Researching Top Universities in Canada & US for Physics | MA/PhD

[barthayn]

Hi, I live in Canada and hoping to get into one of the better universities in Canada for physics. Is there a website that will tell me the which are the top universities in Canada? As well, I hope to get a MA or PhD in the United States. Is there a website for that nation too? Also, what do you guys think what path I should take in physics? Right now, in my top six courses in High School is an 87% average. However, with the two courses that I am/will take in school it should bump it up to a least a 90%.

 

[Msh1]

The best universities for physics are U of T, Waterloo, UBC and Mcgill.
Overall I recommend U of T, but you can't go wrong in Waterloo either. However, if you are interested in theoretical physics, U of T's physics & mathematics specialist program is by all means the best option. It has the most rigorous mathematics & Physics courses in Canada. Also, since U of T is a big school, upped division courses are usually offered every year which is really important if you want to get a taste of what grad school is like.
As for what path you should take in physics, it depends weather you are interested in theoretical physics or experimental physics. However, you still have to take a set of core courses in your first two years, then your path becomes clear.
Your high school average is fine for getting into the program, but the workload specially in U of T's physics & mathematics program is tough. Some people with averages over 95 don't do well in first year math courses specially a course called MAT157(Analysis I).

 

[General_Sax]

What province do you live in?

 

[Msh1]

I live in Ontario and go to U of T.

 

[General_Sax]

I meant the OP ;p

 

[Caramon]

If you are looking for relatively smaller class sizes in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year and are intending on going into either nanotechnology, particle physics, planetary dynamics, geophysics, or space physics I would suggest University of Alberta as they have connections all around the world and an outstanding faculty in these specific areas.



That is what a first-year class looks like. Amazing lecture halls!