Engineering Physics

colourful 3D graphic showing the interior of the ATLAS particle physics experiement


Advanced physics is at the core of many modern technologies-from communications and computing systems to earthquake prediction, medical imaging, and much more.

Engineering physicists have unique strengths to help bring discoveries from the lab into real-world innovations.  Engineers with expertise in physics help develop advanced nanomaterials for solar energy, build quantum computers, and create cancer therapies. Some develop models of complex systems like Earth's atmosphere or the inner workings of living cells to help us understand environmental and medical issues. Others explore the formation of planets and solar systems, or develop the tools to help us probe the nature of matter itself.

EngSci's Engineering Physics major is ideally suited for those with a strong interest in pure or applied physics who see its creative possibilities. The major has been part of the EngSci program for almost six decades, a testament to the central role this discipline plays in technological advances.

The program provides a unique combination of fundamental physics and engineering design skills that prepare students to work on a broad range of applications. Subjects covered include particle physics, cosmology, quantum optics, planetary physics, theoretical physics, and areas of non-finance mathematics. Students can learn about applications in optics, energy generation, astrophysics, electronics, climate, geophysics, economics, and more.

Courses are taught by professors from U of T's Departments of Physics, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and others.

FAQs

Sample Courses

Did you know...?

Students can further their knowledge in student clubs
like UTAT, U of T's Supermileage Team, and more.

Find more student clubs here.

Where this major can take you

Engineering physics graduates are innovators in areas as diverse as particle physics research, data analytics, management consulting, and many more.  Meet some of our alumni.

Recent engineering physics graduates have pursued graduate studies in engineering fields, physics and mathematics at Cambridge, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Harvard, MIT, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, University of Toronto, and more.

Some graduates work in academia as professors in engineering disciplines, geophysics, mathematics, particle physics, and more. Others work in industry for companies such as Algorithmics, AMD, Citigroup, Hewlett Packard, MacDonald Dettwiler & Associates, McKinsey & Company, Royal Bank of Canada, and more.

Entrepreneurial graduates have started companies like Light Matter Interactions, ReefNet, and Spectral Applied Research.

 

Professor Kaley Walker wearing a black shirt and smiling in front of a light blue background

Interim Chair of the Engineering Physics major

Professor Kaley Walker (Physics)

Professor Kaley Walker is part of the Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Physics group in the Department of Physics. She is the Deputy Mission Scientist for the Canadian Space Agency’s Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) mission and is a leader in the development of the next generation of Earth observation satellites for Canada.

kwalker@atmosp.physics.utoronto.ca