Physics and Astronomy

Aim for a career with astronomical possibilities

A Physics and Astronomy student at the University of Waterloo.

Do you look up at night and dream of distant galaxies? Do you wonder about the origin of the universe? Explore your curiosity with a Physics and Astronomy degree from Waterloo.

Complement your foundational studies in physics and math with courses in astronomy. Interested in research? Waterloo's Centre for Astrophysics hosts aspiring young researchers and students, helping them to unlock the mysteries of the universe.

The program’s strong ties to Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing provide additional opportunities to get involved in research. Meanwhile, if you opt for our co-op program, you’ll gain valuable résumé-building experience during your work terms.

Join a program that fosters curious minds to question the smallest particles, the largest forces, and everything in between. Where you'll get the support you need to succeed (and maybe win a Nobel Prize like Waterloo professor Donna Strickland or be part of a team to take the first image of a black hole, like professor Avery Broderick).

Once you complete your degree, you’ll have what it takes to pursue specialized graduate programs or to launch directly into a career in fields like aerospace, astrophysics, or remote sensing.

Program highlights

Award-winning teaching. As well as small class sizes, you’ll enjoy great teaching. This is a department that has racked up an impressive eight Distinguished Teaching Awards. Check out some of the research being conducted by professors in this major on our Waterloo Stories website.

Benefit from Canada's top program. Waterloo is ranked #1 in Canada for physics (Academic World Ranking of Universities 2023).

Available as a regular or co-op program
Graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Astronomy
Offered by the Faculty of Science

Physics and Astronomy at Waterloo

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Emily, a Physics and Astronomy student, loves the program because it deals with questions that people have been asking since ancient times.

What will you learn?

First-year courses

In your first year, you'll take a mixture of Physics, Computer Science, and Chemistry courses to give you the foundations for your upper-year classes. After first year, most of your classes will be Physics courses with some Mathematics courses.

Learn more about courses you'll take for your Physics and Astronomy degree.

Customize your Bachelor of Science degree

You can specialize with a minor in astrophysics or biophysics or choose to add additional areas of interest from across campus by including a minor or option as part of your degree.

Get tips from Waterloo students

Monthly topics include how to choose a university program, what it's like to be a Waterloo student, and more.

Questions? Ask a student!

Contact a Science student ambassador to learn about their experience.

Ask them questions such as why they chose their program, what the classes are like, and how you can get involved on campus.

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience – and make money!

Sample co-op job titles

RADARSAT operations support assistant
Sun-earth development program assistant
Science & math tutor

Undergraduate research assistant
Software development & testing coordinator

Co-op work-study sequence

Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

Year	September to December (Fall)	January to April (Winter)	May to August (Spring)
First	Study	Study	Off
Second	Study	Co-op	Study
Third	Co-op	Study	Co-op
Fourth	Study	Co-op	Co-op
Fifth	Study	Study	-

Your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2026).

Learn more about co-op →

What can you do with a physics and astronomy degree?

With a Physics and Astronomy degree, you can use your passion for physics and space to pursue careers as an astronomer, aerospace scientist, or a researcher in theoretical physics, astrophysics, as well as data analysis for space and atmospheric institutes.

You can start preparing for your career during your undergrad, learn about how Harmohit got a head start to his career with all the resources offered in Physics and Astronomy.

Graduates

Astronomer - The National Research Council's Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics
Aerospace Scientist - NASA
Researcher - Canadian Space Agency
Hazard Analyst/Modeller - National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research

Learn about the future of careers in science.

Common questions about the program

What's the difference between astronomy and astrophysics? Which of the two does the program focus on?

Astronomy is more about observational physics: what you can see and observe within an entity (including our vast universe). Astrophysics uses observational physics to propose new theories and tests them through mathematical modelling. In Physics and Astronomy, you'll learn both but will focus more on observational physics.

What kind of things do you do in the astronomy labs? Do you use the observatory?

You'll use telescopes, star maps, and other instruments in your astronomy labs, and yes, one lab does use the observatory, which you can also use when it's open to the public.

"I get to learn about so many different subjects. I've taken courses that range from the planets, stars, and galaxies to quantum mechanics, biophysics, and magnetism. Plus co-op has let me learn about areas I probably wouldn't have considered otherwise."Andre, second-year Physics and Astronomy student

Physics and Astronomy admission requirements

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Two of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, or Physics

Admission averages: Low 80s

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements for Physical Sciences (which includes the Physics and Astronomy major).

How to apply

Apply to Physical Sciences and choose Physics and Astronomy as your major.

Connect with us

Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?

Please contact Alisia, our Science recruitment coordinator who can answer any questions you have.

Alisia Mar