What is Physical & Mathematical Sciences?
One of the Physical Sciences, Mathematical physics is concerned with the internal, logical consistency of physical theories. It explores relations between abstract concepts, proves certain results contingent upon certain hypotheses, and establishes an interlinked set of tools that can be used to study anything that happens to match the relations and hypotheses on hand. Simple mathematical models allow us to understand various physical systems.
What makes Physical & Mathematical Sciences at UTSC unique?
You will model, simulate and understand a wide range of physical and natural phenomena via coursework and research. Faculty at UTSC are world leaders in the development and application of novel numerical techniques, with access to local and national supercomputers which run large-scale planetary simulations.
Skills of Physical & Mathematical Sciences Grads
- Apply physical principles to problems and formulate solutions
- Integrating theoretical approaches
- Mathematical and computational modelling
- Team-based research and ability to work in multidisciplinary groups
- Apply and process new information quickly
- Design and execute experiments
- Write technical reports and project proposals relevant to given audience
- Communicate complex information and data through presentations and discussions
- Demonstrate ethical scientific behaviour
- Utilize qualitative and quantitative analysis and problem solving
- Assess the reliability of data and the significance of results
Entry-Level Jobs for Bachelor Grads
Common employment destinations include:
- Apprentice in Electrical Delivery Systems
- Technologist in Sensor Development
- Junior Policy and Data Analyst in Government
- Quality Assurance Analyst in Healthcare Technology and Pharmaceuticals
- Junior Associate in Information Technology Service Providers
- Tester / Developer in Software Solutions
- Product Tester in Industrial and Electronics Manufacturing
- System Specialist in Data Management Services
Physical & Mathematical Sciences Grads from UTSC have gone on to:
- CGI (Senior Consultant)
- Private High School (Teacher)
UTSC Physical & Mathematical Sciences graduates are working in Education, Operations, and Research.
Graduate & Professional Studies
Popular further education opportunities include:
- Computer Science – Master
- Physics or Chemistry – Master of Science
- Software Development – Post-Graduate Certificate or Diploma
- Engineering – Bachelor or Master
- Nuclear Medicine or Radiation Therapy – Degree or Diploma
Examples of Fields that ‘Fit’ the Skills of Physical & Mathematical Sciences Grads
- Healthcare Technology
- Energy Production
- Private/Public Research and Development Manufacturing
- Education Software and Computer Systems
- Financial Risk Management Government (Municipal, Regional, Provincial, Federal)
Your 4-Year Career Exploration Action Plan
1. Do Your Research
The databases below provide you with details about job prospects, nature of work, educational requirements, working conditions, pay and related career paths:
- Career Cruising: Log into cln.utoronto.ca, click on Resources, and click on Career Cruising to be logged in automatically
- O*Net: online.onetcenter.org (U.S. site)
Attend our workshop Discover Your Skills and Career Options, meet with a Career Counsellor, and use our resources to get to know your skills, values, personality and interests.
Use the advice on our tip sheets for gathering information:
- Information Interviews
- Working On-Campus
- Internships
- Volunteering
2. Explore Career Options & Get Experience
Gain exposure to your options in the world of work and make connections while you’re a student via campus events and programs listed on cln.utoronto.ca and ccr.utoronto.ca:
- Extern Job Shadowing
- In the Field
- Explore It! (course-based)
- Partners in Leadership (4th year students)
- iLead, uLead, weLead (Department of Student Life)
- Employer Information Sessions
- Career & Volunteer Fairs
- Departmental Student Association Events
Apply for Work Study jobs in CLN in Fall and Spring! You might also find work via the SCSU.
Find networking opportunities, internship programs and entry-level jobs via websites like TalentEgg and Charity Village.
As an upper year student (14+ credits), attend UTSC’s Get Hired conference and participate in Jobs for Grads.
As a graduate, explore internships and other trainee programs like Career Edge.
3. Build Your Network
Explore professional associations and get involved! Volunteer for their events and get to know people in your industry of interest. These are your future mentors, supervisors and colleagues!
- Environmental & Physical Sciences Student Association
- Association of Mathematical and Computer Science Students
- Canadian Association of Physicists
- Canadian Mathematical Society
- Canadian Applied & Industrial Mathematics Society
- Canadian Information Processing Society
- Association for Financial Professionals
- Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists
Please note: This information is a starting point for your further research into career options in this field of study. For more information on this program and course requirements, please visit the Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences website.