanoscale
Systems
and
Molecular
Clusters
High Precision
Atomic Theory
Electron Optics
Biomedical
Physics
Laser
spectroscopy
Acoustic
Microscopy
Materials
Characterisation
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Entrance Requirements
ENG4U, MHF4U, and SPH4U are required.
MCV4U is strongly recommended.
SCH4U is recommended.
Min entering average – 75%
Secondary average: 70% average of all
attempted science and math courses
Mean entering average - 89%
Strong peer group
Supportive, close-knit classmates
www.uwindsor.ca/physics
Physics Club
Senior mentors
Alumni connections