An introduction to physics at SFU

1. An introduction to physics at SFU Outline: • Why study physics? • What courses do I need to take? • What are SFU’s degree programs? • What do students do after graduation? • Fun demos • Brief tour of selected research labs Levitation above a superconductor Atomic terraces near semiconductor screw dislocation 300GHz transistor

2. Why study physics? Number 1: Physics is fun! Number 2: Physics is useful! Number 3: Physicists get jobs! Number 4: Physics is beautiful! Schroedinger Wave Equation: Feynman Diagrams:

3. What courses do I need? • Physics 12 • Chemistry 12 • Math 12 • Calculus 12 (Recommended) • Possibly Useful: • Biology 11/12

4. New First Year Physics Course Options Advanced: PHYS 125/126 Designed for those students who excel in mathematics and physics and who are comfortable with the material presented in Physics 12 and Mathematics 12, this stream will introduce students to the approach that professional physicists use to understand nature. A grade of ‘A’ in both Physics 12 and Mathematics 12 is a prerequisite for this stream. Life Sciences: PHYS 101/102 Designed for those who wish to specialize in bioscience or kinesiology, or who ultimately desire a career in the health sciences.   Standard: PHYS 120/121 Designed for all other students who want to take a general, introductory physics course. Students who know that their academic futures will require a strong background in physics even though they may be leaning towards a major in areas such as chemistry, molecular biology, earth sciences or environmental science should select this stream.

5. Physics Degree Programs: • Physics (Honours, Major, and Minor) • Applied Physics (Honours and Major) • Mathematical Physics (Honours only) • Chemical Physics (Honours and Major) • Physics and Physiology (Honours only) • Nuclear Science (Minor) • Major: 120 credit hours, minimum CGPA=2.0 (C) • Honours: 132 credit hours, minimum CGPA=3.0 (B) • Minor: 14 upper division credit hours + prerequisites

6. Access to teaching and research labs

7. Physics Coop Program • Combines academic studies with related work experience • Student spends four semesters off campus in study-related jobs. • Arrangements for work experiences are made through the Science and Environment Co-operative Education Program . • Physics students find co-op positions in high tech industry, government labs, and university research labs

8. Physics Coop Employers • TRIUMF • E-One Moli Energy • Ballard Technologies • SFU Physics Department • CreoScitex Products • 3M Touch Systems • National Research Council • Nortel Networks • Vortek Industries • Lightyear Technologies • Eagle-Picher Energy • WCB • Process Simulations Ltd. • QuestAir Technologies • Shaw Cable Systems

9. What students do after they graduate: American Physical Society surveys: -40% enter job market -40% physics graduate school -20% other grad. school or professional programs

10. Sector of Employment by level of highest physics degree 1994 (Source American Institute of Physics)

11. Graduate Profile: “I joined Xantrex in August 1997 as an Applications Engineer. After about a year I moved into management and currently I'm the Director of Sales for our Commercial Market segment with responsibility of running a multi-million dollar segment of our business. My team is responsible for marketing and selling advanced power electronic options for heavy duty trucks; telecom, utility and cable fleet service trucks; emergency vehicles; military applications and into the automotive segment.“ Rich Gaudet 1997 BSc, Physics Major

12. Graduate Profile “I graduated in the summer of 2000 with a major in math and minor in physics. In the Fall of 2000, I started PDP - and the following year (the fall of 2001) I started teaching high school Math and Physics at Archbishop Carney Secondary in Port Coquitlam (http://www.acrss.org).” Monique Leathem BSc 2000 Mathematics Major, Physics Minor

13. Graduate Profile: “I started at Creo in 1999, and my current position is Product Development Physicist. I work with a team of 20 engineers and physicists developing laser imaging systems for the graphic arts. I perform prototype development/testing for a key optical subassembly of the device.” Charlie Asman 1997 BSc Honours Mathematical Physics 1999 MSc Physics (UBC) Note: CREO has hired many SFU graduates over the years.

14. Assistant Professor Department of Physics and Astronomy McMaster University Graduate Profile Research Areas: Experimental Quantum Information Processing, Quantum State Engineering, Ion Trapping, Experimental Atomic Physics  Brian King, B.Sc. Honours Mathematical Physics, SFU, 1992

15. DEMO #1: Levitation by the Meissner Effect A magnetic hovers in mid air above a superconductor due to the fact that magnetic flux lines cannot penetrate a superconductor DEMO#2: Jumping ring A non-magnetic aluminum ring placed around an electromaget “jumps” into the air when the magnet is turned on. This is a demonstration of induced current.

16. DEMO #3: Semiconducting Lightning Rod Sparks jump from the high voltage terminal of a Van der Graaf generator to a grounded sphere. A piece of semiconductor taped to the high voltage sphere acts as a light-switchable lightning rod. With the room lights off, the semiconductor acts as an insulator and has no effect. With the lights on it becomes a conductor and acts as a lightning rod, discharging the high voltage and preventing any sparking.

17. Resources: To download this presentation, go to www.sfu.ca/~simonw Physics Department Website: www.sfu.ca/physics/outreach Physics Office: Room: P8428, Shrum Science Building Telephone: (604) 291 4464 Undergraduate Advisor: Prof. Mike Vetterli Email: vetm@triumf.ca Phone: (604) 291-5488 High School Liason: Prof Simon Watkins Email: simonw@sfu.caPhone: (604) 291-5763 Canadian Association of Physicists Careers Website: www.cap.ca/careers