BSc offered by the Faculty of Science
Have you always been interested in understanding nature at its deepest level? Do you enjoy combining experiments with mathematical modeling to observe nature, explore phenomena, and construct theories to understand phenomena? Majoring in Physics & Astronomy at York will help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to do this. It will prepare you for a career centered in the scientific world where job options can be incredibly diverse and range from investigating earthquakes to creating new spacecraft and vehicles in propulsion laboratories.
Career Options in Physics & Astronomy
Here are just some of the career options related to this major. As all degrees offer transferable skills, some jobs are more closely linked to this field, than others. Check Canada’s Job Bank for regional requirements.
- Acoustics Physicist
- Astrophysicist
- Atmospheric Physicist
- Automotive Designer
- Bioinformatics Specialist
- Biomedical Engineer
- Biophysicist
- Chemical Physicist
- Computational Physicist
- Construction Consultant
- Crime Scene Analyst
- Customs Inspector
- Cytotechnologist
- Data Scientist
- Geophysicist
- Hazardous Materials Manager
- Hydrologist
- Light and Optics Specialist
- Materials Researcher
- Materials Tester
- Medical Illustrator
- Medical Physicist
- Meteorological Technician
- Metallurgist
- Molecular Physicist
- Nuclear Medical Technologist
- Nuclear Physicist
- Optical Technician
- Organic Mass Spectrometrist
- Paper Product Developer
- Pollution Analyst
- Professor
- Radiation Safety Technician
- Radiologist
- Researcher
- Science Educator
- Scientific Editor
- Seismologist
- Soil Tester
- Teacher
- Technical Sales Representative
- Technical Support Specialist
- Technical Writer
- Water Quality Inspector
Some career choices may require further education, such as graduate studies or professional courses and exams. For detailed career descriptions and specific requirements, please check Canada’s Job Bank.
Entry-Level Positions in Physics & Astronomy
An undergraduate degree is typically sufficient for these positions, though some locations may require additional qualifications. For region-specific information, please check Canada’s Job Bank.
- Astronomy Outreach Coordinator
- Data Analyst
- Energy Analyst
- Engineering Technician
- Environmental Analyst
- Geophysics Assistant
- Hydrology Technician
- Laboratory Technician
- Materials Tester
- Meteorological Technician
- Observatory Assistant
- Optical Technician
- Quality Assurance Specialist
- Radiation Safety Technician
- Research Assistant
- Science Educator (High School or Outreach Programs)
- Space Mission Analyst (Junior Role)
- Technical Sales Representative
- Technical Support Specialist
- Junior Programmer (Scientific Software)
For career descriptions, visit Canada’s Job Bank. Some occupations may also be found on Career Cruising; for login information, navigate to the Career Centre’s homepage in Experience York.
Skills Developed through a Degree in Physics & Astronomy
Core Skills
- Comprehensive knowledge of the structure and behaviour of materials and matter
- The skills to effectively perform laboratory work
- The ability to comprehend complex technical and scientific material and its implications on everyday life and technology
- The skills to collect various types of information, assess them, and formulate and test hypotheses
Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills
- The ability to present your thoughts clearly and intelligently in written statements
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to easily navigate and understand statistics and mathematical calculations
- An ability to organize, understand and analyze new sources of information and to apply novel forms of technology or new information to different professional settings and tasks
- Deduction of information from various sources and the ability to concentrate on relevant resources
- The ability to learn new information and apply this to professional demands
- The capacity to critically analyze problems, think creatively and make sound and well-reasoned decisions while considering different sides of each argument creatively and make sound decisions while considering different sides of an argument
Management and Teamwork Skills
- The ability to interpret and analyze information presented by peers and efficiently and constructively support or challenge their proposals, theories, ideas and reports in order to achieve a project's intended and successful end result
- Skills enabling you to work effectively in group situations, partaking in decision-making, leading and contributing in various capacities to the ultimate success of the team and task
- The ability to debate, persuade, mediate and present your thoughts and opinions clearly to others, as well as the capacity to recognize and incorporate other potential solutions or applications to given problems
- The capability to identify priorities and proper courses of action, to plan the execution of tasks and to determine and delegate responsibilities to group members to most effectively carry out projects
Professional Associations
Professional associations offer valuable insights into qualifications, industry trends, and career opportunities. They provide networking events, workshops, mentorship programs, and internships, as well as job boards and career development resources. Additionally, some associations offer professional licensing and regulatory oversight.
- The Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP): A national organization supporting physicists in Canada through advocacy, education, and professional development.
- Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP): Focuses on the practice and professional development of medical physicists in healthcare settings.
- Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine (CANM): Represents professionals in nuclear medicine, advancing research, education, and clinical practice in the field.
- Canadian Nuclear Society (CNS): Promotes the safe and effective use of nuclear technology in Canada through research, education, and policy advocacy.
- Alliance of Special Effects & Pyrotechnic Operators (ASEPO): Supports professionals in the special effects and pyrotechnics industry, focusing on safety and technical excellence.
- Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST): Advocates for women in STEM fields, promoting gender equity and supporting career development for women in science and technology.