Get to know the Department of Physics and Astronomy
Curiosity is at the heart of science and if the questions you ask yourself are about the laws of the universe, the colour of the sky, or those mysterious boomerangs that always come back when you throw them away, then physics and astronomy is the place to be.
At the Faculty of Science, the Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a wide range of programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. Condensed matter physics for example is a field of research where a unique blend of theoretical and experimental work happens and students can easily participate in research as Bently Turner, a graduate student in Physics and Astronomy tells us.
[Condensed matter physics] allows for this neat blend between theoretical and experimental work”, Turner says, “It’s very accessible to students. I started research in my first year on some very basic systems … and now my work, building off of that, has become significant to other researchers in the condensed matter field.
Other fields of research in the Department include astronomy and astrophysics, biophysics and the physics of soft matter, condensed matter physics, mathematical and theoretical physics, medical physics, and subatomic and particle physics. Researchers in the Department of Physics and Astronomy are leading groundbreaking projects in various areas; some have fantastic laboratories.
A student working with the Bruker D8 Discover X-ray Diffractometer.
The Department also prepares students for future career opportunities through exposure to extensive interdisciplinary training, providing them with problem-solving and other diverse skill sets. Alumni from the Department have pursued careers in engineering, technical, or finance firms, as well as developing new medical devices or techniques.
As Robert Stamps, professor and department head, tells us, diversity and inclusion are woven into the identity of the Department. We hear the same message from students and faculty members, from diverse genders and backgrounds, who feel supported and encouraged to learn, do research, and teach in a collaborative space.
Watch the full YouTube video on the Faculty of Science’s channel, to learn more about the Department of Physics and Astronomy.