Bachelor of Arts and Science - Philosophy & Physics (Optional Co-op)

For the Bachelor of Arts and Science, students must complete two majors: an Arts major, and a Science major.

Philosophy investigates fundamental questions about the nature of things; about the universe as a whole, about human beings, society, science, ethics and art.

Philosophy students will learn about the basic intellectual foundation for political, social and legal systems, as well as an understanding of the principles of modern science and technology. They will explore deep theoretical, practical and moral issues that do not easily fit into more specialized disciplines.

Philosophy will challenge students with its reflective and critical approach to important, often puzzling, questions about the nature of right and wrong, time and space, perception, and the human mind.

Philosophy pays careful attention to its own long history, spanning more than 2,500 years. These early investigations are the focus of the department’s courses on ancient, early modern, late modern and 20th-century philosophers and philosophical movements.

There are numerous branches within the study of philosophy, touching virtually every topic; from questions about the existence of God, through to aesthetic principles, and the concepts of space and time:

• Justice and goodness: Investigates questions about right and wrong, or good and evil, such as biomedical ethics or environmental philosophy.

• Truth and reality: Looks at truth and reality through areas such as logic, metaphysics, epistemology and the philosophy of science. • Social philosophical concerns: Delves into fundamental social philosophical issues addressed by political philosophy, ethics and the history of philosophy itself. • Scientific philosophical concerns: Focuses on the conditions under which enquiry produces genuine truth and accurate representations of objective reality. • Human creativity and artistic expression: Evaluates concepts like beauty in disciplines such as aesthetics and the philosophy of art.

Physics is the study of matter and energy at all scales, from the sub-nuclear to the dimensions of the universe. It is the fundamental science — all other sciences and technologies rely on the principles of physics.

Physics involves observing and understanding natural phenomena. It is evident in the world in everything from the seasons, the motion of objects, the flight of birds, the night sky and the weather, to lasers, electronics and the technology society relies on today.

Physics is very much a “hands-on” science, so the most effective way for students to learn the subject is to actually do physics. Astronomy teaches they how to study objects at a distance and interpret the information gathered. This helps to begin to understand the universe. The skills students will learn in astronomy are also applicable to remote sensing and its application to environmental problems.

The department offers a comprehensive physics major. The foundation of this program is built in the first two years, as students study mechanics, waves, electricity and magnetism, optics, thermal physics and modern physics.

In the third and fourth years, students will gain a deeper understanding of the fundamentals and delve into more advanced and specialized areas. Specialized topics may include the research interests of department faculty members, as all faculty members are involved in rigorous research programs.

Faculty members also ensure students are provided with a wide view of physics, exposing them to all areas of the subject and describing a wide variety of applications. This enables they to make informed decisions when choosing the areas they may wish to pursue in the future.