The Department of Physics at Carleton University has introduced two new Co-operative education programs. The first is a B.Sc. Honours in Physics Co-op program and the second is an M.Sc. stream in "The Physics in Modern Technology", which includes a four month work term with an industrial partner.
B.Sc. Co-operative Education Program
Why Physics?
A Bachelor of Physics degree opens the doors to a wide range of career opportunities; anything from financial analysis to developing new electronic devices and components or perhaps working in medical physics in a hospital. The key ingredient acquired by Physics graduates is extremely strong analytic skills. Physicists also have strong backgrounds in mathematics, computer programming and the design of complex instruments. This broad background makes them extremely versatile, able to easily cross boundaries into other disciplines.
Why Carleton?
Carleton’s location in the nation’s capital makes this university an especially attractive place in which to study Physics. The National capital region has become known as "Silicon Valley North" and has the largest concentration of scientific and technical expertise in Canada. The National Research Council (NRC) has a long-standing international reputation for the quality of its research programs. Physicists are employed by government research organizations such as the Communications Research Centre (CRC) and the Defense Research Establishment Ottawa (DREO). Many of the local high-technology companies, Nortel, Newbridge, and Mitel, for example, employ physicists. Physicists also work in hospital imaging departments and at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre.
B.Sc. Honours in Physics Co-op
The Co-op program allows the student to mix academic study with work experience. Through a sequence of four and eight month work terms, students in the Co-operative Education Stream complement the theoretical knowledge acquired during the academic terms with practical work experience in their areas of career interest. This stream allows students to explore various career possibilities first hand and thereby gain a better understanding of the expectations and requirements of their chosen profession. Co-op education leads to personal and professional development for students and can assist in the financing of their education and selecting that important first job on graduation.
Qualified students apply for the co-operative stream during their second year in the program with the first work term taking place after the completion of second year. The normal work/study sequence requires a minimum of four four-month work terms. The experience adds relevance to the educational experience and helps the student make appropriate choices for courses in their upper years. The same number of academic courses (20 credits) is required as the usual Honours program so this program will normally take an extra year to complete.
Carleton Physics students obtain a broad introduction to theoretical and experimental physics together with a firm grounding in applied mathematics, computer science, and electronics. Training in the design, implementation, and analysis of experiments is an integral part of the program. Depending on course selection, students can also become familiar with the design and use of complex electronics, and with the use of computers and microprocessors in control and monitoring of experiments and in analysis of data.
The Co-operative Education program has a number of characteristics designed to provide qualified students with effective preparation for a successful future career:
Details of the Co-op Program
Students normally apply for admission to the Co-op program in the Fall term of their second year. The first work term normally commences in May, at the completion of the second year. To be eligible for admission to the Co-op stream, students must at the time of application:
The Work/Study Sequence
The work/study pattern is illustrated in the table below. The student is required to take a minimum of four work terms out of the work term sequence which provides for five work terms of four months each. The work terms are grouped to allow for two double work periods of eight month duration, each of which we expect will normally be spent at the same employer. These eight month work terms provide a period long enough for a student to take on extended projects.
A, B, and W represent fall and winter semesters and the work terms respectively.
And There’s More
For further information about the Department of Physics Co-op programs please contact:
Co-op Advisor
Prof. Stephen Godfrey (613) 520-2600 ext 4386
E-mail: coop@physics.carleton.ca
Department Chairman
Prof. John Armitage (613) 520-4326
E-mail: chair@physics.carleton.ca
Physics Dept. Main Office (613) 520-4377
Physics Dept. Fax: (613) 520-4061
Physics Department
Carleton University
3304 Herzberg Building
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario Canada
K1S 5B6